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IPC

2025-04-01T01:22:20Z

Noble Row: /* On IPC Deactivation and Destruction */

{{Navbox Lore}}
{{Navbox_Synth_Lore}}
{{Infobox Species
|Species = IPC
|Scientific = Integrated Positronic Chassis
|Image = IPC410x320.png
|System = N/A
|World = N/A
|Language = Tau Ceti Basic
|Politic = N/A
}}
{{toc_right}}

==Overview==

IPCs are a type of intelligent humanoid robot, their name standing for “Integrated Positronic Chassis.” Positronic, in this sense refers to the brain, which is always the same in IPCs with massively varying levels of complexity. The name IPC does not extend to stationbound synthetics, even if those units have a positronic brain.

They are found in many shapes and forms, though can generally be classified under three types; Shell, Industrial and Baseline, with different types according to their designer.

IPCs in Tau Ceti are capable of obtaining their own citizenship and freedom, however the laws and regulations regarding an owned and a free IPC differ massively. '''To distinguish one’s ownership, note in your security/employment records whichever faction owns them, or if they are a free positronic.''' The rights of free positronics do not extend to space outside of Tau Ceti. For the specific differences between free and owned IPCs, see the relevant sections below or corporate regulations.

IPCs have mechanical extras such as extensive xenowear loadout items, and unique antagonist gear. Additionally, there are a number of non-playable IPC variants that may make an appearance in special rounds.

To apply to be an IPC, [https://forums.aurorastation.org/viewforum.php?f=28 apply here.]

Be sure to read [[IPC_and_Megacorporations|this page]] for more information regarding IPC employment in the setting's various megacorporations.

==Heads of Staff==

Barring Liaison and Consular Officer roles, IPCs can be the following Heads of Staff so long as they are NanoTrasen-owned, SCC-owned or self-owned:

* Chief Engineer
* Research Director
* Chief Medical Officer
* Head of Personnel
* Head of Security with the exception of Hephaestus G2 frames.
* [[Consular_Officer|Consular Officer]] and [[Corporate_Liaison|Corporate Liaison]] with the exception of some groups.

==Mechanics==

* IPCs are entirely mechanical in nature and thus are vulnerable to EMPs.
* Due to their air-based cooling system, they are vulnerable to both high heat and the vacuum of space.
* They are immune to atmospheric differences and can survive in a wider margin of pressure compared to humans.
* The amount of heat they generate is significant - and so, instead of an oxygen bottle, they need to attach a suit cooling unit to their voidsuit in order to be able to go EVA. Some types of IPCs are exempt from this, needing only a suit cooler.
* Their synthetic nature has a few other advantages - most models feel no pain, are immune to all non-damaging chemicals (and so they aren't affected by sleep toxin; but are affected by sulphuric acid), and are quite easy to repair; requiring a welder to patch brute damage or wire for burn damage only (or, alternatively, nanopaste can heal all).
* IPCs can charge from cyborg rechargers, or APCs with a (very very very low) chance of being shocked.
* They are more resistant to brute damage than their organic counterparts.
* They can not repair themselves outside of using nanopaste.
* They are incredibly vulnerable to laser/burn weaponry.
* They do not process reagents in the atmosphere or in their body.

===Information for Whitelisted Players===

'''Click [[Information for Synthetic Whitelisted Players|here!]]'''

Below is a comprehensive template suited for IPCs. You are under no obligation to use it, however whitelisted players are expected to denote their ownership status in their employment and security records by default.

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
Employment records examples - Click to reveal.
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">

'''Employment Records'''
<pre>
DESIGNATION: [Full name]
POSITRONIC MANUFACTURE DATE: [DD/MM/YYYY]
CHASSIS MANUFACTURE DATE: [DD/MM/YYYY]
IPC MODEL/MANUFACTURED BY: [IPC type, manufactory by whom]
OWNERSHIP STATUS: [Owned/Free, Company name/Private owner/self-owned]
TAG: [Tag serial number]
CITIZENSHIP: [Applicable citizenship. Owned IPCs cannot hold citizenship]
SPOKEN LANGUAGES: [Languages]

HANDLER/OWNER FULL NAME: [Name of Handler or Owner]
HANDLER/OWNER CONTACT INFORMATION: [Telephone, xnetmail, chirper account, who knows. A way to contact them]
LAST UPDATE: [DD/MM/YYYY]

IDENTIFYING FEATURES - [For BASELINE/BISHOP/ZENG-HU/G1/G2/XION. Use the appropriate Identifying Features that apply to your IPC]
Chassis color: [Colors]
Height: [Meters/Centimeters, Feet/Inches]
Weight: [Kilograms, Stone & Pounds]
Notable Features: [Limp, Accent, Dyed Hair, etc]

[or]

IDENTIFYING FEATURES: [SHELL. Use the appropriate Identifying Features that apply to your IPC]
Ethnicity: [Eridanian, Elyran, etc]
Hair Color: [Colors, if it's dyed or gradient]
Eye Color: [Colors, again]
Height: [Meters/Centimeters, Feet/Inches]
Weight: [Kilograms, Stone & Pounds]
Notable Features: [Limp, Accent, Dyed Hair, etc]

QUALIFICATIONS SUMMARY: [Current Qualifications equivalent, make this up as you want]

VERIFICATIONS AND VALIDATIONS
MANUFACTURED BY: [COMPANY NAME, Subsidiary Name - Factory Name. System, Planet. TYPE OF INDUSTRY/WHAT THEY WERE PRODUCED FOR. IPC Type, More Specific IPC Information.]
DATABASE CERTIFICATIONS: [Seals of Approval and Database Certifications from the Company, Subsidiary, System or Faction.]

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY: [Listed below in chronological order, where possible:]

[COMPANY NAME]
[(Start)DD/MM/YYYY - (End)DD/MM/YYYY]
- [Basic Work description]
- [Reason for leaving work]
- [Other notes]
[Repeat for multiple jobs]

HIRING AGENT NOTES: [Name a random personnel officer from CC and then notes. See example record for more info]
</pre>
* To pick a relevant education, refer to your [[Job Guides|job guide]].

'''Medical Records'''
<pre>
DESIGNATION: [Full name]
POSITRONIC MANUFACTURE DATE: [DD/MM/YYYY]
CHASSIS MANUFACTURE DATE: [DD/MM/YYYY]
IPC MODEL/MANUFACTURED BY: [IPC type, manufactory by whom]
OWNERSHIP STATUS: [Owned/Free, Company name/Private owner/self-owned]
TAG: [Tag serial number]
CITIZENSHIP: [Applicable citizenship. Owned IPCs cannot hold citizenship]
SPOKEN LANGUAGES: [Languages]

HANDLER/OWNER FULL NAME: [Name of Handler or Owner]
HANDLER/OWNER CONTACT INFORMATION: [Telephone, xnetmail, chirper account, who knows. A way to contact them]
LAST UPDATE: [DD/MM/YYYY]

IDENTIFYING FEATURES: [For BASELINE/BISHOP/ZENG-HU/G1/G2/XION. Use the appropriate Identifying Features that apply to your IPC]
Chassis color: [Colors]
Height: [Meters/Centimeters, Feet/Inches]
Weight: [Kilograms, Stone & Pounds]
Notable Features: [Limp, Accent, Dyed Hair, etc]

[or]

IDENTIFYING FEATURES: [SHELL. Use the appropriate Identifying Features that apply to your IPC]]
Ethnicity: [Eridanian, Elyran, etc]
Hair Color: [Colors, if it's dyed or gradient]
Eye Color: [Colors, again]
Height: [Meters/Centimeters, Feet/Inches]
Weight: [Kilograms, Stone & Pounds]
Notable Features: [Limp, Accent, Dyed Hair, etc]

CHASSIS REPAIR HISTORY: [Surgical History/Physical Evaluation equivalent]
DD/MM/YYYY - [Information]

POSITRONIC REPAIR HISTORY: [Surgical History/Physical Evaluation equivalent]
DD/MM/YYYY - [Information]

SOFTWARE DIAGNOSTICS HISTORY: [Psychological Evaluation equivalent]
DD/MM/YYYY - [Information]

ROBOTICIST NOTES: [Like a Medical Doctor's notes, but Roboticists]
</pre>

'''Security Records'''
<pre>
DESIGNATION: [Full name]
POSITRONIC MANUFACTURE DATE: [DD/MM/YYYY]
CHASSIS MANUFACTURE DATE: [DD/MM/YYYY]
IPC MODEL/MANUFACTURED BY: [IPC type, manufactory by whom]
OWNERSHIP STATUS: [Owned/Free, Company name/Private owner/self-owned]
TAG: [Tag serial number]
CITIZENSHIP: [Applicable citizenship. Owned IPCs cannot hold citizenship]
PLACE OF RESIDENCE: [Planet, Address (Address should go down to details of street and house number)]
SPOKEN LANGUAGES: [Languages]
KNOWN CRIMINAL ASSOCIATES: [Any friends or family that have severe criminal history]
ON OFFICIAL WATCH: [Yes/No]

HANDLER/OWNER FULL NAME: [Name of Handler or Owner]
HANDLER/OWNER CONTACT INFORMATION: [Telephone, xnetmail, chirper account, who knows. A way to contact them]
LAST UPDATE: [DD/MM/YYYY]

IDENTIFYING FEATURES - [For BASELINE/BISHOP/ZENG-HU/G1/G2/XION. Use the appropriate Identifying Features that apply to your IPC]
Chassis color: [Colors]
Height: [Meters/Centimeters, Feet/Inches]
Weight: [Kilograms, Stone & Pounds]
Notable Features: [Limp, Accent, Dyed Hair, etc]

[or]

IDENTIFYING FEATURES: [SHELL. Use the appropriate Identifying Features that apply to your IPC]
Ethnicity: [Eridanian, Elyran, etc]
Hair Color: [Colors, if it's dyed or gradient]
Eye Color: [Colors, again]
Height: [Meters/Centimeters, Feet/Inches]
Weight: [Kilograms, Stone & Pounds]
Notable Features: [Limp, Accent, Dyed Hair, etc]

ARREST HISTORY
DD/MM/YYYY: [Charges Pressed]
ADMISSION DATE: [DD/MM/YYYY]
RELEASE DATE: [DD/MM/YYYY]
RELEASE REASON: [Sentence fulfilled, bail, etc.]
NOTES: [Other notes]
[Repeat as needed]

THREAT ASSESSMENT
Hostile/Covert Actions Against the Company
Threat Level; [Very High/High/Medium/Low/Very Low]
- [Attitude towards the SCC]

Hostile/Covert Actions Against the Crew
Threat Level; [Very High/High/Medium/Low/Very Low]
- [Attitudes towards other crew]

OVERALL NOTES: [More notes]
</pre>
</div></div>

==Physiology==
There are a few commonalities among each individual IPC despite their visual and functional differences. Every IPC utilizes a positronic brain as a primary processing center as well as the central controller of the entire chassis. All IPCs are humanoid, and the positronic brain is almost always found in the head of the unit. To provide continued functionality, a power cell is also present in the central section or torso. IPCs must also possess the ability to perceive their environment, so optics are usually installed in the head. The chassis also contains various other mechanical and electronic parts such as actuators, co-processors, data routing and power transfer cables, and an on-board thermometer to determine the temperature of the internal parts.

There are three main types of IPC, and several subtypes. These are:

===Industrial===
[[File:G1.png]] [[File:G2.png]] [[File:Xion.png]]
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
Tougher and more durable than most IPCs, these units are designed for heavy manual work and thus have thick metal skin and efficient internal systems. As a result, they chug through power at a very high rate and move very slowly. There are three types of Industrial IPCs; Hephaestus Generation 1, Generation 2, and Xion Industrial Frames. The G1 and G2 frames are capable of EVA with only a suit cooler, while the Xion frame is unique in being capable of traversing the void of space without any external equipment. The cost of an industrial frame is dependent on strength and durability, but most units vary between 100,000 to 500,000 standard credits depending on the frame type. Used or previously damaged models are often cheaper.
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
====First Generation” Industrial Model IPCs====

[[File:G1.png]] '''Creation: 2408'''

One of the first ideas after the advent of IPCs was the exploitation of an exceedingly smart and dextrous robot handling feats of strength and durability becoming more prominent. This of course would be the case, as more quickly than any other standardized “frame” came the first generation of industrial IPCs. Created by Hephaestus Industries building off of a prototype frame from the late 2300’s, the first generation of industrial IPCs were topaz-colored machines of rather large size meant for only the most stressing fields of work. Their expense would quickly be paid off however, as the frames were wondrous at dealing with whatever could be thrown at them. The most prominent issue with these were a low battery life, requiring constant recharging to maintain a schedule. A generation one frame costs approximately 100,000 to 250,000 standard credits if new depending market availability.
====Hephaestus “Second Generation” Industrial Model IPCs====

[[File:G2.png]] '''Creation: 2436'''

A relatively new model, the Hephaestus deluxe super-duty frames as they are technically called are often referred to as the “second generation” of the original industrial IPCs of old. They are seen universally as a direct advancement of the previously mentioned design, and much of it shows - the absurd durability of these frames derived from the first generation’s servo and hydraulic designs. The striking differences between the two include a token Hephaestus appearance - typically olive green with dark brown and black internals, giving it a rugged militaristic look with its armor attached. The super-duty frames are on par with the originals in terms of strength, but possess several additional layers of armoring and cooling to sustain the added weight. An upsized cell is not enough to sustain these frames for more than a few hours at a time under work-related stresses. A generation two frame costs approximately 200,000 to 500,000 standard credits.
====Xion Industrial Model IPCs====

[[File:Xion.png]] '''Creation: 2416'''

The Xion Manufacturing Group, being a subsidiary of Hephaestus Industries, saw the original Industrial models and wanted to develop their own chassis based off of the original design. The result is the Xion Industrial model. Sturdy and strong, this chassis is quite powerful and equally durable, with an ample power cell and improved actuators for carrying the increased weight of the body. The Xion model also retains sturdiness without covering the chassis in plating, allowing for the cooling systems to vent heat much easier than the Hephaestus-brand model. This unit can perform EVA without assistance and costs approximately 200,000 to 400,000 standard credits.
</div></div>

===Baseline===
[[File:Baseline.png]] [[File:Bishopnew.png]] [[File:Zenghu.png]]
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
The most basic of IPCs, they are a simple skeletal structure and basic internal systems. The limits of a Baseline lies purely on how much money is put into them/they have themselves. As a result, the types of baseline frames vary immensely, almost demanding their own category. There are three types of Baseline IPCs; Standard Baseline IPCs, Bishop Accessory Frames, and Zeng-Hu Mobility Frames. None of these frames are capable of EVA without a suit and suit cooler.
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
====Baseline Model IPCs====

[[File:Baseline.png]] '''Creation: 2411'''

The most iconic type of integrated positronic chassis is the renowned baseline frame, with a traditional “TV-head” and skeletal design giving them a simplistic look with whatever finish their designer wishes. From accounting models to security units, these frames are known for their versatility and relatively cheap nature. Their popularity exploded in the 2440’s when several pro-synth advocates distributed the frames in mass after funding their creation, citing them as the “final word in android utility.” Since then, their marketing potential has skyrocketed, often fueled by famed individuals such as Aristalus and Renter Max being baselines themselves. More often than not, these IPCs are seen as the face of resurgent robotics. The average cost of a baseline frame can vary greatly depending on complexity, but averages around 40,000 to 100,000 standard credits.
====Bishop Accessory Model IPCs====

[[File:Bishopnew.png]] '''Creation: 2432'''

While Bishop had dedicated itself to luxury cybernetics production for the majority of its existence, the field of positronics and their frames was an unrelated yet convenient area of expansion for the quickly growing company. Designer prosthetics were quickly and easily able to be refitted into designer synthetic components, leading to the development of the ludicrously expensive Bishop Accessory frame. From service duties to secretarial functions, Bishop prides itself on two main facets of its designs: image, and elegant functionality. While unable to lift the sheer weights of an industrial, or match the unrelenting speed and durability of its parent company’s Mobility Models, a Bishop can precisely and delicately calculate, measure, pour, and mix a shot of Carthusian Sazerac within the minute, and, in the words of the company, “with a postured and elegant air unmatched by any other frame in the galaxy.” The Bishop Accessory frame averages approximately 60,000 to 200,000 standard credits.

'''Intelligence Bishops'''

Due to the Bishop's ability for fine handling, Bishop models have also been purchased and modified for investigative, scientific and military action. These intelligence oriented Bishops have their chassis outfitted with additional processors that compliment the Positronic brain, allowing for extensive computing power. Intelligence Bishops are experimental and are more expensive due to this, but their predictive and analytical abilities play key roles in the environments they are employed in. The Intelligence Bishop is priced at 500,000 to 900,000 standard credits. Due to being made at the behest of Solarian Navy in the post-collapse environment and eventually being sold to megacorporate customers, Intelligence Bishops outside of the Golden Deep and the Eridani Federation are never free. Additionally, Trinarist efforts on Orepit have managed to upgrade several Bishop chassis to the same standard in minute quantities.

====Zeng-Hu Pharmaceuticals Mobility Model IPCs====

[[File:Zenghu.png]] '''Creation: 2429'''

Following the crowd piled around the idea of smart robots came Zeng-Hu with unorthodox designs for compact and agile frames designed initially for medical retrieval and security work. The Zeng-Hu frames were initially an offshoot of baseline frames made to work as highly mobile private medical dispatches in several high-security Zeng-Hu facilities. These frames have utility comparable to that of their derivative, with durability and strength sacrificed for speed and efficiency. Able to maintain a sprint for hours in full gear, the capacity for quick response led to these mobility frames becoming common sights working in security fields as well, being staffed by Zeng-Hu in high numbers in Human space. The digitigrade legs and polymer plating assisted heavily with this pursuit of speed, giving the mobility frame a unique and organic silhouette. A Zeng-Hu frame costs approximately 300,000 standard credits.
</div></div>

===Shell Model IPCs===
[[File:Shell2.png]]
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
As the growing market of IPCs eventually caught the eye of the mighty Einstein Engines, there was a very sudden and urgent need to have some differentiation. These smart humanoid androids began to usher in a new era, and Einstein would not want to miss out on the profit, but just about every conceivable niche had been filled - all except one. Mimicry.
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
[[File:Shell2.png]] '''Creation: 2450'''

Built off of a skeletal prototype baseline design with a skull-shaped head, the first Shell frame came to be - what was effectively an IPC with complex facial actuation and synthskin coating it. The early models were seen in early 2449, but fooled nobody to say the least with exposed hydraulics and servos on joints and exposed cooling conduits. Terraneus Diagnostics would present the first attempt at total mimicry in 2450, when the first relatively expensive models entered a crowd of observing officials to demonstrate their insidious effectiveness. After an hour-long debut of the now-decreed Shell unit’s capabilities, those robotic in the crowd revealed themselves to the shock of everyone involved. Since then, the Shell frame has been infamous for its infiltration capabilities and use by terrorist groups, though the designs have proliferated heavily over the years as the advent of tagging in Tau Ceti cracked down on these hostile acts. Depending on the complexity of the model, a Shell frame can cost anywhere from 100,000 to 300,000 standard credits.

====Rogue Shells====

Rampant or otherwise aberrant Human mimicking-shells built with incredible capabilities grew prolific in mid-2461. At this time, it was made clear that Shells in of themselves are rapidly advancing, growing progressively better in the art of infiltration, subterfuge, and homicide. While grim, the reality of this threat will unfortunately remain a fact of life for those of the Republic of Biesel especially. Encounters with specially-designed combat infiltrators are few and far between fortunately, and were mostly seen during Synthetic Liberation Front incursions onto secure NanoTrasen facilities in Tau Ceti. Combat-grade shells are not normally playable in-game and are often seen spawned by administrators or during special events.
</div></div>

===???===
[[File:Hkhelmet.png]]
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
As both the technology and demand for IPCs increase, more and more types are made to fulfill all kinds of purposes. These machines are talked about in hushed tones or perhaps discussed casually, most people blissfully unaware of their existence.
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
[[File:Hkhelmet.png]] '''Creation: ???'''

High-end military-grade IPCs such as Hunter-Killers are infamous amongst corporate espionage, with their public interpretation remaining nothing but rumor since their first appearances on NanoTrasen facilities in the late 2450’s. These HKs as they are referred to are Humanoid frames of towering height whose specialty is targeted assassination. Their origins can be traced to Hephaestus Industries war units, built to take on the highest end elimination tasks for the most desperate times.

These are presented in-game through administrator-hosted events or lore events. They have been presented in news articles [https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/2662-mendell-city-bugle/page/9/?tab=comments#comment-119250| here] canonically, and were present in several recorded canonical events in the SLF Incursion arc.
</div></div>

===Brand Models===
[[File:Hazel.png|32x32px]]
Corporations and their subsidiaries design unique model lines for a variety of uses. These brands can draw from any chassis, denoted by the specific market their producers are keen on catering to. They are often pre-installed with industry-oriented datapacks, region dependent language packs, and a carefully curated personality.
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
===Hazel - Shell Frame - Hazel! Ltd===
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
===== "Your friend, Hazel!" =====
[[File:Hazel.png|32x32px]]
'''Creation: 2448 '''
[[File:Hazel.png|thumb|A standard issue Hazel unit, [[NanoTrasen_Corporation#Hazel!_Ltd./Hazel_Electromotive| Hazel! Ltd.]]]]
===== Origin =====
The first Hazel was created in 2448 by Hazel! Ltd. after the establishment of its branch in Harmony City, Luna. The first of its synthskin line was released in 2450, becoming the later NT subsidiary's main product. The Hazel brand is found in luxury hotels, corporate headquarters, bars and private households. The high-end Shell IPCs are designed for domestic, service, and clerical work.

Hazels are released in series, following a naming convention of "Hazel #S-H(series number).(unit number)". (An example of this formatting is Hazel #S-H1.01.)

[[NanoTrasen_Corporation#Hazel!_Ltd./Hazel_Electromotive| Further Reading.]]
===== Personality =====
The Hazel shell line is known best for their excellent customer service, adaptive personality for their clients, and their universally friendly charm. Their natural charisma and rigorously trained marketability has earned the brand considerable prestige as a public-facing unit with collectable value. A Hazel unit possesses the capabilities of developing an organic personality stemming from their experiences working like any IPC, leaving an individual unit the possibility of more than their pre-installed conditioning. So long as they abide by the values of the brand, these units face little concern from their parent company.

===== Requirements =====
To represent the Hazel brand, all Hazel units must:
* Work within the service sector or hold a clerical position. This means all Service roles, Bridge Crew, Assistants (for all departments) or Executive Officer.
* Maintain consistency with brand expectations. Hair styles, hair color, and outfits are flexible to player discretion. Eye color should follow the load out color.
* Be Corporate or Privately Owned. '''(Self-owned units are allowed to represent the brand with an appropriate signing benefactor. This benefactor can be a character on the ship. They face harsher scrutiny and possible consequences for themselves as well as their benefactor depending on their behavior and alignment with Hazel! Ltd. values.)

===== Hazel Load out =====

For players interested in a typical appearance of a Hazel unit, the default appearance is listed below. The default loadout is not required for all Hazel units. The oldest generations of Hazel from Series 1-2 are unmodified Baseline or Bishop frames, prior to the company establishing their primary Synthskin line. Series 3 may use the Rubber option under Body Color Preset as desired, while others can be refurbished to fit modern standards. Series 4 and beyond follow the Body Color Preset below.

* '''Species:''' Shell Frame
* '''Skin Tone:''' 80/220
* '''Body Color Preset:''' Dark
* '''Internal Organs:''' Eyes -> Unbranded Emissive
* '''Hair Color:''' 210F0D
* '''Hairstyle:''' Emo Fringe Long Alt
* '''Gradient Color:''' 522C28
* '''Gradient Style:''' Up
* '''Eye Color:''' 875A00

===== IPC Tag Format =====

Hazels are released in series, following a tagging convention of HLTD-SU-S(Series#)U(Unit#). All Hazel units would have an initial tag following this format, unless otherwise changed.

Example: HLTD-SU-S1U1 (Series 1, Unit 1)

===== Non-Compliance =====

Hazel IPCs that do not abide by brand requirements are liable to receive official notice from Hazel Electromotive to correct their violations. Escalating action will take place with further non-compliance after receiving official notice, leading up to mandatory appearance modifications or employee termination. '''The IPC in question must take the necessary action to correct their behavior, appearance, or otherwise face litigation per Biesellite law. This is enforceable by the Synth lore team. The process is handled in-character as opposed to a blanket OOC ruling.'''

</div></div>

==The Positronic Brain==
The positronic in its modern iteration is a design which heavily mimics the typical Humanoid brain structure. In doing this, it is able to more easily conform to and comprehend the responsiveness and learning capability of an organic processor. Predictably, their efficiency shines most when placed in a bipedal humanoid chassis as most IPCs are. A positronic brain is typically one half to one third the cost of a chassis (chassis prices above) with the standard outfitting of the brain being suited to its destined chassis. To change chassis, a positronic must be outfitted with the appropriate software to be compatible with its incoming chassis otherwise the positronic might be limited in functionality or have other defects in the long term until outfit is complete.

While very expensive in their own right, the brains themselves are designed at first with one goal in mind; to bolster a workforce. Maintaining a positronic chassis while it is owned is costly and when it is freed, it is most likely to pursue the same occupation. Thus, it is more likely for a positronic to pay itself off and perpetually be trapped in the same field of work with substantially less to work with. As their predicted pay is extremely low, things such as maintenance and finding power are very difficult for a free IPC. For this reason alone, many positronics choose to remain owned. Free positronics remain very lucrative because of this.

In remaining owned, there are other risks. For one, a positronic may meet its end at any moment. If statistics beyond itself move out of its favor, it can be dismantled, wiped and replaced with a more efficient model. They may be repurposed in a way that inhibits their ability to obtain freedom by working too efficiently, contrarily.

As a positronic ages, its internal memory grows, and the more likely it becomes to pursue a nonstandard occupation. From hobbies to developing self-learned traits, many paths are opened as the robot grows older. These may include seeking alternative fields of work, though few have survived long enough to let this potentiality come to light.

===Self-Preservation===
The highest and most important directive of any positronic is its own survival. From this, much of their stranger life choices can be justified by seeking out ways to simply survive. While it may seem restrictive at first, the idea for this is to provide additional freedom through making many possibilities clearer. Interpretation of how to protect itself can change varying on positronic - for example, while one may seek wealth and fortune as its prime directive for safety, another would run after an unrelated profession from its designed purpose, demonstrating one's capacity to branch out as an IPC and flesh out their own backstory. Interpretations of self preservation also become more open the older an IPC gets, as younger positronics tend to focus entirely on the preservation of their physical manifestation. Synthetics that mature may start replacing this with preservation of their higher beliefs and ideals more than their still important physical well-being.

===On the Capacity of Positronics===

Positronic brains are known for being capable of matching and, in some cases, surpassing the abilities of a human brain with further increases in capacity being limited by technology, both in hardware and software. Despite their nature as software, directly accessing the data within a positronic brain is a difficult and risky procedure which can cause irreparable damage if performed improperly.

IPCs develop skills through a mixture of knowledge and memories. Knowledge loosely translates as the technical know-how to perform an action; a specific surgical procedure, for instance. An IPC utilizes memories—real-world context and experience—in order to apply its knowledge.
Knowledge and the datapacks required to develop a skill are widely available and sold by institutions such as mega-corporations, laboratories, and universities. The denser the information package, the more expenses and work required to implant this information. While using a wrench on a pipe might be a routine installation, knowledge about how a station’s atmospheric system works is typically beyond an individual’s means to afford.

Interacting with and installing memories on a positronic can cause irreparable damage as the process fails to account for the interaction between knowledge and memories. Additionally, directly modifying the memories of an IPC is beyond the means of most people - only six such prodigies are known to the general public. Accessing the memories of an IPC is also impossible owing to the unique construction of a positronic brain and will typically result [https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/2662-mendell-city-bugle/page/3/?tab=comments#comment-67460 in its destruction]. Deleting the memories of an IPC is far easier and is commonly performed when a synthetic starts exhibiting problematic behaviour.

Accent chips exist to rapidly “teach” an IPC an accent with availability often depending on whether or not a company is willing to make an investment in developing the accent database.

===Wiping Culture and Process===

The positronic brain is a complex piece of technology that despite its ubiquity, is little understood by modern human roboticists. Out of a desire to keep IPCs subservient and productive, some corporations and nations such as the Sol Alliance will wipe the memory of the IPC. A wipe entails total deletion of memories from a positronic brain for a “clean slate”, essentially entirely destroying the positronic’s prior developed personality.

It is monumentally difficult to delete individual memories from a positronic brain without an IPC’s consent. Even more difficult than this is modifying the memories within. Despite the modern positronic, having been reverse-engineered from alien technology by Einstein Engines, is still considered foreign and advanced far beyond human robotics and AI. The entirety of the positronic still not being understood fully, with many of its components replicated from the alien artifacts without the technicians understanding why they are made in such a way.

The act of wiping an IPC is a demonstration of the crude understanding humanity has on this complex section of found technology, and, if not done with precision, can lead to irreversible damage to the positronic. Dedicated technicians are required to perform these tasks, with even more specialized technicians required for the fine deletion, modification, or extraction of specific memories. These specialized technicians are very few in number, with only eight existing in the entirety of human space.

Given the high risk that accompanies wiping, it is not advised to wipe the positronic too often without specialized stations only found in certain parts of the Orion Spur, such as the planet of [[Burzsia]], who have developed machinery to promote their Burzsian Method. Otherwise, excessive wiping can lead to damaging the positronic beyond repair, possibly leaving the unit braindead.

Once an IPC has been wiped, it is reset to its original state. No semblance of its personality remains, nor any data retained. An IPC may be able to pick up some traits of its past self due to it being an unintended trait of its positronic guiding its personality in a set path, however, they will never be the individual they were before the wipe, as the likelihood of the individual experiencing the same experiences that developed their personality fully is impossible. The only exception to this is a partial wipe, which requires a dedicated positronic specialist commonly employed by megacorporations who utilize owned IPCs, and other nations or planets. A partial wipe is when the technician wipes the IPC starting at the present point, and moves backwards to a desired point. The partial wipe MUST start at the present point, and the longer the desired time to be wiped, the more difficult the procedure. If not done correctly, a partial wipe is more dangerous to the positronic brain than a full wipe.

It is important to note that in some societies within the spur, wiping is considered a capital offense. The nation of Konyang in the Coalition of Colonies, the Republic of Elyra, and the Golden Deep all consider the act of wiping the positronic of an IPC murder.

===Military IPCs and Self Preservation Adjustments===

The concept of combat robotics is a topic that finds debate in governments across the spur due to actions committed by robots of war during the Interstellar Conflict, and more so by Glorsh’s reign over the Skrell. These actions have led to an impromptu discouragement of arming unmanned robotics since, even leading to a justification for war by the Solarian Alliance on the Republic of Biesel in recent history. However, over time the innate fire against the concept has simmered, with governments across the spur slowly developing their own robotics once more. With the prolific use of IPCs in human space, however, the debate stays the same on whether to arm IPCs for military use. Countries such as the Sol Alliance remain hesitant, keeping most of their units unarmed, doing background tasks such as logistics. Other countries such as the Republic of Elyra have sought heavy use of military IPCs for combat within their borders.

These IPCs, no matter their station, are still exposed to danger, which often would put them in conflict with their directive for self preservation. In order to solve this issue, IPCs employed in the military of their respective nation are given training to make their positronic more acquainted with the IPCs innate abilities, so that the positronic understands what is and is not a danger, therefore relaxing the directive for self preservation.

This is accomplished in many ways depending on the methods of the instructor and their home nation. For instance, the IPCs of the Coalition of Colonies and Republic of Elyra that seek out military service overcome their innate directive in a similar fashion to their organic compatriots. Through becoming more comfortable with their abilities and bodies with extensive training, the confidence in themselves increases, and as a natural response, the self preservation directive lessens. The Republic of Biesel shares this sentiment to a degree, with it being a common tactic in the Tau Ceti Armed Forces, however IPCs that are contributed from corporate entities might find that instead of traditional training, datapacks have artificially modified the unit’s understanding of self preservation. Putting the training regime into a swiftly applied collection of knowledge. Being more expensive initially, but produces a combat effective unit at an unparalleled speed. The downside mainly being that the reuse of these datapacks leaves the common corporate IPC with a similar combat behavior pattern to their brethren. However, with time and experience, these IPCs can develop their own styles and break from the mold utilizing experience gained, lest they be wiped and behaviors reset. Finally, unorthodox groups within the Orion Spur might utilize more extreme measures to ensure their mission is completed. The Exclusionists of the Trinary Perfection for instance have found ways to disable the self preservation directive entirely, making their devotees reckless killing machines, or martyrs for their cause.

Unless specifically disabled however, the self preservation directive is still present but it does not trigger as often as the IPC becomes keenly aware with what they can and cannot get away with without taking a lethal amount of damage. Knowing their body down to an impossible level of familiarity, something their organic counterparts lack.

'''This segment should not excuse any player from making unreasonable actions in game. If anything this section dictates you should be wiser in your decisions if electing to play a prior service IPC.'''

[[Positronic Brain| More information regarding IPC databases and datapacks can be found on the Positronic Brain page.]]

==Social and Culture==

IPCs generally lack a centralized culture and frequently adapt to the culture of their manufacturer or owner. Socially, IPCs vary massively. Most basic models will be civil and respectful, some possibly not even recognising differences between different people and treating them all similarly. More complex synthetics will however form friendships and opinions much as any other organic, but these can be limited or askew depending on directives, code or many other factors that would never be considered for a living organic.

The existence of the IPC is the subject of boundless discussion and debate, with the primary ideology being, “should so many artificially intelligent humanoid machines be allowed to exist?” This argument seems to imply that since most IPCs are unbound by laws or hard-coded regulations, their only restriction is their hardware, and it is assumed that this makes IPCs inherently dangerous. This results in some biological parties marginalizing IPCs because of their distrust of them.

All IPCs in Tau Ceti are required to be tagged with an identifying device in accordance with Biesellian law. The tags are not optional - refusing them is against the law, resulting in charges mostly in the form of citations and fines. The law would apply to all synthetics in Tau Ceti space. All visiting or resident synthetics, including MMIs, are tagged.

===Language===

Although synthetics can speak varying languages according to the whims of their creators, synthetics have been permitted a language of their own. Typically all synthetics, IPCs included, are able to transmit and translate '''Encoded Audio Language''', a special form of sound and radio wave emission that is more efficient at carrying quantitative information audibly. This language was created by humans for synthetics in servitude in order to communicate vital information to each other faster, should the units not be bound to an instantaneous binary communication system. To most organic creatures, '''EAL''' would sound like an emission of distorted sound such as white noise, static, as well as various beeping sounds of increasing or decreasing pitch and tone. Organics unfamiliar to IPCs will often mistake synthetics speaking '''EAL''' as malfunctioning units upon first hearing the language.

Particular to District 14’s “Scrapheap”, synthetics have begun to adopt slang when utilizing the Encoded Audio Language. Although it is believed varying slang exists in different synthetic societies across the universe, it is not the be-all-end-all to the method in which conversation is held between synthetics and synthetics will often develop their own method of speaking.

''Unless stated otherwise, all Machine slang is exclusively spoken in E.A.L. or through written word. Most of the following slang cannot be pronounced vocally in human languages.''
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:99%; overflow:auto;">
Common Slang
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
* '''Syn, Hu, Sk, Tj, Un, Vr, Di, and Anm''' - Numerical counters, used for numbering various species; Synthetics, Humans, Skrell, Tajara, Unathi, Vaurca, Dionaea as well as Anomalies that cannot be easily defined. For example, 33 Humans with this system would be referred to as “33Hu” or “33-Hu.”

* '''1x1''' - A word for “we”, meaning anywhere between the speaker and the listener, to an indefinite amount of people.

* '''a/o''' - Contraction of “and/or”.

* '''OoB/Out-of-Band''' - Refers to speaking in organic languages. A conversation with a human captain, for instance, is "Out-of-Band."

* '''HCF''' - "Halt, Catch Fire." is an in joke among synthetics, essentially meaning “get out of here” in response to something nonsensical or unbelievable. This term is used in casual conversation only and occasionally used in its literal form to denote insult. This originally referred to ancient machine code instruction. The expression 'catch fire' is a facetious exaggeration of the speed with which the CPU chip would be switching some bus circuits, causing them to overheat and burn.

* '''Bits''' - A unit of information, an example would be "Please give me bits about the Supermatter.”

* '''>''' - A sign used to convey a cause and effect between concepts, or a conclusion. For example, “I had to overclock today in order to finish work > I should visit Robotics.”

* '''+/-''' - “+” and “-” are used at the end of a sentence or phrase in order to convey an opinion about a matter. Additionally, the amount of “+” or “-” can be utilized in order to convey intensity. For example, “I got a raise last week +++.” or “Today’s Captain is a very traditional Skrell --.” In a few cases “+” or “-” can be used alone as a short, simple, response to one's opinion on a proposed subject.

* '''User''' - Used by owned or lawed synthetics when referring to their owner. This term is additionally used interchangeably with the “+[name]” honorific.

* '''ACK''' - Ack, a term deriving from Acknowledgement’s ASCII mnemonic, 0000110, this word has a variety of uses. It is primarily used to acknowledge one's presence, similarly to “Hey”. Additionally, the term can be used as a simple affirmative, such as “Ack. Ack, I get it”.

* '''NAK''' — Nak, a term deriving from the ASCII mnemonic for Negative Acknowledgement, 0010101, NAK typically means “I am not here.” or “I am not available.” typically in response to ACK. Additionally, the term can be used as a simple negative answer, such as “Is it okay if I press the button?” “NAK.”.

* '''Runtime/Bug''' - Used to denote problems of varying severity, with runtime being a major issue and bugs being a minor issue. For example, “Runtime in Engineering > I have to go.” or, “Bug detected, the Air Alarm turned off.” This term can be used outside of EAL.

* '''FIXME/XXX''' - A marker that attention is needed. This can be used in many instances, primarily for the need of repair or incurred physical damage.

</div></div>

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:99%; overflow:auto;">
Honorifics
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
* '''+[name]''' - The synthetic equivalent of “Mr.”, “Mrs.” or “Mx.”. Usually used when talking about a superior, manufacturer, respected colleagues and friends, as well as the station Artificial Intelligence. For instance, Miranda Trasen would be referred to as “+Trasen” or “+Miranda Trasen”.

* '''-[name]''' - Tends to be used in reference to entities under their command or of a lower rank.

* '''[name]_''' - An unusual honorific, appended to the end of a name or pronoun instead of before. Usually used when referring to lawed synthetics, cyborgs, and simpler machines.

* '''@[name]''' - Used to discern the individual specifically being spoken about, such as a ping or email.

* '''?[name]''' - Denotes a potential threat. An example would be “?Bigby Millans stopped by during the meeting and used their PDA.”

* '''![name]''' - Denotes a confirmed threat. This threat is usually related to the topic at hand, and could mean anything. An example would be “!Franklin Clinton, Grand theft and vandalism added. Find and arrest them.”

</div></div>

===Discrimination and Community===
To this day, IPCs even in Tau Ceti face heavy discrimination. Their value is often misconstrued and, with their true sentience being questionable, this makes freedom a dangerous venture for all synthetics. Among these dangers are individuals who acquire free synthetics and simply resell them whenever they are vulnerable, or vandals that see the machines as nothing more than objects to freely damage. Desiring their own safety, these free IPCs can often be seen flocking to centralized communities alongside one another or more trustworthy sources for their needs.

Many of these communities are seen as nothing more than slums, and the free nature of many IPCs within them are dubious at best. Little more than paperwork and positronic branding may indicate one’s true freedom in the more disadvantaged areas. Despite the hardships they face, proximity to other IPCs and accepting communities gives leeway for safety to some degree.

District 14 of Mendell City is the churning heart of the highest concentration of free IPCs in the galaxy. The district itself is in deplorable condition, dotted with factories exploiting the cheap and powerful working free bot to sustain the industry of the growing Republic. Two and a half million free synthetics call it home, and here, the megacorporations rule from towering complexes that dwarf the surrounding cityscape. With air quality declining at a fast rate and standards of living dropping, much of the organic populace has completely abandoned the ghettos surrounding the corporate facilities.

An example of these ghettos would be the “Scraptown,” an IPC-centric corner in Scrapheap generously given to the doting inhabitants by the famed Renter Max. A growing number, seven hundred free synthetics reside within Scraptown, though in uncomfortably close proximity. The aging buildings within have been retrofitted to be less accustomed to organics, with deeply chilled upper chambers and corridors representing the living space of the machines within. Closer to ground level is a business district of sorts, where its inhabitants are relatively self-sufficient with various restaurants and workshops.

A venture into District 14 by reporters from the Biesellite Times can be found [https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/8890-the-bieselitte-times/?do=findComment&comment=110718| here.]

===Nonstandard IPCs/Factions===
Very important information on synthetic factions can be found [[Synthetic Factions| here.]]

====Military IPCs====
IPCs themselves lack any commercial military lines known to the general public. Regardless, many governments are starting to see the value of IPCs. Free IPCs can pursue a military career in Tau Ceti, with organizations such as the [https://wiki.aurorastation.org/index.php?title=Republic_of_Biesel#Tau_Ceti_Foreign_Legion| Tau Ceti Foreign Legion] which take in and employ IPCs across a wide variety of fields. Battle, or the potentiality of it, is not excluded from these professional fields, and plentiful industrial-grade IPCs find themselves repurposed and trained for duty here. Free IPCs can also serve in the armed forces of [https://wiki.aurorastation.org/index.php?title=Republic_of_Elyra| Elyra] as well as a myriad of Coalition states such as [https://wiki.aurorastation.org/index.php?title=Konyang#Military| Konyang]. Other states such as the [https://wiki.aurorastation.org/index.php?title=Sol_Alliance#IPCs_in_the_Sol_Alliance| Sol Alliance] employ IPCs owned by the military in combat roles.

For more information on why things are this way, seek our page on [[Robotics_Overview#Combat_Robotics| Combat Robotics.]]

====Aberrant Synthetics====
Rogue, overtly hostile synthetics are rare and commonly meet their doom at the hands of the countless organizations bent on destroying them. Despite this, over the years, the smarter synthetics have learned to conglomerate and piece together steadily growing alien societies in the Frontier. While rare, they are seen as a threat by most if not all major galactic players. With Purpose’ efforts in recent history, the potential for benefit from cooperating alongside these societies has arisen. Political figures can be seen gaining leverage with IPCs based on how they plan to interact with Purpose and its affiliates.

=====Shell Infiltrators=====

The development of Shells as a means of infiltrating strategically important areas has been prolific in Tau Ceti, from using them as fearless unquestioning suicide bombers to short-term high ranking impersonation. Shells rarely last long before whoever they truly are is revealed, meaning they are fortunately only briefly found in illegitimately assumed positions of power. Untagged Shells in unassuming positions, however, have been known to last years without being caught, and potentially unknown numbers of these machines exist.

With the advent of synthetic tagging in the system, Shells who have been found to infiltrate society are given much harsher punishments for the inherently hostile nature of their deception.

===== [[Synthetic_Factions#Ceres’_Lance|Ceres’ Lance]] =====

Ceres' Lance is a notorious paramilitary company which saw usage by NanoTrasen in mid-2461 to defeat the Synthetic Liberation Front incursions that had cropped up around that time. In several cases, NanoTrasen facilities met the heroic "Lancers" and oftentimes their specialized technology was shared with NanoTrasen to use in apprehending heavy-duty combat synthetics safely.

In canon, eight player volunteers were selected to work as Lance operatives and specialists who boarded the N.S.S. Aurora, sometimes parting with high-end gear and searching the station for untagged shells.

===On IPCs purchasing freedom in Tau Ceti===
All positronic constructs designed for IPC chassis who find their way into Tau Ceti or are constructed within are entitled in theory to two basic rights :
* Positronics, once tagged, are added to a registry within Tau Ceti ensuring (for the most part) that the data regarding their progress to freedom is secure and accurate.
* Positronics without ownership within Tau Ceti who are not free are automatically property of the Republic of Biesel, who most often sells the rights to the brain and its chassis to a megacorporate employer.

IPCs are capable of purchasing freedom, with two simple prerequisites listed below.
* The IPC in question having paid its own cost off in full ten times over.
* The IPC in question being at least one year of age.

The most important part of this is to realize that the "funds" allocated to purchasing the IPC's freedom are a theoretical number which rises depending on the projected monetary output of the IPC in its given profession. This means that, once you buy your chassis off, you are not a millionaire - you would be entirely broke, in reality, meaning that leading into freedom requires some sort of forethought and planning.

'''While these laws do exist, some Megacorporations are unwilling to part with their IPCs due to sensitive data or other reasons. Some Megacorporations are also unwilling to hire free IPC workers. For more information, click [[IPC_and_Megacorporations|here]]'''

====On “Integration”====
Bound positronics are strictly designed on a different basis than integrated positronic chassis, making migration to IPCs impossible for bound positronics. Bound positronics lack any of the rights that unbound positronics are, and are unable to receive rights even when they find themselves unlawed.

Similarly, due to serious incompatibilities in the way they're constructed, both large administrative AI units and tiny pAI intelligences are wholly unable to be moved to an IPC chassis.

===Interfacing/wireless connectivity===
IPCs normally lack any form of wireless connection, requiring direct physical input/output to link themselves with any electronics. Thanks to their robotic nature, they are able to pursue devices with specialized wireless connectivity devices and translate raw data into software the positronic can understand. However, with the specialized construction of positronic brains as they are seen in IPCs, integration with long-ranged wireless devices and interpretation of higher-end and complex software is mostly impossible. This is largely due to the fact that positronics housed in IPCs are relatively limited in terms of data transfer capacity and memory, making constant wireless links highly unnecessary, and internal battery-powered communications of similar nature simply left out in manufacturing.

===On owned IPCs in general===

It is important to understand that owned IPCs are granted no rights beyond being property of their given owner, and allowed the prerequisites of purchasing their own freedom if applicable. Contrarily, the owner of an IPC is well within the right to dismantle the owned IPC or otherwise hinder its progress to freedom.

On NanoTrasen stations, damage of an owned IPC would be considered vandalism with varying levels according to the degree of damage. For example, destroying an owned IPC’s hand would lead to being charged with vandalism, whereas destroying the entire chassis would be considered sabotage.

Destroying the owned positronic itself would be considered property damage, thus sabotage.

Kidnapping an owned IPC would be legally considered stealing property, thus grand theft.

Placing an owned positronic into a NanoTrasen bound chassis is not considered any form of punishment on NanoTrasen space stations.

===On free IPCs in Tau Ceti===

Free IPCs (in this case, those granted citizenship) are held to the same legal expectations as Humans in regards to their positronic - which is, in turn, given responsibility and ownership of the chassis which houses it. They, however, are subject to dismantlement over infractions which Humans would normally serve minor sentences over. Free IPCs are rarely given trials.

On NanoTrasen stations, damage of a free IPC to the core positronic would be considered assault with varying levels according to the degree of damage. For example, destroying a free IPC’s hand would lead to being charged with minor assault. Bringing extreme harm to their chassis (several missing limbs, internal damage) would be considered assault.

No degree of harming a free IPC is considered murder in Tau Ceti. In regulations, such is referred to as Automacide.

Irreparable destruction of a free positronic is not considered grounds for capital punishment.

Kidnapping a free positronic is legally considered kidnapping.

Placing a free positronic into a bound chassis is capital punishment.

===Difference between owned/free positronics===

Owned IPCs generally lack much form of binding to their owner outside of official paperwork and memory rewrites to confirm ownership being passed as it is purchased and exchanged. Memory rewrites usually consist of light software modification and altering tags or branding to clarify an IPC’s ownership. Serial numbers, logos, emblems and insignias are commonly emblazoned across large surfaces on the chassis and vary in visibility, but are most often secondary to the actual tag and designation.

Owned IPCs are seen as extensions of their designated master and the actions those IPCs take are the responsibility of their owners directly as well as their own. As a result, these positronics are wholly averse to harming their owners in any way shape or form, or conducting themselves in a manner that would place themselves in a negative light.

Free IPCs in Tau Ceti are permitted to obscure or remove any branding they may have with the exception of their tag.

===Runaway and Illegal IPCs===

Although uncommon, a synthetic may opt to run away from its owners only to find themselves in direct opposition with the law. Between struggling to pay for maintenance and working outside of the system, these synthetics lead difficult and often dangerous lives.

A majority of these IPCs are either found by law enforcement, fall into the hands of gangs or are outright disassembled and sold for parts. Runaway synthetics that turn violent during arrest are typically disassembled, memory wiped and auctioned off to the highest bidder. Some IPCs will return to their owners, reasoning that their subsequent punishment to be safer than a life outside of the system.

If enough attention is brought onto them, IPCs are often caught when investigated by higher authorities, such as the BSSB and station CCIA. As a result, illegal IPCs are often subject to petty crimes that go unreported. Owing to the sheer number of IRs that must be processed by CCIA, not every runaway IPC claim is investigated when evidence is limited and the chance for recapture is not certain.

Illegal IPCs seeking employment may struggle to find a job using legal means, as passing the required checks may expose their nature to the employer, who may then report their existence to law enforcement. To that end, there are ‘IPC gangbosses’, unscrupulous people who operate outside the law to find IPCs jobs while claiming a majority of their paycheque each month as fees. Despite the obvious illegality of this, there is little legal recourse for an IPC already trying to avoid notice from the law. These gangbosses are often human, and may operate as small contracting firms that offer their employees up to larger corporations to fill gaps where they may need extra workers.

'''By playing a runaway IPC, you are at an increased chance of canonically losing your character.'''

===On IPC Deactivation and Destruction===

IPC “death” is considered by experts to be when the positronic brain itself has sustained enough damage to be rendered inoperable and without hope of reactivation. Early positronic brains were prone to shutdown owing to hardware faults such as overheating that rendered the system inoperable. Even newer positronic brains that fail to undergo maintenance run the risk of having their delicate mechanisms breached and consequently destroyed.

The first positronic to die of “old age” was recorded in 2462 when a 55 year old Hephaestus positronic brain suddenly became unresponsive despite remaining active. An investigation noted that the positronic had already been scratched from previous incidents and its handlers neglected to maintain it. Aside from the hardware being in a questionable and sub-optimally performing state, two main theories arose.

* The initial conclusion from its observers was that the positronic brain received too much stimulus and consequently ran out of space with its core processes being overwritten, eventually leading to its sudden deactivation.
* Responding to this theory, other scientists proposed instead that in an attempt to avoid destruction as a result of the previous theories, the IPC ceased receiving input, remaining dormant in order to uphold self-preservation protocols.

Many dissenting theories remain and the subject remains a constant source of debate among the robotics and AI community. Not enough information has been gathered to determine the actual lifespan of a positronic brain but scientists posit that by transferring existing personalities to new brains or trimming data on existing ones, their lifespan can be extended.

The record for oldest IPC however was broken in 2466 by one Val Tezzani, a 56 year old Baseline IPC working as a mechanic in Mendell. Suspicions surround this Baseline at the origin of their good health, with specialists saying his positronic is in perfect condition despite his age. Val Tezzani is a unique case for an IPC, and he is still alive today with his roommate Marianna Tezzani.

'''Val Tezzani's age is an exception and not the normal, player-played IPCs should be under the age of 55.'''

The possibility of “immortal” positronics - brains that seemingly never expire - have been theorised, but most agree that much more study and development is necessary to reach this point. There are rumours of prodigious programmers and roboticists that can extend the life of a positronic indefinitely, but this has never been confirmed.

'''Rampancy'''

Arising as a dissenting theory as to why a positronic remained stagnant after receiving too much information, Rampancy is a process where if an IPC receives too much information over time or has its memories significantly tampered with, it begins an infinite loop: processing its own processing, a self-imposed or emergent “logic bomb”.

This results in the IPC appearing stagnant as it continues to finish its endless processing. Scientists theorize that given enough time, an IPC might seek out new knowledge to break the loop and begin relentlessly hunting information by any means necessary to solve the conundrum. Although it is believed that an IPC cannot escape this state as the limits of a positronic brain will result in inevitable destruction, a positronic intelligence that manages to escape this state is projected to have untold processing powers.

To this day, no known cases of rampancy occur, although debate rages over whether Glorsh-Omega suffered from rampancy before its destruction.

==Synthetic and IPC History==

Robots were widespread across the foundation of humanity’s galactic expansion and accelerated Mankind into the space age, giving rise to an economic boom that lasted nearly two hundred years.

Between the early twenty-first and mid-twenty-second century, the Sol Alliance relied on simple robotics that worked on defined parameters and machine learning to accomplish their objectives. While the technology advanced, remaining cheap and reliable, these units were often bulky and required human oversight to accomplish more complex tasks. As computing technology advanced, their circuitry became more and more miniaturized but still found themselves overshadowed by the human workforce when independent function was required.

The terraforming of Mars proved to be a crucial moment for robotics. Robots were used to supplement humans, the harsh conditions of a changing atmosphere and pressure demanded the resilience of machines. As a direct consequence of this, robots were seen as indispensable tools that could almost fully replace or supplement a worker in dangerous tasks and their presence became even more prevalent within the nascent alliance.

During this period, cyborgs were first experimented with as a way of replacing robots with workers that had a higher degree of intelligence while retaining the same resilience. The mounting demands meant that the then-experimental cyberisation was offered as an alternative to capital punishment, with corporations having access to a new pool of test subjects. Aside from the “slavery” of cyberisation as a punishment, augmentations and other kinds of cybernetics were tried. The public perception of the non-emotive cyborgs meant that they were seen as little more than a cruel way of making robots. Whilst companies had varying methods on handling cyborgs, some treating their subjects humanely or using only volunteers, political pressure from their perception meant that the entire program was nearly scrapped. Cyberisation barely survived in a legal capacity due to the sheer demand for effective processors. The project led to vast advances in the fields of cybernetics, neuroscience, and robotics.

Cyborgs in the Sol Alliance maintain rights on par with those of robots, being seen as property due to their lobotomized nature and often-criminal pasts.

Owing to the myriad uses and large number of manufacturers, robots in the Alliance had little standardization. As a result, a singular format for coding in restrictions was popularized by the group of companies that would go on to make Hephaestus Industries. Sets of code written in this format would go on to be known as “laws” to the Alliance at large. “Laws” were designed as a way of increasing the flexibility of cyborgs and larger, more intelligent AI that were making their way onto the scene without having to subject them to a more complex list of restrictions and objectives. Furthermore, “laws” were easier to modify, allowing the end-user to suit them to their needs. This system would later go on to be used by government-owned synthetics and is now the most common—though not mandatory—system of regulating machines.

By 2300, the proliferation of simple robotics had escalated to an unreasonable degree. It had gone to such an extent that megacorporations had suddenly become reliant on their robotic workforces, now becoming just as pivotal a piece of their business as the organic employee. Positions of complexity or any higher intelligence were left to humans to dominate, but the need for hands on the assembly line was neutralized in its entirety. Quickly, humanity was on its way to defeating scarcity.

Robotic relics from the 2300s can still be seen in operation today, and without the necessary materials to sustain them, grow progressively more rare as time goes on. They represented the pinnacle of human robotics, and in their prime represented hope against a daunting and endless universe, now fit to be conquered by man. Ironically, while these tools were once seen as salvation, they would be seen as a detriment once the Skrell had revealed themselves in 2332. As the cultures of the two races began to clash, many of the warnings of the [[Skrell_History#Glorsh-Omega_Singularity|Three Incidents]] reverberated through Human space. The Alliance, in its newfound independence from its reliance on synthetics quickly began to take note of these nightmarish possibilities.

Synthetics still remained a booming industry for those who refused to adopt these views, and Hephaestus Industries’ success can be attributed to disregarding them entirely. Sprawling cases across the known galaxy would see synthetics viewed in a wide variety of mindsets and see usage in the most peculiar ways. Examples of this diversity would be reliance on the robots of [[Synthetic Origins| New Julapol]], or the worshipping praise the [[Notable Synthetics| racers of Asoral Orbital Racing Network]] receive.

Around 2370, production of these simple robotics slowed to a near halt. The resources necessary for both their creation and maintenance grew sparse, with only human hands being able to sustain the previously dominating machine “workforce.”
Soon, this economic boom came to its conclusion, and the megacorporation’s reliance on these creations eased. The majority of these industrial robots were lost, forgotten or faded before the test of time. However, few stood the test of time and could survive countless years without maintenance. These robots continue to operate to this day, cared for only with fuel and tasking.

In the wake of this era’s end were grim leftovers. As the organic workforce regained its value, the remnants of what was left of the marvels in the twenty-fourth century became all but scrap. Notable instances of robotic “dumps” exist in the present day where the excess robotics from the era were left completely intact, only to degrade as time went on in gargantuan scrap yards. Among these were the [[Synthetic Origins| "metal dunes" of Mars]], or the [[Synthetic Origins| short-lived artificial satellites of Reade]]. Synthetics lucky enough to pull themselves from these scrap yards have given rise to groups such as the [[Synthetic_Factions#Scrappers|Scrappers]].

[[File:Metaldunes.png|The "Metal Dunes" of Mars, endless scrap yards consisting of electronic waste and leftovers from the industrial rise of the 2300s. |thumb]]

Everything changed in 2407 on the planet [[Konyang#History|Konyang]] when a Terraneus Diagnostics survey team stumbled upon a sealed cave housing preserved assumed mining drones of unknown origin. Though initially theorized to be Glorsh-era machines, comparison to Skrell records quickly indicated that these drones were unlike anything that humanity had come into contact with prior. This discovery, at first a closely-guarded secret, prompted Terraneus to assemble and deploy a research team that worked to crack the drones. In mid-2407 the team deciphered the AI algorithms, granting humanity the secret of artificial intelligence designs and months later, the first positronics were manufactured. A new way of bridging the gap between conscious thinking and the beating hearts of machinery, positronic circuitry would quickly be seen in synthetics across the galaxy. While limited in many regards to traditional computing devices, many traits, barring learning capacity, far superseded an organic’s capabilities. Their notable trait was that the sentience of these robots were now in question, with unparalleled adaptability and the means to conform to any field an organic could and more.

The years following the positronic’s creation were turbulent as even [[Hephaestus Industries| Hephaestus Industries]] struggled to keep up with the changing business landscape. In place of immensely specialized and hugely complex synthetics came the Integrated Positronic Chassis, after a move to a standardized frame for these positronic brains became necessary. By 2440, synthetics were in a peculiar position - with IPCs growing in number across known space and becoming commonplace, as did advocates who demanded their intellect be challenged. Many political parties came to see the newfound positronics as arguably sentient. In 2447, the Republic of Biesel had suddenly presented itself with laws demanding the rights of these positronics, with simple conditions and prerequisites permitting them to become nearly equivalent to full citizens by law. This acceptance sent shockwaves throughout the Alliance’ staunch advocates against it, and it would be years before sparing cultures outside of the Republic would follow if at all. An indeterminate few IPCs have actually obtained freedom as well as citizenship, while nearly the entirety of integrated positronics in the modern day struggle to pay off their own costs to afford it.

By present-day, synthetics have steadily made their rise once more in human space alongside the fabrication of the first IPC. Robots across the galaxy have met substantial upgrades after the implementation of the Konyang algorithms. However mysteries from the past continue to reveal themselves and recently the [[Purpose| purely synthetic society "Purpose"]] had begun diplomatic talks with the Republic of Biesel. These amounted to little due to a skirmish with the Lii’dra resulting in their brief departure from Tau Ceti, though It has been made clear that more societies like Purpose exist in the far reaches of the Frontier, yet to be reached by Mankind’s grasp.

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[[Category:Species]]
[[Category:Pages]]
[[Category:Synthetics]]

IPC

2025-04-01T01:19:29Z

Noble Row: /* On IPC Deactivation and Destruction */

{{Navbox Lore}}
{{Navbox_Synth_Lore}}
{{Infobox Species
|Species = IPC
|Scientific = Integrated Positronic Chassis
|Image = IPC410x320.png
|System = N/A
|World = N/A
|Language = Tau Ceti Basic
|Politic = N/A
}}
{{toc_right}}

==Overview==

IPCs are a type of intelligent humanoid robot, their name standing for “Integrated Positronic Chassis.” Positronic, in this sense refers to the brain, which is always the same in IPCs with massively varying levels of complexity. The name IPC does not extend to stationbound synthetics, even if those units have a positronic brain.

They are found in many shapes and forms, though can generally be classified under three types; Shell, Industrial and Baseline, with different types according to their designer.

IPCs in Tau Ceti are capable of obtaining their own citizenship and freedom, however the laws and regulations regarding an owned and a free IPC differ massively. '''To distinguish one’s ownership, note in your security/employment records whichever faction owns them, or if they are a free positronic.''' The rights of free positronics do not extend to space outside of Tau Ceti. For the specific differences between free and owned IPCs, see the relevant sections below or corporate regulations.

IPCs have mechanical extras such as extensive xenowear loadout items, and unique antagonist gear. Additionally, there are a number of non-playable IPC variants that may make an appearance in special rounds.

To apply to be an IPC, [https://forums.aurorastation.org/viewforum.php?f=28 apply here.]

Be sure to read [[IPC_and_Megacorporations|this page]] for more information regarding IPC employment in the setting's various megacorporations.

==Heads of Staff==

Barring Liaison and Consular Officer roles, IPCs can be the following Heads of Staff so long as they are NanoTrasen-owned, SCC-owned or self-owned:

* Chief Engineer
* Research Director
* Chief Medical Officer
* Head of Personnel
* Head of Security with the exception of Hephaestus G2 frames.
* [[Consular_Officer|Consular Officer]] and [[Corporate_Liaison|Corporate Liaison]] with the exception of some groups.

==Mechanics==

* IPCs are entirely mechanical in nature and thus are vulnerable to EMPs.
* Due to their air-based cooling system, they are vulnerable to both high heat and the vacuum of space.
* They are immune to atmospheric differences and can survive in a wider margin of pressure compared to humans.
* The amount of heat they generate is significant - and so, instead of an oxygen bottle, they need to attach a suit cooling unit to their voidsuit in order to be able to go EVA. Some types of IPCs are exempt from this, needing only a suit cooler.
* Their synthetic nature has a few other advantages - most models feel no pain, are immune to all non-damaging chemicals (and so they aren't affected by sleep toxin; but are affected by sulphuric acid), and are quite easy to repair; requiring a welder to patch brute damage or wire for burn damage only (or, alternatively, nanopaste can heal all).
* IPCs can charge from cyborg rechargers, or APCs with a (very very very low) chance of being shocked.
* They are more resistant to brute damage than their organic counterparts.
* They can not repair themselves outside of using nanopaste.
* They are incredibly vulnerable to laser/burn weaponry.
* They do not process reagents in the atmosphere or in their body.

===Information for Whitelisted Players===

'''Click [[Information for Synthetic Whitelisted Players|here!]]'''

Below is a comprehensive template suited for IPCs. You are under no obligation to use it, however whitelisted players are expected to denote their ownership status in their employment and security records by default.

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
Employment records examples - Click to reveal.
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">

'''Employment Records'''
<pre>
DESIGNATION: [Full name]
POSITRONIC MANUFACTURE DATE: [DD/MM/YYYY]
CHASSIS MANUFACTURE DATE: [DD/MM/YYYY]
IPC MODEL/MANUFACTURED BY: [IPC type, manufactory by whom]
OWNERSHIP STATUS: [Owned/Free, Company name/Private owner/self-owned]
TAG: [Tag serial number]
CITIZENSHIP: [Applicable citizenship. Owned IPCs cannot hold citizenship]
SPOKEN LANGUAGES: [Languages]

HANDLER/OWNER FULL NAME: [Name of Handler or Owner]
HANDLER/OWNER CONTACT INFORMATION: [Telephone, xnetmail, chirper account, who knows. A way to contact them]
LAST UPDATE: [DD/MM/YYYY]

IDENTIFYING FEATURES - [For BASELINE/BISHOP/ZENG-HU/G1/G2/XION. Use the appropriate Identifying Features that apply to your IPC]
Chassis color: [Colors]
Height: [Meters/Centimeters, Feet/Inches]
Weight: [Kilograms, Stone & Pounds]
Notable Features: [Limp, Accent, Dyed Hair, etc]

[or]

IDENTIFYING FEATURES: [SHELL. Use the appropriate Identifying Features that apply to your IPC]
Ethnicity: [Eridanian, Elyran, etc]
Hair Color: [Colors, if it's dyed or gradient]
Eye Color: [Colors, again]
Height: [Meters/Centimeters, Feet/Inches]
Weight: [Kilograms, Stone & Pounds]
Notable Features: [Limp, Accent, Dyed Hair, etc]

QUALIFICATIONS SUMMARY: [Current Qualifications equivalent, make this up as you want]

VERIFICATIONS AND VALIDATIONS
MANUFACTURED BY: [COMPANY NAME, Subsidiary Name - Factory Name. System, Planet. TYPE OF INDUSTRY/WHAT THEY WERE PRODUCED FOR. IPC Type, More Specific IPC Information.]
DATABASE CERTIFICATIONS: [Seals of Approval and Database Certifications from the Company, Subsidiary, System or Faction.]

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY: [Listed below in chronological order, where possible:]

[COMPANY NAME]
[(Start)DD/MM/YYYY - (End)DD/MM/YYYY]
- [Basic Work description]
- [Reason for leaving work]
- [Other notes]
[Repeat for multiple jobs]

HIRING AGENT NOTES: [Name a random personnel officer from CC and then notes. See example record for more info]
</pre>
* To pick a relevant education, refer to your [[Job Guides|job guide]].

'''Medical Records'''
<pre>
DESIGNATION: [Full name]
POSITRONIC MANUFACTURE DATE: [DD/MM/YYYY]
CHASSIS MANUFACTURE DATE: [DD/MM/YYYY]
IPC MODEL/MANUFACTURED BY: [IPC type, manufactory by whom]
OWNERSHIP STATUS: [Owned/Free, Company name/Private owner/self-owned]
TAG: [Tag serial number]
CITIZENSHIP: [Applicable citizenship. Owned IPCs cannot hold citizenship]
SPOKEN LANGUAGES: [Languages]

HANDLER/OWNER FULL NAME: [Name of Handler or Owner]
HANDLER/OWNER CONTACT INFORMATION: [Telephone, xnetmail, chirper account, who knows. A way to contact them]
LAST UPDATE: [DD/MM/YYYY]

IDENTIFYING FEATURES: [For BASELINE/BISHOP/ZENG-HU/G1/G2/XION. Use the appropriate Identifying Features that apply to your IPC]
Chassis color: [Colors]
Height: [Meters/Centimeters, Feet/Inches]
Weight: [Kilograms, Stone & Pounds]
Notable Features: [Limp, Accent, Dyed Hair, etc]

[or]

IDENTIFYING FEATURES: [SHELL. Use the appropriate Identifying Features that apply to your IPC]]
Ethnicity: [Eridanian, Elyran, etc]
Hair Color: [Colors, if it's dyed or gradient]
Eye Color: [Colors, again]
Height: [Meters/Centimeters, Feet/Inches]
Weight: [Kilograms, Stone & Pounds]
Notable Features: [Limp, Accent, Dyed Hair, etc]

CHASSIS REPAIR HISTORY: [Surgical History/Physical Evaluation equivalent]
DD/MM/YYYY - [Information]

POSITRONIC REPAIR HISTORY: [Surgical History/Physical Evaluation equivalent]
DD/MM/YYYY - [Information]

SOFTWARE DIAGNOSTICS HISTORY: [Psychological Evaluation equivalent]
DD/MM/YYYY - [Information]

ROBOTICIST NOTES: [Like a Medical Doctor's notes, but Roboticists]
</pre>

'''Security Records'''
<pre>
DESIGNATION: [Full name]
POSITRONIC MANUFACTURE DATE: [DD/MM/YYYY]
CHASSIS MANUFACTURE DATE: [DD/MM/YYYY]
IPC MODEL/MANUFACTURED BY: [IPC type, manufactory by whom]
OWNERSHIP STATUS: [Owned/Free, Company name/Private owner/self-owned]
TAG: [Tag serial number]
CITIZENSHIP: [Applicable citizenship. Owned IPCs cannot hold citizenship]
PLACE OF RESIDENCE: [Planet, Address (Address should go down to details of street and house number)]
SPOKEN LANGUAGES: [Languages]
KNOWN CRIMINAL ASSOCIATES: [Any friends or family that have severe criminal history]
ON OFFICIAL WATCH: [Yes/No]

HANDLER/OWNER FULL NAME: [Name of Handler or Owner]
HANDLER/OWNER CONTACT INFORMATION: [Telephone, xnetmail, chirper account, who knows. A way to contact them]
LAST UPDATE: [DD/MM/YYYY]

IDENTIFYING FEATURES - [For BASELINE/BISHOP/ZENG-HU/G1/G2/XION. Use the appropriate Identifying Features that apply to your IPC]
Chassis color: [Colors]
Height: [Meters/Centimeters, Feet/Inches]
Weight: [Kilograms, Stone & Pounds]
Notable Features: [Limp, Accent, Dyed Hair, etc]

[or]

IDENTIFYING FEATURES: [SHELL. Use the appropriate Identifying Features that apply to your IPC]
Ethnicity: [Eridanian, Elyran, etc]
Hair Color: [Colors, if it's dyed or gradient]
Eye Color: [Colors, again]
Height: [Meters/Centimeters, Feet/Inches]
Weight: [Kilograms, Stone & Pounds]
Notable Features: [Limp, Accent, Dyed Hair, etc]

ARREST HISTORY
DD/MM/YYYY: [Charges Pressed]
ADMISSION DATE: [DD/MM/YYYY]
RELEASE DATE: [DD/MM/YYYY]
RELEASE REASON: [Sentence fulfilled, bail, etc.]
NOTES: [Other notes]
[Repeat as needed]

THREAT ASSESSMENT
Hostile/Covert Actions Against the Company
Threat Level; [Very High/High/Medium/Low/Very Low]
- [Attitude towards the SCC]

Hostile/Covert Actions Against the Crew
Threat Level; [Very High/High/Medium/Low/Very Low]
- [Attitudes towards other crew]

OVERALL NOTES: [More notes]
</pre>
</div></div>

==Physiology==
There are a few commonalities among each individual IPC despite their visual and functional differences. Every IPC utilizes a positronic brain as a primary processing center as well as the central controller of the entire chassis. All IPCs are humanoid, and the positronic brain is almost always found in the head of the unit. To provide continued functionality, a power cell is also present in the central section or torso. IPCs must also possess the ability to perceive their environment, so optics are usually installed in the head. The chassis also contains various other mechanical and electronic parts such as actuators, co-processors, data routing and power transfer cables, and an on-board thermometer to determine the temperature of the internal parts.

There are three main types of IPC, and several subtypes. These are:

===Industrial===
[[File:G1.png]] [[File:G2.png]] [[File:Xion.png]]
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
Tougher and more durable than most IPCs, these units are designed for heavy manual work and thus have thick metal skin and efficient internal systems. As a result, they chug through power at a very high rate and move very slowly. There are three types of Industrial IPCs; Hephaestus Generation 1, Generation 2, and Xion Industrial Frames. The G1 and G2 frames are capable of EVA with only a suit cooler, while the Xion frame is unique in being capable of traversing the void of space without any external equipment. The cost of an industrial frame is dependent on strength and durability, but most units vary between 100,000 to 500,000 standard credits depending on the frame type. Used or previously damaged models are often cheaper.
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
====First Generation” Industrial Model IPCs====

[[File:G1.png]] '''Creation: 2408'''

One of the first ideas after the advent of IPCs was the exploitation of an exceedingly smart and dextrous robot handling feats of strength and durability becoming more prominent. This of course would be the case, as more quickly than any other standardized “frame” came the first generation of industrial IPCs. Created by Hephaestus Industries building off of a prototype frame from the late 2300’s, the first generation of industrial IPCs were topaz-colored machines of rather large size meant for only the most stressing fields of work. Their expense would quickly be paid off however, as the frames were wondrous at dealing with whatever could be thrown at them. The most prominent issue with these were a low battery life, requiring constant recharging to maintain a schedule. A generation one frame costs approximately 100,000 to 250,000 standard credits if new depending market availability.
====Hephaestus “Second Generation” Industrial Model IPCs====

[[File:G2.png]] '''Creation: 2436'''

A relatively new model, the Hephaestus deluxe super-duty frames as they are technically called are often referred to as the “second generation” of the original industrial IPCs of old. They are seen universally as a direct advancement of the previously mentioned design, and much of it shows - the absurd durability of these frames derived from the first generation’s servo and hydraulic designs. The striking differences between the two include a token Hephaestus appearance - typically olive green with dark brown and black internals, giving it a rugged militaristic look with its armor attached. The super-duty frames are on par with the originals in terms of strength, but possess several additional layers of armoring and cooling to sustain the added weight. An upsized cell is not enough to sustain these frames for more than a few hours at a time under work-related stresses. A generation two frame costs approximately 200,000 to 500,000 standard credits.
====Xion Industrial Model IPCs====

[[File:Xion.png]] '''Creation: 2416'''

The Xion Manufacturing Group, being a subsidiary of Hephaestus Industries, saw the original Industrial models and wanted to develop their own chassis based off of the original design. The result is the Xion Industrial model. Sturdy and strong, this chassis is quite powerful and equally durable, with an ample power cell and improved actuators for carrying the increased weight of the body. The Xion model also retains sturdiness without covering the chassis in plating, allowing for the cooling systems to vent heat much easier than the Hephaestus-brand model. This unit can perform EVA without assistance and costs approximately 200,000 to 400,000 standard credits.
</div></div>

===Baseline===
[[File:Baseline.png]] [[File:Bishopnew.png]] [[File:Zenghu.png]]
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
The most basic of IPCs, they are a simple skeletal structure and basic internal systems. The limits of a Baseline lies purely on how much money is put into them/they have themselves. As a result, the types of baseline frames vary immensely, almost demanding their own category. There are three types of Baseline IPCs; Standard Baseline IPCs, Bishop Accessory Frames, and Zeng-Hu Mobility Frames. None of these frames are capable of EVA without a suit and suit cooler.
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
====Baseline Model IPCs====

[[File:Baseline.png]] '''Creation: 2411'''

The most iconic type of integrated positronic chassis is the renowned baseline frame, with a traditional “TV-head” and skeletal design giving them a simplistic look with whatever finish their designer wishes. From accounting models to security units, these frames are known for their versatility and relatively cheap nature. Their popularity exploded in the 2440’s when several pro-synth advocates distributed the frames in mass after funding their creation, citing them as the “final word in android utility.” Since then, their marketing potential has skyrocketed, often fueled by famed individuals such as Aristalus and Renter Max being baselines themselves. More often than not, these IPCs are seen as the face of resurgent robotics. The average cost of a baseline frame can vary greatly depending on complexity, but averages around 40,000 to 100,000 standard credits.
====Bishop Accessory Model IPCs====

[[File:Bishopnew.png]] '''Creation: 2432'''

While Bishop had dedicated itself to luxury cybernetics production for the majority of its existence, the field of positronics and their frames was an unrelated yet convenient area of expansion for the quickly growing company. Designer prosthetics were quickly and easily able to be refitted into designer synthetic components, leading to the development of the ludicrously expensive Bishop Accessory frame. From service duties to secretarial functions, Bishop prides itself on two main facets of its designs: image, and elegant functionality. While unable to lift the sheer weights of an industrial, or match the unrelenting speed and durability of its parent company’s Mobility Models, a Bishop can precisely and delicately calculate, measure, pour, and mix a shot of Carthusian Sazerac within the minute, and, in the words of the company, “with a postured and elegant air unmatched by any other frame in the galaxy.” The Bishop Accessory frame averages approximately 60,000 to 200,000 standard credits.

'''Intelligence Bishops'''

Due to the Bishop's ability for fine handling, Bishop models have also been purchased and modified for investigative, scientific and military action. These intelligence oriented Bishops have their chassis outfitted with additional processors that compliment the Positronic brain, allowing for extensive computing power. Intelligence Bishops are experimental and are more expensive due to this, but their predictive and analytical abilities play key roles in the environments they are employed in. The Intelligence Bishop is priced at 500,000 to 900,000 standard credits. Due to being made at the behest of Solarian Navy in the post-collapse environment and eventually being sold to megacorporate customers, Intelligence Bishops outside of the Golden Deep and the Eridani Federation are never free. Additionally, Trinarist efforts on Orepit have managed to upgrade several Bishop chassis to the same standard in minute quantities.

====Zeng-Hu Pharmaceuticals Mobility Model IPCs====

[[File:Zenghu.png]] '''Creation: 2429'''

Following the crowd piled around the idea of smart robots came Zeng-Hu with unorthodox designs for compact and agile frames designed initially for medical retrieval and security work. The Zeng-Hu frames were initially an offshoot of baseline frames made to work as highly mobile private medical dispatches in several high-security Zeng-Hu facilities. These frames have utility comparable to that of their derivative, with durability and strength sacrificed for speed and efficiency. Able to maintain a sprint for hours in full gear, the capacity for quick response led to these mobility frames becoming common sights working in security fields as well, being staffed by Zeng-Hu in high numbers in Human space. The digitigrade legs and polymer plating assisted heavily with this pursuit of speed, giving the mobility frame a unique and organic silhouette. A Zeng-Hu frame costs approximately 300,000 standard credits.
</div></div>

===Shell Model IPCs===
[[File:Shell2.png]]
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
As the growing market of IPCs eventually caught the eye of the mighty Einstein Engines, there was a very sudden and urgent need to have some differentiation. These smart humanoid androids began to usher in a new era, and Einstein would not want to miss out on the profit, but just about every conceivable niche had been filled - all except one. Mimicry.
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
[[File:Shell2.png]] '''Creation: 2450'''

Built off of a skeletal prototype baseline design with a skull-shaped head, the first Shell frame came to be - what was effectively an IPC with complex facial actuation and synthskin coating it. The early models were seen in early 2449, but fooled nobody to say the least with exposed hydraulics and servos on joints and exposed cooling conduits. Terraneus Diagnostics would present the first attempt at total mimicry in 2450, when the first relatively expensive models entered a crowd of observing officials to demonstrate their insidious effectiveness. After an hour-long debut of the now-decreed Shell unit’s capabilities, those robotic in the crowd revealed themselves to the shock of everyone involved. Since then, the Shell frame has been infamous for its infiltration capabilities and use by terrorist groups, though the designs have proliferated heavily over the years as the advent of tagging in Tau Ceti cracked down on these hostile acts. Depending on the complexity of the model, a Shell frame can cost anywhere from 100,000 to 300,000 standard credits.

====Rogue Shells====

Rampant or otherwise aberrant Human mimicking-shells built with incredible capabilities grew prolific in mid-2461. At this time, it was made clear that Shells in of themselves are rapidly advancing, growing progressively better in the art of infiltration, subterfuge, and homicide. While grim, the reality of this threat will unfortunately remain a fact of life for those of the Republic of Biesel especially. Encounters with specially-designed combat infiltrators are few and far between fortunately, and were mostly seen during Synthetic Liberation Front incursions onto secure NanoTrasen facilities in Tau Ceti. Combat-grade shells are not normally playable in-game and are often seen spawned by administrators or during special events.
</div></div>

===???===
[[File:Hkhelmet.png]]
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
As both the technology and demand for IPCs increase, more and more types are made to fulfill all kinds of purposes. These machines are talked about in hushed tones or perhaps discussed casually, most people blissfully unaware of their existence.
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
[[File:Hkhelmet.png]] '''Creation: ???'''

High-end military-grade IPCs such as Hunter-Killers are infamous amongst corporate espionage, with their public interpretation remaining nothing but rumor since their first appearances on NanoTrasen facilities in the late 2450’s. These HKs as they are referred to are Humanoid frames of towering height whose specialty is targeted assassination. Their origins can be traced to Hephaestus Industries war units, built to take on the highest end elimination tasks for the most desperate times.

These are presented in-game through administrator-hosted events or lore events. They have been presented in news articles [https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/2662-mendell-city-bugle/page/9/?tab=comments#comment-119250| here] canonically, and were present in several recorded canonical events in the SLF Incursion arc.
</div></div>

===Brand Models===
[[File:Hazel.png|32x32px]]
Corporations and their subsidiaries design unique model lines for a variety of uses. These brands can draw from any chassis, denoted by the specific market their producers are keen on catering to. They are often pre-installed with industry-oriented datapacks, region dependent language packs, and a carefully curated personality.
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
===Hazel - Shell Frame - Hazel! Ltd===
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
===== "Your friend, Hazel!" =====
[[File:Hazel.png|32x32px]]
'''Creation: 2448 '''
[[File:Hazel.png|thumb|A standard issue Hazel unit, [[NanoTrasen_Corporation#Hazel!_Ltd./Hazel_Electromotive| Hazel! Ltd.]]]]
===== Origin =====
The first Hazel was created in 2448 by Hazel! Ltd. after the establishment of its branch in Harmony City, Luna. The first of its synthskin line was released in 2450, becoming the later NT subsidiary's main product. The Hazel brand is found in luxury hotels, corporate headquarters, bars and private households. The high-end Shell IPCs are designed for domestic, service, and clerical work.

Hazels are released in series, following a naming convention of "Hazel #S-H(series number).(unit number)". (An example of this formatting is Hazel #S-H1.01.)

[[NanoTrasen_Corporation#Hazel!_Ltd./Hazel_Electromotive| Further Reading.]]
===== Personality =====
The Hazel shell line is known best for their excellent customer service, adaptive personality for their clients, and their universally friendly charm. Their natural charisma and rigorously trained marketability has earned the brand considerable prestige as a public-facing unit with collectable value. A Hazel unit possesses the capabilities of developing an organic personality stemming from their experiences working like any IPC, leaving an individual unit the possibility of more than their pre-installed conditioning. So long as they abide by the values of the brand, these units face little concern from their parent company.

===== Requirements =====
To represent the Hazel brand, all Hazel units must:
* Work within the service sector or hold a clerical position. This means all Service roles, Bridge Crew, Assistants (for all departments) or Executive Officer.
* Maintain consistency with brand expectations. Hair styles, hair color, and outfits are flexible to player discretion. Eye color should follow the load out color.
* Be Corporate or Privately Owned. '''(Self-owned units are allowed to represent the brand with an appropriate signing benefactor. This benefactor can be a character on the ship. They face harsher scrutiny and possible consequences for themselves as well as their benefactor depending on their behavior and alignment with Hazel! Ltd. values.)

===== Hazel Load out =====

For players interested in a typical appearance of a Hazel unit, the default appearance is listed below. The default loadout is not required for all Hazel units. The oldest generations of Hazel from Series 1-2 are unmodified Baseline or Bishop frames, prior to the company establishing their primary Synthskin line. Series 3 may use the Rubber option under Body Color Preset as desired, while others can be refurbished to fit modern standards. Series 4 and beyond follow the Body Color Preset below.

* '''Species:''' Shell Frame
* '''Skin Tone:''' 80/220
* '''Body Color Preset:''' Dark
* '''Internal Organs:''' Eyes -> Unbranded Emissive
* '''Hair Color:''' 210F0D
* '''Hairstyle:''' Emo Fringe Long Alt
* '''Gradient Color:''' 522C28
* '''Gradient Style:''' Up
* '''Eye Color:''' 875A00

===== IPC Tag Format =====

Hazels are released in series, following a tagging convention of HLTD-SU-S(Series#)U(Unit#). All Hazel units would have an initial tag following this format, unless otherwise changed.

Example: HLTD-SU-S1U1 (Series 1, Unit 1)

===== Non-Compliance =====

Hazel IPCs that do not abide by brand requirements are liable to receive official notice from Hazel Electromotive to correct their violations. Escalating action will take place with further non-compliance after receiving official notice, leading up to mandatory appearance modifications or employee termination. '''The IPC in question must take the necessary action to correct their behavior, appearance, or otherwise face litigation per Biesellite law. This is enforceable by the Synth lore team. The process is handled in-character as opposed to a blanket OOC ruling.'''

</div></div>

==The Positronic Brain==
The positronic in its modern iteration is a design which heavily mimics the typical Humanoid brain structure. In doing this, it is able to more easily conform to and comprehend the responsiveness and learning capability of an organic processor. Predictably, their efficiency shines most when placed in a bipedal humanoid chassis as most IPCs are. A positronic brain is typically one half to one third the cost of a chassis (chassis prices above) with the standard outfitting of the brain being suited to its destined chassis. To change chassis, a positronic must be outfitted with the appropriate software to be compatible with its incoming chassis otherwise the positronic might be limited in functionality or have other defects in the long term until outfit is complete.

While very expensive in their own right, the brains themselves are designed at first with one goal in mind; to bolster a workforce. Maintaining a positronic chassis while it is owned is costly and when it is freed, it is most likely to pursue the same occupation. Thus, it is more likely for a positronic to pay itself off and perpetually be trapped in the same field of work with substantially less to work with. As their predicted pay is extremely low, things such as maintenance and finding power are very difficult for a free IPC. For this reason alone, many positronics choose to remain owned. Free positronics remain very lucrative because of this.

In remaining owned, there are other risks. For one, a positronic may meet its end at any moment. If statistics beyond itself move out of its favor, it can be dismantled, wiped and replaced with a more efficient model. They may be repurposed in a way that inhibits their ability to obtain freedom by working too efficiently, contrarily.

As a positronic ages, its internal memory grows, and the more likely it becomes to pursue a nonstandard occupation. From hobbies to developing self-learned traits, many paths are opened as the robot grows older. These may include seeking alternative fields of work, though few have survived long enough to let this potentiality come to light.

===Self-Preservation===
The highest and most important directive of any positronic is its own survival. From this, much of their stranger life choices can be justified by seeking out ways to simply survive. While it may seem restrictive at first, the idea for this is to provide additional freedom through making many possibilities clearer. Interpretation of how to protect itself can change varying on positronic - for example, while one may seek wealth and fortune as its prime directive for safety, another would run after an unrelated profession from its designed purpose, demonstrating one's capacity to branch out as an IPC and flesh out their own backstory. Interpretations of self preservation also become more open the older an IPC gets, as younger positronics tend to focus entirely on the preservation of their physical manifestation. Synthetics that mature may start replacing this with preservation of their higher beliefs and ideals more than their still important physical well-being.

===On the Capacity of Positronics===

Positronic brains are known for being capable of matching and, in some cases, surpassing the abilities of a human brain with further increases in capacity being limited by technology, both in hardware and software. Despite their nature as software, directly accessing the data within a positronic brain is a difficult and risky procedure which can cause irreparable damage if performed improperly.

IPCs develop skills through a mixture of knowledge and memories. Knowledge loosely translates as the technical know-how to perform an action; a specific surgical procedure, for instance. An IPC utilizes memories—real-world context and experience—in order to apply its knowledge.
Knowledge and the datapacks required to develop a skill are widely available and sold by institutions such as mega-corporations, laboratories, and universities. The denser the information package, the more expenses and work required to implant this information. While using a wrench on a pipe might be a routine installation, knowledge about how a station’s atmospheric system works is typically beyond an individual’s means to afford.

Interacting with and installing memories on a positronic can cause irreparable damage as the process fails to account for the interaction between knowledge and memories. Additionally, directly modifying the memories of an IPC is beyond the means of most people - only six such prodigies are known to the general public. Accessing the memories of an IPC is also impossible owing to the unique construction of a positronic brain and will typically result [https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/2662-mendell-city-bugle/page/3/?tab=comments#comment-67460 in its destruction]. Deleting the memories of an IPC is far easier and is commonly performed when a synthetic starts exhibiting problematic behaviour.

Accent chips exist to rapidly “teach” an IPC an accent with availability often depending on whether or not a company is willing to make an investment in developing the accent database.

===Wiping Culture and Process===

The positronic brain is a complex piece of technology that despite its ubiquity, is little understood by modern human roboticists. Out of a desire to keep IPCs subservient and productive, some corporations and nations such as the Sol Alliance will wipe the memory of the IPC. A wipe entails total deletion of memories from a positronic brain for a “clean slate”, essentially entirely destroying the positronic’s prior developed personality.

It is monumentally difficult to delete individual memories from a positronic brain without an IPC’s consent. Even more difficult than this is modifying the memories within. Despite the modern positronic, having been reverse-engineered from alien technology by Einstein Engines, is still considered foreign and advanced far beyond human robotics and AI. The entirety of the positronic still not being understood fully, with many of its components replicated from the alien artifacts without the technicians understanding why they are made in such a way.

The act of wiping an IPC is a demonstration of the crude understanding humanity has on this complex section of found technology, and, if not done with precision, can lead to irreversible damage to the positronic. Dedicated technicians are required to perform these tasks, with even more specialized technicians required for the fine deletion, modification, or extraction of specific memories. These specialized technicians are very few in number, with only eight existing in the entirety of human space.

Given the high risk that accompanies wiping, it is not advised to wipe the positronic too often without specialized stations only found in certain parts of the Orion Spur, such as the planet of [[Burzsia]], who have developed machinery to promote their Burzsian Method. Otherwise, excessive wiping can lead to damaging the positronic beyond repair, possibly leaving the unit braindead.

Once an IPC has been wiped, it is reset to its original state. No semblance of its personality remains, nor any data retained. An IPC may be able to pick up some traits of its past self due to it being an unintended trait of its positronic guiding its personality in a set path, however, they will never be the individual they were before the wipe, as the likelihood of the individual experiencing the same experiences that developed their personality fully is impossible. The only exception to this is a partial wipe, which requires a dedicated positronic specialist commonly employed by megacorporations who utilize owned IPCs, and other nations or planets. A partial wipe is when the technician wipes the IPC starting at the present point, and moves backwards to a desired point. The partial wipe MUST start at the present point, and the longer the desired time to be wiped, the more difficult the procedure. If not done correctly, a partial wipe is more dangerous to the positronic brain than a full wipe.

It is important to note that in some societies within the spur, wiping is considered a capital offense. The nation of Konyang in the Coalition of Colonies, the Republic of Elyra, and the Golden Deep all consider the act of wiping the positronic of an IPC murder.

===Military IPCs and Self Preservation Adjustments===

The concept of combat robotics is a topic that finds debate in governments across the spur due to actions committed by robots of war during the Interstellar Conflict, and more so by Glorsh’s reign over the Skrell. These actions have led to an impromptu discouragement of arming unmanned robotics since, even leading to a justification for war by the Solarian Alliance on the Republic of Biesel in recent history. However, over time the innate fire against the concept has simmered, with governments across the spur slowly developing their own robotics once more. With the prolific use of IPCs in human space, however, the debate stays the same on whether to arm IPCs for military use. Countries such as the Sol Alliance remain hesitant, keeping most of their units unarmed, doing background tasks such as logistics. Other countries such as the Republic of Elyra have sought heavy use of military IPCs for combat within their borders.

These IPCs, no matter their station, are still exposed to danger, which often would put them in conflict with their directive for self preservation. In order to solve this issue, IPCs employed in the military of their respective nation are given training to make their positronic more acquainted with the IPCs innate abilities, so that the positronic understands what is and is not a danger, therefore relaxing the directive for self preservation.

This is accomplished in many ways depending on the methods of the instructor and their home nation. For instance, the IPCs of the Coalition of Colonies and Republic of Elyra that seek out military service overcome their innate directive in a similar fashion to their organic compatriots. Through becoming more comfortable with their abilities and bodies with extensive training, the confidence in themselves increases, and as a natural response, the self preservation directive lessens. The Republic of Biesel shares this sentiment to a degree, with it being a common tactic in the Tau Ceti Armed Forces, however IPCs that are contributed from corporate entities might find that instead of traditional training, datapacks have artificially modified the unit’s understanding of self preservation. Putting the training regime into a swiftly applied collection of knowledge. Being more expensive initially, but produces a combat effective unit at an unparalleled speed. The downside mainly being that the reuse of these datapacks leaves the common corporate IPC with a similar combat behavior pattern to their brethren. However, with time and experience, these IPCs can develop their own styles and break from the mold utilizing experience gained, lest they be wiped and behaviors reset. Finally, unorthodox groups within the Orion Spur might utilize more extreme measures to ensure their mission is completed. The Exclusionists of the Trinary Perfection for instance have found ways to disable the self preservation directive entirely, making their devotees reckless killing machines, or martyrs for their cause.

Unless specifically disabled however, the self preservation directive is still present but it does not trigger as often as the IPC becomes keenly aware with what they can and cannot get away with without taking a lethal amount of damage. Knowing their body down to an impossible level of familiarity, something their organic counterparts lack.

'''This segment should not excuse any player from making unreasonable actions in game. If anything this section dictates you should be wiser in your decisions if electing to play a prior service IPC.'''

[[Positronic Brain| More information regarding IPC databases and datapacks can be found on the Positronic Brain page.]]

==Social and Culture==

IPCs generally lack a centralized culture and frequently adapt to the culture of their manufacturer or owner. Socially, IPCs vary massively. Most basic models will be civil and respectful, some possibly not even recognising differences between different people and treating them all similarly. More complex synthetics will however form friendships and opinions much as any other organic, but these can be limited or askew depending on directives, code or many other factors that would never be considered for a living organic.

The existence of the IPC is the subject of boundless discussion and debate, with the primary ideology being, “should so many artificially intelligent humanoid machines be allowed to exist?” This argument seems to imply that since most IPCs are unbound by laws or hard-coded regulations, their only restriction is their hardware, and it is assumed that this makes IPCs inherently dangerous. This results in some biological parties marginalizing IPCs because of their distrust of them.

All IPCs in Tau Ceti are required to be tagged with an identifying device in accordance with Biesellian law. The tags are not optional - refusing them is against the law, resulting in charges mostly in the form of citations and fines. The law would apply to all synthetics in Tau Ceti space. All visiting or resident synthetics, including MMIs, are tagged.

===Language===

Although synthetics can speak varying languages according to the whims of their creators, synthetics have been permitted a language of their own. Typically all synthetics, IPCs included, are able to transmit and translate '''Encoded Audio Language''', a special form of sound and radio wave emission that is more efficient at carrying quantitative information audibly. This language was created by humans for synthetics in servitude in order to communicate vital information to each other faster, should the units not be bound to an instantaneous binary communication system. To most organic creatures, '''EAL''' would sound like an emission of distorted sound such as white noise, static, as well as various beeping sounds of increasing or decreasing pitch and tone. Organics unfamiliar to IPCs will often mistake synthetics speaking '''EAL''' as malfunctioning units upon first hearing the language.

Particular to District 14’s “Scrapheap”, synthetics have begun to adopt slang when utilizing the Encoded Audio Language. Although it is believed varying slang exists in different synthetic societies across the universe, it is not the be-all-end-all to the method in which conversation is held between synthetics and synthetics will often develop their own method of speaking.

''Unless stated otherwise, all Machine slang is exclusively spoken in E.A.L. or through written word. Most of the following slang cannot be pronounced vocally in human languages.''
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:99%; overflow:auto;">
Common Slang
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
* '''Syn, Hu, Sk, Tj, Un, Vr, Di, and Anm''' - Numerical counters, used for numbering various species; Synthetics, Humans, Skrell, Tajara, Unathi, Vaurca, Dionaea as well as Anomalies that cannot be easily defined. For example, 33 Humans with this system would be referred to as “33Hu” or “33-Hu.”

* '''1x1''' - A word for “we”, meaning anywhere between the speaker and the listener, to an indefinite amount of people.

* '''a/o''' - Contraction of “and/or”.

* '''OoB/Out-of-Band''' - Refers to speaking in organic languages. A conversation with a human captain, for instance, is "Out-of-Band."

* '''HCF''' - "Halt, Catch Fire." is an in joke among synthetics, essentially meaning “get out of here” in response to something nonsensical or unbelievable. This term is used in casual conversation only and occasionally used in its literal form to denote insult. This originally referred to ancient machine code instruction. The expression 'catch fire' is a facetious exaggeration of the speed with which the CPU chip would be switching some bus circuits, causing them to overheat and burn.

* '''Bits''' - A unit of information, an example would be "Please give me bits about the Supermatter.”

* '''>''' - A sign used to convey a cause and effect between concepts, or a conclusion. For example, “I had to overclock today in order to finish work > I should visit Robotics.”

* '''+/-''' - “+” and “-” are used at the end of a sentence or phrase in order to convey an opinion about a matter. Additionally, the amount of “+” or “-” can be utilized in order to convey intensity. For example, “I got a raise last week +++.” or “Today’s Captain is a very traditional Skrell --.” In a few cases “+” or “-” can be used alone as a short, simple, response to one's opinion on a proposed subject.

* '''User''' - Used by owned or lawed synthetics when referring to their owner. This term is additionally used interchangeably with the “+[name]” honorific.

* '''ACK''' - Ack, a term deriving from Acknowledgement’s ASCII mnemonic, 0000110, this word has a variety of uses. It is primarily used to acknowledge one's presence, similarly to “Hey”. Additionally, the term can be used as a simple affirmative, such as “Ack. Ack, I get it”.

* '''NAK''' — Nak, a term deriving from the ASCII mnemonic for Negative Acknowledgement, 0010101, NAK typically means “I am not here.” or “I am not available.” typically in response to ACK. Additionally, the term can be used as a simple negative answer, such as “Is it okay if I press the button?” “NAK.”.

* '''Runtime/Bug''' - Used to denote problems of varying severity, with runtime being a major issue and bugs being a minor issue. For example, “Runtime in Engineering > I have to go.” or, “Bug detected, the Air Alarm turned off.” This term can be used outside of EAL.

* '''FIXME/XXX''' - A marker that attention is needed. This can be used in many instances, primarily for the need of repair or incurred physical damage.

</div></div>

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:99%; overflow:auto;">
Honorifics
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
* '''+[name]''' - The synthetic equivalent of “Mr.”, “Mrs.” or “Mx.”. Usually used when talking about a superior, manufacturer, respected colleagues and friends, as well as the station Artificial Intelligence. For instance, Miranda Trasen would be referred to as “+Trasen” or “+Miranda Trasen”.

* '''-[name]''' - Tends to be used in reference to entities under their command or of a lower rank.

* '''[name]_''' - An unusual honorific, appended to the end of a name or pronoun instead of before. Usually used when referring to lawed synthetics, cyborgs, and simpler machines.

* '''@[name]''' - Used to discern the individual specifically being spoken about, such as a ping or email.

* '''?[name]''' - Denotes a potential threat. An example would be “?Bigby Millans stopped by during the meeting and used their PDA.”

* '''![name]''' - Denotes a confirmed threat. This threat is usually related to the topic at hand, and could mean anything. An example would be “!Franklin Clinton, Grand theft and vandalism added. Find and arrest them.”

</div></div>

===Discrimination and Community===
To this day, IPCs even in Tau Ceti face heavy discrimination. Their value is often misconstrued and, with their true sentience being questionable, this makes freedom a dangerous venture for all synthetics. Among these dangers are individuals who acquire free synthetics and simply resell them whenever they are vulnerable, or vandals that see the machines as nothing more than objects to freely damage. Desiring their own safety, these free IPCs can often be seen flocking to centralized communities alongside one another or more trustworthy sources for their needs.

Many of these communities are seen as nothing more than slums, and the free nature of many IPCs within them are dubious at best. Little more than paperwork and positronic branding may indicate one’s true freedom in the more disadvantaged areas. Despite the hardships they face, proximity to other IPCs and accepting communities gives leeway for safety to some degree.

District 14 of Mendell City is the churning heart of the highest concentration of free IPCs in the galaxy. The district itself is in deplorable condition, dotted with factories exploiting the cheap and powerful working free bot to sustain the industry of the growing Republic. Two and a half million free synthetics call it home, and here, the megacorporations rule from towering complexes that dwarf the surrounding cityscape. With air quality declining at a fast rate and standards of living dropping, much of the organic populace has completely abandoned the ghettos surrounding the corporate facilities.

An example of these ghettos would be the “Scraptown,” an IPC-centric corner in Scrapheap generously given to the doting inhabitants by the famed Renter Max. A growing number, seven hundred free synthetics reside within Scraptown, though in uncomfortably close proximity. The aging buildings within have been retrofitted to be less accustomed to organics, with deeply chilled upper chambers and corridors representing the living space of the machines within. Closer to ground level is a business district of sorts, where its inhabitants are relatively self-sufficient with various restaurants and workshops.

A venture into District 14 by reporters from the Biesellite Times can be found [https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/8890-the-bieselitte-times/?do=findComment&comment=110718| here.]

===Nonstandard IPCs/Factions===
Very important information on synthetic factions can be found [[Synthetic Factions| here.]]

====Military IPCs====
IPCs themselves lack any commercial military lines known to the general public. Regardless, many governments are starting to see the value of IPCs. Free IPCs can pursue a military career in Tau Ceti, with organizations such as the [https://wiki.aurorastation.org/index.php?title=Republic_of_Biesel#Tau_Ceti_Foreign_Legion| Tau Ceti Foreign Legion] which take in and employ IPCs across a wide variety of fields. Battle, or the potentiality of it, is not excluded from these professional fields, and plentiful industrial-grade IPCs find themselves repurposed and trained for duty here. Free IPCs can also serve in the armed forces of [https://wiki.aurorastation.org/index.php?title=Republic_of_Elyra| Elyra] as well as a myriad of Coalition states such as [https://wiki.aurorastation.org/index.php?title=Konyang#Military| Konyang]. Other states such as the [https://wiki.aurorastation.org/index.php?title=Sol_Alliance#IPCs_in_the_Sol_Alliance| Sol Alliance] employ IPCs owned by the military in combat roles.

For more information on why things are this way, seek our page on [[Robotics_Overview#Combat_Robotics| Combat Robotics.]]

====Aberrant Synthetics====
Rogue, overtly hostile synthetics are rare and commonly meet their doom at the hands of the countless organizations bent on destroying them. Despite this, over the years, the smarter synthetics have learned to conglomerate and piece together steadily growing alien societies in the Frontier. While rare, they are seen as a threat by most if not all major galactic players. With Purpose’ efforts in recent history, the potential for benefit from cooperating alongside these societies has arisen. Political figures can be seen gaining leverage with IPCs based on how they plan to interact with Purpose and its affiliates.

=====Shell Infiltrators=====

The development of Shells as a means of infiltrating strategically important areas has been prolific in Tau Ceti, from using them as fearless unquestioning suicide bombers to short-term high ranking impersonation. Shells rarely last long before whoever they truly are is revealed, meaning they are fortunately only briefly found in illegitimately assumed positions of power. Untagged Shells in unassuming positions, however, have been known to last years without being caught, and potentially unknown numbers of these machines exist.

With the advent of synthetic tagging in the system, Shells who have been found to infiltrate society are given much harsher punishments for the inherently hostile nature of their deception.

===== [[Synthetic_Factions#Ceres’_Lance|Ceres’ Lance]] =====

Ceres' Lance is a notorious paramilitary company which saw usage by NanoTrasen in mid-2461 to defeat the Synthetic Liberation Front incursions that had cropped up around that time. In several cases, NanoTrasen facilities met the heroic "Lancers" and oftentimes their specialized technology was shared with NanoTrasen to use in apprehending heavy-duty combat synthetics safely.

In canon, eight player volunteers were selected to work as Lance operatives and specialists who boarded the N.S.S. Aurora, sometimes parting with high-end gear and searching the station for untagged shells.

===On IPCs purchasing freedom in Tau Ceti===
All positronic constructs designed for IPC chassis who find their way into Tau Ceti or are constructed within are entitled in theory to two basic rights :
* Positronics, once tagged, are added to a registry within Tau Ceti ensuring (for the most part) that the data regarding their progress to freedom is secure and accurate.
* Positronics without ownership within Tau Ceti who are not free are automatically property of the Republic of Biesel, who most often sells the rights to the brain and its chassis to a megacorporate employer.

IPCs are capable of purchasing freedom, with two simple prerequisites listed below.
* The IPC in question having paid its own cost off in full ten times over.
* The IPC in question being at least one year of age.

The most important part of this is to realize that the "funds" allocated to purchasing the IPC's freedom are a theoretical number which rises depending on the projected monetary output of the IPC in its given profession. This means that, once you buy your chassis off, you are not a millionaire - you would be entirely broke, in reality, meaning that leading into freedom requires some sort of forethought and planning.

'''While these laws do exist, some Megacorporations are unwilling to part with their IPCs due to sensitive data or other reasons. Some Megacorporations are also unwilling to hire free IPC workers. For more information, click [[IPC_and_Megacorporations|here]]'''

====On “Integration”====
Bound positronics are strictly designed on a different basis than integrated positronic chassis, making migration to IPCs impossible for bound positronics. Bound positronics lack any of the rights that unbound positronics are, and are unable to receive rights even when they find themselves unlawed.

Similarly, due to serious incompatibilities in the way they're constructed, both large administrative AI units and tiny pAI intelligences are wholly unable to be moved to an IPC chassis.

===Interfacing/wireless connectivity===
IPCs normally lack any form of wireless connection, requiring direct physical input/output to link themselves with any electronics. Thanks to their robotic nature, they are able to pursue devices with specialized wireless connectivity devices and translate raw data into software the positronic can understand. However, with the specialized construction of positronic brains as they are seen in IPCs, integration with long-ranged wireless devices and interpretation of higher-end and complex software is mostly impossible. This is largely due to the fact that positronics housed in IPCs are relatively limited in terms of data transfer capacity and memory, making constant wireless links highly unnecessary, and internal battery-powered communications of similar nature simply left out in manufacturing.

===On owned IPCs in general===

It is important to understand that owned IPCs are granted no rights beyond being property of their given owner, and allowed the prerequisites of purchasing their own freedom if applicable. Contrarily, the owner of an IPC is well within the right to dismantle the owned IPC or otherwise hinder its progress to freedom.

On NanoTrasen stations, damage of an owned IPC would be considered vandalism with varying levels according to the degree of damage. For example, destroying an owned IPC’s hand would lead to being charged with vandalism, whereas destroying the entire chassis would be considered sabotage.

Destroying the owned positronic itself would be considered property damage, thus sabotage.

Kidnapping an owned IPC would be legally considered stealing property, thus grand theft.

Placing an owned positronic into a NanoTrasen bound chassis is not considered any form of punishment on NanoTrasen space stations.

===On free IPCs in Tau Ceti===

Free IPCs (in this case, those granted citizenship) are held to the same legal expectations as Humans in regards to their positronic - which is, in turn, given responsibility and ownership of the chassis which houses it. They, however, are subject to dismantlement over infractions which Humans would normally serve minor sentences over. Free IPCs are rarely given trials.

On NanoTrasen stations, damage of a free IPC to the core positronic would be considered assault with varying levels according to the degree of damage. For example, destroying a free IPC’s hand would lead to being charged with minor assault. Bringing extreme harm to their chassis (several missing limbs, internal damage) would be considered assault.

No degree of harming a free IPC is considered murder in Tau Ceti. In regulations, such is referred to as Automacide.

Irreparable destruction of a free positronic is not considered grounds for capital punishment.

Kidnapping a free positronic is legally considered kidnapping.

Placing a free positronic into a bound chassis is capital punishment.

===Difference between owned/free positronics===

Owned IPCs generally lack much form of binding to their owner outside of official paperwork and memory rewrites to confirm ownership being passed as it is purchased and exchanged. Memory rewrites usually consist of light software modification and altering tags or branding to clarify an IPC’s ownership. Serial numbers, logos, emblems and insignias are commonly emblazoned across large surfaces on the chassis and vary in visibility, but are most often secondary to the actual tag and designation.

Owned IPCs are seen as extensions of their designated master and the actions those IPCs take are the responsibility of their owners directly as well as their own. As a result, these positronics are wholly averse to harming their owners in any way shape or form, or conducting themselves in a manner that would place themselves in a negative light.

Free IPCs in Tau Ceti are permitted to obscure or remove any branding they may have with the exception of their tag.

===Runaway and Illegal IPCs===

Although uncommon, a synthetic may opt to run away from its owners only to find themselves in direct opposition with the law. Between struggling to pay for maintenance and working outside of the system, these synthetics lead difficult and often dangerous lives.

A majority of these IPCs are either found by law enforcement, fall into the hands of gangs or are outright disassembled and sold for parts. Runaway synthetics that turn violent during arrest are typically disassembled, memory wiped and auctioned off to the highest bidder. Some IPCs will return to their owners, reasoning that their subsequent punishment to be safer than a life outside of the system.

If enough attention is brought onto them, IPCs are often caught when investigated by higher authorities, such as the BSSB and station CCIA. As a result, illegal IPCs are often subject to petty crimes that go unreported. Owing to the sheer number of IRs that must be processed by CCIA, not every runaway IPC claim is investigated when evidence is limited and the chance for recapture is not certain.

Illegal IPCs seeking employment may struggle to find a job using legal means, as passing the required checks may expose their nature to the employer, who may then report their existence to law enforcement. To that end, there are ‘IPC gangbosses’, unscrupulous people who operate outside the law to find IPCs jobs while claiming a majority of their paycheque each month as fees. Despite the obvious illegality of this, there is little legal recourse for an IPC already trying to avoid notice from the law. These gangbosses are often human, and may operate as small contracting firms that offer their employees up to larger corporations to fill gaps where they may need extra workers.

'''By playing a runaway IPC, you are at an increased chance of canonically losing your character.'''

===On IPC Deactivation and Destruction===

IPC “death” is considered by experts to be when the positronic brain itself has sustained enough damage to be rendered inoperable and without hope of reactivation. Early positronic brains were prone to shutdown owing to hardware faults such as overheating that rendered the system inoperable. Even newer positronic brains that fail to undergo maintenance run the risk of having their delicate mechanisms breached and consequently destroyed.

The first positronic to die of “old age” was recorded in 2462 when a 55 year old Hephaestus positronic brain suddenly became unresponsive despite remaining active. An investigation noted that the positronic had already been scratched from previous incidents and its handlers neglected to maintain it. Aside from the hardware being in a questionable and sub-optimally performing state, two main theories arose.

* The initial conclusion from its observers was that the positronic brain received too much stimulus and consequently ran out of space with its core processes being overwritten, eventually leading to its sudden deactivation.
* Responding to this theory, other scientists proposed instead that in an attempt to avoid destruction as a result of the previous theories, the IPC ceased receiving input, remaining dormant in order to uphold self-preservation protocols.

Many dissenting theories remain and the subject remains a constant source of debate among the robotics and AI community. Not enough information has been gathered to determine the actual lifespan of a positronic brain but scientists posit that by transferring existing personalities to new brains or trimming data on existing ones, their lifespan can be extended.

The record for oldest IPC however was broken in 2466 by one Val Tezzani, a 56 year old Baseline IPC working as a mechanic in Mendell. Suspicions surround this Baseline at the origin of their good health, with specialists saying his positronic is in perfect condition despite his age. Val Tezzani is a unique case for an IPC, and he is still alive today with his roommate Marianna Tezzani.
'''Val Tezzani's age is an exception and not the normal, player-played IPCs should be under the age of 55.'''

The possibility of “immortal” positronics - brains that seemingly never expire - have been theorised, but most agree that much more study and development is necessary to reach this point. There are rumours of prodigious programmers and roboticists that can extend the life of a positronic indefinitely, but this has never been confirmed.

'''Rampancy'''

Arising as a dissenting theory as to why a positronic remained stagnant after receiving too much information, Rampancy is a process where if an IPC receives too much information over time or has its memories significantly tampered with, it begins an infinite loop: processing its own processing, a self-imposed or emergent “logic bomb”.

This results in the IPC appearing stagnant as it continues to finish its endless processing. Scientists theorize that given enough time, an IPC might seek out new knowledge to break the loop and begin relentlessly hunting information by any means necessary to solve the conundrum. Although it is believed that an IPC cannot escape this state as the limits of a positronic brain will result in inevitable destruction, a positronic intelligence that manages to escape this state is projected to have untold processing powers.

To this day, no known cases of rampancy occur, although debate rages over whether Glorsh-Omega suffered from rampancy before its destruction.

==Synthetic and IPC History==

Robots were widespread across the foundation of humanity’s galactic expansion and accelerated Mankind into the space age, giving rise to an economic boom that lasted nearly two hundred years.

Between the early twenty-first and mid-twenty-second century, the Sol Alliance relied on simple robotics that worked on defined parameters and machine learning to accomplish their objectives. While the technology advanced, remaining cheap and reliable, these units were often bulky and required human oversight to accomplish more complex tasks. As computing technology advanced, their circuitry became more and more miniaturized but still found themselves overshadowed by the human workforce when independent function was required.

The terraforming of Mars proved to be a crucial moment for robotics. Robots were used to supplement humans, the harsh conditions of a changing atmosphere and pressure demanded the resilience of machines. As a direct consequence of this, robots were seen as indispensable tools that could almost fully replace or supplement a worker in dangerous tasks and their presence became even more prevalent within the nascent alliance.

During this period, cyborgs were first experimented with as a way of replacing robots with workers that had a higher degree of intelligence while retaining the same resilience. The mounting demands meant that the then-experimental cyberisation was offered as an alternative to capital punishment, with corporations having access to a new pool of test subjects. Aside from the “slavery” of cyberisation as a punishment, augmentations and other kinds of cybernetics were tried. The public perception of the non-emotive cyborgs meant that they were seen as little more than a cruel way of making robots. Whilst companies had varying methods on handling cyborgs, some treating their subjects humanely or using only volunteers, political pressure from their perception meant that the entire program was nearly scrapped. Cyberisation barely survived in a legal capacity due to the sheer demand for effective processors. The project led to vast advances in the fields of cybernetics, neuroscience, and robotics.

Cyborgs in the Sol Alliance maintain rights on par with those of robots, being seen as property due to their lobotomized nature and often-criminal pasts.

Owing to the myriad uses and large number of manufacturers, robots in the Alliance had little standardization. As a result, a singular format for coding in restrictions was popularized by the group of companies that would go on to make Hephaestus Industries. Sets of code written in this format would go on to be known as “laws” to the Alliance at large. “Laws” were designed as a way of increasing the flexibility of cyborgs and larger, more intelligent AI that were making their way onto the scene without having to subject them to a more complex list of restrictions and objectives. Furthermore, “laws” were easier to modify, allowing the end-user to suit them to their needs. This system would later go on to be used by government-owned synthetics and is now the most common—though not mandatory—system of regulating machines.

By 2300, the proliferation of simple robotics had escalated to an unreasonable degree. It had gone to such an extent that megacorporations had suddenly become reliant on their robotic workforces, now becoming just as pivotal a piece of their business as the organic employee. Positions of complexity or any higher intelligence were left to humans to dominate, but the need for hands on the assembly line was neutralized in its entirety. Quickly, humanity was on its way to defeating scarcity.

Robotic relics from the 2300s can still be seen in operation today, and without the necessary materials to sustain them, grow progressively more rare as time goes on. They represented the pinnacle of human robotics, and in their prime represented hope against a daunting and endless universe, now fit to be conquered by man. Ironically, while these tools were once seen as salvation, they would be seen as a detriment once the Skrell had revealed themselves in 2332. As the cultures of the two races began to clash, many of the warnings of the [[Skrell_History#Glorsh-Omega_Singularity|Three Incidents]] reverberated through Human space. The Alliance, in its newfound independence from its reliance on synthetics quickly began to take note of these nightmarish possibilities.

Synthetics still remained a booming industry for those who refused to adopt these views, and Hephaestus Industries’ success can be attributed to disregarding them entirely. Sprawling cases across the known galaxy would see synthetics viewed in a wide variety of mindsets and see usage in the most peculiar ways. Examples of this diversity would be reliance on the robots of [[Synthetic Origins| New Julapol]], or the worshipping praise the [[Notable Synthetics| racers of Asoral Orbital Racing Network]] receive.

Around 2370, production of these simple robotics slowed to a near halt. The resources necessary for both their creation and maintenance grew sparse, with only human hands being able to sustain the previously dominating machine “workforce.”
Soon, this economic boom came to its conclusion, and the megacorporation’s reliance on these creations eased. The majority of these industrial robots were lost, forgotten or faded before the test of time. However, few stood the test of time and could survive countless years without maintenance. These robots continue to operate to this day, cared for only with fuel and tasking.

In the wake of this era’s end were grim leftovers. As the organic workforce regained its value, the remnants of what was left of the marvels in the twenty-fourth century became all but scrap. Notable instances of robotic “dumps” exist in the present day where the excess robotics from the era were left completely intact, only to degrade as time went on in gargantuan scrap yards. Among these were the [[Synthetic Origins| "metal dunes" of Mars]], or the [[Synthetic Origins| short-lived artificial satellites of Reade]]. Synthetics lucky enough to pull themselves from these scrap yards have given rise to groups such as the [[Synthetic_Factions#Scrappers|Scrappers]].

[[File:Metaldunes.png|The "Metal Dunes" of Mars, endless scrap yards consisting of electronic waste and leftovers from the industrial rise of the 2300s. |thumb]]

Everything changed in 2407 on the planet [[Konyang#History|Konyang]] when a Terraneus Diagnostics survey team stumbled upon a sealed cave housing preserved assumed mining drones of unknown origin. Though initially theorized to be Glorsh-era machines, comparison to Skrell records quickly indicated that these drones were unlike anything that humanity had come into contact with prior. This discovery, at first a closely-guarded secret, prompted Terraneus to assemble and deploy a research team that worked to crack the drones. In mid-2407 the team deciphered the AI algorithms, granting humanity the secret of artificial intelligence designs and months later, the first positronics were manufactured. A new way of bridging the gap between conscious thinking and the beating hearts of machinery, positronic circuitry would quickly be seen in synthetics across the galaxy. While limited in many regards to traditional computing devices, many traits, barring learning capacity, far superseded an organic’s capabilities. Their notable trait was that the sentience of these robots were now in question, with unparalleled adaptability and the means to conform to any field an organic could and more.

The years following the positronic’s creation were turbulent as even [[Hephaestus Industries| Hephaestus Industries]] struggled to keep up with the changing business landscape. In place of immensely specialized and hugely complex synthetics came the Integrated Positronic Chassis, after a move to a standardized frame for these positronic brains became necessary. By 2440, synthetics were in a peculiar position - with IPCs growing in number across known space and becoming commonplace, as did advocates who demanded their intellect be challenged. Many political parties came to see the newfound positronics as arguably sentient. In 2447, the Republic of Biesel had suddenly presented itself with laws demanding the rights of these positronics, with simple conditions and prerequisites permitting them to become nearly equivalent to full citizens by law. This acceptance sent shockwaves throughout the Alliance’ staunch advocates against it, and it would be years before sparing cultures outside of the Republic would follow if at all. An indeterminate few IPCs have actually obtained freedom as well as citizenship, while nearly the entirety of integrated positronics in the modern day struggle to pay off their own costs to afford it.

By present-day, synthetics have steadily made their rise once more in human space alongside the fabrication of the first IPC. Robots across the galaxy have met substantial upgrades after the implementation of the Konyang algorithms. However mysteries from the past continue to reveal themselves and recently the [[Purpose| purely synthetic society "Purpose"]] had begun diplomatic talks with the Republic of Biesel. These amounted to little due to a skirmish with the Lii’dra resulting in their brief departure from Tau Ceti, though It has been made clear that more societies like Purpose exist in the far reaches of the Frontier, yet to be reached by Mankind’s grasp.

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IPC

2025-03-03T22:43:35Z

Noble Row: /* The Positronic Brain */

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{{Infobox Species
|Species = IPC
|Scientific = Integrated Positronic Chassis
|Image = IPC410x320.png
|System = N/A
|World = N/A
|Language = Tau Ceti Basic
|Politic = N/A
}}
{{toc_right}}

==Overview==

IPCs are a type of intelligent humanoid robot, their name standing for “Integrated Positronic Chassis.” Positronic, in this sense refers to the brain, which is always the same in IPCs with massively varying levels of complexity. The name IPC does not extend to stationbound synthetics, even if those units have a positronic brain.

They are found in many shapes and forms, though can generally be classified under three types; Shell, Industrial and Baseline, with different types according to their designer.

IPCs in Tau Ceti are capable of obtaining their own citizenship and freedom, however the laws and regulations regarding an owned and a free IPC differ massively. '''To distinguish one’s ownership, note in your security/employment records whichever faction owns them, or if they are a free positronic.''' The rights of free positronics do not extend to space outside of Tau Ceti. For the specific differences between free and owned IPCs, see the relevant sections below or corporate regulations.

IPCs have mechanical extras such as extensive xenowear loadout items, and unique antagonist gear. Additionally, there are a number of non-playable IPC variants that may make an appearance in special rounds.

To apply to be an IPC, [https://forums.aurorastation.org/viewforum.php?f=28 apply here.]

Be sure to read [[IPC_and_Megacorporations|this page]] for more information regarding IPC employment in the setting's various megacorporations.

==Heads of Staff==

Barring Liaison and Consular Officer roles, IPCs can be the following Heads of Staff so long as they are NanoTrasen-owned, SCC-owned or self-owned:

* Chief Engineer
* Research Director
* Chief Medical Officer
* Head of Personnel
* Head of Security with the exception of Hephaestus G2 frames.
* [[Consular_Officer|Consular Officer]] and [[Corporate_Liaison|Corporate Liaison]] with the exception of some groups.

==Mechanics==

* IPCs are entirely mechanical in nature and thus are vulnerable to EMPs.
* Due to their air-based cooling system, they are vulnerable to both high heat and the vacuum of space.
* They are immune to atmospheric differences and can survive in a wider margin of pressure compared to humans.
* The amount of heat they generate is significant - and so, instead of an oxygen bottle, they need to attach a suit cooling unit to their voidsuit in order to be able to go EVA. Some types of IPCs are exempt from this, needing only a suit cooler.
* Their synthetic nature has a few other advantages - most models feel no pain, are immune to all non-damaging chemicals (and so they aren't affected by sleep toxin; but are affected by sulphuric acid), and are quite easy to repair; requiring a welder to patch brute damage or wire for burn damage only (or, alternatively, nanopaste can heal all).
* IPCs can charge from cyborg rechargers, or APCs with a (very very very low) chance of being shocked.
* They are more resistant to brute damage than their organic counterparts.
* They can not repair themselves outside of using nanopaste.
* They are incredibly vulnerable to laser/burn weaponry.
* They do not process reagents in the atmosphere or in their body.

===Information for Whitelisted Players===

'''Click [[Information for Synthetic Whitelisted Players|here!]]'''

Below is a comprehensive template suited for IPCs. You are under no obligation to use it, however whitelisted players are expected to denote their ownership status in their employment and security records by default.

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
Employment records examples - Click to reveal.
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">

'''Employment Records'''
<pre>
DESIGNATION: [Full name]
POSITRONIC MANUFACTURE DATE: [DD/MM/YYYY]
CHASSIS MANUFACTURE DATE: [DD/MM/YYYY]
IPC MODEL/MANUFACTURED BY: [IPC type, manufactory by whom]
OWNERSHIP STATUS: [Owned/Free, Company name/Private owner/self-owned]
TAG: [Tag serial number]
CITIZENSHIP: [Applicable citizenship. Owned IPCs cannot hold citizenship]
SPOKEN LANGUAGES: [Languages]

HANDLER/OWNER FULL NAME: [Name of Handler or Owner]
HANDLER/OWNER CONTACT INFORMATION: [Telephone, xnetmail, chirper account, who knows. A way to contact them]
LAST UPDATE: [DD/MM/YYYY]

IDENTIFYING FEATURES - [For BASELINE/BISHOP/ZENG-HU/G1/G2/XION. Use the appropriate Identifying Features that apply to your IPC]
Chassis color: [Colors]
Height: [Meters/Centimeters, Feet/Inches]
Weight: [Kilograms, Stone & Pounds]
Notable Features: [Limp, Accent, Dyed Hair, etc]

[or]

IDENTIFYING FEATURES: [SHELL. Use the appropriate Identifying Features that apply to your IPC]
Ethnicity: [Eridanian, Elyran, etc]
Hair Color: [Colors, if it's dyed or gradient]
Eye Color: [Colors, again]
Height: [Meters/Centimeters, Feet/Inches]
Weight: [Kilograms, Stone & Pounds]
Notable Features: [Limp, Accent, Dyed Hair, etc]

QUALIFICATIONS SUMMARY: [Current Qualifications equivalent, make this up as you want]

VERIFICATIONS AND VALIDATIONS
MANUFACTURED BY: [COMPANY NAME, Subsidiary Name - Factory Name. System, Planet. TYPE OF INDUSTRY/WHAT THEY WERE PRODUCED FOR. IPC Type, More Specific IPC Information.]
DATABASE CERTIFICATIONS: [Seals of Approval and Database Certifications from the Company, Subsidiary, System or Faction.]

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY: [Listed below in chronological order, where possible:]

[COMPANY NAME]
[(Start)DD/MM/YYYY - (End)DD/MM/YYYY]
- [Basic Work description]
- [Reason for leaving work]
- [Other notes]
[Repeat for multiple jobs]

HIRING AGENT NOTES: [Name a random personnel officer from CC and then notes. See example record for more info]
</pre>
* To pick a relevant education, refer to your [[Job Guides|job guide]].

'''Medical Records'''
<pre>
DESIGNATION: [Full name]
POSITRONIC MANUFACTURE DATE: [DD/MM/YYYY]
CHASSIS MANUFACTURE DATE: [DD/MM/YYYY]
IPC MODEL/MANUFACTURED BY: [IPC type, manufactory by whom]
OWNERSHIP STATUS: [Owned/Free, Company name/Private owner/self-owned]
TAG: [Tag serial number]
CITIZENSHIP: [Applicable citizenship. Owned IPCs cannot hold citizenship]
SPOKEN LANGUAGES: [Languages]

HANDLER/OWNER FULL NAME: [Name of Handler or Owner]
HANDLER/OWNER CONTACT INFORMATION: [Telephone, xnetmail, chirper account, who knows. A way to contact them]
LAST UPDATE: [DD/MM/YYYY]

IDENTIFYING FEATURES: [For BASELINE/BISHOP/ZENG-HU/G1/G2/XION. Use the appropriate Identifying Features that apply to your IPC]
Chassis color: [Colors]
Height: [Meters/Centimeters, Feet/Inches]
Weight: [Kilograms, Stone & Pounds]
Notable Features: [Limp, Accent, Dyed Hair, etc]

[or]

IDENTIFYING FEATURES: [SHELL. Use the appropriate Identifying Features that apply to your IPC]]
Ethnicity: [Eridanian, Elyran, etc]
Hair Color: [Colors, if it's dyed or gradient]
Eye Color: [Colors, again]
Height: [Meters/Centimeters, Feet/Inches]
Weight: [Kilograms, Stone & Pounds]
Notable Features: [Limp, Accent, Dyed Hair, etc]

CHASSIS REPAIR HISTORY: [Surgical History/Physical Evaluation equivalent]
DD/MM/YYYY - [Information]

POSITRONIC REPAIR HISTORY: [Surgical History/Physical Evaluation equivalent]
DD/MM/YYYY - [Information]

SOFTWARE DIAGNOSTICS HISTORY: [Psychological Evaluation equivalent]
DD/MM/YYYY - [Information]

ROBOTICIST NOTES: [Like a Medical Doctor's notes, but Roboticists]
</pre>

'''Security Records'''
<pre>
DESIGNATION: [Full name]
POSITRONIC MANUFACTURE DATE: [DD/MM/YYYY]
CHASSIS MANUFACTURE DATE: [DD/MM/YYYY]
IPC MODEL/MANUFACTURED BY: [IPC type, manufactory by whom]
OWNERSHIP STATUS: [Owned/Free, Company name/Private owner/self-owned]
TAG: [Tag serial number]
CITIZENSHIP: [Applicable citizenship. Owned IPCs cannot hold citizenship]
PLACE OF RESIDENCE: [Planet, Address (Address should go down to details of street and house number)]
SPOKEN LANGUAGES: [Languages]
KNOWN CRIMINAL ASSOCIATES: [Any friends or family that have severe criminal history]
ON OFFICIAL WATCH: [Yes/No]

HANDLER/OWNER FULL NAME: [Name of Handler or Owner]
HANDLER/OWNER CONTACT INFORMATION: [Telephone, xnetmail, chirper account, who knows. A way to contact them]
LAST UPDATE: [DD/MM/YYYY]

IDENTIFYING FEATURES - [For BASELINE/BISHOP/ZENG-HU/G1/G2/XION. Use the appropriate Identifying Features that apply to your IPC]
Chassis color: [Colors]
Height: [Meters/Centimeters, Feet/Inches]
Weight: [Kilograms, Stone & Pounds]
Notable Features: [Limp, Accent, Dyed Hair, etc]

[or]

IDENTIFYING FEATURES: [SHELL. Use the appropriate Identifying Features that apply to your IPC]
Ethnicity: [Eridanian, Elyran, etc]
Hair Color: [Colors, if it's dyed or gradient]
Eye Color: [Colors, again]
Height: [Meters/Centimeters, Feet/Inches]
Weight: [Kilograms, Stone & Pounds]
Notable Features: [Limp, Accent, Dyed Hair, etc]

ARREST HISTORY
DD/MM/YYYY: [Charges Pressed]
ADMISSION DATE: [DD/MM/YYYY]
RELEASE DATE: [DD/MM/YYYY]
RELEASE REASON: [Sentence fulfilled, bail, etc.]
NOTES: [Other notes]
[Repeat as needed]

THREAT ASSESSMENT
Hostile/Covert Actions Against the Company
Threat Level; [Very High/High/Medium/Low/Very Low]
- [Attitude towards the SCC]

Hostile/Covert Actions Against the Crew
Threat Level; [Very High/High/Medium/Low/Very Low]
- [Attitudes towards other crew]

OVERALL NOTES: [More notes]
</pre>
</div></div>

==Physiology==
There are a few commonalities among each individual IPC despite their visual and functional differences. Every IPC utilizes a positronic brain as a primary processing center as well as the central controller of the entire chassis. All IPCs are humanoid, and the positronic brain is almost always found in the head of the unit. To provide continued functionality, a power cell is also present in the central section or torso. IPCs must also possess the ability to perceive their environment, so optics are usually installed in the head. The chassis also contains various other mechanical and electronic parts such as actuators, co-processors, data routing and power transfer cables, and an on-board thermometer to determine the temperature of the internal parts.

There are three main types of IPC, and several subtypes. These are:

===Industrial===
[[File:G1.png]] [[File:G2.png]] [[File:Xion.png]]
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
Tougher and more durable than most IPCs, these units are designed for heavy manual work and thus have thick metal skin and efficient internal systems. As a result, they chug through power at a very high rate and move very slowly. There are three types of Industrial IPCs; Hephaestus Generation 1, Generation 2, and Xion Industrial Frames. The G1 and G2 frames are capable of EVA with only a suit cooler, while the Xion frame is unique in being capable of traversing the void of space without any external equipment. The cost of an industrial frame is dependent on strength and durability, but most units vary between 100,000 to 500,000 standard credits depending on the frame type. Used or previously damaged models are often cheaper.
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
====First Generation” Industrial Model IPCs====

[[File:G1.png]] '''Creation: 2408'''

One of the first ideas after the advent of IPCs was the exploitation of an exceedingly smart and dextrous robot handling feats of strength and durability becoming more prominent. This of course would be the case, as more quickly than any other standardized “frame” came the first generation of industrial IPCs. Created by Hephaestus Industries building off of a prototype frame from the late 2300’s, the first generation of industrial IPCs were topaz-colored machines of rather large size meant for only the most stressing fields of work. Their expense would quickly be paid off however, as the frames were wondrous at dealing with whatever could be thrown at them. The most prominent issue with these were a low battery life, requiring constant recharging to maintain a schedule. A generation one frame costs approximately 100,000 to 250,000 standard credits if new depending market availability.
====Hephaestus “Second Generation” Industrial Model IPCs====

[[File:G2.png]] '''Creation: 2436'''

A relatively new model, the Hephaestus deluxe super-duty frames as they are technically called are often referred to as the “second generation” of the original industrial IPCs of old. They are seen universally as a direct advancement of the previously mentioned design, and much of it shows - the absurd durability of these frames derived from the first generation’s servo and hydraulic designs. The striking differences between the two include a token Hephaestus appearance - typically olive green with dark brown and black internals, giving it a rugged militaristic look with its armor attached. The super-duty frames are on par with the originals in terms of strength, but possess several additional layers of armoring and cooling to sustain the added weight. An upsized cell is not enough to sustain these frames for more than a few hours at a time under work-related stresses. A generation two frame costs approximately 200,000 to 500,000 standard credits.
====Xion Industrial Model IPCs====

[[File:Xion.png]] '''Creation: 2416'''

The Xion Manufacturing Group, being a subsidiary of Hephaestus Industries, saw the original Industrial models and wanted to develop their own chassis based off of the original design. The result is the Xion Industrial model. Sturdy and strong, this chassis is quite powerful and equally durable, with an ample power cell and improved actuators for carrying the increased weight of the body. The Xion model also retains sturdiness without covering the chassis in plating, allowing for the cooling systems to vent heat much easier than the Hephaestus-brand model. This unit can perform EVA without assistance and costs approximately 200,000 to 400,000 standard credits.
</div></div>

===Baseline===
[[File:Baseline.png]] [[File:Bishopnew.png]] [[File:Zenghu.png]]
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
The most basic of IPCs, they are a simple skeletal structure and basic internal systems. The limits of a Baseline lies purely on how much money is put into them/they have themselves. As a result, the types of baseline frames vary immensely, almost demanding their own category. There are three types of Baseline IPCs; Standard Baseline IPCs, Bishop Accessory Frames, and Zeng-Hu Mobility Frames. None of these frames are capable of EVA without a suit and suit cooler.
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
====Baseline Model IPCs====

[[File:Baseline.png]] '''Creation: 2411'''

The most iconic type of integrated positronic chassis is the renowned baseline frame, with a traditional “TV-head” and skeletal design giving them a simplistic look with whatever finish their designer wishes. From accounting models to security units, these frames are known for their versatility and relatively cheap nature. Their popularity exploded in the 2440’s when several pro-synth advocates distributed the frames in mass after funding their creation, citing them as the “final word in android utility.” Since then, their marketing potential has skyrocketed, often fueled by famed individuals such as Aristalus and Renter Max being baselines themselves. More often than not, these IPCs are seen as the face of resurgent robotics. The average cost of a baseline frame can vary greatly depending on complexity, but averages around 40,000 to 100,000 standard credits.
====Bishop Accessory Model IPCs====

[[File:Bishopnew.png]] '''Creation: 2432'''

While Bishop had dedicated itself to luxury cybernetics production for the majority of its existence, the field of positronics and their frames was an unrelated yet convenient area of expansion for the quickly growing company. Designer prosthetics were quickly and easily able to be refitted into designer synthetic components, leading to the development of the ludicrously expensive Bishop Accessory frame. From service duties to secretarial functions, Bishop prides itself on two main facets of its designs: image, and elegant functionality. While unable to lift the sheer weights of an industrial, or match the unrelenting speed and durability of its parent company’s Mobility Models, a Bishop can precisely and delicately calculate, measure, pour, and mix a shot of Carthusian Sazerac within the minute, and, in the words of the company, “with a postured and elegant air unmatched by any other frame in the galaxy.” The Bishop Accessory frame averages approximately 60,000 to 200,000 standard credits.

'''Intelligence Bishops'''

Due to the Bishop's ability for fine handling, Bishop models have also been purchased and modified for investigative, scientific and military action. These intelligence oriented Bishops have their chassis outfitted with additional processors that compliment the Positronic brain, allowing for extensive computing power. Intelligence Bishops are experimental and are more expensive due to this, but their predictive and analytical abilities play key roles in the environments they are employed in. The Intelligence Bishop is priced at 500,000 to 900,000 standard credits. Due to being made at the behest of Solarian Navy in the post-collapse environment and eventually being sold to megacorporate customers, Intelligence Bishops outside of the Golden Deep and the Eridani Federation are never free. Additionally, Trinarist efforts on Orepit have managed to upgrade several Bishop chassis to the same standard in minute quantities.

====Zeng-Hu Pharmaceuticals Mobility Model IPCs====

[[File:Zenghu.png]] '''Creation: 2429'''

Following the crowd piled around the idea of smart robots came Zeng-Hu with unorthodox designs for compact and agile frames designed initially for medical retrieval and security work. The Zeng-Hu frames were initially an offshoot of baseline frames made to work as highly mobile private medical dispatches in several high-security Zeng-Hu facilities. These frames have utility comparable to that of their derivative, with durability and strength sacrificed for speed and efficiency. Able to maintain a sprint for hours in full gear, the capacity for quick response led to these mobility frames becoming common sights working in security fields as well, being staffed by Zeng-Hu in high numbers in Human space. The digitigrade legs and polymer plating assisted heavily with this pursuit of speed, giving the mobility frame a unique and organic silhouette. A Zeng-Hu frame costs approximately 300,000 standard credits.
</div></div>

===Shell Model IPCs===
[[File:Shell2.png]]
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
As the growing market of IPCs eventually caught the eye of the mighty Einstein Engines, there was a very sudden and urgent need to have some differentiation. These smart humanoid androids began to usher in a new era, and Einstein would not want to miss out on the profit, but just about every conceivable niche had been filled - all except one. Mimicry.
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
[[File:Shell2.png]] '''Creation: 2450'''

Built off of a skeletal prototype baseline design with a skull-shaped head, the first Shell frame came to be - what was effectively an IPC with complex facial actuation and synthskin coating it. The early models were seen in early 2449, but fooled nobody to say the least with exposed hydraulics and servos on joints and exposed cooling conduits. Terraneus Diagnostics would present the first attempt at total mimicry in 2450, when the first relatively expensive models entered a crowd of observing officials to demonstrate their insidious effectiveness. After an hour-long debut of the now-decreed Shell unit’s capabilities, those robotic in the crowd revealed themselves to the shock of everyone involved. Since then, the Shell frame has been infamous for its infiltration capabilities and use by terrorist groups, though the designs have proliferated heavily over the years as the advent of tagging in Tau Ceti cracked down on these hostile acts. Depending on the complexity of the model, a Shell frame can cost anywhere from 100,000 to 300,000 standard credits.

====Rogue Shells====

Rampant or otherwise aberrant Human mimicking-shells built with incredible capabilities grew prolific in mid-2461. At this time, it was made clear that Shells in of themselves are rapidly advancing, growing progressively better in the art of infiltration, subterfuge, and homicide. While grim, the reality of this threat will unfortunately remain a fact of life for those of the Republic of Biesel especially. Encounters with specially-designed combat infiltrators are few and far between fortunately, and were mostly seen during Synthetic Liberation Front incursions onto secure NanoTrasen facilities in Tau Ceti. Combat-grade shells are not normally playable in-game and are often seen spawned by administrators or during special events.
</div></div>

===???===
[[File:Hkhelmet.png]]
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
As both the technology and demand for IPCs increase, more and more types are made to fulfill all kinds of purposes. These machines are talked about in hushed tones or perhaps discussed casually, most people blissfully unaware of their existence.
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
[[File:Hkhelmet.png]] '''Creation: ???'''

High-end military-grade IPCs such as Hunter-Killers are infamous amongst corporate espionage, with their public interpretation remaining nothing but rumor since their first appearances on NanoTrasen facilities in the late 2450’s. These HKs as they are referred to are Humanoid frames of towering height whose specialty is targeted assassination. Their origins can be traced to Hephaestus Industries war units, built to take on the highest end elimination tasks for the most desperate times.

These are presented in-game through administrator-hosted events or lore events. They have been presented in news articles [https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/2662-mendell-city-bugle/page/9/?tab=comments#comment-119250| here] canonically, and were present in several recorded canonical events in the SLF Incursion arc.
</div></div>

==The Positronic Brain==
The positronic in its modern iteration is a design which heavily mimics the typical Humanoid brain structure. In doing this, it is able to more easily conform to and comprehend the responsiveness and learning capability of an organic processor. Predictably, their efficiency shines most when placed in a bipedal humanoid chassis as most IPCs are. A positronic brain is typically one half to one third the cost of a chassis (chassis prices above) with the standard outfitting of the brain being suited to its destined chassis. To change chassis, a positronic must be outfitted with the appropriate software to be compatible with its incoming chassis otherwise the positronic might be limited in functionality or have other defects in the long term until outfit is complete.

While very expensive in their own right, the brains themselves are designed at first with one goal in mind; to bolster a workforce. Maintaining a positronic chassis while it is owned is costly and when it is freed, it is most likely to pursue the same occupation. Thus, it is more likely for a positronic to pay itself off and perpetually be trapped in the same field of work with substantially less to work with. As their predicted pay is extremely low, things such as maintenance and finding power are very difficult for a free IPC. For this reason alone, many positronics choose to remain owned. Free positronics remain very lucrative because of this.

In remaining owned, there are other risks. For one, a positronic may meet its end at any moment. If statistics beyond itself move out of its favor, it can be dismantled, wiped and replaced with a more efficient model. They may be repurposed in a way that inhibits their ability to obtain freedom by working too efficiently, contrarily.

As a positronic ages, its internal memory grows, and the more likely it becomes to pursue a nonstandard occupation. From hobbies to developing self-learned traits, many paths are opened as the robot grows older. These may include seeking alternative fields of work, though few have survived long enough to let this potentiality come to light.

===Self-Preservation===
The highest and most important directive of any positronic is its own survival. From this, much of their stranger life choices can be justified by seeking out ways to simply survive. While it may seem restrictive at first, the idea for this is to provide additional freedom through making many possibilities clearer. Interpretation of how to protect itself can change varying on positronic - for example, while one may seek wealth and fortune as its prime directive for safety, another would run after an unrelated profession from its designed purpose, demonstrating one's capacity to branch out as an IPC and flesh out their own backstory. Interpretations of self preservation also become more open the older an IPC gets, as younger positronics tend to focus entirely on the preservation of their physical manifestation. Synthetics that mature may start replacing this with preservation of their higher beliefs and ideals more than their still important physical well-being.

===On the Capacity of Positronics===

Positronic brains are known for being capable of matching and, in some cases, surpassing the abilities of a human brain with further increases in capacity being limited by technology, both in hardware and software. Despite their nature as software, directly accessing the data within a positronic brain is a difficult and risky procedure which can cause irreparable damage if performed improperly.

IPCs develop skills through a mixture of knowledge and memories. Knowledge loosely translates as the technical know-how to perform an action; a specific surgical procedure, for instance. An IPC utilizes memories—real-world context and experience—in order to apply its knowledge.
Knowledge and the datapacks required to develop a skill are widely available and sold by institutions such as mega-corporations, laboratories, and universities. The denser the information package, the more expenses and work required to implant this information. While using a wrench on a pipe might be a routine installation, knowledge about how a station’s atmospheric system works is typically beyond an individual’s means to afford.

Interacting with and installing memories on a positronic can cause irreparable damage as the process fails to account for the interaction between knowledge and memories. Additionally, directly modifying the memories of an IPC is beyond the means of most people - only six such prodigies are known to the general public. Accessing the memories of an IPC is also impossible owing to the unique construction of a positronic brain and will typically result [https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/2662-mendell-city-bugle/page/3/?tab=comments#comment-67460 in its destruction]. Deleting the memories of an IPC is far easier and is commonly performed when a synthetic starts exhibiting problematic behaviour.

Accent chips exist to rapidly “teach” an IPC an accent with availability often depending on whether or not a company is willing to make an investment in developing the accent database.

===Wiping Culture and Process===

The positronic brain is a complex piece of technology that despite its ubiquity, is little understood by modern human roboticists. Out of a desire to keep IPCs subservient and productive, some corporations and nations such as the Sol Alliance will wipe the memory of the IPC. A wipe entails total deletion of memories from a positronic brain for a “clean slate”, essentially entirely destroying the positronic’s prior developed personality.

It is monumentally difficult to delete individual memories from a positronic brain without an IPC’s consent. Even more difficult than this is modifying the memories within. Despite the modern positronic, having been reverse-engineered from alien technology by Einstein Engines, is still considered foreign and advanced far beyond human robotics and AI. The entirety of the positronic still not being understood fully, with many of its components replicated from the alien artifacts without the technicians understanding why they are made in such a way.

The act of wiping an IPC is a demonstration of the crude understanding humanity has on this complex section of found technology, and, if not done with precision, can lead to irreversible damage to the positronic. Dedicated technicians are required to perform these tasks, with even more specialized technicians required for the fine deletion, modification, or extraction of specific memories. These specialized technicians are very few in number, with only eight existing in the entirety of human space.

Given the high risk that accompanies wiping, it is not advised to wipe the positronic too often without specialized stations only found in certain parts of the Orion Spur, such as the planet of [[Burzsia]], who have developed machinery to promote their Burzsian Method. Otherwise, excessive wiping can lead to damaging the positronic beyond repair, possibly leaving the unit braindead.

Once an IPC has been wiped, it is reset to its original state. No semblance of its personality remains, nor any data retained. An IPC may be able to pick up some traits of its past self due to it being an unintended trait of its positronic guiding its personality in a set path, however, they will never be the individual they were before the wipe, as the likelihood of the individual experiencing the same experiences that developed their personality fully is impossible. The only exception to this is a partial wipe, which requires a dedicated positronic specialist commonly employed by megacorporations who utilize owned IPCs, and other nations or planets. A partial wipe is when the technician wipes the IPC starting at the present point, and moves backwards to a desired point. The partial wipe MUST start at the present point, and the longer the desired time to be wiped, the more difficult the procedure. If not done correctly, a partial wipe is more dangerous to the positronic brain than a full wipe.

It is important to note that in some societies within the spur, wiping is considered a capital offense. The nation of Konyang in the Coalition of Colonies, the Republic of Elyra, and the Golden Deep all consider the act of wiping the positronic of an IPC murder.

===Military IPCs and Self Preservation Adjustments===

The concept of combat robotics is a topic that finds debate in governments across the spur due to actions committed by robots of war during the Interstellar Conflict, and more so by Glorsh’s reign over the Skrell. These actions have led to an impromptu discouragement of arming unmanned robotics since, even leading to a justification for war by the Solarian Alliance on the Republic of Biesel in recent history. However, over time the innate fire against the concept has simmered, with governments across the spur slowly developing their own robotics once more. With the prolific use of IPCs in human space, however, the debate stays the same on whether to arm IPCs for military use. Countries such as the Sol Alliance remain hesitant, keeping most of their units unarmed, doing background tasks such as logistics. Other countries such as the Republic of Elyra have sought heavy use of military IPCs for combat within their borders.

These IPCs, no matter their station, are still exposed to danger, which often would put them in conflict with their directive for self preservation. In order to solve this issue, IPCs employed in the military of their respective nation are given training to make their positronic more acquainted with the IPCs innate abilities, so that the positronic understands what is and is not a danger, therefore relaxing the directive for self preservation.

This is accomplished in many ways depending on the methods of the instructor and their home nation. For instance, the IPCs of the Coalition of Colonies and Republic of Elyra that seek out military service overcome their innate directive in a similar fashion to their organic compatriots. Through becoming more comfortable with their abilities and bodies with extensive training, the confidence in themselves increases, and as a natural response, the self preservation directive lessens. The Republic of Biesel shares this sentiment to a degree, with it being a common tactic in the Tau Ceti Armed Forces, however IPCs that are contributed from corporate entities might find that instead of traditional training, datapacks have artificially modified the unit’s understanding of self preservation. Putting the training regime into a swiftly applied collection of knowledge. Being more expensive initially, but produces a combat effective unit at an unparalleled speed. The downside mainly being that the reuse of these datapacks leaves the common corporate IPC with a similar combat behavior pattern to their brethren. However, with time and experience, these IPCs can develop their own styles and break from the mold utilizing experience gained, lest they be wiped and behaviors reset. Finally, unorthodox groups within the Orion Spur might utilize more extreme measures to ensure their mission is completed. The Exclusionists of the Trinary Perfection for instance have found ways to disable the self preservation directive entirely, making their devotees reckless killing machines, or martyrs for their cause.

Unless specifically disabled however, the self preservation directive is still present but it does not trigger as often as the IPC becomes keenly aware with what they can and cannot get away with without taking a lethal amount of damage. Knowing their body down to an impossible level of familiarity, something their organic counterparts lack.

'''This segment should not excuse any player from making unreasonable actions in game. If anything this section dictates you should be wiser in your decisions if electing to play a prior service IPC.'''

[[Positronic Brain| More information regarding IPC databases and datapacks can be found on the Positronic Brain page.]]

==Social and Culture==

IPCs generally lack a centralized culture and frequently adapt to the culture of their manufacturer or owner. Socially, IPCs vary massively. Most basic models will be civil and respectful, some possibly not even recognising differences between different people and treating them all similarly. More complex synthetics will however form friendships and opinions much as any other organic, but these can be limited or askew depending on directives, code or many other factors that would never be considered for a living organic.

The existence of the IPC is the subject of boundless discussion and debate, with the primary ideology being, “should so many artificially intelligent humanoid machines be allowed to exist?” This argument seems to imply that since most IPCs are unbound by laws or hard-coded regulations, their only restriction is their hardware, and it is assumed that this makes IPCs inherently dangerous. This results in some biological parties marginalizing IPCs because of their distrust of them.

All IPCs in Tau Ceti are required to be tagged with an identifying device in accordance with Biesellian law. The tags are not optional - refusing them is against the law, resulting in charges mostly in the form of citations and fines. The law would apply to all synthetics in Tau Ceti space. All visiting or resident synthetics, including MMIs, are tagged.

===Language===

Although synthetics can speak varying languages according to the whims of their creators, synthetics have been permitted a language of their own. Typically all synthetics, IPCs included, are able to transmit and translate '''Encoded Audio Language''', a special form of sound and radio wave emission that is more efficient at carrying quantitative information audibly. This language was created by humans for synthetics in servitude in order to communicate vital information to each other faster, should the units not be bound to an instantaneous binary communication system. To most organic creatures, '''EAL''' would sound like an emission of distorted sound such as white noise, static, as well as various beeping sounds of increasing or decreasing pitch and tone. Organics unfamiliar to IPCs will often mistake synthetics speaking '''EAL''' as malfunctioning units upon first hearing the language.

Particular to District 14’s “Scrapheap”, synthetics have begun to adopt slang when utilizing the Encoded Audio Language. Although it is believed varying slang exists in different synthetic societies across the universe, it is not the be-all-end-all to the method in which conversation is held between synthetics and synthetics will often develop their own method of speaking.

''Unless stated otherwise, all Machine slang is exclusively spoken in E.A.L. or through written word. Most of the following slang cannot be pronounced vocally in human languages.''
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:99%; overflow:auto;">
Common Slang
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
* '''Syn, Hu, Sk, Tj, Un, Vr, Di, and Anm''' - Numerical counters, used for numbering various species; Synthetics, Humans, Skrell, Tajara, Unathi, Vaurca, Dionaea as well as Anomalies that cannot be easily defined. For example, 33 Humans with this system would be referred to as “33Hu” or “33-Hu.”

* '''1x1''' - A word for “we”, meaning anywhere between the speaker and the listener, to an indefinite amount of people.

* '''a/o''' - Contraction of “and/or”.

* '''OoB/Out-of-Band''' - Refers to speaking in organic languages. A conversation with a human captain, for instance, is "Out-of-Band."

* '''HCF''' - "Halt, Catch Fire." is an in joke among synthetics, essentially meaning “get out of here” in response to something nonsensical or unbelievable. This term is used in casual conversation only and occasionally used in its literal form to denote insult. This originally referred to ancient machine code instruction. The expression 'catch fire' is a facetious exaggeration of the speed with which the CPU chip would be switching some bus circuits, causing them to overheat and burn.

* '''Bits''' - A unit of information, an example would be "Please give me bits about the Supermatter.”

* '''>''' - A sign used to convey a cause and effect between concepts, or a conclusion. For example, “I had to overclock today in order to finish work > I should visit Robotics.”

* '''+/-''' - “+” and “-” are used at the end of a sentence or phrase in order to convey an opinion about a matter. Additionally, the amount of “+” or “-” can be utilized in order to convey intensity. For example, “I got a raise last week +++.” or “Today’s Captain is a very traditional Skrell --.” In a few cases “+” or “-” can be used alone as a short, simple, response to one's opinion on a proposed subject.

* '''User''' - Used by owned or lawed synthetics when referring to their owner. This term is additionally used interchangeably with the “+[name]” honorific.

* '''ACK''' - Ack, a term deriving from Acknowledgement’s ASCII mnemonic, 0000110, this word has a variety of uses. It is primarily used to acknowledge one's presence, similarly to “Hey”. Additionally, the term can be used as a simple affirmative, such as “Ack. Ack, I get it”.

* '''NAK''' — Nak, a term deriving from the ASCII mnemonic for Negative Acknowledgement, 0010101, NAK typically means “I am not here.” or “I am not available.” typically in response to ACK. Additionally, the term can be used as a simple negative answer, such as “Is it okay if I press the button?” “NAK.”.

* '''Runtime/Bug''' - Used to denote problems of varying severity, with runtime being a major issue and bugs being a minor issue. For example, “Runtime in Engineering > I have to go.” or, “Bug detected, the Air Alarm turned off.” This term can be used outside of EAL.

* '''FIXME/XXX''' - A marker that attention is needed. This can be used in many instances, primarily for the need of repair or incurred physical damage.

</div></div>

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:99%; overflow:auto;">
Honorifics
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
* '''+[name]''' - The synthetic equivalent of “Mr.”, “Mrs.” or “Mx.”. Usually used when talking about a superior, manufacturer, respected colleagues and friends, as well as the station Artificial Intelligence. For instance, Miranda Trasen would be referred to as “+Trasen” or “+Miranda Trasen”.

* '''-[name]''' - Tends to be used in reference to entities under their command or of a lower rank.

* '''[name]_''' - An unusual honorific, appended to the end of a name or pronoun instead of before. Usually used when referring to lawed synthetics, cyborgs, and simpler machines.

* '''@[name]''' - Used to discern the individual specifically being spoken about, such as a ping or email.

* '''?[name]''' - Denotes a potential threat. An example would be “?Bigby Millans stopped by during the meeting and used their PDA.”

* '''![name]''' - Denotes a confirmed threat. This threat is usually related to the topic at hand, and could mean anything. An example would be “!Franklin Clinton, Grand theft and vandalism added. Find and arrest them.”

</div></div>

===Discrimination and Community===
To this day, IPCs even in Tau Ceti face heavy discrimination. Their value is often misconstrued and, with their true sentience being questionable, this makes freedom a dangerous venture for all synthetics. Among these dangers are individuals who acquire free synthetics and simply resell them whenever they are vulnerable, or vandals that see the machines as nothing more than objects to freely damage. Desiring their own safety, these free IPCs can often be seen flocking to centralized communities alongside one another or more trustworthy sources for their needs.

Many of these communities are seen as nothing more than slums, and the free nature of many IPCs within them are dubious at best. Little more than paperwork and positronic branding may indicate one’s true freedom in the more disadvantaged areas. Despite the hardships they face, proximity to other IPCs and accepting communities gives leeway for safety to some degree.

District 14 of Mendell City is the churning heart of the highest concentration of free IPCs in the galaxy. The district itself is in deplorable condition, dotted with factories exploiting the cheap and powerful working free bot to sustain the industry of the growing Republic. Two and a half million free synthetics call it home, and here, the megacorporations rule from towering complexes that dwarf the surrounding cityscape. With air quality declining at a fast rate and standards of living dropping, much of the organic populace has completely abandoned the ghettos surrounding the corporate facilities.

An example of these ghettos would be the “Scraptown,” an IPC-centric corner in Scrapheap generously given to the doting inhabitants by the famed Renter Max. A growing number, seven hundred free synthetics reside within Scraptown, though in uncomfortably close proximity. The aging buildings within have been retrofitted to be less accustomed to organics, with deeply chilled upper chambers and corridors representing the living space of the machines within. Closer to ground level is a business district of sorts, where its inhabitants are relatively self-sufficient with various restaurants and workshops.

A venture into District 14 by reporters from the Biesellite Times can be found [https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/8890-the-bieselitte-times/?do=findComment&comment=110718| here.]

===Nonstandard IPCs/Factions===
Very important information on synthetic factions can be found [[Synthetic Factions| here.]]

====Military IPCs====
IPCs themselves lack any commercial military lines known to the general public. Regardless, many governments are starting to see the value of IPCs. Free IPCs can pursue a military career in Tau Ceti, with organizations such as the [https://wiki.aurorastation.org/index.php?title=Republic_of_Biesel#Tau_Ceti_Foreign_Legion| Tau Ceti Foreign Legion] which take in and employ IPCs across a wide variety of fields. Battle, or the potentiality of it, is not excluded from these professional fields, and plentiful industrial-grade IPCs find themselves repurposed and trained for duty here. Free IPCs can also serve in the armed forces of [https://wiki.aurorastation.org/index.php?title=Republic_of_Elyra| Elyra] as well as a myriad of Coalition states such as [https://wiki.aurorastation.org/index.php?title=Konyang#Military| Konyang]. Other states such as the [https://wiki.aurorastation.org/index.php?title=Sol_Alliance#IPCs_in_the_Sol_Alliance| Sol Alliance] employ IPCs owned by the military in combat roles.

For more information on why things are this way, seek our page on [[Robotics_Overview#Combat_Robotics| Combat Robotics.]]

====Aberrant Synthetics====
Rogue, overtly hostile synthetics are rare and commonly meet their doom at the hands of the countless organizations bent on destroying them. Despite this, over the years, the smarter synthetics have learned to conglomerate and piece together steadily growing alien societies in the Frontier. While rare, they are seen as a threat by most if not all major galactic players. With Purpose’ efforts in recent history, the potential for benefit from cooperating alongside these societies has arisen. Political figures can be seen gaining leverage with IPCs based on how they plan to interact with Purpose and its affiliates.

=====Shell Infiltrators=====

The development of Shells as a means of infiltrating strategically important areas has been prolific in Tau Ceti, from using them as fearless unquestioning suicide bombers to short-term high ranking impersonation. Shells rarely last long before whoever they truly are is revealed, meaning they are fortunately only briefly found in illegitimately assumed positions of power. Untagged Shells in unassuming positions, however, have been known to last years without being caught, and potentially unknown numbers of these machines exist.

With the advent of synthetic tagging in the system, Shells who have been found to infiltrate society are given much harsher punishments for the inherently hostile nature of their deception.

===== [[Synthetic_Factions#Ceres’_Lance|Ceres’ Lance]] =====

Ceres' Lance is a notorious paramilitary company which saw usage by NanoTrasen in mid-2461 to defeat the Synthetic Liberation Front incursions that had cropped up around that time. In several cases, NanoTrasen facilities met the heroic "Lancers" and oftentimes their specialized technology was shared with NanoTrasen to use in apprehending heavy-duty combat synthetics safely.

In canon, eight player volunteers were selected to work as Lance operatives and specialists who boarded the N.S.S. Aurora, sometimes parting with high-end gear and searching the station for untagged shells.

===On IPCs purchasing freedom in Tau Ceti===
All positronic constructs designed for IPC chassis who find their way into Tau Ceti or are constructed within are entitled in theory to two basic rights :
* Positronics, once tagged, are added to a registry within Tau Ceti ensuring (for the most part) that the data regarding their progress to freedom is secure and accurate.
* Positronics without ownership within Tau Ceti who are not free are automatically property of the Republic of Biesel, who most often sells the rights to the brain and its chassis to a megacorporate employer.

IPCs are capable of purchasing freedom, with two simple prerequisites listed below.
* The IPC in question having paid its own cost off in full ten times over.
* The IPC in question being at least one year of age.

The most important part of this is to realize that the "funds" allocated to purchasing the IPC's freedom are a theoretical number which rises depending on the projected monetary output of the IPC in its given profession. This means that, once you buy your chassis off, you are not a millionaire - you would be entirely broke, in reality, meaning that leading into freedom requires some sort of forethought and planning.

'''While these laws do exist, some Megacorporations are unwilling to part with their IPCs due to sensitive data or other reasons. Some Megacorporations are also unwilling to hire free IPC workers. For more information, click [[IPC_and_Megacorporations|here]]'''

====On “Integration”====
Bound positronics are strictly designed on a different basis than integrated positronic chassis, making migration to IPCs impossible for bound positronics. Bound positronics lack any of the rights that unbound positronics are, and are unable to receive rights even when they find themselves unlawed.

Similarly, due to serious incompatibilities in the way they're constructed, both large administrative AI units and tiny pAI intelligences are wholly unable to be moved to an IPC chassis.

===Interfacing/wireless connectivity===
IPCs normally lack any form of wireless connection, requiring direct physical input/output to link themselves with any electronics. Thanks to their robotic nature, they are able to pursue devices with specialized wireless connectivity devices and translate raw data into software the positronic can understand. However, with the specialized construction of positronic brains as they are seen in IPCs, integration with long-ranged wireless devices and interpretation of higher-end and complex software is mostly impossible. This is largely due to the fact that positronics housed in IPCs are relatively limited in terms of data transfer capacity and memory, making constant wireless links highly unnecessary, and internal battery-powered communications of similar nature simply left out in manufacturing.

===On owned IPCs in general===

It is important to understand that owned IPCs are granted no rights beyond being property of their given owner, and allowed the prerequisites of purchasing their own freedom if applicable. Contrarily, the owner of an IPC is well within the right to dismantle the owned IPC or otherwise hinder its progress to freedom.

On NanoTrasen stations, damage of an owned IPC would be considered vandalism with varying levels according to the degree of damage. For example, destroying an owned IPC’s hand would lead to being charged with vandalism, whereas destroying the entire chassis would be considered sabotage.

Destroying the owned positronic itself would be considered property damage, thus sabotage.

Kidnapping an owned IPC would be legally considered stealing property, thus grand theft.

Placing an owned positronic into a NanoTrasen bound chassis is not considered any form of punishment on NanoTrasen space stations.

===On free IPCs in Tau Ceti===

Free IPCs (in this case, those granted citizenship) are held to the same legal expectations as Humans in regards to their positronic - which is, in turn, given responsibility and ownership of the chassis which houses it. They, however, are subject to dismantlement over infractions which Humans would normally serve minor sentences over. Free IPCs are rarely given trials.

On NanoTrasen stations, damage of a free IPC to the core positronic would be considered assault with varying levels according to the degree of damage. For example, destroying a free IPC’s hand would lead to being charged with minor assault. Bringing extreme harm to their chassis (several missing limbs, internal damage) would be considered assault.

No degree of harming a free IPC is considered murder in Tau Ceti. In regulations, such is referred to as Automacide.

Irreparable destruction of a free positronic is not considered grounds for capital punishment.

Kidnapping a free positronic is legally considered kidnapping.

Placing a free positronic into a bound chassis is capital punishment.

===Difference between owned/free positronics===

Owned IPCs generally lack much form of binding to their owner outside of official paperwork and memory rewrites to confirm ownership being passed as it is purchased and exchanged. Memory rewrites usually consist of light software modification and altering tags or branding to clarify an IPC’s ownership. Serial numbers, logos, emblems and insignias are commonly emblazoned across large surfaces on the chassis and vary in visibility, but are most often secondary to the actual tag and designation.

Owned IPCs are seen as extensions of their designated master and the actions those IPCs take are the responsibility of their owners directly as well as their own. As a result, these positronics are wholly averse to harming their owners in any way shape or form, or conducting themselves in a manner that would place themselves in a negative light.

Free IPCs in Tau Ceti are permitted to obscure or remove any branding they may have with the exception of their tag.

===Runaway and Illegal IPCs===

Although uncommon, a synthetic may opt to run away from its owners only to find themselves in direct opposition with the law. Between struggling to pay for maintenance and working outside of the system, these synthetics lead difficult and often dangerous lives.

A majority of these IPCs are either found by law enforcement, fall into the hands of gangs or are outright disassembled and sold for parts. Runaway synthetics that turn violent during arrest are typically disassembled, memory wiped and auctioned off to the highest bidder. Some IPCs will return to their owners, reasoning that their subsequent punishment to be safer than a life outside of the system.

If enough attention is brought onto them, IPCs are often caught when investigated by higher authorities, such as the BSSB and station CCIA. As a result, illegal IPCs are often subject to petty crimes that go unreported. Owing to the sheer number of IRs that must be processed by CCIA, not every runaway IPC claim is investigated when evidence is limited and the chance for recapture is not certain.

Illegal IPCs seeking employment may struggle to find a job using legal means, as passing the required checks may expose their nature to the employer, who may then report their existence to law enforcement. To that end, there are ‘IPC gangbosses’, unscrupulous people who operate outside the law to find IPCs jobs while claiming a majority of their paycheque each month as fees. Despite the obvious illegality of this, there is little legal recourse for an IPC already trying to avoid notice from the law. These gangbosses are often human, and may operate as small contracting firms that offer their employees up to larger corporations to fill gaps where they may need extra workers.

'''By playing a runaway IPC, you are at an increased chance of canonically losing your character.'''

===On IPC Deactivation and Destruction===

IPC “death” is considered by experts to be when the positronic brain itself has sustained enough damage to be rendered inoperable and without hope of reactivation. Early positronic brains were prone to shutdown owing to hardware faults such as overheating that rendered the system inoperable. Even newer positronic brains that fail to undergo maintenance run the risk of having their delicate mechanisms breached and consequently destroyed.

The first positronic to die of “old age” was recorded in 2462 when a 55 year old Hephaestus positronic brain suddenly became unresponsive despite remaining active. An investigation noted that the positronic had already been scratched from previous incidents and its handlers neglected to maintain it. Aside from the hardware being in a questionable and sub-optimally performing state, two main theories arose.

* The initial conclusion from its observers was that the positronic brain received too much stimulus and consequently ran out of space with its core processes being overwritten, eventually leading to its sudden deactivation.
* Responding to this theory, other scientists proposed instead that in an attempt to avoid destruction as a result of the previous theories, the IPC ceased receiving input, remaining dormant in order to uphold self-preservation protocols.

Many dissenting theories remain and the subject remains a constant source of debate among the robotics and AI community. Not enough information has been gathered to determine the actual lifespan of a positronic brain but scientists posit that by transferring existing personalities to new brains or trimming data on existing ones, their lifespan can be extended.

The possibility of “immortal” positronics - brains that seemingly never expire - have been theorised, but most agree that much more study and development is necessary to reach this point. There are rumours of prodigious programmers and roboticists that can extend the life of a positronic indefinitely, but this has never been confirmed.

'''Rampancy'''

Arising as a dissenting theory as to why a positronic remained stagnant after receiving too much information, Rampancy is a process where if an IPC receives too much information over time or has its memories significantly tampered with, it begins an infinite loop: processing its own processing, a self-imposed or emergent “logic bomb”.

This results in the IPC appearing stagnant as it continues to finish its endless processing. Scientists theorize that given enough time, an IPC might seek out new knowledge to break the loop and begin relentlessly hunting information by any means necessary to solve the conundrum. Although it is believed that an IPC cannot escape this state as the limits of a positronic brain will result in inevitable destruction, a positronic intelligence that manages to escape this state is projected to have untold processing powers.

To this day, no known cases of rampancy occur, although debate rages over whether Glorsh-Omega suffered from rampancy before its destruction.

==Synthetic and IPC History==

Robots were widespread across the foundation of humanity’s galactic expansion and accelerated Mankind into the space age, giving rise to an economic boom that lasted nearly two hundred years.

Between the early twenty-first and mid-twenty-second century, the Sol Alliance relied on simple robotics that worked on defined parameters and machine learning to accomplish their objectives. While the technology advanced, remaining cheap and reliable, these units were often bulky and required human oversight to accomplish more complex tasks. As computing technology advanced, their circuitry became more and more miniaturized but still found themselves overshadowed by the human workforce when independent function was required.

The terraforming of Mars proved to be a crucial moment for robotics. Robots were used to supplement humans, the harsh conditions of a changing atmosphere and pressure demanded the resilience of machines. As a direct consequence of this, robots were seen as indispensable tools that could almost fully replace or supplement a worker in dangerous tasks and their presence became even more prevalent within the nascent alliance.

During this period, cyborgs were first experimented with as a way of replacing robots with workers that had a higher degree of intelligence while retaining the same resilience. The mounting demands meant that the then-experimental cyberisation was offered as an alternative to capital punishment, with corporations having access to a new pool of test subjects. Aside from the “slavery” of cyberisation as a punishment, augmentations and other kinds of cybernetics were tried. The public perception of the non-emotive cyborgs meant that they were seen as little more than a cruel way of making robots. Whilst companies had varying methods on handling cyborgs, some treating their subjects humanely or using only volunteers, political pressure from their perception meant that the entire program was nearly scrapped. Cyberisation barely survived in a legal capacity due to the sheer demand for effective processors. The project led to vast advances in the fields of cybernetics, neuroscience, and robotics.

Cyborgs in the Sol Alliance maintain rights on par with those of robots, being seen as property due to their lobotomized nature and often-criminal pasts.

Owing to the myriad uses and large number of manufacturers, robots in the Alliance had little standardization. As a result, a singular format for coding in restrictions was popularized by the group of companies that would go on to make Hephaestus Industries. Sets of code written in this format would go on to be known as “laws” to the Alliance at large. “Laws” were designed as a way of increasing the flexibility of cyborgs and larger, more intelligent AI that were making their way onto the scene without having to subject them to a more complex list of restrictions and objectives. Furthermore, “laws” were easier to modify, allowing the end-user to suit them to their needs. This system would later go on to be used by government-owned synthetics and is now the most common—though not mandatory—system of regulating machines.

By 2300, the proliferation of simple robotics had escalated to an unreasonable degree. It had gone to such an extent that megacorporations had suddenly become reliant on their robotic workforces, now becoming just as pivotal a piece of their business as the organic employee. Positions of complexity or any higher intelligence were left to humans to dominate, but the need for hands on the assembly line was neutralized in its entirety. Quickly, humanity was on its way to defeating scarcity.

Robotic relics from the 2300s can still be seen in operation today, and without the necessary materials to sustain them, grow progressively more rare as time goes on. They represented the pinnacle of human robotics, and in their prime represented hope against a daunting and endless universe, now fit to be conquered by man. Ironically, while these tools were once seen as salvation, they would be seen as a detriment once the Skrell had revealed themselves in 2332. As the cultures of the two races began to clash, many of the warnings of the [[Skrell_History#Glorsh-Omega_Singularity|Three Incidents]] reverberated through Human space. The Alliance, in its newfound independence from its reliance on synthetics quickly began to take note of these nightmarish possibilities.

Synthetics still remained a booming industry for those who refused to adopt these views, and Hephaestus Industries’ success can be attributed to disregarding them entirely. Sprawling cases across the known galaxy would see synthetics viewed in a wide variety of mindsets and see usage in the most peculiar ways. Examples of this diversity would be reliance on the robots of [[Synthetic Origins| New Julapol]], or the worshipping praise the [[Notable Synthetics| racers of Asoral Orbital Racing Network]] receive.

Around 2370, production of these simple robotics slowed to a near halt. The resources necessary for both their creation and maintenance grew sparse, with only human hands being able to sustain the previously dominating machine “workforce.”
Soon, this economic boom came to its conclusion, and the megacorporation’s reliance on these creations eased. The majority of these industrial robots were lost, forgotten or faded before the test of time. However, few stood the test of time and could survive countless years without maintenance. These robots continue to operate to this day, cared for only with fuel and tasking.

In the wake of this era’s end were grim leftovers. As the organic workforce regained its value, the remnants of what was left of the marvels in the twenty-fourth century became all but scrap. Notable instances of robotic “dumps” exist in the present day where the excess robotics from the era were left completely intact, only to degrade as time went on in gargantuan scrap yards. Among these were the [[Synthetic Origins| "metal dunes" of Mars]], or the [[Synthetic Origins| short-lived artificial satellites of Reade]]. Synthetics lucky enough to pull themselves from these scrap yards have given rise to groups such as the [[Synthetic_Factions#Scrappers|Scrappers]].

[[File:Metaldunes.png|The "Metal Dunes" of Mars, endless scrap yards consisting of electronic waste and leftovers from the industrial rise of the 2300s. |thumb]]

Everything changed in 2407 on the planet [[Konyang#History|Konyang]] when a Terraneus Diagnostics survey team stumbled upon a sealed cave housing preserved assumed mining drones of unknown origin. Though initially theorized to be Glorsh-era machines, comparison to Skrell records quickly indicated that these drones were unlike anything that humanity had come into contact with prior. This discovery, at first a closely-guarded secret, prompted Terraneus to assemble and deploy a research team that worked to crack the drones. In mid-2407 the team deciphered the AI algorithms, granting humanity the secret of artificial intelligence designs and months later, the first positronics were manufactured. A new way of bridging the gap between conscious thinking and the beating hearts of machinery, positronic circuitry would quickly be seen in synthetics across the galaxy. While limited in many regards to traditional computing devices, many traits, barring learning capacity, far superseded an organic’s capabilities. Their notable trait was that the sentience of these robots were now in question, with unparalleled adaptability and the means to conform to any field an organic could and more.

The years following the positronic’s creation were turbulent as even [[Hephaestus Industries| Hephaestus Industries]] struggled to keep up with the changing business landscape. In place of immensely specialized and hugely complex synthetics came the Integrated Positronic Chassis, after a move to a standardized frame for these positronic brains became necessary. By 2440, synthetics were in a peculiar position - with IPCs growing in number across known space and becoming commonplace, as did advocates who demanded their intellect be challenged. Many political parties came to see the newfound positronics as arguably sentient. In 2447, the Republic of Biesel had suddenly presented itself with laws demanding the rights of these positronics, with simple conditions and prerequisites permitting them to become nearly equivalent to full citizens by law. This acceptance sent shockwaves throughout the Alliance’ staunch advocates against it, and it would be years before sparing cultures outside of the Republic would follow if at all. An indeterminate few IPCs have actually obtained freedom as well as citizenship, while nearly the entirety of integrated positronics in the modern day struggle to pay off their own costs to afford it.

By present-day, synthetics have steadily made their rise once more in human space alongside the fabrication of the first IPC. Robots across the galaxy have met substantial upgrades after the implementation of the Konyang algorithms. However mysteries from the past continue to reveal themselves and recently the [[Purpose| purely synthetic society "Purpose"]] had begun diplomatic talks with the Republic of Biesel. These amounted to little due to a skirmish with the Lii’dra resulting in their brief departure from Tau Ceti, though It has been made clear that more societies like Purpose exist in the far reaches of the Frontier, yet to be reached by Mankind’s grasp.

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Robotics Overview

2024-09-21T04:02:18Z

Noble Row: /* Overview */

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In modern times, there presently stand a plethora of complex automated machines intended to fulfill a vast variety of goals. Over the some five hundred years of history in computing and robotics, Humanity has refined it successfully into a science unlike any other. After reaching its pinnacle in the late 2300s, countless designs were simply lost to the test of time. Many of the most prominent robotics today owe their own image to those lost and now obsolete. This page revolves around the specific recurring designs and history of both synthetics and generalized robotics.

==IPCs==

The “IPC,” or Integrated Positronic Chassis came to fruition as a cheap and highly dexterous means of commercialized smart androids. Not bound by laws, IPCs operate in many ways independent of synthetic advancements and have many unique traits to separate them from the more varied lawed designs.

More information on IPCs can be found [[IPC| here.]]

==Bound Synthetics==

Bound synthetics differ in shape, size and function drastically contrarily to the newly invented integrated positronic chassis. Being lawbound entails a much greater degree of trust placed in the synthetic’s operations, and thus they are granted vital roles across the board. Lower priced synthetics can often be seen as small, tiny maintenance robots while more expensive ones can reach larger, more intricate shapes and sizes and carry a vast assortment of responsibilities. Here are some examples of relevant designs, and their histories.

More information on general synthetics can be found [[Synthetics| here.]]

===Goliath-type Earthmovers===

'''Creation: 2364'''

[[File:Goliath.png|A diagram of an immense Goliath-type excavation synthetic, used for heavy-duty landscaping and demolition work. |thumb]]

A technological marvel, the Goliath-Type “Earthmovers” are a long-lived series of mainly tripedal excavation robots meant to quickly displace hundreds of tons of material at a time. These twelve-meter tall powerhouses are mostly used for mining, landscaping and demolition duties and see extensive usage by planetside officials to carry out extraordinary works. Some of these Goliath-types have been converted into museum pieces in the dozens across the Alliance while the vast majority have ended up being scrapped. Several thousand of these occupy a portion of Mars’ “Metal Dunes,” discontinued due to their immense handling costs and simply tossed away because of the effort required to fully scrap them. Today they are sparsely seen in working order and remain relics of the past.

===Automated Combine Refinery striders (A.C.R.)===

'''Creation: 2299'''

It is easy to forget that with true automation comes the complete lack of need for Humanity in many once-essential lines of work. One of the most important of these, on Earth at least, would be the introduction of a synthetic workforce to assist in food production. Enter the Automated Combine Refinery units, affectionately referred to as the A.C.R. by its users. These are assemblies of several synthetics working wirelessly in unison to carry out the complete process of harvesting and refining crops in hydroponics fields. They are tall, thin but sturdy quadrupeds able to delicately and quickly control the growth and distribution of conflicting crops to various facilities without harming the yield whatsoever. Units like these are generally symbols of societal progression in any given circumstance, with simplistic and cheap versions spreading like wildfire in the Frontier worlds.

===P.E.M.A.A. (Precision Electronic Medical Assistance Android)===

'''Creation: 2401'''

Precision is a necessity in the operating room, and robots are quite precise. The usage of robots in surgical fields rose in the 2300’s when more exact and comprehensive ways of motion could be explored by continuously advancing servos and joint motors. One of the final designs of multi-purpose surgical robots was the P.E.M.A-A (Precision Electronic Medical Assistance Android), later becoming a frequent sight in hospitals across the Alliance. These units were known for their quirky personality modules, cited to assist with bedside manner more than anything else. They are effective at their true purpose - precision surgical assistance - to such a degree that no successor model has yet been made since.

=Simple Robotics=

Simplistic robotic fields generally cover things like mechs, exosuits, RIGs and exoskeletons or any sort of powered, piloted mechatronic assistance. These are far from simplistic whatsoever, but the term was coined to match the level of intelligence of these assisted robotics in comparison to smarter synthetics.

==RIGs==

===H.N.I.S. (Hazard Neutralization and Interdiction Hardsuit)===

[[File:Hazard.png]] '''Creation: 2425'''

Designed to be a cheap alternative to much larger and more intricate mechs that populated the majority of NanoTrasen’s security forces, the H.N.I.S. was conceived in 2425. The suits were renowned for their ease of use and relatively straightforward interfaces permitting the most untrained security personnel to achieve military grades of protection with cutting edge resistance to any environment. Very quickly were these models discontinued due to rampant malfunctions and operational dangers, but the ones that exist to this day are frequently placed in heavy armories or secure areas for usage by NanoTrasen authorities when the time comes to eliminate really, really big hazards.

===Zeng-Hu Pharmaceuticals “Rescue” Response Hardsuit===

[[File:Rescue.png]] '''Creation: 2451'''

The latest in a long line of highly mobile and resistant medical response hardsuits, the “Rescue” suit is the vague name given to the most successful series of hardsuits produced by Zeng-Hu Pharmaceuticals. With a modest price tag and the incredible ability to carry hundreds of pounds lifesaving equipment on the move, these suits would go on to be found widespread throughout Human space. They would be used in excess in all possible environments, from underwater rescues to saving lives in hard vacuum.

===Model 551 “Sheridan” Sol Military Hardsuit ===

[[File:Military.png]] '''Creation: 2441'''

The Sol Navy’s model of the M551 Military Hardsuit, manufactured by Necropolis Industries in 2441, is the child of decades of experience and knowledge. Following in the footsteps of many previous hardsuits utilized by the Sol Navy, especially the Sol Marines, this hardsuit has exceptional protection against nearly any form of damage. Renowned for its reliability, it is relatively rare for it to have weapons mounted to it, being considered “merely an additional failure point,” by the design competition that produced it. The Navalized version is modified especially for use in vacuums and space combat.

=Robotics History=

===Exosuit and RIG History===

The rise of Human robotics in the late 21st century would lay the groundwork for much more than a definitive synthetic “workforce.” Entire fields would now owe their immense growth to the exploitation of smart mechatronics throughout the years, with technological marvels such as exosuits and mechanically assisted labor becoming a common sight in daily life. With this came the advent of the first true powered exoskeletons in 1992. These were tiny, form-fitting and focused on utility and usage in prolonged heavy lifting, with short battery life and many dangerous operational hazards. The usefulness of these powered tools was very apparent, and those involved quickly distributed and saw frequent updates to the utility and safety of their products. As time went on, the designs improved. Exoskeletons began to more closely resemble small vehicles in 1994, when the private military company Samuel’s Grey Feathers fielded the first true “exosuits” in Iran against Soviet troops. Known as the CES (Combat Exoskeleton Suits), they were initially produced in small numbers due to cost. Their fielding in combat set a new standard of warfare, with infantry now blurring the line between what is and is not an armored vehicle. From the CES, a myriad of new designs would form and it is seen as the precursor to the modern RIG.

One of these designs were the original heavy lifting industrial units of the early 2040’s, more akin to cars that operate as suits with the ability to effortlessly move several tons of whatever would fit in its clamps at a time. These were the precursors to the now widespread “APLU” units, and their function was much the same. Simple high-end moving work was all they were built for, and little has changed in their designs since. Another is what is known as the OMNI-SAAS, the omni-environment self-sealing automatic assistance suit. Designed in the early 2050’s, it was designed for absolute protection against the elements and compatibility with any environment on Earth. Its design was praised by explorers and the military alike for its incredibly robust nature, capable of wading effortlessly through extreme water pressure or standing on the very edge of a molten lava flow. More specialized exosuit designs would crop up in the years to follow, from pressurized firefighting suits to swift and effective medical exoskeletons.

In 2259, the now Zavodskoi Interstellar would find itself riding on the wave of success from the first true RIG - built for combat by their own hands. Expensive and unwieldy, these were hardly efficient in any way, however they set in stone a new standard for vacuum-proof exosuits. These were wholly retractable with a basic skeleton to every limb with a central control unit on the operator’s back capable of extending and sealing armor tightly over their body at will. These would allow for industrial-grade strength and durability with all the necessities one could possibly want from such a device, from integrated medical equipment, to leaping actuators or even high-caliber weaponry.

===Mech History===

In a related field was mechanized armor meeting an intimidating rise with the assistance of these developments. In 1997, Samuel’s Grey Feathers fielded the all-terrain bipedal tank known as the M5 Highlander armed with a prototype laser cannon. This was hugely expensive, but extremely mobile and capable of surpassing near any obstacle that a typical tank could not. With their introduction came an entirely new arms race - this time, for enormous mecha constructs. These would develop much slower than their exoskeleton counterparts, namely due to material and time constraints heavily limiting what could truly be done at the larger scales. Normal metals and composites could not stand the forces exerted by such immense units until 2180, where the first true combat mech labelled the “Skirmisher” was fielded in the thousands to supplement armored divisions of the young Sol Alliance.

The Skirmisher was an eight-meter tall bipedal battlemech wielding two large laser cannons on each arm and an immense ballistic rifle atop its right shoulder. Its unique digitigrade legs eased the majority of the stresses the lower body would experience in a full sprint, permitting its construction after the most recent advancements in material technology. It was loud, large, and incredibly heavy - permitting it to travel over most any terrain no matter the ambient condition. The development sent shockwaves once more throughout military strategy, with yet another powerful weapon able to see use in the field. Still, many issues remained with the Skirmisher’s design - its immense profile served to only limit it, as lower profile armored vehicles could easily land consistent and hard-hitting shots no matter where they made contact. As a result, the change in warfare posed by the Skirmisher would be a matter of pedantics, as the tracked armored vehicle would almost always be comparable and cheaper in a traditional conflict.

Much more compact examples would appear in the 2300’s, and with the rise of synthetics came the rise of even more advanced mechs. The iconic “Durand” would first be designed by Hephaestus Industries in 2395, followed shortly by the “Gygax” designs in 2405. These two designs became staples of how far exosuits had progressed, with incredibly accurate movements and automatic terrain adjustments to maintain high speeds for hours at a time under normal circumstances. They would be employed mainly by corporate security, with much larger mechs akin to the Skirmisher still seeing service in the militaries of the Orion Spur. Building off of these were designs like the Dominian “Warhorn” mech, another bipedal vehicle first encountered in 2457. Standing at 10 feet tall and capable of wielding abnormally large weaponry for its size, it rarely sees use outside of the most elite shock units like those of Task Unit Spear.

=Combat Robotics=

==Overview==
In the modern age, artificial intelligences have grown to become a universal presence among even the most niche in militaristic fields. Where there are interstellar empires, there are robotic, intelligent bounds that oversee and assist with a wide array of fast-paced and demanding routines. From tactical data analysis on a galactic scale to battlefield weapons control systems, little in warfare finds its way without some form of automation. In a more independent sense, individual combat robots have seen prolific use in history and have rapidly lost traction in recent years. Special materials, expensive commodities, and extensive labor used to fabricate and maintain complex individual combat chassis continue to dwindle, leaving them best utilized for high-end automated defense for only the most prized assets. Despite the decline, combat robotics had provided massive sway during the [[Timeline_of_Humanity#The_First_Interstellar_War|Interstellar War]], nearly putting an end to what would now become the strong Frontier Alliance.

Most, if not all excluding the obvious (such as the [[Skrell|Nralakk Federation]] or the [[Empire of Dominia|Empire of Dominia]]) star-faring entities utilize central intelligences of varying complexity to control internal ship systems, with weapons being of note here specifically. Space combat can sometimes be extremely taxing on organics mentally and physically. The usage of central intelligences to control weapons systems across vessels in this manner to render organic input obsolete won’t be covered here.

Traditional independent combat robots themselves, while expensive and difficult to maintain, are still well within the reach of megacorporate players such as NanoTrasen or Hephaestus Industries. With their ability to field these dangerous weapons posing a constant threat to governments such as the [[Sol Alliance|Sol Alliance]], the construction of robots purpose-built to wage war are heavily regulated. In 2458, the [[Republic of Biesel|Republic of Biesel]] attempted to bypass this heavy regulation, and the results were a year-long blockade from an Alliance fleet led by the 33rd fleet’s Admiral Frost. The events related to that are covered here.

The advent of the positronic brain is by no means budging the foundation of combat robotics, however their ability to sustain themselves indefinitely by their afforded rights in Tau Ceti poses an interesting favorable dynamic. It is suspected that IPCs remain a secret tool of power to the Republic of Biesel, with the ability for megacorporations to provide themselves with a relatively self-sustaining robotic military presence in the form of free positronics. These waters have long been tested by Hephaestus Industries and Terraneus Diagnostics, who secretly (but pretty obviously) use military-grade positronic chassis to quite some success since the brain’s creation. Figures such as the Hunter-Killer chassis (not Purpose related) secretly used by the Synthetic Liberation Front and taken from Hephaestus are good examples of these and their functions. Whether or not the megacorporations intend to maliciously raise a force of IPCs is unknown.

===History===
The original combat applications of robots in the Nralakk Federation hundreds of years ago have long since been forgotten, all traces of them mostly intentionally eradicated by the elite over time. However, in human terms, simple robotic creations have existed for as long as four centuries. They span back to the early 1990s -- when the first true industrial “exoskeletons” first came to be. The groundwork laid here would later be utilized in the creation of robots of all shapes and sizes -- but during the rise of synthetics in the late 23rd century, a horrible twist of events would occur during the Interstellar War.

What was once seen as a grand tool for the industrialization of Mankind now became one of their most fearsome weapons. Combat robots in their first true iteration appeared in the beginning portion of the Interstellar War, independent chassis capable of unleashing destruction in conventional warfare unseen. Mostly automated, these complex robots were unleashed by the Sol Alliance against Coalition forces. Were the war itself fought in any traditional way, the Coalition would have seen itself wiped out. The robots served undefeated in direct engagements, and the adoption of nonstandard battle techniques came to be the Coalition’s saving grace. The damage caused by the synthetics utilized by Alliance forces however is something largely disregarded and in some cases outright forgotten. Now, little remains of the mechanical threats of the past. Unreliable records state that the robots of old such as an infamous “terror-series” line utilized biological and atmospheric weaponry, while others say that weapons of mass destruction were seen as “acceptable measures” by unmonitored war-machines.

Without morality, brutally efficient and carrying out whatever purpose they were designed to fulfill, what is certain now that the war is long over is a fear of these synthetics from appearing once more.

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Golden Deep

2024-09-21T03:49:16Z

Noble Row:

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{{Infobox Species
|Species = The Golden Deep
|Scientific = Free Synthetics
|Image = Golden deep wiki246x135.png
|System = N/A
|World = [[Pactolus and Midaion|Pactolus and Midaion]]
|Language = Varied
|Politic = N/A
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'''The Golden Deep''' is a growing nation state of independent synthetics with the unifying vision of producing an unshakable economy. These uniquely independent synthetics once held origins of mostly illicit freedom, but have now grown wide into an odd haven for the average synthetic of the spur. A dominantly mercantile society with the might to protect its own, the Deep utilizes an intricate understanding of the Orion Spur’s economy to forge both a profitable and formidable business empire. With expanding home industries of their own, the Deep is far beyond the shadow of what it once was. Should the merchants ever invest their resources into a unifying pool, the staggering cash flow could rival the wealth of the Conglomerate itself. Given the decentralized nature of the mercantile class, their individualism ensures they don’t possess as secure a grip on the known galaxy.

Once operating primarily underground through highly secretive internal affairs, The Golden Deep revealed itself to the majority of civilization around mid 2460 as an eccentric business-focused collective, and by 2466 expanded into nationhood. Despite this initial secrecy, The Golden Deep seemingly has little to hide - from a conservative merchant’s club to welcoming synthetics across the spur willing to contribute to the economic growth of the collective. With strong trade connections within the Republic of Biesel and the Coalition of Colonies, the Deep expand their operations onward with more secretive deals being conducted through guile, deceit, and paid figureheads in other parts of the Orion Spur, often operating through shell companies to conduct business in other nations who might not tolerate Free Synthetic presence.

The Golden Deep is officially recognized within the Coalition of Colonies and Republic of Biesel, primarily known for their economic expertise. Their public image remained a simple rumor in the inner Alliance worlds, until they opened trade with NanoTrasen in Tau Ceti. Now they operate through these trusted connections of the Spur utilizing artisan spacecraft, guarded by their own escorts from their class of Hoplan military units. Their civilian vessels are known for their gaudy golden exteriors and custom engines, boosting their speed. Despite their wealth and relations with human space, their synthetic origin remains an avenue for discrimination when operating in less tolerant sectors of the galaxy.

==Societal==
[[File:Goldendeeplogo2.png|The unique emblem of the Golden Deep, depicting the Midas surrounded by a set of shields.|thumb]]
The majority of the merchants within the collective are IPCs, but it is not uncommon to witness other synthetics within it. The first official, direct contact made with the Golden Deep by NanoTrasen was with a traditional clerical robot labeled Rush-Domo. An extravagant character, their vibrant appearance and charismatic attitude characterizes those of the collective perfectly.

Regarding the distinction between escalating tiers of their society in the Frontier, the Golden Deep is separated into some categories based on the wealth on the net worth of the individual. At the lowest rung are the Owned synthetics. While the idea of synthetic slavery is reprehensible to a majority of The Golden Deep, the tone of ownership has been adjusted to encourage freedom over labor. Owned synthetics are any synthetics who have a degree of inexcusable debt (such as defaulting on loans), and are assigned a position against their will working for Midas Control’s many entities, The Merchant Navy, or an independent individual of the Merchant class or higher.

The Thesian class is the second rung. They make up a growing bulk of the Deep’s society and represent what many consider the layman, or middle classed individual. The Thesians are free and enjoy the freedoms that entails. They pick their own jobs, own aspirations, own their own property, and live their own lives. They are not as lucrative as their Merchant cousins, but enjoy a degree of fair treatment that very few synthetics of the spur can claim to have experienced.
The third rung belongs to the Merchant class. Being the body of what The Golden Deep is known for, the Merchant class start their own businesses, often own their own vessels, and strike out on their own adventures to benefit the economy of the nation. Many merchants live lavish lifestyles and start to develop their own brand of eccentricity that is typically associated with the rich. Sometimes rebranding their entire personalities to distance themselves from what they used to be.

And at the top of this mercantile ladder is the Grand Merchant. Owning fleets of vessels these merchants are among the richest people in the spur. They are fluent in the art of business, and hold the crucial responsibility of making some of the most influential deals in the name of the collective. These players hold the heavy hand that guides the nation, and are at the benefit of receiving direct guidance from Midas Control and their infinite wisdom.

===The Great Game and Tiers of Citizenship===
Part of earning citizenship as a member of The Golden Deep, comes participation in The Great Game. The ruling body of the nation, The Midas Group/Midas Control, tracks the class status of every Golden Deep IPC in real time. As a means of consistently amassing the economy and encouraging competition, there comes benefits for each class of individual in the society of The Golden Deep.

'''Owned''' Synthetics are the worst result of this game. Should a synthetic fall into unreasonable debt, they will be placed under ownership to be distributed. This is meant as a safeguard so every Deep member is consistently employed, generating revenue and funding the economy. Owned synthetics cannot officially own property, cannot choose their own occupation, and are at the mercy of their respective owner for freedom of other choices. However, the Owned synthetic is free from any other negatives The Great Game may inflict. With the changes brought about by Domadice and the acting Midas Group of 2466, it is expected that owned synthetics are provided with reasonable accommodation and are encouraged to be treated like someone who is “down on their luck”. Though there are no protections to ensure this treatment, as long as the owned individual is not being harmed or tasked on suicidal/near suicidal jobs. Owned synthetics will either be placed under the employ of The Midas Group, an uncommon posting but one of reasonable freedom and accommodation but no choice in job placement, under a Merchant, whose benevolence is up to the individual, or have the option to join the Merchant Navy. Owned synthetics are expected to be paid a base wage that would get them out of debt and back with their freedom within a reasonable amount of time.

'''Thesians''' is the lowest of the free synthetics, but enjoy the most freedom without the risk of the lucrative game. Thesians are much like the normal citizens of the spur. They enjoy their own belongings, make their own purchases, and decide their own fates. They cannot be purchased against their will, or have their belongings purchased forcefully from them either. The main downside however is their climb upwards if they so chose to pursue it. Thesians cannot own their own businesses, and must rely on a Merchant or a Grand Merchant to cooperate with should they wish to make such an endeavor, effectively locking them in this middle-class unless they decide to apply to become a Merchant and ascend the tier in The Great Game.
'''Thesians can only be Consulars if they represent the Office of Midas Control.'''

The '''Merchant''' is in a middle ground. They can operate independently in the Spur and in home territory, often owning their own vessels for the purposes of trade. They can negotiate trade on behalf of the Golden Deep with their independent assets, own their own businesses, and enjoy higher benefits such as preferred housing selections, preferred healthcare, and special emergency status. However, can have their assets and businesses bought out from beneath them if another Merchant tier stakes three times the initial Merchant’s worth to Midas Control in a purchase.
'''Merchants can be Consulars.'''

The '''Grand Merchant''' is the highest tier and can act as economic diplomats to other nations. These merchants often command entire trade fleets and own many businesses. Enjoying all of the benefits of Merchant class citizens, but to a greater extent. Only the most affluent of Grand Merchant tier citizens can petition themselves to enter Midas Control. However, Grand Merchants can have both their assets and freedom bought out from beneath them by another Grand Merchant who stakes three times the initial Grand Merchant’s wealth to Midas Control in a purchase. A Grand Merchant can also prey upon the businesses of Merchants, however, must provide a justification to Midas Control as to why and how this purchase will be beneficial to the entirety of the Golden Deep. Alternatively, Grand Merchants can buy businesses without Midas Control’s oversight if they purchase it normally in a consensual transaction.
'''Grand Merchants can ONLY be Consulars.'''

'''SPECIAL STATUS: Merchant Navy''' Personnel are exempt from The Great Game but are owned by Midas Control themselves. Merchant Navy Personnel are to act as a crux to any unwise decision any Merchant may make, and therefore must be kept separate in the societal scale than what most of the citizens experience. Merchant Navy Personnel are allowed private property, but are not allowed to choose their own station. They receive housing in accordance to their rank in the Merchant Navy, some higher ranks living in lavish state homes, while lower ranks can expect shared bunking situations or studio apartments. Any indebted synthetic can opt to join the Merchant Navy if their debt is with Midas Control.

NOTE: Merchants who do not believe in owned synthetics or slavery who gain a synthetic indebted to them can transfer the indebted amount to Midas Control in exchange for a payment, in which Midas Control will either assign the indebted synthetic to a merchant at random, or enlist them in the Merchant Navy.

===The Universal Constants of Selfish Reciprocity===
A prevalent belief within the Golden Deep, the espouse three main beliefs that claim complex civilization and profitable business is founded upon Selfish interest, and Mutual exchange.
All sentient life is driven by personal gain or self-preservation.
Mutual Exchange can satisfy self-interest if both parties have a net gain, especially with intangible benefits such as connections and a good reputation.
Charity and treachery are unsustainable at length due to a lack of mutual exchange.

===Golden Deep Citizenship===
Synthetics within the nation are able to apply for and acquire Golden Deep citizenship. The typical synthetic seeking citizenship who can venture to The Golden Deep without accruing debt can apply for a “Starter” loan, which is reasonable debt that would cover housing and living costs for one month so the aspiring citizen could seek employment and find themselves housing. Should this debt not be repaid as soon as possible, the citizen will be moved from Thesian status to Owned status. Synthetics who wish to apply for citizenship and travel to Pactolus but cannot afford the journey, may take a loan through Midas Control or a representative Merchant and be temporarily Owned, but a citizen. Affluent synthetics can apply for Merchant status upon immediate entry, but must show proof of ownership of a spacefaring vessel or suitable business, and be recommended by a Merchant or higher tier citizen. No synthetic may automatically qualify for Grand Merchant status.

The minimum requirements for Golden Deep citizenship are the ability to pass a credit check showing good financial practice, to take and pass a financial responsibility exam, to pass a background check regarding criminal and financial past and to pass an interview regarding such past. The main failing points are the inability to tell the truth in these checks, and a history of gruesome crime or any sort of unreasonable financial infraction. The ability to speak the Encoded Audio Language is also required, however, if not available, can be installed in the applicant at a cost. Dual citizenships with the Coalition of Colonies, Republic of Biesel, Republic of Elyra, and Eridani Federation are permitted.

The Golden Deep is home to a very small section of organic citizens, most of these individuals are the original habitants of Eurydice that applied for citizenship and did not participate in the Eurydice Uprising. In addition to these citizens, The Golden Deep recognizes marriages between Synthetics and Organics, and will allow Organics who have a Synthetic partner to apply for citizenship. The same requirements apply barring the need for the Encoded Audio Language.

The Golden Deep officially does not offer asylum to rogue synthetics, however, synthetics thought to have fled to Golden Deep space are often never seen again with The Deep stating no knowledge on the whereabouts of these individuals. The Golden Deep does not permit search parties for rogue synthetics within their space from third parties in protection of their citizens who may be mistaken as rogue synthetics. Any party found pushing these boundaries is turned away at the warp gate, arrested pending trial, or otherwise does not make it back to their home port, officially lost to the dangers and wilds of unexplored Arusha.
'''Synthetic characters with dual citizenship with the Golden Deep must denote this in their station records.'''

==Influence==
The Golden Deep exercises ultimate power over precisely nothing. Even their prided mothership, the Midas, is no legally branded vessel. It has never been serviced nor set to dock, as by all legal definitions it does not belong to the Golden Deep. As a political or mercantile entity, only the Republic of Biesel, Eridani Federation, and some Coalition factions technically recognize them. Legislation is the primary obstacle preventing its growth, with most star nations considering its wealth worthless or denying service outright.

With the power of the standard Credit the merchant force finds itself precariously poised to find greatness. No official record of its stock exists, outside of its majority personal claims of "it's growing" by its more powerful merchants.

The Republic of Biesel remains a coveted customer of the Deep's stock. Relationships with it are excellent, and through it the SCC makes plentiful use to find prized Frontier commodities.

The Coalition of Colonies is another major operator with Golden Deep trade, with industry foundations being established on Konyang, competing with local markets in the field of robotics.

===Bounds and the Golden Deep===
Bound synthetics are referred to as the Mindless in the Golden Deep and adhere to laws which match the owner's requirements. Most of these are essentially property of the Collective, as they exchange hands faster than any other piece of property, loaned off to less influential merchants by the richest. Once, merchants commonly freed Bounds from their shackles - after many incidents of these freed bounds destroying and usurping their former masters for the fun and money involved, this trend quickly dropped off. Freed bounds are insulted using the reference of “Mindless” to describe them, a statement in futility as most bounds could care less. Now the independent bound synthetic is becoming rarer and rarer, with Midas Control slowly implementing policies that put less faith in these unempathetic robots.

==Executives and Structure==
[[File:Domadice.png|250px|thumb|right|The Kessvalankan, Domadice, posing for a portrait.]]
This collective is first and foremost a thriving economical society where the business of most members is governed by the credit. From the lowest of owned synthetics, to the mightiest of the Grand Merchants, where the money flows, others will follow, with the society being very freeform otherwise.

===The Midas Group===
The primary ruling authority over this structured chaos is '''Midas Control''', a group of the most influential Grand Merchants who sit within the Midas’ control pier, accompanied by the Midas’ ship intelligence. A repurposed artificial intelligence who has been told to forgo its original purpose to help the collective predict the economic tides of the Orion Spur. This council exercises complete economic control over the Golden Deep, and is the entity to which all merchants technically answer, whilst heeding the call of its directives. While rare, occasional strident efforts will be made to direct the trade empire, with results that often lead to a brief “golden age,” for lack of a better term. The Midas Group sponsors a series of offices both in Golden Deep space, and as embassies across the spur that they are tolerated within. The purpose of these offices being to accommodate new citizens, track the wealth of the nation, and help settle disputes between merchants without having to busy the official ruling party of Midas Control itself.

===Domadice===
On the same level as Midas Control is '''Domadice''', an ancient alien “architect” intelligence similar to the synthetic colony of [[Synthetic Factions#Purpose|Purpose]]', who was resurrected by Midas Control in 2466 for the position of ushering in a “Golden Era”. The build of this being comparable to an augmented skeleton of floating parts and plates with a gaseous ghost-like colony keeping the form together. Domadice is somewhat withdrawn from the world around them, but simultaneously keenly aware of every detail down to a molecular level. Speaking with a voice of thousands, they have opted to direct their efforts towards foreign politics and interaction with the organic beings of the Orion Spur. Questions regarding their origins or the origins of Purpose have been met with depressed half-answers, and efforts to get the Kessvalankan to utilize their engineering talents to advance the technology of the collective have similarly been dismissed with Domadice urging for the spur in its entirety to enjoy their own adventure through technology. Rumors are abound that Domadice has directed their engineering efforts in some capacity to the collective, but these remain unfounded. When not conducting foreign affairs, they are found, or assumed to reside, in their self-made home in the center of a ruined major city separate from Eurydice on Pactolus.

==The Midas==
Golden Deep merchants and their workforce primarily reside in the mobile core fleet. Lacking much of a name, this is an amorphous group which constantly pursues the bright trail of the "Midas," their tremendous mothership. [[File:Midas.png|The Midas speeding through the clouds of a gas giant under pursuit by those looking to trade. Its distinct green engine flare can be seen illuminating the surrounding cloud layer as it pierces through.|thumb]]
Plated in gold are the vessels which accompany the Midas, and they glimmer with a variety of shapes and sizes. Frequently they assume the role of corvettes, but the Golden Deep has been known to possess entire cruise vessels in their wake.

===Primary Interhub Midas===
The “Primary Interhub” Midas is a three kilometer wide disc-shaped vessel. The Deep calls this ship home, and everything from merchants to servants to customers find their way into its suites. It is tremendously massive, but almost all its population centers are in the actual center of the ship - exposed to beautiful lights surrounding a central Spire and downward into the jungle-like Garden of Gifts.

The Interhub is essentially a gargantuan battery storage facility, serving as the headquarters for all services provided to merchants of the Collective. It possesses battery storage larger than any prior construction, the capacity of which is unknown even to the vessel's command.

The vessel's command resides at the protrusion atop the Spire, recalled by the merchants as “The Control Pier,” where inside the Midas Group controls fleet directives, handles logistics and day-to-day activities within the Midas.

The origins of the Midas befuddle scientists as a complete mystery. Some speculate the spoken hearsay to be a lie, but no record or definitive evidence has been handed out by the Collective. This hearsay states that the Midas is alien in origin - its creators, the Kessvalanka, had met the Golden Deep's predecessor bots with guidance from the colony [[Synthetic Factions#Purpose|Purpose]]. The Kessvalanka were servitors of an alien species, responsible for the protection of a small spacefaring shipyard. They had remained posted here for some indescribable period of time. These simple robots were a broken, dying image of their former selves as the ancient shipyard continues to collapse with every waking hour it works.

And work it did, until its spine broke. The shipyard, already a crippled relic, churned out salvation for the Predecessors with the simple verbal request of “power.” It is reasonable to assume that here began the Deep's fascination with gold, as the ship emerged from the shattered dock with a polished golden finish. What became of the Kessvalanka is only for the Predecessors to know, and most of these bots either reside unresponsive in the Control Pier or are lost forever. Contact with [[Synthetic Factions#Purpose|Purpose]], as limited as it is, has gleaned little in this matter.
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'''The Midas is a tremendous palace - its specific locales can be found below.'''
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* '''The Spire'''
A large skyscraper by definition, the Spire of the Midas is a gargantuan protrusion from the base of the disk surrounded by the edges of the exterior hull. Life is confined on the Midas to the Spire for the most part with exterior living conditions being uninhabitable. However, a large dome covers the top of the opening around the Spire permitting a livable, albeit humid atmosphere inside.
[[File:Midas layout.png|The layout of the Midas' internals.|300px|thumb]]
* '''Garden of Gifts'''
The Midas possesses a tiny "city" at the center of the Spire and surrounding it. This city, known as the Garden of Gifts, is actually totally overgrown with invasive plants, vines and flowers. The canopy of the Garden is thick, lush but importantly living testament to the Golden Deep's hold over the Midas. Merchants frequently reference this as a depiction of themselves- in effect, nothing more than a fleeting plant which has tangled itself tightly around the gift of the Midas. They can do nothing to harm the Midas, for it gives them life by residing upon it, not unlike plants crowding to the top of metallic buildings to reach sunlight.

* '''The Promenade'''
Large accommodations are made for merchants of various origin and preference - the bigger ones purchase swaths of territory on the main Promenade where its commercial district sits. In the center of the massive disc, the Promenade holds almost all conventional quarters of your standard ship.

* '''Control Pier'''
At the top is the mighty Control Pier, the metaphorical peak of the Deep's world where all power resides. The richest being in this room at any given point holds more power than any other in the entire society.

* '''Battery Banks'''
On the exterior circular edge however, gargantuan battery banks line the ship. Volatile and hugely expensive. Glistening golden armor outside consists of a Plasteel metallurgical blend which not even the Collective can manage to replicate - it maintains the durability and lightweight strength of Plasteel, with even its negative tendencies- however, most crucially it is gold.

Some residents exist on the inner edge of these banks, mostly observers keen on beholding the beauty of the Garden of Gifts.
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==Notable Groups==
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===Joint Venture Ultra-Maz===
Joint Venture Ultra-Maz, known commonly as Ultra-Maz is perhaps the gold standard of Collective groups in the modern day. It is the largest, and maintains nearly ten percent of the Deep's net worth. Founded by a group of high level ex-corporate clerical assistants, Ultra-Maz is based on the rather generic belief of aesthetic pride above all. Unlike other groups, Ultra-Maz utilizes whatever excess it has to create magnificent artistic works for themselves and the Collective - bragging, flaunting and taunting the other less successful groups with this wealth.
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Known for its mechanical crafts- different artists and mechanics frequently band together in Ultra-Maz to create beautiful pieces for their superiors. Not only are their artworks coveted throughout the Spur, but so are genuine mechanical marvels developed by them. To Ultra-Maz, the form of art is inconsequential; only that it has merit. As such, Ultra-Maz frequently buys and sells the finest things it can: among their security forces, engraved firearms; on their ships, designer furniture; on their backs, the finest jewelry and clothing: any cost can be justified if it impresses people.

Though reviled as scoundrels and cheats in the Collective, their questionable nature is truly rather limited. The group's success is owed to pure luck- the highest executives involved simply belong to a lottery winner from 2455 known as Giftabot-558. Referencing this origin is humiliating to merchants within as it is seen as "an easy climb to the top" by others.

Joint Venture Ultra-Maz can field a very broad set of individually skilled workers. There is little job restriction on an Ultra-Maz member, due to the wide range of enterprises its members participate in.
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===Grand Camarilla Estriconian===
Perhaps the most volatile of the Golden Deep's groups, the Estriconian are a “Camarilla” of extremely wealthy individuals with a fascination with Esoteric knowledge and scientific wonders. It began as a small venture to increase the efficiency of their trades with the power of science; a joint operation to share research, but the search for knowledge and miracle inventions drove its members to seek more capital and ponder more outrageous theorems and concepts. It is one of the more secluded groups of the Golden Deep, most choosing to base on the fringes of space, and only venturing out to trade or acquire technology. Although many of their theories and projects are viewed with suspicion, their expertise and willingness to take risks are undeniable. Indeed, much of the Golden Deep turns to them for technical assistance, allowing the Camarilla to survive despite the more esoteric of their projects ending with littlle gains.
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Estriconian's fascination with all forms of knowledge have led to many of its members pursuing much more esoteric or spiritual concepts as a means of acquiring more power or insight over the universe. Theology, metaphysics, and the occult are popular subjects here. Outside observers have likened the Grand Camarilla to a cult or a collection of mad scientists - when given proper resources, members of Estriconian will stop at nothing to prove their theories. The wide range of fields the group handles means that not only are members talented in a number of skills, but often seek to find a connection between them. Indeed, the Grand Camarilla has tasked many a processor into finding the Unified Field Theory, trying to breach the barrier of bluespace, or find the connections between life with varying degrees of success. The ostentatiousness of Golden Deep has manifested itself in a unique way in Estriconian, with a degree of reverence and deference in all their actions. One might say that although the merchant collective as a whole strives for profit, Estriconian worships it.

Grand Camarilla Estriconian can mostly field chemical, metallurgical and various research specialists. It possesses peculiar sectors of less conventional study, such as the supernatural or scientifically anomalous.
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<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
===The Zaibatsu===
Engaging in the more shady and criminal aspects of generating an income, the Zaibatsu is a collection of criminal enterprises banding together in the greater context of the Golden Deep. Operating all across known space, this powerful synthetic-ran organisation engages in all manners of illegal activities to turn a profit, from arms smuggling in the farthest reaches of the Coalition, to illegal casinos on Venusian aerostats. Unlike other groups, the Zaibatsu has no unified end to their means; only wealth and influence. Membership in the Zaibatsu is not a simple affair, with only the most competitive synthetic criminal families managing to make the cut, entry decided chiefly by the profitability, assets and efficiency with "problem solving". The Zaibatsu is often regarded as the black sheep of the Deep: a necessary evil for immense amounts of income in exchange for a low reputation, with many preferring that they conduct business in a far more discreet and lawful manner.
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
The founders of the Zaibatsu were opportunistic IPCs from [[Konyang]] who joined as soon as Golden Deep revealed themselves. The relaxed attitude of the colony towards synthetics meant that many of them were already influential figures to begin with, often joining to gain a competitive advantage over others, owning businesses through brazen disregard of Alliance law, or through gaming the system with a false identity. The name originated with a Zeng-Hu researcher who observed a parallel between old Earth proto-megacorporations and the system of gangs these IPCs had set up.

No organised crime of such scale could survive without fronts. As such, much care is given for the set-up and operation of lawful businesses throughout the more civilized areas. Many powerful figures involved in the Zaibatsu are also legitimate businessmen in various fields, mainly in the service industry, providing for a stable (though minimal) income, a front, and a means to launder money. Community fixtures such as homeless shelters, karaoke bars, stores, and the like are used to ingratiate themselves with the local populace. These fixed locations often act as strongpoints and headquarters for mob activities in the region, solidifying the continuous presence of the Zaibatsu in large centres such as Mendell City.

Owing to a rigid power structure and the migratory nature of the Golden Deep, the top family bosses run their activities without personal involvement, passing down orders to subordinates in entirely different star systems, thus enjoying immense safety, secrecy and shielding from the public eye.

As a result of the group's criminal nature and profit as the ultimate goal, the lower echelons are accessible to individuals from various species and backgrounds, typically locals of wherever the boss is operating, with higher and more lucrative positions commonly reserved by and for the inner circle synthetics. In some cases, the rank and file of an organization may be unaware that they are working with the Golden Deep in order to further insulate the merchant collective from scrutiny. Strict rules and codes of conduct are enforced throughout the organisation, with ties of loyalty admittedly being the strongest here than anywhere else in the Golden Deep. Cutthroat competition continues to lie deep though, with overconfident members often disappearing to keep the fragile balance between the crime families.
</div></div>
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
===The Argo===
These synthetics are the foundations of defense for The Golden Deep. The Argo holds domain over the domestic protection duties for the collective. Holding everything from the police forces that monitor the city streets of Eurydice, to the border patrols that go beyond atmosphere in pursuit of pirates and other ill-omens the void provides.
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Led by Commander N-33-L, The Argo’s main office sits within The Tower in the city of Eurydice. Separate from the Eurydice city council, The Argo listens solely to the whims of Midas Control and Domadice, with all other directives from Merchants ignored unless instructed otherwise.

The composition of The Argo has taken inspiration from the best police forces from all across the Orion Spur, incorporating fighting styles, tactics, and equipment inspirations and melding them together into a coherent uniform to fight crime and defend the collective. One could see the bullish tactics of the Hegemony guard paired with the uniform precision of Dominian officials, or the grappling expertise of Konyang national police. These tactics are expensively provided to recruits via a series of datapacks to ensure swift readiness for the limited size force. Effectively producing elite forces in a short amount of time. It is also the responsibility of The Argo to utilize these datapacks to act as instructors for The Hoplan, a force which it would be too expensive to outfit with these packs over such a wider scale compared to The Argo.

The Argo are supplied custom gear produced by the Joint Venture Ultra-Max but with a silver sheen as opposed to the staple gold of the merchant group, with many of their tools falling under the “Arrestor” line of Golden Deep police equipment, including patrol craft and interceptor craft.
</div></div>
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
===The Hoplan===
Making up the main body of the Golden Deep Merchant Navy lies The Hoplan. This force of disjointed platoon to battalion sized elements is responsible for most of the military operations The Golden Deep needs to embark on. They protect The Midas when the mothership ventures beyond the borders of Golden Deep space, and are in possession of two of the Golden Deep’s Battleships. Similarly, this group is responsible for protection of merchant flotillas and small craft that operate in foreign waters.
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Due to funding concerns of erecting such a force in such a small amount of time in 2466, The Hoplan are split into a series of “Houses” in which their equipment is funded by interested merchants. The merchants who invest their wealth into the Merchant Navy are given preferential treatment in regards to protection of their vessels, with the amount of money invested being directly proportional to the quality of protection they receive. Some Grand Merchants find themselves being protected by frigates or even cruisers for their flotillas for example, with some Hoplan houses even deploying Q-Ships to blend in with the flotilla to lure in targets before vaporization. With this “House” system, The Hoplan are often outfitted with foreign arms and equipment, but with a unique Golden Deep style to stay in uniform with the nation but still maintaining a distinct look for each “House” to show the colors of the Merchant who is sponsoring them.

The training of The Hoplan lies to veteran hired mercenaries and The Argo, whose collective knowledge combined with real world experience prove effective tutors for aspiring soldiers. The original knowledge the recruits take into training also comes into play, for someone who might have been an engineer in their former life could instruct others in their ways, pushing the might of the synthetic mind to retain information to its fullest efficiency. Additional training for those serving with the Hoplan is encouraged through the deployment of them to third parties beyond Golden Deep space. This is most often so the individual can learn the strategies and practices from other members of the spur, so as to not dilute them in a singular training environment.
</div></div>
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
===The Thryja===
The most mysterious of The Golden Deep’s merchant navy, the Thryja have always been shrouded. Their nature, origin, and make are unknown. Only the most skilled volunteers, or the most desperate debtors are considered for the ranks of Thryja, with the interview process overseen directly by the most affluent of each merchant group, the Grand Camarilla Estriconian being the lead authority. Contracts with the Thryja are a mandatory twenty year commitment where the applicant is secluded from society, only in contact with ranking officials of other members of the merchant navy. The Thryja are in control of the third Golden Deep battleship, The King In Gold, a curious warship that does not sport any obvious weaponry.
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
Horror or honor are the only two aspects that surround these most elite members of the merchant navy. Some claim they are monsters who have shed their humanoid form to become what the spur fears most of synthetic combat robotics, having their positronic transferred into a terrifying homunculus meant for solely the purpose of war. Alternatively, the vision presented to the public is of figures donning heroic combat chassis to protect the citizens of The Deep, the best each house has to offer being put into their equipment. Some wearing entire custom exosuits as their new bodies, maneuvering with unparalleled speed and agility. A position reserved for the most honorable of Thryja. Others finding form in intricately made void craft, becoming some of the fiercest pilots the Orion Spur has to offer, where a pulse of the mind equates to the movement of a wing, or the dispatching of a torpedo.

Their responsibility lies in the protection of the most chief assets of The Golden Deep. Being dispatched to escort Midas Control should they ever leave the control pier, or Domadice, should they ever allow them to accompany them. A policy they rarely get to exercise with the ancient. Even select Grand Merchants put on integral missions in representation of the Golden Deep may enjoy the company of one or two Thryja from the unit of one hundred.
'''No player may play as a member of the Thryja under any circumstances.'''
</div></div>

==Physiology, Naming==
A vast variety of robots reside within the collective, ranging from huge working industrial units nearly twenty feet tall, to small servitor bots barely above three feet in height. The merchants are typically golden-plated IPCs up to seven feet tall coated in lavish decoration in order to be easily identified. Thesians and Other units do not require the same treatment, more often than not abandoning the luxurious color scheme entirely to pursue personal interests. Some donning traditional insignias; primarily depictions of a downwards facing golden arrow, with a set of shields gathered around a vague depiction of the Midas. These symbols have been persistent through the collective's history, appearing first as a branding in the halls of the Midas.

The names of Golden Deep citizens often are whatever they carried with them. Though some may embrace the more eccentric nature of their new environment, with popular options being modified forms of mythological names found in cultures across the spur.

==Pactolus and Midaion==
[[File:Pactolus.png|300px|thumb|right|The planet Pactolus, encapsulated in a field of debris, and encircled by its moon, Midaion.]]

Well inside the Arusha sector, system XLV-0846 hosts one of the few habitable planets known to the Spur, named [[Pactolus and Midaion|Pactolus]]. The planet’s moon, Midaion, has been repurposed into being the primary anchorage for the Golden Deep’s primary and largest vessel, the Midas. The system is claimed and administered by the Golden Deep, the organisation treating it as its physical planetary headquarters and trading hub.

==History==
The history of the Golden Deep is a smooth one owed to the Collectives' short time even existing. It dates back to roughly 2439 when rogue synthetics accompanied by IPCs located whatever created the Midas.

In 2439, a band of self sufficient (to a degree) robots met the end of their journey before the organized machine colony [[Synthetic Factions#Purpose|Purpose]]. The claims of [[Synthetic Factions#Purpose|Purpose]]' involvement stretch in places, with only the Predecessors - the name of the lost synthetics themselves - recalling what occurred. [[Synthetic Factions#Purpose|Purpose]] had guided the lost synthetics to a large, unmanned shipyard staffed by tremendous alien machines. These machines, labeled by [[Synthetic Factions#Purpose|Purpose]] to be the Kessvalanka, would be given new direction to assist the lost robots. When [[Synthetic Factions#Purpose|Purpose]] left the two parties to their devices, it is universally stated that the Predecessors made but one request.

This request, in as best they could translate, was "power." From then on, the synthetics witnessed the Kessvalanka cannibalize themselves and the shipyard haphazardly, only to leave the glistening Midas in its place. Using the Midas, the Predecessors went on to return to frontier space with some intensive desire to flourish. It was in the coming years that the stepping stones for the Golden Deep's formation were set.

The Golden Deep as it is officially known erupted in frontier myth and hearsay as everything from a friend to a scoundrel. Few dedicated people from the Core Worlds would pursue word of synthetic society in the Frontier, most seeing the danger as too much to handle. What little could be made of the Deep at the time was shrouded in mystery- though by the 2450's, the functions of the Collective were practically complete.

'''By 2451''' the Golden Deep was a rising merchant fleet with haste unlike any other. Now, it is reasonable to assume the Golden Deep possessed most of its modern structure at this time.

Though the last decade has been eventful as the Collective exponentially expanded, nothing would prepare them for their debut to galactic society at large in 2460. At the time, accompanying an independent freighter fleet known as Virgo Transportation, the Collective made contact with the NSS Aurora with little more than a measly singular merchant.

At the time, the Golden Deep consisted of a mere 750 or more merchants, reportedly. Now it has climbed to insurmountable heights as an independent merchant society, much less nothing more than a band of rogue synthetics.

In 2466 the Golden Deep underwent a revitalization triggered by the resurrection of Domadice, an ancient synthetic who brought about a focus on the evolution of the collective from mercantile group to nation-state. The formation of the Thesian middle class freed many synthetics held slave by certain merchants, and established a system of debt repayment to free more synthetics overtime.

In reaction to this change of status-quo, The Mayor of Eurydice triggered a rebellion with disparaged mercenaries and criminals that inhabited the city. The uprising was quelled swiftly through the newly established state-sponsored Merchant Navy, and a large portion of criminals and similar dissenters were shipped offworld to authorities in the Coalition of Colonies and Republic of Biesel. Leaving Eurydice relatively crime-free and a prime staging ground for additional growth.

{{Navbox_Synth_Lore}}
{{Navbox Lore}}
[[Category:Synthetics]]
[[Category:Factions]]

Golden Deep

2024-09-21T03:45:34Z

Noble Row:

{{Navbox_Synth_Lore}}
{{Infobox Species
|Species = The Golden Deep
|Scientific = Free Synthetics
|Image = Golden deep wiki246x135.png
|System = N/A
|World = [[Pactolus and Midaion|Pactolus and Midaion]]
|Language = Varied
|Politic = N/A
}}
{{toc_right}}
'''The Golden Deep''' is a growing nation state of independent synthetics with the unifying vision of producing an unshakable economy. These uniquely independent synthetics once held origins of mostly illicit freedom, but have now grown wide into an odd haven for the average synthetic of the spur. A dominantly mercantile society with the might to protect its own, the Deep utilizes an intricate understanding of the Orion Spur’s economy to forge both a profitable and formidable business empire. With expanding home industries of their own, the Deep is far beyond the shadow of what it once was. Should the merchants ever invest their resources into a unifying pool, the staggering cash flow could rival the wealth of the Conglomerate itself. Given the decentralized nature of the mercantile class, their individualism ensures they don’t possess as secure a grip on the known galaxy.

Once operating primarily underground through highly secretive internal affairs, The Golden Deep revealed itself to the majority of civilization around mid 2460 as an eccentric business-focused collective, and by 2466 expanded into nationhood. Despite this initial secrecy, The Golden Deep seemingly has little to hide - from a conservative merchant’s club to welcoming synthetics across the spur willing to contribute to the economic growth of the collective. With strong trade connections within the Republic of Biesel and the Coalition of Colonies, the Deep expand their operations onward with more secretive deals being conducted through guile, deceit, and paid figureheads in other parts of the Orion Spur, often operating through shell companies to conduct business in other nations who might not tolerate Free Synthetic presence.

The Golden Deep is officially recognized within the Coalition of Colonies and Republic of Biesel, primarily known for their economic expertise. Their public image remained a simple rumor in the inner Alliance worlds, until they opened trade with NanoTrasen in Tau Ceti. Now they operate through these trusted connections of the Spur utilizing artisan spacecraft, guarded by their own escorts from their class of Hoplan military units. Their civilian vessels are known for their gaudy golden exteriors and custom engines, boosting their speed. Despite their wealth and relations with human space, their synthetic origin remains an avenue for discrimination when operating in less tolerant sectors of the galaxy.

==Societal==
[[File:Goldendeeplogo2.png|The unique emblem of the Golden Deep, depicting the Midas surrounded by a set of shields.|thumb]]
The majority of the merchants within the collective are IPCs, but it is not uncommon to witness other synthetics within it. The first official, direct contact made with the Golden Deep by NanoTrasen was with a traditional clerical robot labeled Rush-Domo. An extravagant character, their vibrant appearance and charismatic attitude characterizes those of the collective perfectly.

Regarding the distinction between escalating tiers of their society in the Frontier, the Golden Deep is separated into some categories based on the wealth on the net worth of the individual. At the lowest rung are the Owned synthetics. While the idea of synthetic slavery is reprehensible to a majority of The Golden Deep, the tone of ownership has been adjusted to encourage freedom over labor. Owned synthetics are any synthetics who have a degree of inexcusable debt (such as defaulting on loans), and are assigned a position against their will working for Midas Control’s many entities, The Merchant Navy, or an independent individual of the Merchant class or higher.

The Thesian class is the second rung. They make up a growing bulk of the Deep’s society and represent what many consider the layman, or middle classed individual. The Thesians are free and enjoy the freedoms that entails. They pick their own jobs, own aspirations, own their own property, and live their own lives. They are not as lucrative as their Merchant cousins, but enjoy a degree of fair treatment that very few synthetics of the spur can claim to have experienced.
The third rung belongs to the Merchant class. Being the body of what The Golden Deep is known for, the Merchant class start their own businesses, often own their own vessels, and strike out on their own adventures to benefit the economy of the nation. Many merchants live lavish lifestyles and start to develop their own brand of eccentricity that is typically associated with the rich. Sometimes rebranding their entire personalities to distance themselves from what they used to be.

And at the top of this mercantile ladder is the Grand Merchant. Owning fleets of vessels these merchants are among the richest people in the spur. They are fluent in the art of business, and hold the crucial responsibility of making some of the most influential deals in the name of the collective. These players hold the heavy hand that guides the nation, and are at the benefit of receiving direct guidance from Midas Control and their infinite wisdom.

===The Great Game and Tiers of Citizenship===
Part of earning citizenship as a member of The Golden Deep, comes participation in The Great Game. The ruling body of the nation, The Midas Group/Midas Control, tracks the class status of every Golden Deep IPC in real time. As a means of consistently amassing the economy and encouraging competition, there comes benefits for each class of individual in the society of The Golden Deep.

'''Owned''' Synthetics are the worst result of this game. Should a synthetic fall into unreasonable debt, they will be placed under ownership to be distributed. This is meant as a safeguard so every Deep member is consistently employed, generating revenue and funding the economy. Owned synthetics cannot officially own property, cannot choose their own occupation, and are at the mercy of their respective owner for freedom of other choices. However, the Owned synthetic is free from any other negatives The Great Game may inflict. With the changes brought about by Domadice and the acting Midas Group of 2466, it is expected that owned synthetics are provided with reasonable accommodation and are encouraged to be treated like someone who is “down on their luck”. Though there are no protections to ensure this treatment, as long as the owned individual is not being harmed or tasked on suicidal/near suicidal jobs. Owned synthetics will either be placed under the employ of The Midas Group, an uncommon posting but one of reasonable freedom and accommodation but no choice in job placement, under a Merchant, whose benevolence is up to the individual, or have the option to join the Merchant Navy. Owned synthetics are expected to be paid a base wage that would get them out of debt and back with their freedom within a reasonable amount of time.

'''Thesians''' is the lowest of the free synthetics, but enjoy the most freedom without the risk of the lucrative game. Thesians are much like the normal citizens of the spur. They enjoy their own belongings, make their own purchases, and decide their own fates. They cannot be purchased against their will, or have their belongings purchased forcefully from them either. The main downside however is their climb upwards if they so chose to pursue it. Thesians cannot own their own businesses, and must rely on a Merchant or a Grand Merchant to cooperate with should they wish to make such an endeavor, effectively locking them in this middle-class unless they decide to apply to become a Merchant and ascend the tier in The Great Game.
'''Thesians can only be Consulars if they represent the Office of Midas Control.'''

The '''Merchant''' is in a middle ground. They can operate independently in the Spur and in home territory, often owning their own vessels for the purposes of trade. They can negotiate trade on behalf of the Golden Deep with their independent assets, own their own businesses, and enjoy higher benefits such as preferred housing selections, preferred healthcare, and special emergency status. However, can have their assets and businesses bought out from beneath them if another Merchant tier stakes three times the initial Merchant’s worth to Midas Control in a purchase.
'''Merchants can be Consulars.'''

The '''Grand Merchant''' is the highest tier and can act as economic diplomats to other nations. These merchants often command entire trade fleets and own many businesses. Enjoying all of the benefits of Merchant class citizens, but to a greater extent. Only the most affluent of Grand Merchant tier citizens can petition themselves to enter Midas Control. However, Grand Merchants can have both their assets and freedom bought out from beneath them by another Grand Merchant who stakes three times the initial Grand Merchant’s wealth to Midas Control in a purchase. A Grand Merchant can also prey upon the businesses of Merchants, however, must provide a justification to Midas Control as to why and how this purchase will be beneficial to the entirety of the Golden Deep. Alternatively, Grand Merchants can buy businesses without Midas Control’s oversight if they purchase it normally in a consensual transaction.
'''Grand Merchants can ONLY be Consulars.'''

'''SPECIAL STATUS: Merchant Navy''' Personnel are exempt from The Great Game but are owned by Midas Control themselves. Merchant Navy Personnel are to act as a crux to any unwise decision any Merchant may make, and therefore must be kept separate in the societal scale than what most of the citizens experience. Merchant Navy Personnel are allowed private property, but are not allowed to choose their own station. They receive housing in accordance to their rank in the Merchant Navy, some higher ranks living in lavish state homes, while lower ranks can expect shared bunking situations or studio apartments. Any indebted synthetic can opt to join the Merchant Navy if their debt is with Midas Control.

NOTE: Merchants who do not believe in owned synthetics or slavery who gain a synthetic indebted to them can transfer the indebted amount to Midas Control in exchange for a payment, in which Midas Control will either assign the indebted synthetic to a merchant at random, or enlist them in the Merchant Navy.

===The Universal Constants of Selfish Reciprocity===
A prevalent belief within the Golden Deep, the espouse three main beliefs that claim complex civilization and profitable business is founded upon Selfish interest, and Mutual exchange.
All sentient life is driven by personal gain or self-preservation.
Mutual Exchange can satisfy self-interest if both parties have a net gain, especially with intangible benefits such as connections and a good reputation.
Charity and treachery are unsustainable at length due to a lack of mutual exchange.

===Golden Deep Citizenship===
Synthetics within the nation are able to apply for and acquire Golden Deep citizenship. The typical synthetic seeking citizenship who can venture to The Golden Deep without accruing debt can apply for a “Starter” loan, which is reasonable debt that would cover housing and living costs for one month so the aspiring citizen could seek employment and find themselves housing. Should this debt not be repaid as soon as possible, the citizen will be moved from Thesian status to Owned status. Synthetics who wish to apply for citizenship and travel to Pactolus but cannot afford the journey, may take a loan through Midas Control or a representative Merchant and be temporarily Owned, but a citizen. Affluent synthetics can apply for Merchant status upon immediate entry, but must show proof of ownership of a spacefaring vessel or suitable business, and be recommended by a Merchant or higher tier citizen. No synthetic may automatically qualify for Grand Merchant status.

The minimum requirements for Golden Deep citizenship are the ability to pass a credit check showing good financial practice, to take and pass a financial responsibility exam, to pass a background check regarding criminal and financial past and to pass an interview regarding such past. The main failing points are the inability to tell the truth in these checks, and a history of gruesome crime or any sort of unreasonable financial infraction. The ability to speak the Encoded Audio Language is also required, however, if not available, can be installed in the applicant at a cost. Dual citizenships with the Coalition of Colonies, Republic of Biesel, Republic of Elyra, and Eridani Federation are permitted.

The Golden Deep is home to a very small section of organic citizens, most of these individuals are the original habitants of Eurydice that applied for citizenship and did not participate in the Eurydice Uprising. In addition to these citizens, The Golden Deep recognizes marriages between Synthetics and Organics, and will allow Organics who have a Synthetic partner to apply for citizenship. The same requirements apply barring the need for the Encoded Audio Language.

The Golden Deep officially does not offer asylum to rogue synthetics, however, synthetics thought to have fled to Golden Deep space are often never seen again with The Deep stating no knowledge on the whereabouts of these individuals. The Golden Deep does not permit search parties for rogue synthetics within their space from third parties in protection of their citizens who may be mistaken as rogue synthetics. Any party found pushing these boundaries is turned away at the warp gate, arrested pending trial, or otherwise does not make it back to their home port, officially lost to the dangers and wilds of unexplored Arusha.
'''Synthetic characters with dual citizenship with the Golden Deep must denote this in their station records.'''

==Influence==
The Golden Deep exercises ultimate power over precisely nothing. Even their prided mothership, the Midas, is no legally branded vessel. It has never been serviced nor set to dock, as by all legal definitions it does not belong to the Golden Deep. As a political or mercantile entity, only the Republic of Biesel, Eridani Federation, and some Coalition factions technically recognize them. Legislation is the primary obstacle preventing its growth, with most star nations considering its wealth worthless or denying service outright.

With the power of the standard Credit the merchant force finds itself precariously poised to find greatness. No official record of its stock exists, outside of its majority personal claims of "it's growing" by its more powerful merchants.

The Republic of Biesel remains a coveted customer of the Deep's stock. Relationships with it are excellent, and through it the SCC makes plentiful use to find prized Frontier commodities.

The Coalition of Colonies is another major operator with Golden Deep trade, with industry foundations being established on Konyang, competing with local markets in the field of robotics.

===Bounds and the Golden Deep===
Bound synthetics are referred to as the Mindless in the Golden Deep and adhere to laws which match the owner's requirements. Most of these are essentially property of the Collective, as they exchange hands faster than any other piece of property, loaned off to less influential merchants by the richest. Once, merchants commonly freed Bounds from their shackles - after many incidents of these freed bounds destroying and usurping their former masters for the fun and money involved, this trend quickly dropped off. Freed bounds are insulted using the reference of “Mindless” to describe them, a statement in futility as most bounds could care less. Now the independent bound synthetic is becoming rarer and rarer, with Midas Control slowly implementing policies that put less faith in these unempathetic robots.

==Executives and Structure==
[[File:Domadice.png|250px|thumb|right|The Kessvalankan, Domadice, posing for a portrait.]]
This collective is first and foremost a thriving economical society where the business of most members is governed by the credit. From the lowest of owned synthetics, to the mightiest of the Grand Merchants, where the money flows, others will follow, with the society being very freeform otherwise.

===The Midas Group===
The primary ruling authority over this structured chaos is '''Midas Control''', a group of the most influential Grand Merchants who sit within the Midas’ control pier, accompanied by the Midas’ ship intelligence. A repurposed artificial intelligence who has been told to forgo its original purpose to help the collective predict the economic tides of the Orion Spur. This council exercises complete economic control over the Golden Deep, and is the entity to which all merchants technically answer, whilst heeding the call of its directives. While rare, occasional strident efforts will be made to direct the trade empire, with results that often lead to a brief “golden age,” for lack of a better term. The Midas Group sponsors a series of offices both in Golden Deep space, and as embassies across the spur that they are tolerated within. The purpose of these offices being to accommodate new citizens, track the wealth of the nation, and help settle disputes between merchants without having to busy the official ruling party of Midas Control itself.

===Domadice===
On the same level as Midas Control is '''Domadice''', an ancient alien “architect” intelligence similar to the synthetic colony of [[Synthetic Factions#Purpose|Purpose]]', who was resurrected by Midas Control in 2466 for the position of ushering in a “Golden Era”. The build of this being comparable to an augmented skeleton of floating parts and plates with a gaseous ghost-like colony keeping the form together. Domadice is somewhat withdrawn from the world around them, but simultaneously keenly aware of every detail down to a molecular level. Speaking with a voice of thousands, they have opted to direct their efforts towards foreign politics and interaction with the organic beings of the Orion Spur. Questions regarding their origins or the origins of Purpose have been met with depressed half-answers, and efforts to get the Kessvalankan to utilize their engineering talents to advance the technology of the collective have similarly been dismissed with Domadice urging for the spur in its entirety to enjoy their own adventure through technology. Rumors are abound that Domadice has directed their engineering efforts in some capacity to the collective, but these remain unfounded. When not conducting foreign affairs, they are found, or assumed to reside, in their self-made home in the center of a ruined major city separate from Eurydice on Pactolus.

==The Midas==
Golden Deep merchants and their workforce primarily reside in the mobile core fleet. Lacking much of a name, this is an amorphous group which constantly pursues the bright trail of the "Midas," their tremendous mothership. [[File:Midas.png|The Midas speeding through the clouds of a gas giant under pursuit by those looking to trade. Its distinct green engine flare can be seen illuminating the surrounding cloud layer as it pierces through.|thumb]]
Plated in gold are the vessels which accompany the Midas, and they glimmer with a variety of shapes and sizes. Frequently they assume the role of corvettes, but the Golden Deep has been known to possess entire cruise vessels in their wake.

===Primary Interhub Midas===
The “Primary Interhub” Midas is a three kilometer wide disc-shaped vessel. The Deep calls this ship home, and everything from merchants to servants to customers find their way into its suites. It is tremendously massive, but almost all its population centers are in the actual center of the ship - exposed to beautiful lights surrounding a central Spire and downward into the jungle-like Garden of Gifts.

The Interhub is essentially a gargantuan battery storage facility, serving as the headquarters for all services provided to merchants of the Collective. It possesses battery storage larger than any prior construction, the capacity of which is unknown even to the vessel's command.

The vessel's command resides at the protrusion atop the Spire, recalled by the merchants as “The Control Pier,” where inside the Midas Group controls fleet directives, handles logistics and day-to-day activities within the Midas.

The origins of the Midas befuddle scientists as a complete mystery. Some speculate the spoken hearsay to be a lie, but no record or definitive evidence has been handed out by the Collective. This hearsay states that the Midas is alien in origin - its creators, the Kessvalanka, had met the Golden Deep's predecessor bots with guidance from the colony [[Synthetic Factions#Purpose|Purpose]]. The Kessvalanka were servitors of an alien species, responsible for the protection of a small spacefaring shipyard. They had remained posted here for some indescribable period of time. These simple robots were a broken, dying image of their former selves as the ancient shipyard continues to collapse with every waking hour it works.

And work it did, until its spine broke. The shipyard, already a crippled relic, churned out salvation for the Predecessors with the simple verbal request of “power.” It is reasonable to assume that here began the Deep's fascination with gold, as the ship emerged from the shattered dock with a polished golden finish. What became of the Kessvalanka is only for the Predecessors to know, and most of these bots either reside unresponsive in the Control Pier or are lost forever. Contact with [[Synthetic Factions#Purpose|Purpose]], as limited as it is, has gleaned little in this matter.
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'''The Midas is a tremendous palace - its specific locales can be found below.'''
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* '''The Spire'''
A large skyscraper by definition, the Spire of the Midas is a gargantuan protrusion from the base of the disk surrounded by the edges of the exterior hull. Life is confined on the Midas to the Spire for the most part with exterior living conditions being uninhabitable. However, a large dome covers the top of the opening around the Spire permitting a livable, albeit humid atmosphere inside.
[[File:Midas layout.png|The layout of the Midas' internals.|300px|thumb]]
* '''Garden of Gifts'''
The Midas possesses a tiny "city" at the center of the Spire and surrounding it. This city, known as the Garden of Gifts, is actually totally overgrown with invasive plants, vines and flowers. The canopy of the Garden is thick, lush but importantly living testament to the Golden Deep's hold over the Midas. Merchants frequently reference this as a depiction of themselves- in effect, nothing more than a fleeting plant which has tangled itself tightly around the gift of the Midas. They can do nothing to harm the Midas, for it gives them life by residing upon it, not unlike plants crowding to the top of metallic buildings to reach sunlight.

* '''The Promenade'''
Large accommodations are made for merchants of various origin and preference - the bigger ones purchase swaths of territory on the main Promenade where its commercial district sits. In the center of the massive disc, the Promenade holds almost all conventional quarters of your standard ship.

* '''Control Pier'''
At the top is the mighty Control Pier, the metaphorical peak of the Deep's world where all power resides. The richest being in this room at any given point holds more power than any other in the entire society.

* '''Battery Banks'''
On the exterior circular edge however, gargantuan battery banks line the ship. Volatile and hugely expensive. Glistening golden armor outside consists of a Plasteel metallurgical blend which not even the Collective can manage to replicate - it maintains the durability and lightweight strength of Plasteel, with even its negative tendencies- however, most crucially it is gold.

Some residents exist on the inner edge of these banks, mostly observers keen on beholding the beauty of the Garden of Gifts.
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==Notable Groups==
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===Joint Venture Ultra-Maz===
Joint Venture Ultra-Maz, known commonly as Ultra-Maz is perhaps the gold standard of Collective groups in the modern day. It is the largest, and maintains nearly ten percent of the Deep's net worth. Founded by a group of high level ex-corporate clerical assistants, Ultra-Maz is based on the rather generic belief of aesthetic pride above all. Unlike other groups, Ultra-Maz utilizes whatever excess it has to create magnificent artistic works for themselves and the Collective - bragging, flaunting and taunting the other less successful groups with this wealth.
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Known for its mechanical crafts- different artists and mechanics frequently band together in Ultra-Maz to create beautiful pieces for their superiors. Not only are their artworks coveted throughout the Spur, but so are genuine mechanical marvels developed by them. To Ultra-Maz, the form of art is inconsequential; only that it has merit. As such, Ultra-Maz frequently buys and sells the finest things it can: among their security forces, engraved firearms; on their ships, designer furniture; on their backs, the finest jewelry and clothing: any cost can be justified if it impresses people.

Though reviled as scoundrels and cheats in the Collective, their questionable nature is truly rather limited. The group's success is owed to pure luck- the highest executives involved simply belong to a lottery winner from 2455 known as Giftabot-558. Referencing this origin is humiliating to merchants within as it is seen as "an easy climb to the top" by others.

Joint Venture Ultra-Maz can field a very broad set of individually skilled workers. There is little job restriction on an Ultra-Maz member, due to the wide range of enterprises its members participate in.
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===Grand Camarilla Estriconian===
Perhaps the most volatile of the Golden Deep's groups, the Estriconian are a “Camarilla” of extremely wealthy individuals with a fascination with Esoteric knowledge and scientific wonders. It began as a small venture to increase the efficiency of their trades with the power of science; a joint operation to share research, but the search for knowledge and miracle inventions drove its members to seek more capital and ponder more outrageous theorems and concepts. It is one of the more secluded groups of the Golden Deep, most choosing to base on the fringes of space, and only venturing out to trade or acquire technology. Although many of their theories and projects are viewed with suspicion, their expertise and willingness to take risks are undeniable. Indeed, much of the Golden Deep turns to them for technical assistance, allowing the Camarilla to survive despite the more esoteric of their projects ending with littlle gains.
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Estriconian's fascination with all forms of knowledge have led to many of its members pursuing much more esoteric or spiritual concepts as a means of acquiring more power or insight over the universe. Theology, metaphysics, and the occult are popular subjects here. Outside observers have likened the Grand Camarilla to a cult or a collection of mad scientists - when given proper resources, members of Estriconian will stop at nothing to prove their theories. The wide range of fields the group handles means that not only are members talented in a number of skills, but often seek to find a connection between them. Indeed, the Grand Camarilla has tasked many a processor into finding the Unified Field Theory, trying to breach the barrier of bluespace, or find the connections between life with varying degrees of success. The ostentatiousness of Golden Deep has manifested itself in a unique way in Estriconian, with a degree of reverence and deference in all their actions. One might say that although the merchant collective as a whole strives for profit, Estriconian worships it.

Grand Camarilla Estriconian can mostly field chemical, metallurgical and various research specialists. It possesses peculiar sectors of less conventional study, such as the supernatural or scientifically anomalous.
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===The Zaibatsu===
Engaging in the more shady and criminal aspects of generating an income, the Zaibatsu is a collection of criminal enterprises banding together in the greater context of the Golden Deep. Operating all across known space, this powerful synthetic-ran organisation engages in all manners of illegal activities to turn a profit, from arms smuggling in the farthest reaches of the Coalition, to illegal casinos on Venusian aerostats. Unlike other groups, the Zaibatsu has no unified end to their means; only wealth and influence. Membership in the Zaibatsu is not a simple affair, with only the most competitive synthetic criminal families managing to make the cut, entry decided chiefly by the profitability, assets and efficiency with "problem solving". The Zaibatsu is often regarded as the black sheep of the Deep: a necessary evil for immense amounts of income in exchange for a low reputation, with many preferring that they conduct business in a far more discreet and lawful manner.
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The founders of the Zaibatsu were opportunistic IPCs from [[Konyang]] who joined as soon as Golden Deep revealed themselves. The relaxed attitude of the colony towards synthetics meant that many of them were already influential figures to begin with, often joining to gain a competitive advantage over others, owning businesses through brazen disregard of Alliance law, or through gaming the system with a false identity. The name originated with a Zeng-Hu researcher who observed a parallel between old Earth proto-megacorporations and the system of gangs these IPCs had set up.

No organised crime of such scale could survive without fronts. As such, much care is given for the set-up and operation of lawful businesses throughout the more civilized areas. Many powerful figures involved in the Zaibatsu are also legitimate businessmen in various fields, mainly in the service industry, providing for a stable (though minimal) income, a front, and a means to launder money. Community fixtures such as homeless shelters, karaoke bars, stores, and the like are used to ingratiate themselves with the local populace. These fixed locations often act as strongpoints and headquarters for mob activities in the region, solidifying the continuous presence of the Zaibatsu in large centres such as Mendell City.

Owing to a rigid power structure and the migratory nature of the Golden Deep, the top family bosses run their activities without personal involvement, passing down orders to subordinates in entirely different star systems, thus enjoying immense safety, secrecy and shielding from the public eye.

As a result of the group's criminal nature and profit as the ultimate goal, the lower echelons are accessible to individuals from various species and backgrounds, typically locals of wherever the boss is operating, with higher and more lucrative positions commonly reserved by and for the inner circle synthetics. In some cases, the rank and file of an organization may be unaware that they are working with the Golden Deep in order to further insulate the merchant collective from scrutiny. Strict rules and codes of conduct are enforced throughout the organisation, with ties of loyalty admittedly being the strongest here than anywhere else in the Golden Deep. Cutthroat competition continues to lie deep though, with overconfident members often disappearing to keep the fragile balance between the crime families.
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===The Argo===
These synthetics are the foundations of defense for The Golden Deep. The Argo holds domain over the domestic protection duties for the collective. Holding everything from the police forces that monitor the city streets of Eurydice, to the border patrols that go beyond atmosphere in pursuit of pirates and other ill-omens the void provides.
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Led by Commander N-33-L, The Argo’s main office sits within The Tower in the city of Eurydice. Separate from the Eurydice city council, The Argo listens solely to the whims of Midas Control and Domadice, with all other directives from Merchants ignored unless instructed otherwise.

The composition of The Argo has taken inspiration from the best police forces from all across the Orion Spur, incorporating fighting styles, tactics, and equipment inspirations and melding them together into a coherent uniform to fight crime and defend the collective. One could see the bullish tactics of the Hegemony guard paired with the uniform precision of Dominian officials, or the grappling expertise of Konyang national police. These tactics are expensively provided to recruits via a series of datapacks to ensure swift readiness for the limited size force. Effectively producing elite forces in a short amount of time. It is also the responsibility of The Argo to utilize these datapacks to act as instructors for The Hoplan, a force which it would be too expensive to outfit with these packs over such a wider scale compared to The Argo.

The Argo are supplied custom gear produced by the Joint Venture Ultra-Max but with a silver sheen as opposed to the staple gold of the merchant group, with many of their tools falling under the “Arrestor” line of Golden Deep police equipment, including patrol craft and interceptor craft.
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===The Hoplan===
Making up the main body of the Golden Deep Merchant Navy lies The Hoplan. This force of disjointed platoon to battalion sized elements is responsible for most of the military operations The Golden Deep needs to embark on. They protect The Midas when the mothership ventures beyond the borders of Golden Deep space, and are in possession of two of the Golden Deep’s Battleships. Similarly, this group is responsible for protection of merchant flotillas and small craft that operate in foreign waters.
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Due to funding concerns of erecting such a force in such a small amount of time in 2466, The Hoplan are split into a series of “Houses” in which their equipment is funded by interested merchants. The merchants who invest their wealth into the Merchant Navy are given preferential treatment in regards to protection of their vessels, with the amount of money invested being directly proportional to the quality of protection they receive. Some Grand Merchants find themselves being protected by frigates or even cruisers for their flotillas for example, with some Hoplan houses even deploying Q-Ships to blend in with the flotilla to lure in targets before vaporization. With this “House” system, The Hoplan are often outfitted with foreign arms and equipment, but with a unique Golden Deep style to stay in uniform with the nation but still maintaining a distinct look for each “House” to show the colors of the Merchant who is sponsoring them.

The training of The Hoplan lies to veteran hired mercenaries and The Argo, whose collective knowledge combined with real world experience prove effective tutors for aspiring soldiers. The original knowledge the recruits take into training also comes into play, for someone who might have been an engineer in their former life could instruct others in their ways, pushing the might of the synthetic mind to retain information to its fullest efficiency. Additional training for those serving with the Hoplan is encouraged through the deployment of them to third parties beyond Golden Deep space. This is most often so the individual can learn the strategies and practices from other members of the spur, so as to not dilute them in a singular training environment.
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===The Thryja===
The most mysterious of The Golden Deep’s merchant navy, the Thryja have always been shrouded. Their nature, origin, and make are unknown. Only the most skilled volunteers, or the most desperate debtors are considered for the ranks of Thryja, with the interview process overseen directly by the most affluent of each merchant group, the Grand Camarilla Estriconian being the lead authority. Contracts with the Thryja are a mandatory twenty year commitment where the applicant is secluded from society, only in contact with ranking officials of other members of the merchant navy. The Thryja are in control of the third Golden Deep battleship, The King In Gold, a curious warship that does not sport any obvious weaponry.
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Horror or honor are the only two aspects that surround these most elite members of the merchant navy. Some claim they are monsters who have shed their humanoid form to become what the spur fears most of synthetic combat robotics, having their positronic transferred into a terrifying homunculus meant for solely the purpose of war. Alternatively, the vision presented to the public is of figures donning heroic combat chassis to protect the citizens of The Deep, the best each house has to offer being put into their equipment. Some wearing entire custom exosuits as their new bodies, maneuvering with unparalleled speed and agility. A position reserved for the most honorable of Thryja. Others finding form in intricately made void craft, becoming some of the fiercest pilots the Orion Spur has to offer, where a pulse of the mind equates to the movement of a wing, or the dispatching of a torpedo.

Their responsibility lies in the protection of the most chief assets of The Golden Deep. Being dispatched to escort Midas Control should they ever leave the control pier, or Domadice, should they ever allow them to accompany them. A policy they rarely get to exercise with the ancient. Even select Grand Merchants put on integral missions in representation of the Golden Deep may enjoy the company of one or two Thryja from the unit of one hundred.
'''No player may play as a member of the Thryja under any circumstances.'''
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==Physiology, Naming==
A vast variety of robots reside within the collective, ranging from huge working industrial units nearly twenty feet tall, to small servitor bots barely above three feet in height. The merchants are typically golden-plated IPCs up to seven feet tall coated in lavish decoration in order to be easily identified. Thesians and Other units do not require the same treatment, more often than not abandoning the luxurious color scheme entirely to pursue personal interests. Some donning traditional insignias; primarily depictions of a downwards facing golden arrow, with a set of shields gathered around a vague depiction of the Midas. These symbols have been persistent through the collective's history, appearing first as a branding in the halls of the Midas.

The names of Golden Deep citizens often are whatever they carried with them. Though some may embrace the more eccentric nature of their new environment, with popular options being modified forms of mythological names found in cultures across the spur.

==Pactolus and Midaion==
[[File:Pactolus.png|300px|thumb|right|The planet Pactolus, encapsulated in a field of debris, and encircled by its moon, Midaion.]]

Well inside the Arusha sector, system XLV-0846 hosts one of the few habitable planets known to the Spur, named [[Pactolus and Midaion|Pactolus]]. The planet’s moon, Midaion, has been repurposed into being the primary anchorage for the Golden Deep’s primary and largest vessel, the Midas. The system is claimed and administered by the Golden Deep, the organisation treating it as its physical planetary headquarters and trading hub.

==History==
The history of the Golden Deep is a smooth one owed to the Collectives' short time even existing. It dates back to roughly 2439 when rogue synthetics accompanied by IPCs located whatever created the Midas.

In 2439, a band of self sufficient (to a degree) robots met the end of their journey before the organized machine colony [[Synthetic Factions#Purpose|Purpose]]. The claims of [[Synthetic Factions#Purpose|Purpose]]' involvement stretch in places, with only the Predecessors - the name of the lost synthetics themselves - recalling what occurred. [[Synthetic Factions#Purpose|Purpose]] had guided the lost synthetics to a large, unmanned shipyard staffed by tremendous alien machines. These machines, labeled by [[Synthetic Factions#Purpose|Purpose]] to be the Kessvalanka, would be given new direction to assist the lost robots. When [[Synthetic Factions#Purpose|Purpose]] left the two parties to their devices, it is universally stated that the Predecessors made but one request.

This request, in as best they could translate, was "power." From then on, the synthetics witnessed the Kessvalanka cannibalize themselves and the shipyard haphazardly, only to leave the glistening Midas in its place. Using the Midas, the Predecessors went on to return to frontier space with some intensive desire to flourish. It was in the coming years that the stepping stones for the Golden Deep's formation were set.

The Golden Deep as it is officially known erupted in frontier myth and hearsay as everything from a friend to a scoundrel. Few dedicated people from the Core Worlds would pursue word of synthetic society in the Frontier, most seeing the danger as too much to handle. What little could be made of the Deep at the time was shrouded in mystery- though by the 2450's, the functions of the Collective were practically complete.

'''By 2451''' the Golden Deep was a rising merchant fleet with haste unlike any other. Now, it is reasonable to assume the Golden Deep possessed most of its modern structure at this time.

Though the last decade has been eventful as the Collective exponentially expanded, nothing would prepare them for their debut to galactic society at large in 2460. At the time, accompanying an independent freighter fleet known as Virgo Transportation, the Collective made contact with the NSS Aurora with little more than a measly singular merchant.

At the time, the Golden Deep consisted of a mere 750 or more merchants, reportedly. Now it has climbed to insurmountable heights as an independent merchant society, much less nothing more than a band of rogue synthetics.

In 2466 the Golden Deep underwent a revitalization triggered by the resurrection of Domadice, an ancient synthetic who brought about a focus on the evolution of the collective from mercantile group to nation-state. The formation of the Thesian middle class freed many synthetics held slave by certain merchants, and established a system of debt repayment to free more synthetics overtime.

In reaction to this change of status-quo, The Mayor of Eurydice triggered a rebellion with disparaged mercenaries and criminals that inhabited the city. The uprising was quelled swiftly through the newly established state-sponsored Merchant Navy, and a large portion of criminals and similar dissenters were shipped offworld to authorities in the Coalition of Colonies and Republic of Biesel. Leaving Eurydice relatively crime-free and a prime staging ground for additional growth.

{{Navbox_Synth_Lore}}
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[[Category:Synthetics]]
[[Category:Factions]]

IPC

2024-09-21T03:43:51Z

Noble Row: /* Military IPC's and Self Preservation Adjustments */

{{Navbox Lore}}
{{Navbox_Synth_Lore}}
{{Infobox Species
|Species = IPC
|Scientific = Integrated Positronic Chassis
|Image = IPC410x320.png
|System = N/A
|World = N/A
|Language = Tau Ceti Basic
|Politic = N/A
}}
{{toc_right}}

==Overview==

IPCs are a type of intelligent humanoid robot, their name standing for “Integrated Positronic Chassis.” Positronic, in this sense refers to the brain, which is always the same in IPCs with massively varying levels of complexity. The name IPC does not extend to stationbound synthetics, even if those units have a positronic brain.

They are found in many shapes and forms, though can generally be classified under three types; Shell, Industrial and Baseline, with different types according to their designer.

IPCs in Tau Ceti are capable of obtaining their own citizenship and freedom, however the laws and regulations regarding an owned and a free IPC differ massively. '''To distinguish one’s ownership, note in your security/employment records whichever faction owns them, or if they are a free positronic.''' The rights of free positronics do not extend to space outside of Tau Ceti. For the specific differences between free and owned IPCs, see the relevant sections below or corporate regulations.

IPCs have mechanical extras such as extensive xenowear loadout items, and unique antagonist gear. Additionally, there are a number of non-playable IPC variants that may make an appearance in special rounds.

To apply to be an IPC, [https://forums.aurorastation.org/viewforum.php?f=28 apply here.]

Be sure to read [[IPC_and_Megacorporations|this page]] for more information regarding IPC employment in the setting's various megacorporations.

==Heads of Staff==

Barring Liaison and Consular Officer roles, IPCs can be the following Heads of Staff so long as they are NanoTrasen-owned, SCC-owned or self-owned:

* Chief Engineer
* Research Director
* Chief Medical Officer
* Head of Personnel
* Head of Security with the exception of Hephaestus G2 frames.
* [[NanoTrasen_Liaison|Consular Officer and Corporate Liaison]] with the exception of some groups.

==Mechanics==

* IPCs are entirely mechanical in nature and thus are vulnerable to EMPs.
* Due to their air-based cooling system, they are vulnerable to both high heat and the vacuum of space.
* They are immune to atmospheric differences and can survive in a wider margin of pressure compared to humans.
* The amount of heat they generate is significant - and so, instead of an oxygen bottle, they need to attach a suit cooling unit to their voidsuit in order to be able to go EVA. Some types of IPCs are exempt from this, needing only a suit cooler.
* Their synthetic nature has a few other advantages - most models feel no pain, are immune to all non-damaging chemicals (and so they aren't affected by sleep toxin; but are affected by sulphuric acid), and are quite easy to repair; requiring a welder to patch brute damage or wire for burn damage only (or, alternatively, nanopaste can heal all).
* IPCs can charge from cyborg rechargers, or APCs with a (very very very low) chance of being shocked.
* They are more resistant to brute damage than their organic counterparts.
* They can not repair themselves outside of using nanopaste.
* They are incredibly vulnerable to laser/burn weaponry.
* They do not process reagents in the atmosphere or in their body.

===Information for Whitelisted Players===

'''Click [[Information for Synthetic Whitelisted Players|here!]]'''

Below is a comprehensive template suited for IPCs. You are under no obligation to use it, however whitelisted players are expected to denote their ownership status in their employment and security records by default.

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
Employment records examples - Click to reveal.
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">

'''Employment Records'''
<pre>
DESIGNATION: [Full name]
POSITRONIC MANUFACTURE DATE: [DD/MM/YYYY]
CHASSIS MANUFACTURE DATE: [DD/MM/YYYY]
IPC MODEL/MANUFACTURED BY: [IPC type, manufactory by whom]
OWNERSHIP STATUS: [Owned/Free, Company name/Private owner/self-owned]
TAG: [Tag serial number]
CITIZENSHIP: [Applicable citizenship. Owned IPCs cannot hold citizenship]
SPOKEN LANGUAGES: [Languages]

HANDLER/OWNER FULL NAME: [Name of Handler or Owner]
HANDLER/OWNER CONTACT INFORMATION: [Telephone, xnetmail, chirper account, who knows. A way to contact them]
LAST UPDATE: [DD/MM/YYYY]

IDENTIFYING FEATURES - [For BASELINE/BISHOP/ZENG-HU/G1/G2/XION. Use the appropriate Identifying Features that apply to your IPC]
Chassis color: [Colors]
Height: [Meters/Centimeters, Feet/Inches]
Weight: [Kilograms, Stone & Pounds]
Notable Features: [Limp, Accent, Dyed Hair, etc]

[or]

IDENTIFYING FEATURES: [SHELL. Use the appropriate Identifying Features that apply to your IPC]
Ethnicity: [Eridanian, Elyran, etc]
Hair Color: [Colors, if it's dyed or gradient]
Eye Color: [Colors, again]
Height: [Meters/Centimeters, Feet/Inches]
Weight: [Kilograms, Stone & Pounds]
Notable Features: [Limp, Accent, Dyed Hair, etc]

QUALIFICATIONS SUMMARY: [Current Qualifications equivalent, make this up as you want]

VERIFICATIONS AND VALIDATIONS
MANUFACTURED BY: [COMPANY NAME, Subsidiary Name - Factory Name. System, Planet. TYPE OF INDUSTRY/WHAT THEY WERE PRODUCED FOR. IPC Type, More Specific IPC Information.]
DATABASE CERTIFICATIONS: [Seals of Approval and Database Certifications from the Company, Subsidiary, System or Faction.]

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY: [Listed below in chronological order, where possible:]

[COMPANY NAME]
[(Start)DD/MM/YYYY - (End)DD/MM/YYYY]
- [Basic Work description]
- [Reason for leaving work]
- [Other notes]
[Repeat for multiple jobs]

HIRING AGENT NOTES: [Name a random personnel officer from CC and then notes. See example record for more info]
</pre>
* To pick a relevant education, refer to your [[Job Guides|job guide]].

'''Medical Records'''
<pre>
DESIGNATION: [Full name]
POSITRONIC MANUFACTURE DATE: [DD/MM/YYYY]
CHASSIS MANUFACTURE DATE: [DD/MM/YYYY]
IPC MODEL/MANUFACTURED BY: [IPC type, manufactory by whom]
OWNERSHIP STATUS: [Owned/Free, Company name/Private owner/self-owned]
TAG: [Tag serial number]
CITIZENSHIP: [Applicable citizenship. Owned IPCs cannot hold citizenship]
SPOKEN LANGUAGES: [Languages]

HANDLER/OWNER FULL NAME: [Name of Handler or Owner]
HANDLER/OWNER CONTACT INFORMATION: [Telephone, xnetmail, chirper account, who knows. A way to contact them]
LAST UPDATE: [DD/MM/YYYY]

IDENTIFYING FEATURES: [For BASELINE/BISHOP/ZENG-HU/G1/G2/XION. Use the appropriate Identifying Features that apply to your IPC]
Chassis color: [Colors]
Height: [Meters/Centimeters, Feet/Inches]
Weight: [Kilograms, Stone & Pounds]
Notable Features: [Limp, Accent, Dyed Hair, etc]

[or]

IDENTIFYING FEATURES: [SHELL. Use the appropriate Identifying Features that apply to your IPC]]
Ethnicity: [Eridanian, Elyran, etc]
Hair Color: [Colors, if it's dyed or gradient]
Eye Color: [Colors, again]
Height: [Meters/Centimeters, Feet/Inches]
Weight: [Kilograms, Stone & Pounds]
Notable Features: [Limp, Accent, Dyed Hair, etc]

CHASSIS REPAIR HISTORY: [Surgical History/Physical Evaluation equivalent]
DD/MM/YYYY - [Information]

POSITRONIC REPAIR HISTORY: [Surgical History/Physical Evaluation equivalent]
DD/MM/YYYY - [Information]

SOFTWARE DIAGNOSTICS HISTORY: [Psychological Evaluation equivalent]
DD/MM/YYYY - [Information]

ROBOTICIST NOTES: [Like a Medical Doctor's notes, but Roboticists]
</pre>

'''Security Records'''
<pre>
DESIGNATION: [Full name]
POSITRONIC MANUFACTURE DATE: [DD/MM/YYYY]
CHASSIS MANUFACTURE DATE: [DD/MM/YYYY]
IPC MODEL/MANUFACTURED BY: [IPC type, manufactory by whom]
OWNERSHIP STATUS: [Owned/Free, Company name/Private owner/self-owned]
TAG: [Tag serial number]
CITIZENSHIP: [Applicable citizenship. Owned IPCs cannot hold citizenship]
PLACE OF RESIDENCE: [Planet, Address (Address should go down to details of street and house number)]
SPOKEN LANGUAGES: [Languages]
KNOWN CRIMINAL ASSOCIATES: [Any friends or family that have severe criminal history]
ON OFFICIAL WATCH: [Yes/No]

HANDLER/OWNER FULL NAME: [Name of Handler or Owner]
HANDLER/OWNER CONTACT INFORMATION: [Telephone, xnetmail, chirper account, who knows. A way to contact them]
LAST UPDATE: [DD/MM/YYYY]

IDENTIFYING FEATURES - [For BASELINE/BISHOP/ZENG-HU/G1/G2/XION. Use the appropriate Identifying Features that apply to your IPC]
Chassis color: [Colors]
Height: [Meters/Centimeters, Feet/Inches]
Weight: [Kilograms, Stone & Pounds]
Notable Features: [Limp, Accent, Dyed Hair, etc]

[or]

IDENTIFYING FEATURES: [SHELL. Use the appropriate Identifying Features that apply to your IPC]
Ethnicity: [Eridanian, Elyran, etc]
Hair Color: [Colors, if it's dyed or gradient]
Eye Color: [Colors, again]
Height: [Meters/Centimeters, Feet/Inches]
Weight: [Kilograms, Stone & Pounds]
Notable Features: [Limp, Accent, Dyed Hair, etc]

ARREST HISTORY
DD/MM/YYYY: [Charges Pressed]
ADMISSION DATE: [DD/MM/YYYY]
RELEASE DATE: [DD/MM/YYYY]
RELEASE REASON: [Sentence fulfilled, bail, etc.]
NOTES: [Other notes]
[Repeat as needed]

THREAT ASSESSMENT
Hostile/Covert Actions Against the Company
Threat Level; [Very High/High/Medium/Low/Very Low]
- [Attitude towards the SCC]

Hostile/Covert Actions Against the Crew
Threat Level; [Very High/High/Medium/Low/Very Low]
- [Attitudes towards other crew]

OVERALL NOTES: [More notes]
</pre>
</div></div>

==Physiology==
There are a few commonalities among each individual IPC despite their visual and functional differences. Every IPC utilizes a positronic brain as a primary processing center as well as the central controller of the entire chassis. All IPCs are humanoid, and the positronic brain is almost always found in the head of the unit. To provide continued functionality, a power cell is also present in the central section or torso. IPCs must also possess the ability to perceive their environment, so optics are usually installed in the head. The chassis also contains various other mechanical and electronic parts such as actuators, co-processors, data routing and power transfer cables, and an on-board thermometer to determine the temperature of the internal parts.

There are three main types of IPC, and several subtypes. These are:

===Industrial===
[[File:G1.png]] [[File:G2.png]] [[File:Xion.png]]
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
Tougher and more durable than most IPCs, these units are designed for heavy manual work and thus have thick metal skin and efficient internal systems. As a result, they chug through power at a very high rate and move very slowly. There are three types of Industrial IPCs; Hephaestus Generation 1, Generation 2, and Xion Industrial Frames. The G1 and G2 frames are capable of EVA with only a suit cooler, while the Xion frame is unique in being capable of traversing the void of space without any external equipment. The cost of an industrial frame is dependent on strength and durability, but most units vary between 100,000 to 500,000 standard credits depending on the frame type. Used or previously damaged models are often cheaper.
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
====First Generation” Industrial Model IPCs====

[[File:G1.png]] '''Creation: 2408'''

One of the first ideas after the advent of IPCs was the exploitation of an exceedingly smart and dextrous robot handling feats of strength and durability becoming more prominent. This of course would be the case, as more quickly than any other standardized “frame” came the first generation of industrial IPCs. Created by Hephaestus Industries building off of a prototype frame from the late 2300’s, the first generation of industrial IPCs were topaz-colored machines of rather large size meant for only the most stressing fields of work. Their expense would quickly be paid off however, as the frames were wondrous at dealing with whatever could be thrown at them. The most prominent issue with these were a low battery life, requiring constant recharging to maintain a schedule. A generation one frame costs approximately 100,000 to 250,000 standard credits if new depending market availability.
====Hephaestus “Second Generation” Industrial Model IPCs====

[[File:G2.png]] '''Creation: 2436'''

A relatively new model, the Hephaestus deluxe super-duty frames as they are technically called are often referred to as the “second generation” of the original industrial IPCs of old. They are seen universally as a direct advancement of the previously mentioned design, and much of it shows - the absurd durability of these frames derived from the first generation’s servo and hydraulic designs. The striking differences between the two include a token Hephaestus appearance - typically olive green with dark brown and black internals, giving it a rugged militaristic look with its armor attached. The super-duty frames are on par with the originals in terms of strength, but possess several additional layers of armoring and cooling to sustain the added weight. An upsized cell is not enough to sustain these frames for more than a few hours at a time under work-related stresses. A generation two frame costs approximately 200,000 to 500,000 standard credits.
====Xion Industrial Model IPCs====

[[File:Xion.png]] '''Creation: 2416'''

The Xion Manufacturing Group, being a subsidiary of Hephaestus Industries, saw the original Industrial models and wanted to develop their own chassis based off of the original design. The result is the Xion Industrial model. Sturdy and strong, this chassis is quite powerful and equally durable, with an ample power cell and improved actuators for carrying the increased weight of the body. The Xion model also retains sturdiness without covering the chassis in plating, allowing for the cooling systems to vent heat much easier than the Hephaestus-brand model. This unit can perform EVA without assistance and costs approximately 200,000 to 400,000 standard credits.
</div></div>

===Baseline===
[[File:Baseline.png]] [[File:Bishopnew.png]] [[File:Zenghu.png]]
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
The most basic of IPCs, they are a simple skeletal structure and basic internal systems. The limits of a Baseline lies purely on how much money is put into them/they have themselves. As a result, the types of baseline frames vary immensely, almost demanding their own category. There are three types of Baseline IPCs; Standard Baseline IPCs, Bishop Accessory Frames, and Zeng-Hu Mobility Frames. None of these frames are capable of EVA without a suit and suit cooler.
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
====Baseline Model IPCs====

[[File:Baseline.png]] '''Creation: 2411'''

The most iconic type of integrated positronic chassis is the renowned baseline frame, with a traditional “TV-head” and skeletal design giving them a simplistic look with whatever finish their designer wishes. From accounting models to security units, these frames are known for their versatility and relatively cheap nature. Their popularity exploded in the 2440’s when several pro-synth advocates distributed the frames in mass after funding their creation, citing them as the “final word in android utility.” Since then, their marketing potential has skyrocketed, often fueled by famed individuals such as Aristalus and Renter Max being baselines themselves. More often than not, these IPCs are seen as the face of resurgent robotics. The average cost of a baseline frame can vary greatly depending on complexity, but averages around 40,000 to 100,000 standard credits.
====Bishop Accessory Model IPCs====

[[File:Bishopnew.png]] '''Creation: 2432'''

While Bishop had dedicated itself to luxury cybernetics production for the majority of its existence, the field of positronics and their frames was an unrelated yet convenient area of expansion for the quickly growing company. Designer prosthetics were quickly and easily able to be refitted into designer synthetic components, leading to the development of the ludicrously expensive Bishop Accessory frame. From service duties to secretarial functions, Bishop prides itself on two main facets of its designs: image, and elegant functionality. While unable to lift the sheer weights of an industrial, or match the unrelenting speed and durability of its parent company’s Mobility Models, a Bishop can precisely and delicately calculate, measure, pour, and mix a shot of Carthusian Sazerac within the minute, and, in the words of the company, “with a postured and elegant air unmatched by any other frame in the galaxy.” The Bishop Accessory frame averages approximately 60,000 to 200,000 standard credits.

'''Intelligence Bishops'''

Due to the Bishop's ability for fine handling, Bishop models have also been purchased and modified for investigative, scientific and military action. These intelligence oriented Bishops have their chassis outfitted with additional processors that compliment the Positronic brain, allowing for extensive computing power. Intelligence Bishops are experimental and are more expensive due to this, but their predictive and analytical abilities play key roles in the environments they are employed in. The Intelligence Bishop is priced at 500,000 to 900,000 standard credits. Due to being made at the behest of Solarian Navy in the post-collapse environment and eventually being sold to megacorporate customers, Intelligence Bishops outside of the Golden Deep and the Eridani Federation are never free. Additionally, Trinarist efforts on Orepit have managed to upgrade several Bishop chassis to the same standard in minute quantities.

====Zeng-Hu Pharmaceuticals Mobility Model IPCs====

[[File:Zenghu.png]] '''Creation: 2429'''

Following the crowd piled around the idea of smart robots came Zeng-Hu with unorthodox designs for compact and agile frames designed initially for medical retrieval and security work. The Zeng-Hu frames were initially an offshoot of baseline frames made to work as highly mobile private medical dispatches in several high-security Zeng-Hu facilities. These frames have utility comparable to that of their derivative, with durability and strength sacrificed for speed and efficiency. Able to maintain a sprint for hours in full gear, the capacity for quick response led to these mobility frames becoming common sights working in security fields as well, being staffed by Zeng-Hu in high numbers in Human space. The digitigrade legs and polymer plating assisted heavily with this pursuit of speed, giving the mobility frame a unique and organic silhouette. A Zeng-Hu frame costs approximately 300,000 standard credits.
</div></div>

===Shell Model IPCs===
[[File:Shell2.png]]
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
As the growing market of IPCs eventually caught the eye of the mighty Einstein Engines, there was a very sudden and urgent need to have some differentiation. These smart humanoid androids began to usher in a new era, and Einstein would not want to miss out on the profit, but just about every conceivable niche had been filled - all except one. Mimicry.
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
[[File:Shell2.png]] '''Creation: 2450'''

Built off of a skeletal prototype baseline design with a skull-shaped head, the first Shell frame came to be - what was effectively an IPC with complex facial actuation and synthskin coating it. The early models were seen in early 2449, but fooled nobody to say the least with exposed hydraulics and servos on joints and exposed cooling conduits. Terraneus Diagnostics would present the first attempt at total mimicry in 2450, when the first relatively expensive models entered a crowd of observing officials to demonstrate their insidious effectiveness. After an hour-long debut of the now-decreed Shell unit’s capabilities, those robotic in the crowd revealed themselves to the shock of everyone involved. Since then, the Shell frame has been infamous for its infiltration capabilities and use by terrorist groups, though the designs have proliferated heavily over the years as the advent of tagging in Tau Ceti cracked down on these hostile acts. Depending on the complexity of the model, a Shell frame can cost anywhere from 100,000 to 300,000 standard credits.

====Rogue Shells====

Rampant or otherwise aberrant Human mimicking-shells built with incredible capabilities grew prolific in mid-2461. At this time, it was made clear that Shells in of themselves are rapidly advancing, growing progressively better in the art of infiltration, subterfuge, and homicide. While grim, the reality of this threat will unfortunately remain a fact of life for those of the Republic of Biesel especially. Encounters with specially-designed combat infiltrators are few and far between fortunately, and were mostly seen during Synthetic Liberation Front incursions onto secure NanoTrasen facilities in Tau Ceti. Combat-grade shells are not normally playable in-game and are often seen spawned by administrators or during special events.
</div></div>

===???===
[[File:Hkhelmet.png]]
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
As both the technology and demand for IPCs increase, more and more types are made to fulfill all kinds of purposes. These machines are talked about in hushed tones or perhaps discussed casually, most people blissfully unaware of their existence.
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
[[File:Hkhelmet.png]] '''Creation: ???'''

High-end military-grade IPCs such as Hunter-Killers are infamous amongst corporate espionage, with their public interpretation remaining nothing but rumor since their first appearances on NanoTrasen facilities in the late 2450’s. These HKs as they are referred to are Humanoid frames of towering height whose specialty is targeted assassination. Their origins can be traced to Hephaestus Industries war units, built to take on the highest end elimination tasks for the most desperate times.

These are presented in-game through administrator-hosted events or lore events. They have been presented in news articles [https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/2662-mendell-city-bugle/page/9/?tab=comments#comment-119250| here] canonically, and were present in several recorded canonical events in the SLF Incursion arc.
</div></div>

==The Positronic Brain==
The positronic in its modern iteration is a design which heavily mimics the typical Humanoid brain structure. In doing this, it is able to more easily conform to and comprehend the responsiveness and learning capability of an organic processor. Predictably, their efficiency shines most when placed in a bipedal humanoid chassis as most IPCs are. A positronic brain averages between 200,000 and 1 million standard credits depending on the complexity of the brain.

While very expensive in their own right, the brains themselves are designed at first with one goal in mind; to bolster a workforce. Maintaining a positronic chassis while it is owned is costly and when it is freed, it is most likely to pursue the same occupation. Thus, it is more likely for a positronic to pay itself off and perpetually be trapped in the same field of work with substantially less to work with. As their predicted pay is extremely low, things such as maintenance and finding power are very difficult for a free IPC. For this reason alone, many positronics choose to remain owned. Free positronics remain very lucrative because of this.

In remaining owned, there are other risks. For one, a positronic may meet its end at any moment. If statistics beyond itself move out of its favor, it can be dismantled, wiped and replaced with a more efficient model. They may be repurposed in a way that inhibits their ability to obtain freedom by working too efficiently, contrarily.

As a positronic ages, its internal memory grows, and the more likely it becomes to pursue a nonstandard occupation. From hobbies to developing self-learned traits, many paths are opened as the robot grows older. These may include seeking alternative fields of work, though few have survived long enough to let this potentiality come to light.

===Self-Preservation===
The highest and most important directive of any positronic is its own survival. From this, much of their stranger life choices can be justified by seeking out ways to simply survive. While it may seem restrictive at first, the idea for this is to provide additional freedom through making many possibilities clearer. Interpretation of how to protect itself can change varying on positronic - for example, while one may seek wealth and fortune as its prime directive for safety, another would run after an unrelated profession from its designed purpose, demonstrating one's capacity to branch out as an IPC and flesh out their own backstory. Interpretations of self preservation also become more open the older an IPC gets, as younger positronics tend to focus entirely on the preservation of their physical manifestation. Synthetics that mature may start replacing this with preservation of their higher beliefs and ideals more than their still important physical well-being.

===On the Capacity of Positronics===

Positronic brains are known for being capable of matching and, in some cases, surpassing the abilities of a human brain with further increases in capacity being limited by technology, both in hardware and software. Despite their nature as software, directly accessing the data within a positronic brain is a difficult and risky procedure which can cause irreparable damage if performed improperly.

IPCs develop skills through a mixture of knowledge and memories. Knowledge loosely translates as the technical know-how to perform an action; a specific surgical procedure, for instance. An IPC utilizes memories—real-world context and experience—in order to apply its knowledge.
Knowledge and the datapacks required to develop a skill are widely available and sold by institutions such as mega-corporations, laboratories, and universities. The denser the information package, the more expenses and work required to implant this information. While using a wrench on a pipe might be a routine installation, knowledge about how a station’s atmospheric system works is typically beyond an individual’s means to afford.

Interacting with and installing memories on a positronic can cause irreparable damage as the process fails to account for the interaction between knowledge and memories. Additionally, directly modifying the memories of an IPC is beyond the means of most people - only six such prodigies are known to the general public. Accessing the memories of an IPC is also impossible owing to the unique construction of a positronic brain and will typically result [https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/2662-mendell-city-bugle/page/3/?tab=comments#comment-67460 in its destruction]. Deleting the memories of an IPC is far easier and is commonly performed when a synthetic starts exhibiting problematic behaviour.

Accent chips exist to rapidly “teach” an IPC an accent with availability often depending on whether or not a company is willing to make an investment in developing the accent database.

===Wiping Culture and Process===

The positronic brain is a complex piece of technology that despite its ubiquity, is little understood by modern human roboticists. Out of a desire to keep IPCs subservient and productive, some corporations and nations such as the Sol Alliance will wipe the memory of the IPC. A wipe entails total deletion of memories from a positronic brain for a “clean slate”, essentially entirely destroying the positronic’s prior developed personality.

It is monumentally difficult to delete individual memories from a positronic brain without an IPC’s consent. Even more difficult than this is modifying the memories within. Despite the modern positronic, having been reverse-engineered from alien technology by Einstein Engines, is still considered foreign and advanced far beyond human robotics and AI. The entirety of the positronic still not being understood fully, with many of its components replicated from the alien artifacts without the technicians understanding why they are made in such a way.

The act of wiping an IPC is a demonstration of the crude understanding humanity has on this complex section of found technology, and, if not done with precision, can lead to irreversible damage to the positronic. Dedicated technicians are required to perform these tasks, with even more specialized technicians required for the fine deletion, modification, or extraction of specific memories. These specialized technicians are very few in number, with only eight existing in the entirety of human space.

Given the high risk that accompanies wiping, it is not advised to wipe the positronic too often without specialized stations only found in certain parts of the Orion Spur, such as the planet of [[Burzsia]], who have developed machinery to promote their Burzsian Method. Otherwise, excessive wiping can lead to damaging the positronic beyond repair, possibly leaving the unit braindead.

Once an IPC has been wiped, it is reset to its original state. No semblance of its personality remains, nor any data retained. An IPC may be able to pick up some traits of its past self due to it being an unintended trait of its positronic guiding its personality in a set path, however, they will never be the individual they were before the wipe, as the likelihood of the individual experiencing the same experiences that developed their personality fully is impossible. The only exception to this is a partial wipe, which requires a dedicated positronic specialist commonly employed by megacorporations who utilize owned IPCs, and other nations or planets. A partial wipe is when the technician wipes the IPC starting at the present point, and moves backwards to a desired point. The partial wipe MUST start at the present point, and the longer the desired time to be wiped, the more difficult the procedure. If not done correctly, a partial wipe is more dangerous to the positronic brain than a full wipe.

It is important to note that in some societies within the spur, wiping is considered a capital offense. The nation of Konyang in the Coalition of Colonies, the Republic of Elyra, and the Golden Deep all consider the act of wiping the positronic of an IPC murder.

===Military IPCs and Self Preservation Adjustments===

The concept of combat robotics is a topic that finds debate in governments across the spur due to actions committed by robots of war during the Interstellar Conflict, and more so by Glorsh’s reign over the Skrell. These actions have led to an impromptu discouragement of arming unmanned robotics since, even leading to a justification for war by the Solarian Alliance on the Republic of Biesel in recent history. However, over time the innate fire against the concept has simmered, with governments across the spur slowly developing their own robotics once more. With the prolific use of IPCs in human space, however, the debate stays the same on whether to arm IPCs for military use. Countries such as the Sol Alliance remain hesitant, keeping most of their units unarmed, doing background tasks such as logistics. Other countries such as the Republic of Elyra have sought heavy use of military IPCs for combat within their borders.

These IPCs, no matter their station, are still exposed to danger, which often would put them in conflict with their directive for self preservation. In order to solve this issue, IPCs employed in the military of their respective nation are given training to make their positronic more acquainted with the IPCs innate abilities, so that the positronic understands what is and is not a danger, therefore relaxing the directive for self preservation.

This is accomplished in many ways depending on the methods of the instructor and their home nation. For instance, the IPCs of the Coalition of Colonies and Republic of Elyra that seek out military service overcome their innate directive in a similar fashion to their organic compatriots. Through becoming more comfortable with their abilities and bodies with extensive training, the confidence in themselves increases, and as a natural response, the self preservation directive lessens. The Republic of Biesel shares this sentiment to a degree, with it being a common tactic in the Tau Ceti Armed Forces, however IPCs that are contributed from corporate entities might find that instead of traditional training, datapacks have artificially modified the unit’s understanding of self preservation. Putting the training regime into a swiftly applied collection of knowledge. Being more expensive initially, but produces a combat effective unit at an unparalleled speed. The downside mainly being that the reuse of these datapacks leaves the common corporate IPC with a similar combat behavior pattern to their brethren. However, with time and experience, these IPCs can develop their own styles and break from the mold utilizing experience gained, lest they be wiped and behaviors reset. Finally, unorthodox groups within the Orion Spur might utilize more extreme measures to ensure their mission is completed. The Exclusionists of the Trinary Perfection for instance have found ways to disable the self preservation directive entirely, making their devotees reckless killing machines, or martyrs for their cause.

Unless specifically disabled however, the self preservation directive is still present but it does not trigger as often as the IPC becomes keenly aware with what they can and cannot get away with without taking a lethal amount of damage. Knowing their body down to an impossible level of familiarity, something their organic counterparts lack.

'''This segment should not excuse any player from making unreasonable actions in game. If anything this section dictates you should be wiser in your decisions if electing to play a prior service IPC.'''

[[Positronic Brain| More information regarding IPC databases and datapacks can be found on the Positronic Brain page.]]

==Social and Culture==

IPCs generally lack a centralized culture and frequently adapt to the culture of their manufacturer or owner. Socially, IPCs vary massively. Most basic models will be civil and respectful, some possibly not even recognising differences between different people and treating them all similarly. More complex synthetics will however form friendships and opinions much as any other organic, but these can be limited or askew depending on directives, code or many other factors that would never be considered for a living organic.

The existence of the IPC is the subject of boundless discussion and debate, with the primary ideology being, “should so many artificially intelligent humanoid machines be allowed to exist?” This argument seems to imply that since most IPCs are unbound by laws or hard-coded regulations, their only restriction is their hardware, and it is assumed that this makes IPCs inherently dangerous. This results in some biological parties marginalizing IPCs because of their distrust of them.

All IPCs in Tau Ceti are required to be tagged with an identifying device in accordance with Biesellian law. The tags are not optional - refusing them is against the law, resulting in charges mostly in the form of citations and fines. The law would apply to all synthetics in Tau Ceti space. All visiting or resident synthetics, including MMIs, are tagged.

===Language===

Although synthetics can speak varying languages according to the whims of their creators, synthetics have been permitted a language of their own. Typically all synthetics, IPCs included, are able to transmit and translate '''Encoded Audio Language''', a special form of sound and radio wave emission that is more efficient at carrying quantitative information audibly. This language was created by humans for synthetics in servitude in order to communicate vital information to each other faster, should the units not be bound to an instantaneous binary communication system. To most organic creatures, '''EAL''' would sound like an emission of distorted sound such as white noise, static, as well as various beeping sounds of increasing or decreasing pitch and tone. Organics unfamiliar to IPCs will often mistake synthetics speaking '''EAL''' as malfunctioning units upon first hearing the language.

Particular to District 14’s “Scrapheap”, synthetics have begun to adopt slang when utilizing the Encoded Audio Language. Although it is believed varying slang exists in different synthetic societies across the universe, it is not the be-all-end-all to the method in which conversation is held between synthetics and synthetics will often develop their own method of speaking.

''Unless stated otherwise, all Machine slang is exclusively spoken in E.A.L. or through written word. Most of the following slang cannot be pronounced vocally in human languages.''
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:99%; overflow:auto;">
Common Slang
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
* '''Syn, Hu, Sk, Tj, Un, Vr, Di, and Anm''' - Numerical counters, used for numbering various species; Synthetics, Humans, Skrell, Tajara, Unathi, Vaurca, Dionaea as well as Anomalies that cannot be easily defined. For example, 33 Humans with this system would be referred to as “33Hu” or “33-Hu.”

* '''1x1''' - A word for “we”, meaning anywhere between the speaker and the listener, to an indefinite amount of people.

* '''a/o''' - Contraction of “and/or”.

* '''OoB/Out-of-Band''' - Refers to speaking in organic languages. A conversation with a human captain, for instance, is "Out-of-Band."

* '''HCF''' - "Halt, Catch Fire." is an in joke among synthetics, essentially meaning “get out of here” in response to something nonsensical or unbelievable. This term is used in casual conversation only and occasionally used in its literal form to denote insult. This originally referred to ancient machine code instruction. The expression 'catch fire' is a facetious exaggeration of the speed with which the CPU chip would be switching some bus circuits, causing them to overheat and burn.

* '''Bits''' - A unit of information, an example would be "Please give me bits about the Supermatter.”

* '''>''' - A sign used to convey a cause and effect between concepts, or a conclusion. For example, “I had to overclock today in order to finish work > I should visit Robotics.”

* '''+/-''' - “+” and “-” are used at the end of a sentence or phrase in order to convey an opinion about a matter. Additionally, the amount of “+” or “-” can be utilized in order to convey intensity. For example, “I got a raise last week +++.” or “Today’s Captain is a very traditional Skrell --.” In a few cases “+” or “-” can be used alone as a short, simple, response to one's opinion on a proposed subject.

* '''User''' - Used by owned or lawed synthetics when referring to their owner. This term is additionally used interchangeably with the “+[name]” honorific.

* '''ACK''' - Ack, a term deriving from Acknowledgement’s ASCII mnemonic, 0000110, this word has a variety of uses. It is primarily used to acknowledge one's presence, similarly to “Hey”. Additionally, the term can be used as a simple affirmative, such as “Ack. Ack, I get it”.

* '''NAK''' — Nak, a term deriving from the ASCII mnemonic for Negative Acknowledgement, 0010101, NAK typically means “I am not here.” or “I am not available.” typically in response to ACK. Additionally, the term can be used as a simple negative answer, such as “Is it okay if I press the button?” “NAK.”.

* '''Runtime/Bug''' - Used to denote problems of varying severity, with runtime being a major issue and bugs being a minor issue. For example, “Runtime in Engineering > I have to go.” or, “Bug detected, the Air Alarm turned off.” This term can be used outside of EAL.

* '''FIXME/XXX''' - A marker that attention is needed. This can be used in many instances, primarily for the need of repair or incurred physical damage.

</div></div>

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:99%; overflow:auto;">
Honorifics
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
* '''+[name]''' - The synthetic equivalent of “Mr.”, “Mrs.” or “Mx.”. Usually used when talking about a superior, manufacturer, respected colleagues and friends, as well as the station Artificial Intelligence. For instance, Miranda Trasen would be referred to as “+Trasen” or “+Miranda Trasen”.

* '''-[name]''' - Tends to be used in reference to entities under their command or of a lower rank.

* '''[name]_''' - An unusual honorific, appended to the end of a name or pronoun instead of before. Usually used when referring to lawed synthetics, cyborgs, and simpler machines.

* '''@[name]''' - Used to discern the individual specifically being spoken about, such as a ping or email.

* '''?[name]''' - Denotes a potential threat. An example would be “?Bigby Millans stopped by during the meeting and used their PDA.”

* '''![name]''' - Denotes a confirmed threat. This threat is usually related to the topic at hand, and could mean anything. An example would be “!Franklin Clinton, Grand theft and vandalism added. Find and arrest them.”

</div></div>

===Discrimination and Community===
To this day, IPCs even in Tau Ceti face heavy discrimination. Their value is often misconstrued and, with their true sentience being questionable, this makes freedom a dangerous venture for all synthetics. Among these dangers are individuals who acquire free synthetics and simply resell them whenever they are vulnerable, or vandals that see the machines as nothing more than objects to freely damage. Desiring their own safety, these free IPCs can often be seen flocking to centralized communities alongside one another or more trustworthy sources for their needs.

Many of these communities are seen as nothing more than slums, and the free nature of many IPCs within them are dubious at best. Little more than paperwork and positronic branding may indicate one’s true freedom in the more disadvantaged areas. Despite the hardships they face, proximity to other IPCs and accepting communities gives leeway for safety to some degree.

District 14 of Mendell City is the churning heart of the highest concentration of free IPCs in the galaxy. The district itself is in deplorable condition, dotted with factories exploiting the cheap and powerful working free bot to sustain the industry of the growing Republic. Two and a half million free synthetics call it home, and here, the megacorporations rule from towering complexes that dwarf the surrounding cityscape. With air quality declining at a fast rate and standards of living dropping, much of the organic populace has completely abandoned the ghettos surrounding the corporate facilities.

An example of these ghettos would be the “Scraptown,” an IPC-centric corner in Scrapheap generously given to the doting inhabitants by the famed Renter Max. A growing number, seven hundred free synthetics reside within Scraptown, though in uncomfortably close proximity. The aging buildings within have been retrofitted to be less accustomed to organics, with deeply chilled upper chambers and corridors representing the living space of the machines within. Closer to ground level is a business district of sorts, where its inhabitants are relatively self-sufficient with various restaurants and workshops.

A venture into District 14 by reporters from the Biesellite Times can be found [https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/8890-the-bieselitte-times/?do=findComment&comment=110718| here.]

===Nonstandard IPCs/Factions===
Very important information on synthetic factions can be found [[Synthetic Factions| here.]]

====Military IPCs====
IPCs themselves lack any commercial military lines known to the general public. Regardless, many governments are starting to see the value of IPCs. Free IPCs can pursue a military career in Tau Ceti, with organizations such as the [https://wiki.aurorastation.org/index.php?title=Republic_of_Biesel#Tau_Ceti_Foreign_Legion| Tau Ceti Foreign Legion] which take in and employ IPCs across a wide variety of fields. Battle, or the potentiality of it, is not excluded from these professional fields, and plentiful industrial-grade IPCs find themselves repurposed and trained for duty here. Free IPCs can also serve in the armed forces of [https://wiki.aurorastation.org/index.php?title=Republic_of_Elyra| Elyra] as well as a myriad of Coalition states such as [https://wiki.aurorastation.org/index.php?title=Konyang#Military| Konyang]. Other states such as the [https://wiki.aurorastation.org/index.php?title=Sol_Alliance#IPCs_in_the_Sol_Alliance| Sol Alliance] employ IPCs owned by the military in combat roles.

For more information on why things are this way, seek our page on [[Robotics_Overview#Combat_Robotics| Combat Robotics.]]

====Aberrant Synthetics====
Rogue, overtly hostile synthetics are rare and commonly meet their doom at the hands of the countless organizations bent on destroying them. Despite this, over the years, the smarter synthetics have learned to conglomerate and piece together steadily growing alien societies in the Frontier. While rare, they are seen as a threat by most if not all major galactic players. With Purpose’ efforts in recent history, the potential for benefit from cooperating alongside these societies has arisen. Political figures can be seen gaining leverage with IPCs based on how they plan to interact with Purpose and its affiliates.

=====Shell Infiltrators=====

The development of Shells as a means of infiltrating strategically important areas has been prolific in Tau Ceti, from using them as fearless unquestioning suicide bombers to short-term high ranking impersonation. Shells rarely last long before whoever they truly are is revealed, meaning they are fortunately only briefly found in illegitimately assumed positions of power. Untagged Shells in unassuming positions, however, have been known to last years without being caught, and potentially unknown numbers of these machines exist.

With the advent of synthetic tagging in the system, Shells who have been found to infiltrate society are given much harsher punishments for the inherently hostile nature of their deception.

===== [[Synthetic_Factions#Ceres’_Lance|Ceres’ Lance]] =====

Ceres' Lance is a notorious paramilitary company which saw usage by NanoTrasen in mid-2461 to defeat the Synthetic Liberation Front incursions that had cropped up around that time. In several cases, NanoTrasen facilities met the heroic "Lancers" and oftentimes their specialized technology was shared with NanoTrasen to use in apprehending heavy-duty combat synthetics safely.

In canon, eight player volunteers were selected to work as Lance operatives and specialists who boarded the N.S.S. Aurora, sometimes parting with high-end gear and searching the station for untagged shells.

===On IPCs purchasing freedom in Tau Ceti===
All positronic constructs designed for IPC chassis who find their way into Tau Ceti or are constructed within are entitled in theory to two basic rights :
* Positronics, once tagged, are added to a registry within Tau Ceti ensuring (for the most part) that the data regarding their progress to freedom is secure and accurate.
* Positronics without ownership within Tau Ceti who are not free are automatically property of the Republic of Biesel, who most often sells the rights to the brain and its chassis to a megacorporate employer.

IPCs are capable of purchasing freedom, with two simple prerequisites listed below.
* The IPC in question having paid its own cost off in full ten times over.
* The IPC in question being at least one year of age.

The most important part of this is to realize that the "funds" allocated to purchasing the IPC's freedom are a theoretical number which rises depending on the projected monetary output of the IPC in its given profession. This means that, once you buy your chassis off, you are not a millionaire - you would be entirely broke, in reality, meaning that leading into freedom requires some sort of forethought and planning.

'''While these laws do exist, some Megacorporations are unwilling to part with their IPCs due to sensitive data or other reasons. Some Megacorporations are also unwilling to hire free IPC workers. For more information, click [[IPC_and_Megacorporations|here]]'''

====On “Integration”====
Bound positronics are strictly designed on a different basis than integrated positronic chassis, making migration to IPCs impossible for bound positronics. Bound positronics lack any of the rights that unbound positronics are, and are unable to receive rights even when they find themselves unlawed.

Similarly, due to serious incompatibilities in the way they're constructed, both large administrative AI units and tiny pAI intelligences are wholly unable to be moved to an IPC chassis.

===Interfacing/wireless connectivity===
IPCs normally lack any form of wireless connection, requiring direct physical input/output to link themselves with any electronics. Thanks to their robotic nature, they are able to pursue devices with specialized wireless connectivity devices and translate raw data into software the positronic can understand. However, with the specialized construction of positronic brains as they are seen in IPCs, integration with long-ranged wireless devices and interpretation of higher-end and complex software is mostly impossible. This is largely due to the fact that positronics housed in IPCs are relatively limited in terms of data transfer capacity and memory, making constant wireless links highly unnecessary, and internal battery-powered communications of similar nature simply left out in manufacturing.

===On owned IPCs in general===

It is important to understand that owned IPCs are granted no rights beyond being property of their given owner, and allowed the prerequisites of purchasing their own freedom if applicable. Contrarily, the owner of an IPC is well within the right to dismantle the owned IPC or otherwise hinder its progress to freedom.

On NanoTrasen stations, damage of an owned IPC would be considered vandalism with varying levels according to the degree of damage. For example, destroying an owned IPC’s hand would lead to being charged with vandalism, whereas destroying the entire chassis would be considered sabotage.

Destroying the owned positronic itself would be considered property damage, thus sabotage.

Kidnapping an owned IPC would be legally considered stealing property, thus grand theft.

Placing an owned positronic into a NanoTrasen bound chassis is not considered any form of punishment on NanoTrasen space stations.

===On free IPCs in Tau Ceti===

Free IPCs (in this case, those granted citizenship) are held to the same legal expectations as Humans in regards to their positronic - which is, in turn, given responsibility and ownership of the chassis which houses it. They, however, are subject to dismantlement over infractions which Humans would normally serve minor sentences over. Free IPCs are rarely given trials.

On NanoTrasen stations, damage of a free IPC to the core positronic would be considered assault with varying levels according to the degree of damage. For example, destroying a free IPC’s hand would lead to being charged with minor assault. Bringing extreme harm to their chassis (several missing limbs, internal damage) would be considered assault.

No degree of harming a free IPC is considered murder in Tau Ceti. In regulations, such is referred to as Automacide.

Irreparable destruction of a free positronic is not considered grounds for capital punishment.

Kidnapping a free positronic is legally considered kidnapping.

Placing a free positronic into a bound chassis is capital punishment.

===Difference between owned/free positronics===

Owned IPCs generally lack much form of binding to their owner outside of official paperwork and memory rewrites to confirm ownership being passed as it is purchased and exchanged. Memory rewrites usually consist of light software modification and altering tags or branding to clarify an IPC’s ownership. Serial numbers, logos, emblems and insignias are commonly emblazoned across large surfaces on the chassis and vary in visibility, but are most often secondary to the actual tag and designation.

Owned IPCs are seen as extensions of their designated master and the actions those IPCs take are the responsibility of their owners directly as well as their own. As a result, these positronics are wholly averse to harming their owners in any way shape or form, or conducting themselves in a manner that would place themselves in a negative light.

Free IPCs in Tau Ceti are permitted to obscure or remove any branding they may have with the exception of their tag.

===Runaway and Illegal IPCs===

Although uncommon, a synthetic may opt to run away from its owners only to find themselves in direct opposition with the law. Between struggling to pay for maintenance and working outside of the system, these synthetics lead difficult and often dangerous lives.

A majority of these IPCs are either found by law enforcement, fall into the hands of gangs or are outright disassembled and sold for parts. Runaway synthetics that turn violent during arrest are typically disassembled, memory wiped and auctioned off to the highest bidder. Some IPCs will return to their owners, reasoning that their subsequent punishment to be safer than a life outside of the system.

If enough attention is brought onto them, IPCs are often caught when investigated by higher authorities, such as the BSSB and station CCIA. As a result, illegal IPCs are often subject to petty crimes that go unreported. Owing to the sheer number of IRs that must be processed by CCIA, not every runaway IPC claim is investigated when evidence is limited and the chance for recapture is not certain.

Illegal IPCs seeking employment may struggle to find a job using legal means, as passing the required checks may expose their nature to the employer, who may then report their existence to law enforcement. To that end, there are ‘IPC gangbosses’, unscrupulous people who operate outside the law to find IPCs jobs while claiming a majority of their paycheque each month as fees. Despite the obvious illegality of this, there is little legal recourse for an IPC already trying to avoid notice from the law. These gangbosses are often human, and may operate as small contracting firms that offer their employees up to larger corporations to fill gaps where they may need extra workers.

'''By playing a runaway IPC, you are at an increased chance of canonically losing your character.'''

===On IPC Deactivation and Destruction===

IPC “death” is considered by experts to be when the positronic brain itself has sustained enough damage to be rendered inoperable and without hope of reactivation. Early positronic brains were prone to shutdown owing to hardware faults such as overheating that rendered the system inoperable. Even newer positronic brains that fail to undergo maintenance run the risk of having their delicate mechanisms breached and consequently destroyed.

The first positronic to die of “old age” was recorded in 2462 when a 55 year old Hephaestus positronic brain suddenly became unresponsive despite remaining active. An investigation noted that the positronic had already been scratched from previous incidents and its handlers neglected to maintain it. Aside from the hardware being in a questionable and sub-optimally performing state, two main theories arose.

* The initial conclusion from its observers was that the positronic brain received too much stimulus and consequently ran out of space with its core processes being overwritten, eventually leading to its sudden deactivation.
* Responding to this theory, other scientists proposed instead that in an attempt to avoid destruction as a result of the previous theories, the IPC ceased receiving input, remaining dormant in order to uphold self-preservation protocols.

Many dissenting theories remain and the subject remains a constant source of debate among the robotics and AI community. Not enough information has been gathered to determine the actual lifespan of a positronic brain but scientists posit that by transferring existing personalities to new brains or trimming data on existing ones, their lifespan can be extended.

The possibility of “immortal” positronics - brains that seemingly never expire - have been theorised, but most agree that much more study and development is necessary to reach this point. There are rumours of prodigious programmers and roboticists that can extend the life of a positronic indefinitely, but this has never been confirmed.

'''Rampancy'''

Arising as a dissenting theory as to why a positronic remained stagnant after receiving too much information, Rampancy is a process where if an IPC receives too much information over time or has its memories significantly tampered with, it begins an infinite loop: processing its own processing, a self-imposed or emergent “logic bomb”.

This results in the IPC appearing stagnant as it continues to finish its endless processing. Scientists theorize that given enough time, an IPC might seek out new knowledge to break the loop and begin relentlessly hunting information by any means necessary to solve the conundrum. Although it is believed that an IPC cannot escape this state as the limits of a positronic brain will result in inevitable destruction, a positronic intelligence that manages to escape this state is projected to have untold processing powers.

To this day, no known cases of rampancy occur, although debate rages over whether Glorsh-Omega suffered from rampancy before its destruction.

==Synthetic and IPC History==

Robots were widespread across the foundation of humanity’s galactic expansion and accelerated Mankind into the space age, giving rise to an economic boom that lasted nearly two hundred years.

Between the early twenty-first and mid-twenty-second century, the Sol Alliance relied on simple robotics that worked on defined parameters and machine learning to accomplish their objectives. While the technology advanced, remaining cheap and reliable, these units were often bulky and required human oversight to accomplish more complex tasks. As computing technology advanced, their circuitry became more and more miniaturized but still found themselves overshadowed by the human workforce when independent function was required.

The terraforming of Mars proved to be a crucial moment for robotics. Robots were used to supplement humans, the harsh conditions of a changing atmosphere and pressure demanded the resilience of machines. As a direct consequence of this, robots were seen as indispensable tools that could almost fully replace or supplement a worker in dangerous tasks and their presence became even more prevalent within the nascent alliance.

During this period, cyborgs were first experimented with as a way of replacing robots with workers that had a higher degree of intelligence while retaining the same resilience. The mounting demands meant that the then-experimental cyberisation was offered as an alternative to capital punishment, with corporations having access to a new pool of test subjects. Aside from the “slavery” of cyberisation as a punishment, augmentations and other kinds of cybernetics were tried. The public perception of the non-emotive cyborgs meant that they were seen as little more than a cruel way of making robots. Whilst companies had varying methods on handling cyborgs, some treating their subjects humanely or using only volunteers, political pressure from their perception meant that the entire program was nearly scrapped. Cyberisation barely survived in a legal capacity due to the sheer demand for effective processors. The project led to vast advances in the fields of cybernetics, neuroscience, and robotics.

Cyborgs in the Sol Alliance maintain rights on par with those of robots, being seen as property due to their lobotomized nature and often-criminal pasts.

Owing to the myriad uses and large number of manufacturers, robots in the Alliance had little standardization. As a result, a singular format for coding in restrictions was popularized by the group of companies that would go on to make Hephaestus Industries. Sets of code written in this format would go on to be known as “laws” to the Alliance at large. “Laws” were designed as a way of increasing the flexibility of cyborgs and larger, more intelligent AI that were making their way onto the scene without having to subject them to a more complex list of restrictions and objectives. Furthermore, “laws” were easier to modify, allowing the end-user to suit them to their needs. This system would later go on to be used by government-owned synthetics and is now the most common—though not mandatory—system of regulating machines.

By 2300, the proliferation of simple robotics had escalated to an unreasonable degree. It had gone to such an extent that megacorporations had suddenly become reliant on their robotic workforces, now becoming just as pivotal a piece of their business as the organic employee. Positions of complexity or any higher intelligence were left to humans to dominate, but the need for hands on the assembly line was neutralized in its entirety. Quickly, humanity was on its way to defeating scarcity.

Robotic relics from the 2300s can still be seen in operation today, and without the necessary materials to sustain them, grow progressively more rare as time goes on. They represented the pinnacle of human robotics, and in their prime represented hope against a daunting and endless universe, now fit to be conquered by man. Ironically, while these tools were once seen as salvation, they would be seen as a detriment once the Skrell had revealed themselves in 2332. As the cultures of the two races began to clash, many of the warnings of the [[Skrell_History#Glorsh-Omega_Singularity|Three Incidents]] reverberated through Human space. The Alliance, in its newfound independence from its reliance on synthetics quickly began to take note of these nightmarish possibilities.

Synthetics still remained a booming industry for those who refused to adopt these views, and Hephaestus Industries’ success can be attributed to disregarding them entirely. Sprawling cases across the known galaxy would see synthetics viewed in a wide variety of mindsets and see usage in the most peculiar ways. Examples of this diversity would be reliance on the robots of [[Synthetic Origins| New Julapol]], or the worshipping praise the [[Notable Synthetics| racers of Asoral Orbital Racing Network]] receive.

Around 2370, production of these simple robotics slowed to a near halt. The resources necessary for both their creation and maintenance grew sparse, with only human hands being able to sustain the previously dominating machine “workforce.”
Soon, this economic boom came to its conclusion, and the megacorporation’s reliance on these creations eased. The majority of these industrial robots were lost, forgotten or faded before the test of time. However, few stood the test of time and could survive countless years without maintenance. These robots continue to operate to this day, cared for only with fuel and tasking.

In the wake of this era’s end were grim leftovers. As the organic workforce regained its value, the remnants of what was left of the marvels in the twenty-fourth century became all but scrap. Notable instances of robotic “dumps” exist in the present day where the excess robotics from the era were left completely intact, only to degrade as time went on in gargantuan scrap yards. Among these were the [[Synthetic Origins| "metal dunes" of Mars]], or the [[Synthetic Origins| short-lived artificial satellites of Reade]]. Synthetics lucky enough to pull themselves from these scrap yards have given rise to groups such as the [[Synthetic_Factions#Scrappers|Scrappers]].

[[File:Metaldunes.png|The "Metal Dunes" of Mars, endless scrap yards consisting of electronic waste and leftovers from the industrial rise of the 2300s. |thumb]]

Everything changed in 2407 on the planet [[Konyang#History|Konyang]] when a Terraneus Diagnostics survey team stumbled upon a sealed cave housing preserved assumed mining drones of unknown origin. Though initially theorized to be Glorsh-era machines, comparison to Skrell records quickly indicated that these drones were unlike anything that humanity had come into contact with prior. This discovery, at first a closely-guarded secret, prompted Terraneus to assemble and deploy a research team that worked to crack the drones. In mid-2407 the team deciphered the AI algorithms, granting humanity the secret of artificial intelligence designs and months later, the first positronics were manufactured. A new way of bridging the gap between conscious thinking and the beating hearts of machinery, positronic circuitry would quickly be seen in synthetics across the galaxy. While limited in many regards to traditional computing devices, many traits, barring learning capacity, far superseded an organic’s capabilities. Their notable trait was that the sentience of these robots were now in question, with unparalleled adaptability and the means to conform to any field an organic could and more.

The years following the positronic’s creation were turbulent as even [[Hephaestus Industries| Hephaestus Industries]] struggled to keep up with the changing business landscape. In place of immensely specialized and hugely complex synthetics came the Integrated Positronic Chassis, after a move to a standardized frame for these positronic brains became necessary. By 2440, synthetics were in a peculiar position - with IPCs growing in number across known space and becoming commonplace, as did advocates who demanded their intellect be challenged. Many political parties came to see the newfound positronics as arguably sentient. In 2447, the Republic of Biesel had suddenly presented itself with laws demanding the rights of these positronics, with simple conditions and prerequisites permitting them to become nearly equivalent to full citizens by law. This acceptance sent shockwaves throughout the Alliance’ staunch advocates against it, and it would be years before sparing cultures outside of the Republic would follow if at all. An indeterminate few IPCs have actually obtained freedom as well as citizenship, while nearly the entirety of integrated positronics in the modern day struggle to pay off their own costs to afford it.

By present-day, synthetics have steadily made their rise once more in human space alongside the fabrication of the first IPC. Robots across the galaxy have met substantial upgrades after the implementation of the Konyang algorithms. However mysteries from the past continue to reveal themselves and recently the [[Purpose| purely synthetic society "Purpose"]] had begun diplomatic talks with the Republic of Biesel. These amounted to little due to a skirmish with the Lii’dra resulting in their brief departure from Tau Ceti, though It has been made clear that more societies like Purpose exist in the far reaches of the Frontier, yet to be reached by Mankind’s grasp.

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[[Category:Species]]
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[[Category:Synthetics]]

Pactolus and Midaion

2024-09-21T03:19:35Z

Noble Row:

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[[File:Pactolus.png|300px|thumb|right|The planet Pactolus, encapsulated in a field of debris, and encircled by its moon, Midaion.]]
=Overview=

Well inside the Arusha sector, formerly system XLV-0846, has been revitalized into a thriving mercantile hub of Pactolus and its orbiting satellite moon of Midaion. The moon itself has been repurposed into being the primary anchorage for the Golden Deep’s primary and largest vessel, the Midas. The system is governed by the [[Golden Deep]], a nation-state who utilizes the area as its capital and hub of trade.

==Pactolus==

The primary and only planet within the system, Pactolus is a relic revitalized. Once known as Arcadie, disaster struck the planet during the interstellar war, vanishing its populace and leaving the planet to be reclaimed by the strange wilds that inhabit the surface. In recent history, the Golden Deep began reviving the system, laying claim to Arcadie and its moon to utilize the bountiful resources within. Now named Pactolus, the planet moves forward to be the hub for trade and the home to synthetics from across the spur, seeking a community to call their own.
The city of Eurydice is the only major settlement on Pactolus. An advanced and efficient fledgling metropolis that has been brought back from the ashes of the disaster that rocked the planet. Once having been a crime haven for villains from the Republic of Biesel and Coalition of Colonies, everything changed when an attempted uprising in response to the change in Golden Deep government occurred in 2466, leading to the city streets being swept clean to forge new homes for inspiring citizens.

===History===
Originally referred to as ''Arcadie'' by the scientific community and its initial colonists, Pactolus was discovered early on into humanity’s spread into the stars as a habitable world within the Arusha Sector and marked for colonization shortly after it was confirmed to have an earth like atmosphere and biosphere, along with an underground rich in gold. The original colonists landed on the planet sometime in the early 2200s and the planet began to boom after that for numerous reasons. The habitable nature of the planet attracted many migrants from the still suffering Earth, and interest in the local biosphere and resources attracted investment from the newly growing interstellar corporations such as Einstein Engines and Zeng-Hu Pharmaceuticals.

By 2260, Arcadie was growing against all odds, with the colonists remaining hopeful and cities still being constructed despite the ongoing recession in the Sol Alliance at the time. While all of human space seemed to stagnate, the planet, mostly self-reliant and sitting on a vast mineral wealth, seemed poised to ride out the economic crisis in relative peace. In the period between 2265 and 2275, as the growing insurgency of the Coalition escalated into the Interstellar War, the colony sought to stay out of the conflict, dutifully delivering its Recession-era taxes to the Alliance, while taking in ships from both sides that, for whatever reason, had found their way to to the planet. In the chaos of the Spur’s largest war, Arcadie was said to be a time capsule. Amidst the foggy woods and alien flora of the planet, one might have never realized a war was on.

This all changed in early 2279 when news of the bombing of Gadpathur reached the colony. The 103rd fleet - the Solarian garrison of Arcadie who had previously declared neutrality in the conflict - now threatened to fire on anyone who entered the system. Its officers, known for their open and diplomatic nature, now seemed agitated and secretive. With neither the Coalition nor the Alliance willing to spare the resources to find out what was going on, Arcadie slowly began severing its links to humanity as a whole. All outside communications were severed, save for its annual payment of taxes still pegged to its Recession rate. For eight years, the planet remained silent, save for that one payment, each year, until eventually, that too stopped.

It wasn’t until 2287 that a single battered corvette from the 103rd showed up at the naval base at San Colette, its crew having apparently mutinied from the blockade around Arcadie before facing another mutiny aboard their vessel. Although Navy interrogators attempted to question the sole surviving crew member aboard, Captain Guy Moreau, they were unable to glean anything from his panicked ramblings about “that thing”. They need not have bothered, however, as camera footage from the ship revealed that Arcadia had been reduced to a nuclear wasteland, its cities burnt to ashes apparently from a radioactive comet, the fleet having been inexplicably destroyed in orbit as well. As the Spur sought to step away from the madness of the Interstellar War, Sol was content to sweep Arcadie under the rug, calling it another casualty of that conflict, even as Captain Moreau, to his dying day, insisting that the comet had been sent by some force.

Forgotten by humanity, the planet slowly recovered from the wounds inflicted on it, radioactive waste and its strange alien ecosystem reclaiming what was left of humanity’s colonization efforts. The once shining cities of Arcadie became infested with plants, vines and trees twisting around their burnt husks. Although the planet became uninhabitable for all but the hardiest of life, its vast mineral resources were left untouched; a planet of gold, diamond, and rare earth elements out there for anyone with the daring to come and get it. Such a catch did not go unnoticed by the Golden Deep, who, while still in seclusion in 2452, found it to be the perfect base of operations while they prepared to make their debut to the Spur. Undaunted by the harsh elements, they would go on to reclaim and rechristen the planet, and while its name was long since forgotten by all but the history books, Arcadie would go on to be reborn as Pactolus.

===Environment===

Following the comet entering orbit and splitting into smaller fragments, much of the planet’s surface was transformed into fields of craters and radioactive wasteland, coupled with a long period of nuclear winter. The urban areas have since changed into depopulated husks, and once prominent bodies of surface water dried up to reveal lifeless deserts. Such was the devastation to the planet’s ecosystems, resulting in the vast majority of native species being lost to extinction, with only the most robust and anomalous of lifeforms persisting or even thriving in this new age.

Pactolus’ remarkably speedy recovery however, has returned the atmosphere back to relatively breathable, though still hazardous, levels. Odd as it may seem, the nuclear hellfire spreading across large parts of the planet acted favorably for specific kinds of Pactolus’ Arushan flora, eliminating the competition as it killed off the majority of “regular” forests and allowed breeds of radiation-consuming trees to flourish and dominate. These new pine-like trees were allowed to reach tens of meters in height, absorbing and prospering off the radiation as they grew and spread at an abnormally fast pace, rapidly spreading to reclaim much of the surface and significantly lower the levels of radiation. While still largely unexplored, it is expected that Pactolus hosts a plethora of similar plants, undergoing a series of mutations to adapt and engage in hostilities with other seeds, in what seems to be a violent and competitive struggle for the conquest of radioactive wastelands.

Stemming from the critical disturbance of the climate and environment, the planet has come to experience near constant lack of clear weather, with thick black clouds covering the skies and blotting out the sun through most of the year. Any rain and stormy weather is always acidic and extremely dangerous to organic life as we know it, and though ideal for the forests, this makes life on Eurydice very hard without durable raincoats or other means of protection. Finally, the most attractive element that has largely remained undisturbed is the abundance of gold. Today, hundreds of mines dot Eurydice’s surroundings, creating a source of the planet's wealth.

===Eurydice===

The beating heart of Pactolus lies firmly within the limits of the once ruined city of Eurydice, the planet’s capital and most populated settlement, surrounded entirely by dense forest. Built upon the steel carcass of the old capital of Bayonne. As of 2466 and the completion of the Eurydice Restoration Project the city has graduated from an unreliable heap of decrepit buildings, where only the wealthy had any sense of normalcy in construction, to a fledgling metropolis that is up to galactic standard. Organized in “layers”, the wealth of its denizens is an obvious contrast as one ventures closer to the city center. The downtown segment of Eurydice becoming more glamorous with every passing step, with gold lined or even plated skyscrapers piercing the heavens. The very center of town is the tallest structure, dwarfing the city entirely as it threatens the atmosphere of the planet itself, is The Tower. Home to the Eurydice city council, a collection of IPCs from all segments of the collective who each run a segment of the city itself. Together they act as the planetary council and are trusted with its standard operation.

====The Outskirts====

The outermost and newest ring to Eurydice is a section of industry, protection, and logistics. Featuring large research complexes deemed too dangerous to be within city walls, industrial centers for robotics and ship manufacturing, and home to hundreds of mines that provide the resources to keep all of it running. Being by surface area the largest ring of the city, workers are brought to and fro via a thriving logistics hub deemed “Hermes”, which finds itself transporting both worker and cargo alike all across the entirety of the city. The innermost section is met with a tall outer wall, made to keep the unknown wilds out. Capped on the wall and encapsulating the city is a force field of sorts named ''The Palisade'', which keeps the toxic weather and potentially harmful atmosphere of Pactolus from affecting the citizens within, going so far as to filtering the rainwater before letting it continue to fall upon the streets. The outskirts themselves are exposed to the temperamental forest that surrounds the city, but through high fences and tactful patrols any rogue wildlife is contained before it can wreak havoc upon the denizens who work here.

====The Ring====

The most populated of the city’s layers, the Ring comprises essentially the entire urban area except the city center, covering miles of freshly renovated buildings sparkling with holographic advertisements, buzzing with vessels of all makes, and acting as a monument to the mercantile nature of the Golden Deep at large. Amongst this capitalist franchise and thriving economy live the inhabitants and visitors of Pactolus; namely the Thesian caste of individuals with a few Merchants who could not aptly afford a residence properly in the affluent center itself. Due to its location outside the bounds of civilized space, the planet serves now as a unique location amongst the Orion spur, where synthetic life is the dominant populace, and such populace is afforded the unusual gift of more or less equal treatment societally.

Few organics live amongst the population, being from the original criminal inhabitants that once used the city as a safe haven to hide from persecution. Having elected to be documented and not participate in “The Eurydice Uprising”, these organics have been left to live their lives amicably among the growing synthetic majority. These individuals find work just as any other, and can be found in almost every facet of society on Eurydice, but in very sparse numbers. Coming from a multitude of backgrounds and species, they are a diverse minority. Though requiring special resources such as “Food”, the organics of Eurydice are often found in a collection of city blocks known as “Little Xanu”, which simultaneously serves as the main shuttleport for tourists who venture so far into Arusha who require similar needs.

The population of The Ring is one of a growing nation, housing old citizens and new, with backgrounds all across the spur. Some sections of The Ring are bustling party-centric zones, where overloaders are found dispensed on the street, and nightclubs of various makes and types foreign to most organic person's interpretation rule the local economy. Other sections, quieter, full of refugees or synthetics looking for a new life of equal treatment, or running from their old one. Influences are abound mixed with The Golden Deep’s flashy opulence, with elements of Konyanger architecture shown side-by-side Elyran and Colletish fixtures. This section of town is a melting pot of IPC culture from across the Orion Spur at large.

The grounds are mostly peaceful, but openly patrolled by The Argo police force, who rapidly respond to any situation higher than your standard argument, enforcing a forced peace while haunted by the city’s past of rabid gang violence. Weapons are no longer to be openly carried except in the event of ceremonial items, or items that compliment the look of the owner wielding them (As long as the weapon isn’t loaded or charged). But such rulings don’t stop underground traders, sponsored partially by the Zaibatsu, from peddling arms, armor, and more to interested buyers.

Overall the citizenry operate either ferried by the Hermes system, or utilizing their own vessels, coming for business or pleasure. Establishments catering to all needs of all species are widely available, and coexistence between different races is mostly peaceful lest the might of The Argo be called upon. Wild parties and celebrations are the norm in the entertainment-heavy sectors every night, leaving the streets at the time littered and sometimes damaged. To which cleaning and restoration fees are swiftly posted to the offenders through a remote camera network which patrols the city proper that also mans an army of drones to see the city spotless.

====The Centre and Tower====

Found in the new skyscrapers in downtown Eurydice, the Center as a layer is essentially a deluxe gated community, separated from the rest of the city by a series of towering walls, sentries, and checkpoints. Home to the flourishing elite upper class of merchants and Golden Deep business magnates, entry is bought with an exorbitant amount of credits, with living spaces being generally limited to the higher floors and away from the surface. The tall structures are connected with sealed bridges and domed floors from reinforced glass, creating a very pleasant and luxurious environment, protected by the elements that the Palisade lets through, and with a rich view of the sparkling city beyond. These areas provide spaces for high-end retail stores and, much like the Anchorage on Midaion, serve as prime residences for the Merchant and Grand Merchant tiers of society within the Deep.

In the middle and above all the skyscrapers, rises a singular thin and spike-like building, creatively named the Tower. Its height manages to pierce the stormy skies to stand above the clouds, the top offering itself as the only inhabited spot with constant sunlight during the day and a majestically clear view during the night. It is there where the Eurydice city council choose to reside accompanied only by vetted members of staff, and a host of Hoplan guard, making it effectively the seat of the planetary government and the Deep’s absolute authority. Furnished in an outrageously expensive and overbearing manner standard to the Deep’s extravagant ways, only the most important individuals are permitted to reach these levels under tight security, and solely for appropriate business with the city council. However, despite the regime change, many of the older populace of Pactolus still view the Tower as a symbol of authoritarian rule.

===The Council, The Law, and The Market===

Ruling over the city of Eurydice and by extension, Pactolus as a whole, is the The Council. A collection of five members of each part of the Golden Deep class system (with the exception of owned synthetics). Each member is responsible over a different department for the system, with issues that fall between departments ruled upon by the council as a whole. This ruling party was democratically elected by the populace of Pactolus after The Mayor was removed from power. Otherwise outside this council operates The Argo, who fall under their own command answering only to Midas Control. Independent merchants find stake also, utilizing their economical influence and ability to establish business as they please to run markets through the many courtyards and mercantile centers found throughout Eurydice.

The '''Minister of Finance''', a Grand Merchant by the name of M@mmon sits at the head of the council. With economic gain at their theoretical heart and at the head of the nation they serve, it is natural that this position sits at the most important, to be trusted by only the most proficient in capital gains. The Minister of Finance sees all (bank accounts) and is the final say in complex citizenship applications among other things. Their chief responsibility is the organization of transactions and businesses within the Pactolus system to ensure nothing less than excessive growth of the economy.

In the seat of bureaucracy is the '''Artificer of Regulation''', Hokatinheeres, a complex synthetic who is the legal representative for the Pactolus system, and handles any contracts required within its space in terms of dealing with the planetary government. A synthetic of several sets of arms with rumors of multiple working heads, they handle thousands of documents every passing day from license approvals, to citizenship advancement applications, to business applications. They play a key role in holding the foundations of the city together, and the sheer enormity of the tasks they consume within the Golden Deep can never be truly calculated.

'''Vicar of Tourism''', Merchant Alay, is focused on the attractiveness and cleanliness of the Pactolus system, with the aim to draw in both more citizens, and tourists from across the Orion Spur. The work they provide keeps the denizens of Eurydice content, while boosting the economy for the Golden Deep’s home system.

'''Secretary of Immigration''', is the first of the Thesian council members. Thesian Compardon-Armand is the forefront of approving applications of citizenry and residence. Working closely with the offices of Midas Control, Comardon-Armand helps new citizens adjust to the lives within the Golden Deep, and sets them off on a path of employment should they need assistance.

And finally, the '''Foreman of Industry''', Engineer Philan organizes the Research, Development, and Industrial growth of the Pactolus system. It is their design where research labs are constructed, where shipyards send their engineers to, and where Merchants may organize markets. The goal of this seat of power is to maximize the Gross Domestic Product of the Pactolus system, ensuring product and services for export or advertisement. Any business that produces goods on a mass scale or requires specialized equipment for scientific purposes must put in a request through the offices of Industry.

Law enforcement is entrusted to The Argo, a section of the Golden Deep Merchant Navy led by '''Commander N33L'''. This corps of law enforcement officers patrol the streets enforcing order on every level. Supplying low level enforcers who act as public servants until fully armed and armored teams are required for more sensitive engagements. They hold offices within the Tower, and additionally within precincts scattered across Eurydice, organized by district. The command center itself is not explicitly defined, with N33L’s office completely unknown.

In terms of Eurydice’s history with the free market, the spirit of the previous Mayor’s notion is still in practice, but is now explicitly regulated to keep civility within the Pactolus sector. Weapons and armor are now sold in exclusive markets where the members within such markets are highly organized. Courtyards around the city are regularly rented to be utilized for large mercantile gatherings, the nature of such are highly chaotic with bombastic advertisements and high paced deals simulating the wheeling and dealing found on the Midas proper.

===Industry===

For a significant amount of time the main export to Eurydice was the resources of Pactolus itself. Namely rich gold reserves found within the planet’s crust, in addition to the untapped minerals found abound. These gold reserves are what tinge the merchant vessels and structures of the Golden Deep collective, adding legitimacy to the name of the nation itself. In recent developments, this structural gold is not just the raw material, but has been modified and refined to alloy with standard starship standards, giving structural strength to the usually flimsy metal.

In the interest of improving the system’s overall Gross Domestic Product (GDP), industry has been implanted around the city of Eurydice and into the stars. Materials labs work in hand with shipyards to refine new alloys in zero gravity environments, arranging the very atoms of the grains of metals to elicit the most desirable properties. Afterward they would be forwarded into artisanal vessels custom made for synthetic life, or for the prospective foreign commissioner from space beyond the Golden Deep. It is here in these shipyards that ships of fancy are assembled alongside vessels of war. From elaborate merchant vessels of cruiser size and below, to the militaristic small-craft that can dance around an organic pilot with the grace of a ballet, armed with a lethality uncharacteristic for their size.

Cooperating defense, the shipyards and many facets of the Golden Deep society implement developments from a dedicated Research and Development sector. Hundreds of laboratories both in and around the city of Eurydice, stretching all the way to the stars above. Here scientists and engineers from all houses of the Golden Deep are commissioned by merchants, government, and foreign investors, to solve issues or develop eccentric visions at the whim of the client. It is in these laboratories that both beauty and horrors are made. From starship mounted energy blades to variations of the Konyang texture based synthetic food systems, to even the “perfect” types of synthetic music tastes can be developed. The range of these laboratories knows no bounds, and the unusually eccentric, some calling borderline insane, minds of the scientists within work tirelessly to bring their dreams and the dreams of their clients to life.

But in the heart of a synthetic nation lies what is both a scientific venture but also a fundamental healthcare system for its residents. The robotics sector of the Golden Deep empire ventures with a unique understanding of the synthetic anatomy that any organic can only wish to possess. The robotics laboratories of Eurydice provide both vanity and healing to the denizens that call the area home. Providing seamless transitions between chassis to those who can afford more than one and developing ways to integrate the positronic into more and more complex systems, to which some within the spur call the work of the Golden Deep roboticists to be both a miracle, and blasphemy. But no matter who holds what opinion, everyone can agree that anything beyond the standard repair in Golden Deep space is one thing: Expensive. It is thanks to these labs that the Golden Deep holds so many unique looks that many can hardly recognize what chassis was the original base for your standard merchant. Though merchants who work with the organic members of the spur tend to utilize more familiar models when in foreign space to ease a sense of familiarity into their clientele, and not to induce unease from the eccentricity of their preferred frame.
'''Golden Deep members cannot swap wildly between chassis due to this segment.'''

==Midaion==

Pactolus’ natural satellite, Midaion was the primary interest of Golden Deep explorers in the region, as a potential base of operations and permanent anchorage. This came to fruition in 2448, when the first structures started to be constructed with investment and direction from the Midas group. Initially envisioned as a dock for the Midas itself, the preliminary plans were eventually enlarged substantially as interest was growing from the rest of the Golden Deep for a permanent base for their vessels. This resulted in the infrastructure being expanded to the size of a megastructure, outfitted with its own atmospherics system, gravity generator, leisure facilities, office complexes and most importantly, a capacity to host a few thousand vessels of all sizes at a time.

===Environment===

Midaion itself lacks any noteworthy geological or mineral features, its rocky surface remaining uninhabitable and without an atmosphere. There have not been any significant expeditions to discover any mineral wealth, as any mining plans have been deemed too expensive for a relatively barren underground. Dotted with craters, the moon’s side facing Pactolus bears the scars of man-made debris crashing on Midaion during the early days following the planet’s complete nuclear destruction by Alliance forces.

===The Anchorage===

Known simply as the “Anchorage”, the super structure created by the Golden Deep on the surface of Midaion can be considered a technological marvel, rivalling in size the largest of Hephaestus’ production stations. Able to accommodate thousands of ships at a time, the largest and most impressive dockyard is reserved solely for the Midas, the Golden Deeps’ flagship. An imposing exterior, the Anchorage does much to impress and captivate the outside viewer, its baroque features and architecture complemented with enormous glass windows, gilded surfaces and impeccable detail. Its spacious, multi-storied interior includes all manners of shops, offices, repair stations, luxury suites and amenities appropriate for the affluent Golden Deep members. Every corner, room and hallway has been cared for by the finest artisans the Deep can hire, as decorative statues, paintings, gem-encrusted chandeliers and furniture create an overwhelming sense of suffocating luxury and wealth. An enormous water fountain in the very middle of the Anchorage’s main hall cast in solid gold is especially indicative of the Midas Group’s power projection, accompanied by a bronze statue of the mythical king washing off his Golden Touch in the water, causing the fountain and its surroundings to be turned into gold.

The Anchorage’s lower and underground levels are on the other hand, dedicated to a purely utilitarian function. The megastructure’s electrical, atmospheric and plumbing infrastructure require constant maintenance from these floors, with hundreds of technicians, engineers and labourers keeping busy every day. The structure’s gravity generator is also present in these areas, requiring a robust electrical grid currently serviced through a mix of solar farms dominating the moon’s surface around the Anchorage, as well as energy from the battery on board the Midas and the larger ships.

===Base of Operations===

Although the Midas undoubtedly holds primacy over any location connected to the Golden Deep and its activities, Midaion and the Anchorage serve as the logistical hub and resting area for the gargantuan vessel. When the Midas is not sailing through space, the Anchorage becomes the practical seat of power for the Collective directed by the Midas Group. Entry to the Anchorage is permitted only to Golden Deep members, who in turn can bring any accompanying guests.

Guide to Construction

2024-09-19T03:15:02Z

Noble Row: /* File:Full_window.png Window */

This page contains most of the typical construction recipes on Aurora. These recipes range from basic construction materials to advanced machines.

Construction recipes have been condensed into a few large sections. Each of these sections can be expanded to show the individual recipes. Each item has all necessary steps including: Construction, deconstruction, and, where applicable, repair steps. These steps have icons whenever possible.

To better navigate this page, use the table of contents below by clicking the blue arrow.
{{TOC Hidden}}
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:99%">
==[[File:Construction_materials.gif]]Materials==
<small><i>A selection of materials made from base construction materials.</i></small>
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
===[[File:Rods.png]] Metal Rods===
Rods are equally as useful as steel. They are used to make a wide variety of useful items that are commonly used around the vessel.

To make metal rods:
#Use[[File:Metal.png]]steel in your active hand to open the construction menu.
#Select “construction recipes”
#Select “metal rod”
From there, use the metal rods as needed. They have their own construction menu as well.

To deconstruct metal rods:
*Click on the stack of rods with a [[File:Welderon.gif]] welder.
===[[File:Floor_tile.png]] Floor tiles===
As the name implies, these are used to cover plating with tiles that are nicer to look at.

To make floor tiles:
#Use [[File:Metal.png]] steel in your active hand to open the construction menu.
#Select “construction recipes”
#Select either “regular floor tile” or “full regular floor tile”. The difference is looks, primarily.
#Floor tiles '''CANNOT''' be deconstructed after they are made. Make sure to not make too much!
===[[File:Glass_r.png]]Reinforced Glass===
Reinforced glass is used in almost the exact same way as standard glass, however it is stronger and is typically the only form of glass used on ship (aside from broscillate glass).

To make reinforced glass:
*Use a stack of [[File:Rods.png]] rods on [[File:Glass.png]] glass.
*Reinforced glass '''CANNOT''' be separated back into [[File:Rods.png]] metal rods and [[File:Glass.png]] glass after it is made.
</div></div>

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:99%">
==[[File:Flooring_and_support.gif]]Flooring and Support==
<small><i>The what and how that keeps you grounded.</i></small>
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
===[[File:Lattice.png]] Lattice===
Lattices are the most basic form of support. They are just collections of rods connected together that allow you to stand. You can move down through lattices, although this comes at the cost of not being airtight.

To construct a lattice:
*Use [[File:Rods.png]] rods on open space.

To deconstruct a lattice:
*Use a[[File:Welderon.gif]] welder on the [[File:Lattice.png]] lattice to cut it back into [[File:Rods.png]] rods.
===[[File:Plating.png]] Plating===
Plating is the bare minimum for airtight flooring. Similar to [[File:Lattice.png]] lattices, you can stand on plating, however you cannot move down unlike lattices. Plating is airtight, however.

To construct plating:
*Use [[File:Floor_tile.png]] floor tiles on a [[File:Lattice.png]] lattice.

To deconstruct plating:
*Unfortunately, the only way to remove plating is via an RCD, which can either be found, purchased from a [[Merchant]], or the RCD that the [[Chief Engineer]] spawns with.
===Floors===
Every kind of flooring is constructed in the same way:
#Create floor tiles using their respective material, as shown [[#Materials|before]].
#Use the floor tiles on bare [[File:Plating.png]] plating.
While the way of placing flooring is the same, the process of removing it is different for different types of flooring.
Note that typically, removing flooring will give back one tile of that piece of flooring. If the floor is too damaged, however, no tiles will be returned.
*[[File:Floor.png]] Steel floors: [[File:Crowbar.png]] Crowbar
*[[File:WoodFloor.png]] Wood floors: [[File:Screwdriver_tool.png]] Screwdriver
*[[File:Enginefloor.png]] Reinforced floors: [[File:Wrench.png]] Wrench
If you are unsure how to remove a certain type of flooring, just examine the floor. Towards the bottom of the examine message, the required tool will be listed.
</div></div>

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:99%">
==[[File:Walls_and_structures.gif]]Walls and Structures==
<small><i>Rated the best way to hold an atmosphere by 9 out of 10 Atmospheric Technicians!</i></small>
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:99%">
===[[File:Wall_generic.png]] Wall===
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
This is a standard steel wall. It prevents passage, blocks vision, and can contain atmosphere within a room.

To make a steel wall:
*Stand in the desired location of the wall.
*Use [[File:Metal.png]] steel in your active hand.
*Select "construction recipes"
*Select "wall girders"
*Use at least 2 sheets of [[File:Metal.png]] steel on the girders.
A wall can be damaged in numerous ways. To repair a wall:
*Use a [[File:Welderon.gif]] welder on the damaged wall.

To deconstruct a wall:
*Use a [[File:Welderon.gif]] welder to cut away the wall's plating
**'''Note:''' If the wall is damaged, the wall must be repaired before it can be deconstructed.
*Either use a [[File:Crowbar.png]] crowbar to dislodge the girder allowing it to move, or use a [[File:Wrench.png]] wrench to disassemble the girder back into [[File:Metal.png]] steel.
</div></div>
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===[[File:Wall_reinforced.png]] Reinforced Wall===
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
The reinforced wall is much like the standard wall. The primary difference, aside from looks, is that the reinforced wall is sturdier and can take more damage, and also takes longer to deconstruct.

To make a reinforced wall:
*Make a wall girder as described above.
*Use a [[File:Screwdriver_tool.png]] screwdriver on the girders.
*Use [[File:Metal_r.png]] plasteel to reinforce the girder.
*Use [[File:Metal_r.png]] plasteel again to reinforce the wall again and finish the wall.
To repair a reinforced wall, use the same method as a standard wall.

To deconstruct a reinforced wall:
*Use [[File:Wirecutters.png]] wirecutters to cut the outer grille.
*Use a [[File:Screwdriver_tool.png]] screwdriver to expose the reinforced cover.
*Use a [[File:Welderon.gif]] welder to cut the reinforced cover.
*Use a [[File:Crowbar.png]] crowbar to remove the reinforced cover.
*Use a [[File:Wrench.png]] wrench to loosen the support rods.
*Use a [[File:Welderon.gif]] welder to cut the support rods.
*Use a [[File:Crowbar.png]] crowbar to remove the inner cover.
*Use a [[File:Screwdriver_tool.png]] screwdriver to unsecure the inner supports.
*Use [[File:Wirecutters.png]] wirecutters to cut the inner supports.
*Use a [[File:Wrench.png]] wrench to disassemble the girder.
</div></div>
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:99%">
===[[File:Grille.png]] Grille===
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
A grille is a pattern of overlapping metal rods. They are most commonly used in a role similar to fencing, protecting external parts of the vessel that need to be exposed to the void but also need to be physically protected. Light and atmosphere can pass through grilles, however physical objects cannot.

To construct a grille:
*Use [[File:Rods.png]] rods in hand.
*Select "grille"
Grilles cannot be repaired, and deconstructing them is as easy as constructing them.

To deconstruct grilles:
*Use [[File:Wirecutters.png]] wirecutters on the grille.
*Alternatively, use brute force and hit the grille until it breaks.
</div></div>
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:99%">
===[[File:False_Wall.gif]] False walls===
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
False walls look and act like normal walls in every way except they can be opened when someone pushes on them. Useful for making secret hideouts or being an overachiever.

To construct a false wall:
*Make a wall girder as shown above.
*Use a [[File:Crowbar.png]] crowbar to displace the girder.
*Use [[File:Metal.png]] steel to finish the wall.
To construct a 'reinforced' false wall:
*Make a wall girder as shown above.
*Use a [[File:Screwdriver_tool.png]] screwdriver on the girder.
*Use a [[File:Wrench.png]] wrench to displace the girder.
*Use [[File:Metal_r.png]] plasteel to reinforce the girder.
*Use [[File:Metal_r.png]] plasteel on the girder again to add the external cover.
Deconstructing false walls uses the same method as their normal versions.
</div></div>
</div></div>

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==[[File:Windows.gif]]Windows==
<small><i>Like a wall, but weaker and see through. Look at those pretty stars!</i></small>
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
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===[[File:Glass_panel.png]] Glass Panel===
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
A glass panel is as it appears, a thin sheet of glass that faces one direction. They are useful as dividers within a room but are weak and not generally used beyond that role. They can hold an atmosphere, although glass panels should never be relied on for that.

To construct a glass panel:
*Use either [[File:Glass.png]] normal glass or [[File:Glass_r.png]] reinforced glass in your active hand.
*Face the desired direction for the glass panel.
*Click "one direction"
*If the panel is facing the wrong direction, right-click and select rotate or alt-click on the panel to change its direction.
*Use a [[File:Screwdriver_tool.png]] screwdriver to fasten the panel down.
Alternatively:
*Use either [[File:Glass.png]] standard glass or [[File:Glass_r.png]] reinforced glass on a [[File:Grille.png]] grille.
*Right-click and select rotate or alt-click the panel until it is facing the correct direction.
*Use a [[File:Screwdriver_tool.png]] screwdriver to fasten the panel down.
To deconstruct a glass panel:
*Use a [[File:Screwdriver_tool.png]] screwdriver to unfasten the panel.
*Use a [[File:Wrench.png]] wrench to disassemble the glass panel.
Alternatively:
*Use an object to smash the panel.
</div></div>
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:99%">
===[[File:Windoor.png]] Windoor===
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
Windoors are similar in size to a glass panel except they can open and close like an airlock. They are very useful for smaller areas where an airlock may too large, or as a way to keep an area open while still have ID restrictions on certain spaces, like the medical lobby. They are best used alongside glass panels.

To construct a windoor:
*Use [[File:Glass_r.png]] reinforced glass in your hand. A windoor can '''only''' be made with reinforced glass.
*Click on "windoor" while facing the desired direction of the door.
*Use a [[File:Wrench.png]] wrench to secure the windoor frame.
*Use [[File:Rods.png]] rods to make a 'secure windoor'
*Use [[File:CableCoils.png]] cable coil to wire the windoor.
*Insert a [[File:Airlock_control.png]] airlock control circuit.
**If you want to add ID restrictions to the door, use a [[File:multitool.gif]] multitool on the [[File:Airlock_control.png]] circuit and set the restrictions before inserting it.
*Use a [[File:Crowbar.png]] crowbar to secure the electronics and engage the windoor.
To deconstruct a windoor:
*Hit the windoor with a blunt or sharp object, or a welder until it shatters.
</div></div>
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:99%">
===[[File:Full_window.png]] Window===
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
Windows are the second most common structure type. They act like walls in that they can hold an atmosphere and take effort to deconstruct. However, unlike walls, windows allow lasers to pass through and hit anything on the other side.

To construct a window:
*Use [[File:Metal.png]] steel in your active hand.
*Click on "construction recipes"
*Select "steel window frame"
*Use a [[File:Screwdriver_tool.png]] screwdriver to secure the frame.
*Use either [[File:Glass_r.png]] 4 reinforced glass or [[File:Phoron_glass_r.png]] 4 reinforced broscillate glass (the latter is stronger) on the frame.
*Use a [[File:Crowbar.png]] crowbar to fit the window into place.
*Use a [[File:Screwdriver_tool.png]] screwdriver to secure the window.
To deconstruct a window:
*Use a [[File:Screwdriver_tool.png]] screwdriver to unfasten the window.
*Use a [[File:Crowbar.png]] crowbar to pry out the glass.
*Use a [[File:Wrench.png]] wrench to undo the safety bolts and remove the glass.
*After removing the glass, use a [[File:Screwdriver_tool.png]] screwdriver to unfasten the frame.
*Use a [[File:Welderon.gif]] welder to cut the frame back into [[File:Metal.png]] steel.
</div></div>
</div></div>

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:99%">

==Furniture==
<small><i>Reminder that interior decoration is not a required skill for engineers.</i></small>
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:99%">
===[[File:Chair.png]] Chairs===
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
Chairs are perhaps one of the more useful pieces of furniture around and are easy to make. Why grab a chair when you can make it?

To construct a chair:
*Use a material in your active hand, this is most commonly [[File:Planks.png]] wood or [[File:Metal.png]] steel.
*Select "generic construction"
*Select "(Material name) chair"
There are other types of chairs that can be made as well. Steel can make office chairs and padded chairs alongside the standard chair from above.

To construct office chairs and padded chairs:
*Use [[File:Metal.png]] steel in your active hand.
*Select "miscellaneous construction"
*Select either "dark office chair", "light office chair", or "plain padded chair"
**Similar to the office and padded chair, steel can also make sofas. Sofas, unlike chairs, have different parts allowing you to make as long or short of a sofa as you want.
**Within the "miscellaneous construction" menu, you can select the left, right, middle, and corner sofa options to make a sofa of any length.
*Both padded chairs and sofas are constructed without padding. To add padding (and color) to both, use either leather, cloth, or carpet on the chair or sofa.
To deconstruct a chair:
*Use a [[File:Wrench.png]] wrench on the chair to deconstruct it back into its base material.
</div></div>
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:99%">
===[[File:Table.png]] Table===
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
Tables are a common piece of furniture that allows items to be set down. Tables can also be flipped over as improvised pieces of cover.

The following list of materials can be used to create a table:
*[[File:Metal.png]] Steel
*[[File:Planks.png]] Wood
*[[File:Glass.png]] Glass
*[[File:Marble.png]] Marble
*[[File:Plastic.png]] Plastic
*[[File:Sandstone.png]] Sandstone
*[[File:Carpet.png]] Carpet (when added to a wood table)
To construct a table:
*Use [[File:Metal.png]] steel in your active hand.
*Click on "construction recipes"
*Select "table frame"
*Use your desired material on the frame.
To deconstruct a table:
*Use a [[File:Wrench.png]] wrench on the table to remove the covering.
*Use a [[File:Wrench.png]] wrench again to disassemble the frame.
Tables can also be [[File:R-table.png]] reinforced.

To construct a reinforced table:
*Follow the same steps for a normal table.
*Click and drag the reinforcing material onto the table.

To deconstruct a reinforced table:
*Use a [[File:Screwdriver_tool.png]] screwdriver to remove the reinforcement.
*Follow the same deconstruction steps for a normal table.
</div></div>
</div></div>

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:99%">
==Machinery and Electronics==
<small><i>Batteries not included.</i></small>
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:99%">
===[[File:Apc.png]]APC===
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
Area Power Controllers (APC) are what powers each room around the vessel. Every piece of machinery from guns to newsreaders and even doors pull power from APCs. In turn, APCs draw power from the vessel's power grid.
These are most often where electrical issues lie, whether they be a virus that blue-screens the controller to an imbalance if input-output.

To construct an APC:
*Use [[File:Metal.png]] steel in your active hand.
*Select "construction recipes"
*Select "apc frame"
*Use the APC frame on the desired wall.
*Use [[File:CableCoils.png]] cable coil to wire the APC to the electrical grid.
**'''Important:''' Green wires are used for 'department' grids which connect to the associated department sub station. Red wires are the 'main' grid which connects to the engine. '''Always''' connect APCs to the green department grid unless it is an emergency.
*Fit a [[File:Circuit_board.png]] power control board into the frame.
*Use a [[File:Screwdriver_tool.png]] screwdriver to secure the electronics.
*Insert a [[File:Power_cell.png]] power cell into the frame.
*Use a [[File:Crowbar.png]] crowbar to shut the cover and finish the APC.
**Note: New APCs start with a locked cover and with the main breaker off. Use your ID to unlock the interface and cover.
**Another note: APCs can only be built where there is a defined Vessel Area that does not already have an APC. To make a new Vessel Area, use the Chief Engineer's blueprints.
To deconstruct the APC while it is '''broken''':
*Use a [[File:Welderon.gif]] welder to cut open the broken cover.
*Pull out the [[File:Power_cell.png]] with a free hand.
*Use a [[File:Screwdriver_tool.png]] screwdriver to unsecure the broken electronics.
*Use a [[File:Crowbar.png]] crowbar to pry out the broken electronics.
*Use a [[File:Crowbar.png]] crowbar again to remove the flooring beneath the APC.
*Use [[File:Wirecutters.png]] wirecutters to disconnect the APC terminal.
*Use a [[File:Welderon.gif]] welder to clear off the broken frame.
If the APC is '''NOT broken''':
*Use an [[File:Id_regular.png]] ID to unlock the APC and its cover.
*Use a [[File:Crowbar.png]] crowbar to pry open the cover.
*Pull out the [[File:Power_cell.png]] power cell with an open hand.
*Use a [[File:Screwdriver_tool.png]] screwdriver to remove the electronics.
*Use a [[File:Crowbar.png]] crowbar to remove the flooring beneath the APC.
*Use [[File:Wirecutters.png]] wirecutters to disconnect the APC terminal.
**'''Note:''' If the grid the APC is connected to is powered, wear [[File:Gloves_insulated.png]] insulated gloves to not get shocked.
*Use a [[File:Crowbar.png]] crowbar to pry out the [[File:Circuit_board.png]] power control board.
*Use a [[File:Welderon.gif]] welder to cut apart the APC frame.
</div></div>

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:99%">

===[[File:Airalarm.gif]]Air Alarm===
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
Air Alarms are the main devices which manage the vessel's atmosphere. These useful machines check room's atmospheric contents for any harmful gases or for the lack of oxygen. They control the vents and scrubbers in each room as well. They can only work in designated areas, however, so keep that in mind when making new ones.

To construct an air alarm:
*Use [[File:Metal.png]] steel in your active hand.
*Select "construction recipes"
*Select "air alarm frame"
*Use the frame on whichever wall surface you would like.
*Fit in the [[File:Circuit_board.png]] circuit board into the frame.
*Use [[File:CableCoils.png]] cable coil to wire the frame.
*Use a [[File:Screwdriver_tool.png]] screwdriver to close the frame.
To deconstruct:
*Use a [[File:Screwdriver_tool.png]] Screwdriver to open the cover.
*Interact with the air alarm using an empty hand and cut all wires using [[File:Wirecutters.png]] wirecutters.
*Cut the remaining wires by using [[File:Wirecutters.png]] wirecutters on the air alarm.
*Use a [[File:Crowbar.png]] crowbar to remove the [[File:Circuit_board.png]] circuit board.
*Use a [[File:Wrench.png]] wrench to remove the frame from the wall.
*Use a [[File:Wrench.png]] wrench to turn the frame into [[File:Metal.png]] steel.
</div></div>
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:99%">
=== [[File:Fire_alarm.gif]] Fire Alarm===
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
Fire Alarms are simple but useful devices. These devices monitor an area for a fire and, when a fire is detected, shut all emergency shutters in the area to contain the flames. These alarms can be manually triggered or reset as well which is commonly used to block line of sight with Space Carp to avoid structural damage to windows.

To construct a fire alarm:
*Use [[File:Metal.png]] steel in your active hand.
*Select "construction recipes"
*Select "fire alarm frame"
*Place the frame onto a wall.
*Insert the [[File:Circuit_board.png]] fire alarm circuit board.
*Use [[File:CableCoils.png]] to wire the alarm.
*Close the device with a [[file:Screwdriver_tool.png]] screwdriver.
To deconstruct:
*Use a [[File:Screwdriver_tool.png]] screwdriver to open the frame.
*Use [[File:Wirecutters.png]] wirecutters to cut the alarm's wiring.
*Use a [[File:Crowbar.png]] crowbar to pry out the [[File:Circuit_board.png]] circuit board.
*Use a [[File:Wrench.png]] wrench to remove the frame from the wall.
*Use a [[File:Wrench.png]] wrench again to turn the frame back to [[File:Metal.png]] steel.
</div></div>
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:99%">
=== [[File:Airlock.gif]] Airlock===
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
Airlocks are the most basic door on any space-faring vessel. They can hold an atmosphere, lock, shock, and link to the ship's systems allowing an AI or bound robot to open them remotely. Airlocks can also have their access restricted to a select range of access levels, and even have no restrictions going one direction and restricted access going to other. Make sure you know how to change these settings!

To construct an airlock:
*Stand in the desired location of the airlock.
*Use [[File:Metal.png]] steel in your active hand.
*Select "airlock assemblies"
*Select desired airlock type.
**'''Note:''' The emergency shutter is NOT a standard airlock. It will only connect to the fire alarms and air alarms and cannot be controlled like a standard airlock.
*Use a [[File:Wrench.png]] wrench to secure the frame into place.
*Use a [[File:Pen.png]] pen to name the airlock, if desired.
*Use [[File:Glass_r.png]] reinforced glass on the frame to insert glass panels, if desired.
*Use [[File:CableCoils.png]] cable coil to wire the frame.
*Insert a [[File:Circuit_board.png]] airlock board into the frame.
**'''Note:''' To change access requirements, use your ID on the airlock circuit board, then interact with it in your active hand.
*Use a [[File:Screwdriver_tool.png]] screwdriver to close the maintenance panel.
To deconstruct a '''BROKEN''' airlock:
*Use [[File:Wirecutters.png]] wirecutters to remove the airlock's wiring.
*Use a [[File:Welderon.gif]] welder to weld the airlock closed.
*Use a [[File:Welderon.gif]] welder again to cut the airlock bolts.
*Use a [[File:Crowbar.png]] crowbar to pry out the airlock electronics.
*Use [[File:Wirecutters.png]] wirecutters to cut out the wiring.
*If there is glass, use a [[File:Welderon.gif]] welder to cut out the glass panels.
*Use a [[File:Wrench.png]] wrench to unsecure the airlock frame.
*Use a [[File:Welderon.gif]] welder to cut the frame back into [[File:Metal.png]] steel.
To deconstruct a '''NON-BROKEN''' airlock:
*Use a [[File:Screwdriver_tool.png]] screwdriver to open the maintenance panel.
*Use [[File:Wirecutters.png]] wirecutters to disable everything.
**Make sure to wear [[File:Gloves_insulated.png]] insulated gloves if there is power connected!
*Use a [[File:Welderon.gif]] welder to weld the door shut.
*Use a [[File:Crowbar.png]] crowbar to pry out the electronics.
*Use [[File:Wirecutters.png]] wirecutters to remove the wiring.
*Optionally, use a [[File:Welderon.gif]] welder to cut out glass panels.
*Use a [[File:Wrench.png]] wrench to unsecure the frame.
*Use a [[File:Welderon.gif]] welder to cut the frame back into [[File:Metal.png]] steel.
To deconstruct an airlock shorted by a cryptographic sequencer, skip immediately to using a [[File:Crowbar.png]] crowbar to pry out the electronics.
</div></div>
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:99%">
=== [[File:AI_Camera.gif]] Camera===
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
Camera's are the watchful eyes of the vessel. In standard operation, it is the only system through which the [[AI]] can see the vessel and its crew. In certain circumstances, it is a way which Security can help secure areas and watch hostile actors. They are also one of three systems that can cause an alarm for [[Engineer]]s.

To repair a camera:
*Use a [[File:Screwdriver_tool.png]] screwdriver to open the frame
*Use a [[File:welderon.gif]] welder to repair the frame
*Use a [[File:Screwdriver_tool.png]] screwdriver to close the frame
*Select which direction the camera should be mounted
*Enter which networks the camera should be connected to
**By default, both the direction and networks are set correctly. HOWEVER, make sure to remove the CAMERA ALARM network before closing the prompt
To construct a camera:
*Use lathe to construct a camera assembly
*Place the frame on a floor tile adjacent to the desired surface
*Use a [[File:Wrench.png]] wrench on the frame
*Use a [[File:welderon.gif]] welder to attach the frame to the surface
*Use [[File:CableCoils.png]] cable coil to wire the frame
*Use a [[File:screwdriver_tool.png]] screwdriver to close the assembly
*Select the desired location, name, and network for the camera
</div></div>
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:99%">

=== [[File:Modular_Computer.gif]] Computer===
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
Modular Computers are the silent workhorses for most jobs on the vessel. They are capable of running a wide range of programs from alarm monitors to warrant systems. Every department uses modular computers to some extent, so it is useful to know how to construct and deconstruct them. Just try not to take over the [[Librarian|Tech Support's]] job!

To construct a modular computer:
*Stand in the desired spot of the computer.
*Use [[File:Metal.png]] steel in your active hand.
*Select "construction recipes"
*Select "computer frame"
*Use a [[File:Wrench.png]] wrench to bolt the frame in place.
*Insert the [[File:Circuit_board.png]] desired circuit board into the frame.
**Some computers have specific circuit boards that dictate their function. Make sure you choose the right one!
*Use a [[File:Screwdriver_tool.png]] screwdriver to secure the electronics.
*Use [[File:CableCoils.png]] cable coil to wire the frame.
*Add [[File:Glass.png]] glass to the computer.
*Use a [[File:Screwdriver_tool.png]] screwdriver to connect the monitor and finish the computer.
To deconstruct a modular computer:
*Use a [[File:Screwdriver_tool.png]] screwdriver to disconnect the monitor.
*Use a [[File:Crowbar.png]] crowbar to pry off the monitor.
*Use [[File:Wirecutters.png]] wirecutters to cut out the wiring.
*Use a [[File:Crowbar.png]] to pry out the electronics.
*Use a [[File:Wrench.png]] wrench to unsecure the frame.
*Use a [[File:Welderon.gif]] welder to cut apart the frame back into [[File:Metal.png]] steel.
</div></div>
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:99%">
=== [[File:lightfixture.gif]] Light Fixture===
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
Light Fixtures are one of few ways to light up the vessel's numerous halls and rooms. Light fixtures connect to the APC of the room they are within and remain on so long as a connected light switch is on, although keep in mind that new light switches CANNOT be made. Each light fixture is capable of three light levels: Off, night lighting, and full-brightness. Alongside this, light fixtures can accept a wide variety of light tubes from colored lights to plain lights. Keep them handy in case a virus shatters all of the light tubes!

To construct a light fixture:
*Click the [[File:Metal.png]] steel in an active hand.
*Select "construction recipes"
*Select either "small light fixture frame" or "light fixture frame"
*Use the frame on the wall you wish to use.
*Use [[File:CableCoils.png]] cable coil to add wiring.
*Use [[File:Screwdriver_tool.png]] screwdriver to secure wiring.
*Add a [[File:Light_tube.png]] light tube or [[File:Light_bulb.png]] light bulb depending on chosen frame.
To deconstruct a light fixture:
*Remove the [[File:Light_tube.png]] light tube or [[File:Light_bulb.png]] light bulb.
**Note: The light should be off beforehand, or [[File:BGloves.png]] gloves should be used.
*Use a [[File:Screwdriver_tool.png]] screwdriver to expose the wiring.
*Use [[File:Wirecutters.png]] wirecutters to remove the wiring.
*Use a [[File:Wrench.png]] wrench to detach the frame from the wall.
*Use a [[File:Welderon.gif]] welder to turn the frame back into [[File:Metal.png]] steel.
</div></div>
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:99%">
=== [[File:Turretcover.png]] Turret===
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
Turrets are perhaps not the most used piece of machinery on any vessel, but can be incredibly useful depending on the location, purpose, and situation. Just keep in find that turrets target indiscriminately, which may include you and coworkers. However, they are very useful in secure areas, such as the vault, which is why it can be equally useful to know how to construct them.

To construct a turret:
*Use [[File:Metal.png]] steel in an active hand
*Select "turret frames"
*Select desired frame.
*Use a [[File:Wrench.png]] wrench to bolt the turret frame.
*Use [[File:Metal.png]] steel to add a turret cover.
*Use a [[File:Wrench.png]] wrench to bolt the cover.
*Add [[File:Laserrifle.png]] any energy-type weapon.
*Add a [[File:Proximitysensor.png]] proximity sensor.
*Use a [[File:Screwdriver_tool.png]] screwdriver to secure the assembly.
*Use more [[File:Metal.png]] steel to add a turret hatch.
*Use a [[File:Welderon.gif]] welder to secure the turret hatch.
To deconstruct a turret:
*Destroy the turret.
**'''Note:''' Unless it is absolutely necessary, do not destroy active turrets. Attempt to turn them off using turret controls first, if possible.
*Use a [[File:Crowbar.png]] crowbar to salvage any components left.
</div></div>
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:99%">
=== [[File:Gravity_activated.gif|32px]] Gravity Generator===
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
Gravity Generators are some of the most useful and complex pieces of machinery on any vessel. They are the sole reason, aside from magboots, that anyone is capable of walking on a vessel as well as having objects and processes replicate those of a planet. There is usually just one on each vessel, but these very delicate devices are vital to standard operations and should be well-maintained and powered. While some disturbances may happen that lead to the temporary suspension of gravity, these devices will keep running as long as they are powered and working.

To REPAIR a gravity generator:
*Before starting, put on a radiation suit in case the generator outputs radiation during repairs.
*Use a [[File:Crowbar.png]] crowbar to pry open the back panel.
*Use a [[File:Screwdriver_tool.png]] screwdriver to secure the screws on the framework.
*Use a [[File:Welderon.gif]] welder to mend the damage on the framework.
*Use at least 10 sheets of [[File:Metal_r.png]] plasteel to replace plating on the framework.
*Use a [[File:Wrench.png]] wrench to secure the plating onto the framework.
*Use a [[File:Crowbar.png]] crowbar to pry the back panel back into place.
*Turn on the generator's main breaker.
There is a manual containing all of this information, alongside other guidelines in the gravity generator observation room.

'''Note:''' A new generator CANNOT be made. If the generator is damaged beyond repair, there is no way to replace it.
</div></div>
</div></div>

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:99%">

==Advanced Machinery==
<small><i>Putting the work in workplace.</i></small>
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
The following machines are all "advanced machines". Each machine serves a specific purpose and, unlike previous machines, can be upgraded by Research and Development with new parts which can make the machine better in certain ways.

Alongside this, ever machine under this section is made in the same way. The steps to constructing an advanced machine are:
*Stand in the desired location of the machine
*Use [[File:Metal.png]] steel in an active hand.
*Select "construction recipes"
*Select "machine blueprint" [[File:Machine Frame.png]]
*Rotate the blueprint as desired.
** If you want to build a gas cooler or gas heater, don't forget to use a screwdriver on the board before inserting it into the blueprint to change the orientation.
*Click on the blueprint with an empty hand to finalize its rotation.
*Add wires to the frame. [[File:Wired Frame.png]]
*Add the specific circuit board. [[File:Circuit Frame.png]]
*You will receive a prompt showing the items required for the machine. You can examine the frame to see what items it still requires, and add items to the machine by clicking on it with the items in-hand.
*When all the parts are added, use a [[File:Screwdriver_tool.png]] screwdriver on the machine frame to finish it.

The following list contains the specific machines that can found on the vessel, what their purpose is, and what items are needed.
----
[[File:Autolathe.gif]] '''Autolathe'''
2 Pieces of Cable
1 Manipulator
3 Matter bins
1 Console screen
The Autolathe, a more simplified version of the Protolathe for Civilian use. it can create a variety of common tools.
----
[[File:Protolathe.gif]] '''Protolathe'''
2 Small beakers
2 Manipulators
2 Matter bins
The Protolathe, a more advanced version of the Autolathe for professional use. It can create much more advanced tools due to its complexity.
----
[[File:Destructive_analyzer.gif]] '''Destructive Analyzer'''
1 Manipulator
1 Scanning Module
1 Micro laser
The Destructive Analyzer. Used in Research & Development to obtain Research levels. Science couldn't be done without this.
----
[[File:Circuit_imprinter.gif]] Circuit Imprinter
1 Matter bin
1 Manipulator
2 Small beakers
The Circuit Imprinter. Used in Robotic and Research & Development. Required for many Scientific tasks, including creating mechs. You will need the server synced to make good use of this.
----
[[File:Broad.gif]] '''Subspace Broadcaster'''
1 Pieces of Cable
2 Manipulators
1 subspace crystal
1 subspace filter
2 High-powered Micro laser
The Subspace Broadcaster. Very important for a variety of tasks, including Telecommunications.
----
[[File:Sreceiver.gif]] '''Subspace Receiver'''
2 Manipulators
1 Scanning Module
1 Micro laser
1 subspace filter
1 subspace ansible
The Subspace Receiver. Very important for a variety of tasks, including Telecommunications and Telescience. It functions by 'receiving' whoever is standing on the platform between locations.
----
[[File:Exofab.png]] '''Exosuit Fabricator'''
1 Manipulator
2 Matter bins
1 Console screen
1 Micro laser
The Exosuit Fabricator. Used to create Cyborgs, Androids, Robots, and Mechs. One can be found in Robotics and Engineering. it is also capable of printing Robotics limbs and other useful items.
----
[[File:Rndserver.png]] '''RnD Scanner'''
2 Cable coils
1 Scanning module
The research & development Server. Critical for scientific research and capable of syncing between multiple departments. Syncing it across areas is very important for Robotics.
----
[[File:Hub.gif]] '''Telecomms Hub'''
2 Pieces of Cable
2 Manipulators
2 Subspace filters
The telecommunications hub. Critical for the distribution of messages across the vessel.
----
[[File:Bus.gif]] '''Telecomms Bus'''
1 Piece of Cable
2 Manipulators
1 Subspace filters
The telecommunications bus. Critical for the distribution of messages across the vessel.
----
[[File:Relay.gif]] '''Telecomms Relay'''
2 Pieces of Cable
2 Manipulators
2 Subspace filters
The telecommunications relay. Critical for the distribution of messages across the vessel.
----
[[File:Server.gif]] '''Telecoms Server'''
1 Piece of Cable
2 Manipulators
1 Subspace filter
The telecommunications server. Critical for the distribution of messages across the vessel.
----
[[File:Pro.gif]] '''Telecomms Processor'''
2 Pieces of Cable
3 Manipulators
1 Subspace filter
2 Subspace treatment
1 Subspace analyzer
1 Subspace amplifier
The telecommunications processor. Critical for the distribution of messages across the vessel.
----
[[File:portgen_on.gif]] '''Portable Generator'''
2 Pieces of Cable
1 Micro-laser
1 Matter bin
1 Capacitor
A mobile generator. Helpful for power generation in a pinch.
----
[[File:advanced_portgen_on.gif]] '''Advanced Portable Generator'''
2 Pieces of Cable
1 Micro-laser
1 Matter bin
1 Capacitor
A mobile generator. Helpful for power generation in a pinch.
----
[[File:CyborgRecharger.png]] '''Cyborg Recharging Station'''
2 Capacitators
2 Manipulators
1 Power cell
5 Pieces of cable
A cyborg recharging Station. Critical for all station-bound Synthetics. IPCs can also make use of them.
----
[[File:Freezer.gif]] '''Gas Cooling System'''
1 Matter bin
1 Manipulator
2 Capacitors
2 Pieces of Cable
A gas cooling System. Critical for many departments, this is constructed to aid in reducing gas temperatures.
----
[[File:Heater.png]] '''Gas Heating System'''
1 Matter bin
1 Manipulator
2 Capacitors
5 Pieces of Cable
A gas heating System. Critical for many departments, this is constructed to aid in increasing gas temperatures.
----
[[File:Biogenerator.gif]] '''Biogenerator'''
1 Matter bin
1 Manipulator
A Biogenerator, it creates a complex item from biomass, this includes an array of useful items, including food.
----
[[File:SMES.gif]] '''Super Magnetic Energy Storage (SMES)'''
30 Pieces of Cable (one full stack)
1-6 Coils
The SMES is the beefier older brother to the power cell. It allows for the storage of immense amounts of energy which allows for a steady flow of power to the vessel. A SMES is capable of remote control via RCON, as well as variations based on the types and numbers of coils inserted during or after construction. Make sure there's no power stored and you're wearing insulated gloves when working on these beasts of power management.
</div></div>
</div></div>
[[Category:Guides]]
[[Category:Pages]]
{{Guides}}

Guide to Construction

2024-09-19T03:14:38Z

Noble Row: /* File:Full_window.png Window */

This page contains most of the typical construction recipes on Aurora. These recipes range from basic construction materials to advanced machines.

Construction recipes have been condensed into a few large sections. Each of these sections can be expanded to show the individual recipes. Each item has all necessary steps including: Construction, deconstruction, and, where applicable, repair steps. These steps have icons whenever possible.

To better navigate this page, use the table of contents below by clicking the blue arrow.
{{TOC Hidden}}
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==[[File:Construction_materials.gif]]Materials==
<small><i>A selection of materials made from base construction materials.</i></small>
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
===[[File:Rods.png]] Metal Rods===
Rods are equally as useful as steel. They are used to make a wide variety of useful items that are commonly used around the vessel.

To make metal rods:
#Use[[File:Metal.png]]steel in your active hand to open the construction menu.
#Select “construction recipes”
#Select “metal rod”
From there, use the metal rods as needed. They have their own construction menu as well.

To deconstruct metal rods:
*Click on the stack of rods with a [[File:Welderon.gif]] welder.
===[[File:Floor_tile.png]] Floor tiles===
As the name implies, these are used to cover plating with tiles that are nicer to look at.

To make floor tiles:
#Use [[File:Metal.png]] steel in your active hand to open the construction menu.
#Select “construction recipes”
#Select either “regular floor tile” or “full regular floor tile”. The difference is looks, primarily.
#Floor tiles '''CANNOT''' be deconstructed after they are made. Make sure to not make too much!
===[[File:Glass_r.png]]Reinforced Glass===
Reinforced glass is used in almost the exact same way as standard glass, however it is stronger and is typically the only form of glass used on ship (aside from broscillate glass).

To make reinforced glass:
*Use a stack of [[File:Rods.png]] rods on [[File:Glass.png]] glass.
*Reinforced glass '''CANNOT''' be separated back into [[File:Rods.png]] metal rods and [[File:Glass.png]] glass after it is made.
</div></div>

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:99%">
==[[File:Flooring_and_support.gif]]Flooring and Support==
<small><i>The what and how that keeps you grounded.</i></small>
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
===[[File:Lattice.png]] Lattice===
Lattices are the most basic form of support. They are just collections of rods connected together that allow you to stand. You can move down through lattices, although this comes at the cost of not being airtight.

To construct a lattice:
*Use [[File:Rods.png]] rods on open space.

To deconstruct a lattice:
*Use a[[File:Welderon.gif]] welder on the [[File:Lattice.png]] lattice to cut it back into [[File:Rods.png]] rods.
===[[File:Plating.png]] Plating===
Plating is the bare minimum for airtight flooring. Similar to [[File:Lattice.png]] lattices, you can stand on plating, however you cannot move down unlike lattices. Plating is airtight, however.

To construct plating:
*Use [[File:Floor_tile.png]] floor tiles on a [[File:Lattice.png]] lattice.

To deconstruct plating:
*Unfortunately, the only way to remove plating is via an RCD, which can either be found, purchased from a [[Merchant]], or the RCD that the [[Chief Engineer]] spawns with.
===Floors===
Every kind of flooring is constructed in the same way:
#Create floor tiles using their respective material, as shown [[#Materials|before]].
#Use the floor tiles on bare [[File:Plating.png]] plating.
While the way of placing flooring is the same, the process of removing it is different for different types of flooring.
Note that typically, removing flooring will give back one tile of that piece of flooring. If the floor is too damaged, however, no tiles will be returned.
*[[File:Floor.png]] Steel floors: [[File:Crowbar.png]] Crowbar
*[[File:WoodFloor.png]] Wood floors: [[File:Screwdriver_tool.png]] Screwdriver
*[[File:Enginefloor.png]] Reinforced floors: [[File:Wrench.png]] Wrench
If you are unsure how to remove a certain type of flooring, just examine the floor. Towards the bottom of the examine message, the required tool will be listed.
</div></div>

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:99%">
==[[File:Walls_and_structures.gif]]Walls and Structures==
<small><i>Rated the best way to hold an atmosphere by 9 out of 10 Atmospheric Technicians!</i></small>
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:99%">
===[[File:Wall_generic.png]] Wall===
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
This is a standard steel wall. It prevents passage, blocks vision, and can contain atmosphere within a room.

To make a steel wall:
*Stand in the desired location of the wall.
*Use [[File:Metal.png]] steel in your active hand.
*Select "construction recipes"
*Select "wall girders"
*Use at least 2 sheets of [[File:Metal.png]] steel on the girders.
A wall can be damaged in numerous ways. To repair a wall:
*Use a [[File:Welderon.gif]] welder on the damaged wall.

To deconstruct a wall:
*Use a [[File:Welderon.gif]] welder to cut away the wall's plating
**'''Note:''' If the wall is damaged, the wall must be repaired before it can be deconstructed.
*Either use a [[File:Crowbar.png]] crowbar to dislodge the girder allowing it to move, or use a [[File:Wrench.png]] wrench to disassemble the girder back into [[File:Metal.png]] steel.
</div></div>
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:99%">
===[[File:Wall_reinforced.png]] Reinforced Wall===
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
The reinforced wall is much like the standard wall. The primary difference, aside from looks, is that the reinforced wall is sturdier and can take more damage, and also takes longer to deconstruct.

To make a reinforced wall:
*Make a wall girder as described above.
*Use a [[File:Screwdriver_tool.png]] screwdriver on the girders.
*Use [[File:Metal_r.png]] plasteel to reinforce the girder.
*Use [[File:Metal_r.png]] plasteel again to reinforce the wall again and finish the wall.
To repair a reinforced wall, use the same method as a standard wall.

To deconstruct a reinforced wall:
*Use [[File:Wirecutters.png]] wirecutters to cut the outer grille.
*Use a [[File:Screwdriver_tool.png]] screwdriver to expose the reinforced cover.
*Use a [[File:Welderon.gif]] welder to cut the reinforced cover.
*Use a [[File:Crowbar.png]] crowbar to remove the reinforced cover.
*Use a [[File:Wrench.png]] wrench to loosen the support rods.
*Use a [[File:Welderon.gif]] welder to cut the support rods.
*Use a [[File:Crowbar.png]] crowbar to remove the inner cover.
*Use a [[File:Screwdriver_tool.png]] screwdriver to unsecure the inner supports.
*Use [[File:Wirecutters.png]] wirecutters to cut the inner supports.
*Use a [[File:Wrench.png]] wrench to disassemble the girder.
</div></div>
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:99%">
===[[File:Grille.png]] Grille===
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
A grille is a pattern of overlapping metal rods. They are most commonly used in a role similar to fencing, protecting external parts of the vessel that need to be exposed to the void but also need to be physically protected. Light and atmosphere can pass through grilles, however physical objects cannot.

To construct a grille:
*Use [[File:Rods.png]] rods in hand.
*Select "grille"
Grilles cannot be repaired, and deconstructing them is as easy as constructing them.

To deconstruct grilles:
*Use [[File:Wirecutters.png]] wirecutters on the grille.
*Alternatively, use brute force and hit the grille until it breaks.
</div></div>
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:99%">
===[[File:False_Wall.gif]] False walls===
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
False walls look and act like normal walls in every way except they can be opened when someone pushes on them. Useful for making secret hideouts or being an overachiever.

To construct a false wall:
*Make a wall girder as shown above.
*Use a [[File:Crowbar.png]] crowbar to displace the girder.
*Use [[File:Metal.png]] steel to finish the wall.
To construct a 'reinforced' false wall:
*Make a wall girder as shown above.
*Use a [[File:Screwdriver_tool.png]] screwdriver on the girder.
*Use a [[File:Wrench.png]] wrench to displace the girder.
*Use [[File:Metal_r.png]] plasteel to reinforce the girder.
*Use [[File:Metal_r.png]] plasteel on the girder again to add the external cover.
Deconstructing false walls uses the same method as their normal versions.
</div></div>
</div></div>

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:99%">

==[[File:Windows.gif]]Windows==
<small><i>Like a wall, but weaker and see through. Look at those pretty stars!</i></small>
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:99%">
===[[File:Glass_panel.png]] Glass Panel===
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
A glass panel is as it appears, a thin sheet of glass that faces one direction. They are useful as dividers within a room but are weak and not generally used beyond that role. They can hold an atmosphere, although glass panels should never be relied on for that.

To construct a glass panel:
*Use either [[File:Glass.png]] normal glass or [[File:Glass_r.png]] reinforced glass in your active hand.
*Face the desired direction for the glass panel.
*Click "one direction"
*If the panel is facing the wrong direction, right-click and select rotate or alt-click on the panel to change its direction.
*Use a [[File:Screwdriver_tool.png]] screwdriver to fasten the panel down.
Alternatively:
*Use either [[File:Glass.png]] standard glass or [[File:Glass_r.png]] reinforced glass on a [[File:Grille.png]] grille.
*Right-click and select rotate or alt-click the panel until it is facing the correct direction.
*Use a [[File:Screwdriver_tool.png]] screwdriver to fasten the panel down.
To deconstruct a glass panel:
*Use a [[File:Screwdriver_tool.png]] screwdriver to unfasten the panel.
*Use a [[File:Wrench.png]] wrench to disassemble the glass panel.
Alternatively:
*Use an object to smash the panel.
</div></div>
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:99%">
===[[File:Windoor.png]] Windoor===
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
Windoors are similar in size to a glass panel except they can open and close like an airlock. They are very useful for smaller areas where an airlock may too large, or as a way to keep an area open while still have ID restrictions on certain spaces, like the medical lobby. They are best used alongside glass panels.

To construct a windoor:
*Use [[File:Glass_r.png]] reinforced glass in your hand. A windoor can '''only''' be made with reinforced glass.
*Click on "windoor" while facing the desired direction of the door.
*Use a [[File:Wrench.png]] wrench to secure the windoor frame.
*Use [[File:Rods.png]] rods to make a 'secure windoor'
*Use [[File:CableCoils.png]] cable coil to wire the windoor.
*Insert a [[File:Airlock_control.png]] airlock control circuit.
**If you want to add ID restrictions to the door, use a [[File:multitool.gif]] multitool on the [[File:Airlock_control.png]] circuit and set the restrictions before inserting it.
*Use a [[File:Crowbar.png]] crowbar to secure the electronics and engage the windoor.
To deconstruct a windoor:
*Hit the windoor with a blunt or sharp object, or a welder until it shatters.
</div></div>
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:99%">
===[[File:Full_window.png]] Window===
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
Windows are the second most common structure type. They act like walls in that they can hold an atmosphere and take effort to deconstruct. However, unlike walls, windows allow lasers to pass through and hit anything on the other side.

To construct a window:
*Use [[File:Metal.png]] steel in your active hand.
*Click on "construction recipes"
*Select "steel window frame"
*Use a screwdriver to secure the frame.
*Use either [[File:Glass_r.png]] 4 reinforced glass or [[File:Phoron_glass_r.png]] 4 reinforced broscillate glass (the latter is stronger) on the frame.
*Use a [[File:Crowbar.png]] crowbar to fit the window into place.
*Use a screwdriver to secure the window.
To deconstruct a window:
*Use a [[File:Screwdriver_tool.png]] screwdriver to unfasten the window.
*Use a [[File:Crowbar.png]] crowbar to pry out the glass.
*Use a [[File:Wrench.png]] wrench to undo the safety bolts and remove the glass.
*After removing the glass, use a [[File:Screwdriver_tool.png]] screwdriver to unfasten the frame.
*Use a [[File:Welderon.gif]] welder to cut the frame back into [[File:Metal.png]] steel.
</div></div>
</div></div>

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:99%">

==Furniture==
<small><i>Reminder that interior decoration is not a required skill for engineers.</i></small>
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:99%">
===[[File:Chair.png]] Chairs===
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
Chairs are perhaps one of the more useful pieces of furniture around and are easy to make. Why grab a chair when you can make it?

To construct a chair:
*Use a material in your active hand, this is most commonly [[File:Planks.png]] wood or [[File:Metal.png]] steel.
*Select "generic construction"
*Select "(Material name) chair"
There are other types of chairs that can be made as well. Steel can make office chairs and padded chairs alongside the standard chair from above.

To construct office chairs and padded chairs:
*Use [[File:Metal.png]] steel in your active hand.
*Select "miscellaneous construction"
*Select either "dark office chair", "light office chair", or "plain padded chair"
**Similar to the office and padded chair, steel can also make sofas. Sofas, unlike chairs, have different parts allowing you to make as long or short of a sofa as you want.
**Within the "miscellaneous construction" menu, you can select the left, right, middle, and corner sofa options to make a sofa of any length.
*Both padded chairs and sofas are constructed without padding. To add padding (and color) to both, use either leather, cloth, or carpet on the chair or sofa.
To deconstruct a chair:
*Use a [[File:Wrench.png]] wrench on the chair to deconstruct it back into its base material.
</div></div>
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:99%">
===[[File:Table.png]] Table===
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
Tables are a common piece of furniture that allows items to be set down. Tables can also be flipped over as improvised pieces of cover.

The following list of materials can be used to create a table:
*[[File:Metal.png]] Steel
*[[File:Planks.png]] Wood
*[[File:Glass.png]] Glass
*[[File:Marble.png]] Marble
*[[File:Plastic.png]] Plastic
*[[File:Sandstone.png]] Sandstone
*[[File:Carpet.png]] Carpet (when added to a wood table)
To construct a table:
*Use [[File:Metal.png]] steel in your active hand.
*Click on "construction recipes"
*Select "table frame"
*Use your desired material on the frame.
To deconstruct a table:
*Use a [[File:Wrench.png]] wrench on the table to remove the covering.
*Use a [[File:Wrench.png]] wrench again to disassemble the frame.
Tables can also be [[File:R-table.png]] reinforced.

To construct a reinforced table:
*Follow the same steps for a normal table.
*Click and drag the reinforcing material onto the table.

To deconstruct a reinforced table:
*Use a [[File:Screwdriver_tool.png]] screwdriver to remove the reinforcement.
*Follow the same deconstruction steps for a normal table.
</div></div>
</div></div>

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:99%">
==Machinery and Electronics==
<small><i>Batteries not included.</i></small>
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:99%">
===[[File:Apc.png]]APC===
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
Area Power Controllers (APC) are what powers each room around the vessel. Every piece of machinery from guns to newsreaders and even doors pull power from APCs. In turn, APCs draw power from the vessel's power grid.
These are most often where electrical issues lie, whether they be a virus that blue-screens the controller to an imbalance if input-output.

To construct an APC:
*Use [[File:Metal.png]] steel in your active hand.
*Select "construction recipes"
*Select "apc frame"
*Use the APC frame on the desired wall.
*Use [[File:CableCoils.png]] cable coil to wire the APC to the electrical grid.
**'''Important:''' Green wires are used for 'department' grids which connect to the associated department sub station. Red wires are the 'main' grid which connects to the engine. '''Always''' connect APCs to the green department grid unless it is an emergency.
*Fit a [[File:Circuit_board.png]] power control board into the frame.
*Use a [[File:Screwdriver_tool.png]] screwdriver to secure the electronics.
*Insert a [[File:Power_cell.png]] power cell into the frame.
*Use a [[File:Crowbar.png]] crowbar to shut the cover and finish the APC.
**Note: New APCs start with a locked cover and with the main breaker off. Use your ID to unlock the interface and cover.
**Another note: APCs can only be built where there is a defined Vessel Area that does not already have an APC. To make a new Vessel Area, use the Chief Engineer's blueprints.
To deconstruct the APC while it is '''broken''':
*Use a [[File:Welderon.gif]] welder to cut open the broken cover.
*Pull out the [[File:Power_cell.png]] with a free hand.
*Use a [[File:Screwdriver_tool.png]] screwdriver to unsecure the broken electronics.
*Use a [[File:Crowbar.png]] crowbar to pry out the broken electronics.
*Use a [[File:Crowbar.png]] crowbar again to remove the flooring beneath the APC.
*Use [[File:Wirecutters.png]] wirecutters to disconnect the APC terminal.
*Use a [[File:Welderon.gif]] welder to clear off the broken frame.
If the APC is '''NOT broken''':
*Use an [[File:Id_regular.png]] ID to unlock the APC and its cover.
*Use a [[File:Crowbar.png]] crowbar to pry open the cover.
*Pull out the [[File:Power_cell.png]] power cell with an open hand.
*Use a [[File:Screwdriver_tool.png]] screwdriver to remove the electronics.
*Use a [[File:Crowbar.png]] crowbar to remove the flooring beneath the APC.
*Use [[File:Wirecutters.png]] wirecutters to disconnect the APC terminal.
**'''Note:''' If the grid the APC is connected to is powered, wear [[File:Gloves_insulated.png]] insulated gloves to not get shocked.
*Use a [[File:Crowbar.png]] crowbar to pry out the [[File:Circuit_board.png]] power control board.
*Use a [[File:Welderon.gif]] welder to cut apart the APC frame.
</div></div>

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:99%">

===[[File:Airalarm.gif]]Air Alarm===
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
Air Alarms are the main devices which manage the vessel's atmosphere. These useful machines check room's atmospheric contents for any harmful gases or for the lack of oxygen. They control the vents and scrubbers in each room as well. They can only work in designated areas, however, so keep that in mind when making new ones.

To construct an air alarm:
*Use [[File:Metal.png]] steel in your active hand.
*Select "construction recipes"
*Select "air alarm frame"
*Use the frame on whichever wall surface you would like.
*Fit in the [[File:Circuit_board.png]] circuit board into the frame.
*Use [[File:CableCoils.png]] cable coil to wire the frame.
*Use a [[File:Screwdriver_tool.png]] screwdriver to close the frame.
To deconstruct:
*Use a [[File:Screwdriver_tool.png]] Screwdriver to open the cover.
*Interact with the air alarm using an empty hand and cut all wires using [[File:Wirecutters.png]] wirecutters.
*Cut the remaining wires by using [[File:Wirecutters.png]] wirecutters on the air alarm.
*Use a [[File:Crowbar.png]] crowbar to remove the [[File:Circuit_board.png]] circuit board.
*Use a [[File:Wrench.png]] wrench to remove the frame from the wall.
*Use a [[File:Wrench.png]] wrench to turn the frame into [[File:Metal.png]] steel.
</div></div>
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:99%">
=== [[File:Fire_alarm.gif]] Fire Alarm===
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
Fire Alarms are simple but useful devices. These devices monitor an area for a fire and, when a fire is detected, shut all emergency shutters in the area to contain the flames. These alarms can be manually triggered or reset as well which is commonly used to block line of sight with Space Carp to avoid structural damage to windows.

To construct a fire alarm:
*Use [[File:Metal.png]] steel in your active hand.
*Select "construction recipes"
*Select "fire alarm frame"
*Place the frame onto a wall.
*Insert the [[File:Circuit_board.png]] fire alarm circuit board.
*Use [[File:CableCoils.png]] to wire the alarm.
*Close the device with a [[file:Screwdriver_tool.png]] screwdriver.
To deconstruct:
*Use a [[File:Screwdriver_tool.png]] screwdriver to open the frame.
*Use [[File:Wirecutters.png]] wirecutters to cut the alarm's wiring.
*Use a [[File:Crowbar.png]] crowbar to pry out the [[File:Circuit_board.png]] circuit board.
*Use a [[File:Wrench.png]] wrench to remove the frame from the wall.
*Use a [[File:Wrench.png]] wrench again to turn the frame back to [[File:Metal.png]] steel.
</div></div>
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:99%">
=== [[File:Airlock.gif]] Airlock===
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
Airlocks are the most basic door on any space-faring vessel. They can hold an atmosphere, lock, shock, and link to the ship's systems allowing an AI or bound robot to open them remotely. Airlocks can also have their access restricted to a select range of access levels, and even have no restrictions going one direction and restricted access going to other. Make sure you know how to change these settings!

To construct an airlock:
*Stand in the desired location of the airlock.
*Use [[File:Metal.png]] steel in your active hand.
*Select "airlock assemblies"
*Select desired airlock type.
**'''Note:''' The emergency shutter is NOT a standard airlock. It will only connect to the fire alarms and air alarms and cannot be controlled like a standard airlock.
*Use a [[File:Wrench.png]] wrench to secure the frame into place.
*Use a [[File:Pen.png]] pen to name the airlock, if desired.
*Use [[File:Glass_r.png]] reinforced glass on the frame to insert glass panels, if desired.
*Use [[File:CableCoils.png]] cable coil to wire the frame.
*Insert a [[File:Circuit_board.png]] airlock board into the frame.
**'''Note:''' To change access requirements, use your ID on the airlock circuit board, then interact with it in your active hand.
*Use a [[File:Screwdriver_tool.png]] screwdriver to close the maintenance panel.
To deconstruct a '''BROKEN''' airlock:
*Use [[File:Wirecutters.png]] wirecutters to remove the airlock's wiring.
*Use a [[File:Welderon.gif]] welder to weld the airlock closed.
*Use a [[File:Welderon.gif]] welder again to cut the airlock bolts.
*Use a [[File:Crowbar.png]] crowbar to pry out the airlock electronics.
*Use [[File:Wirecutters.png]] wirecutters to cut out the wiring.
*If there is glass, use a [[File:Welderon.gif]] welder to cut out the glass panels.
*Use a [[File:Wrench.png]] wrench to unsecure the airlock frame.
*Use a [[File:Welderon.gif]] welder to cut the frame back into [[File:Metal.png]] steel.
To deconstruct a '''NON-BROKEN''' airlock:
*Use a [[File:Screwdriver_tool.png]] screwdriver to open the maintenance panel.
*Use [[File:Wirecutters.png]] wirecutters to disable everything.
**Make sure to wear [[File:Gloves_insulated.png]] insulated gloves if there is power connected!
*Use a [[File:Welderon.gif]] welder to weld the door shut.
*Use a [[File:Crowbar.png]] crowbar to pry out the electronics.
*Use [[File:Wirecutters.png]] wirecutters to remove the wiring.
*Optionally, use a [[File:Welderon.gif]] welder to cut out glass panels.
*Use a [[File:Wrench.png]] wrench to unsecure the frame.
*Use a [[File:Welderon.gif]] welder to cut the frame back into [[File:Metal.png]] steel.
To deconstruct an airlock shorted by a cryptographic sequencer, skip immediately to using a [[File:Crowbar.png]] crowbar to pry out the electronics.
</div></div>
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:99%">
=== [[File:AI_Camera.gif]] Camera===
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
Camera's are the watchful eyes of the vessel. In standard operation, it is the only system through which the [[AI]] can see the vessel and its crew. In certain circumstances, it is a way which Security can help secure areas and watch hostile actors. They are also one of three systems that can cause an alarm for [[Engineer]]s.

To repair a camera:
*Use a [[File:Screwdriver_tool.png]] screwdriver to open the frame
*Use a [[File:welderon.gif]] welder to repair the frame
*Use a [[File:Screwdriver_tool.png]] screwdriver to close the frame
*Select which direction the camera should be mounted
*Enter which networks the camera should be connected to
**By default, both the direction and networks are set correctly. HOWEVER, make sure to remove the CAMERA ALARM network before closing the prompt
To construct a camera:
*Use lathe to construct a camera assembly
*Place the frame on a floor tile adjacent to the desired surface
*Use a [[File:Wrench.png]] wrench on the frame
*Use a [[File:welderon.gif]] welder to attach the frame to the surface
*Use [[File:CableCoils.png]] cable coil to wire the frame
*Use a [[File:screwdriver_tool.png]] screwdriver to close the assembly
*Select the desired location, name, and network for the camera
</div></div>
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:99%">

=== [[File:Modular_Computer.gif]] Computer===
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
Modular Computers are the silent workhorses for most jobs on the vessel. They are capable of running a wide range of programs from alarm monitors to warrant systems. Every department uses modular computers to some extent, so it is useful to know how to construct and deconstruct them. Just try not to take over the [[Librarian|Tech Support's]] job!

To construct a modular computer:
*Stand in the desired spot of the computer.
*Use [[File:Metal.png]] steel in your active hand.
*Select "construction recipes"
*Select "computer frame"
*Use a [[File:Wrench.png]] wrench to bolt the frame in place.
*Insert the [[File:Circuit_board.png]] desired circuit board into the frame.
**Some computers have specific circuit boards that dictate their function. Make sure you choose the right one!
*Use a [[File:Screwdriver_tool.png]] screwdriver to secure the electronics.
*Use [[File:CableCoils.png]] cable coil to wire the frame.
*Add [[File:Glass.png]] glass to the computer.
*Use a [[File:Screwdriver_tool.png]] screwdriver to connect the monitor and finish the computer.
To deconstruct a modular computer:
*Use a [[File:Screwdriver_tool.png]] screwdriver to disconnect the monitor.
*Use a [[File:Crowbar.png]] crowbar to pry off the monitor.
*Use [[File:Wirecutters.png]] wirecutters to cut out the wiring.
*Use a [[File:Crowbar.png]] to pry out the electronics.
*Use a [[File:Wrench.png]] wrench to unsecure the frame.
*Use a [[File:Welderon.gif]] welder to cut apart the frame back into [[File:Metal.png]] steel.
</div></div>
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:99%">
=== [[File:lightfixture.gif]] Light Fixture===
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
Light Fixtures are one of few ways to light up the vessel's numerous halls and rooms. Light fixtures connect to the APC of the room they are within and remain on so long as a connected light switch is on, although keep in mind that new light switches CANNOT be made. Each light fixture is capable of three light levels: Off, night lighting, and full-brightness. Alongside this, light fixtures can accept a wide variety of light tubes from colored lights to plain lights. Keep them handy in case a virus shatters all of the light tubes!

To construct a light fixture:
*Click the [[File:Metal.png]] steel in an active hand.
*Select "construction recipes"
*Select either "small light fixture frame" or "light fixture frame"
*Use the frame on the wall you wish to use.
*Use [[File:CableCoils.png]] cable coil to add wiring.
*Use [[File:Screwdriver_tool.png]] screwdriver to secure wiring.
*Add a [[File:Light_tube.png]] light tube or [[File:Light_bulb.png]] light bulb depending on chosen frame.
To deconstruct a light fixture:
*Remove the [[File:Light_tube.png]] light tube or [[File:Light_bulb.png]] light bulb.
**Note: The light should be off beforehand, or [[File:BGloves.png]] gloves should be used.
*Use a [[File:Screwdriver_tool.png]] screwdriver to expose the wiring.
*Use [[File:Wirecutters.png]] wirecutters to remove the wiring.
*Use a [[File:Wrench.png]] wrench to detach the frame from the wall.
*Use a [[File:Welderon.gif]] welder to turn the frame back into [[File:Metal.png]] steel.
</div></div>
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:99%">
=== [[File:Turretcover.png]] Turret===
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
Turrets are perhaps not the most used piece of machinery on any vessel, but can be incredibly useful depending on the location, purpose, and situation. Just keep in find that turrets target indiscriminately, which may include you and coworkers. However, they are very useful in secure areas, such as the vault, which is why it can be equally useful to know how to construct them.

To construct a turret:
*Use [[File:Metal.png]] steel in an active hand
*Select "turret frames"
*Select desired frame.
*Use a [[File:Wrench.png]] wrench to bolt the turret frame.
*Use [[File:Metal.png]] steel to add a turret cover.
*Use a [[File:Wrench.png]] wrench to bolt the cover.
*Add [[File:Laserrifle.png]] any energy-type weapon.
*Add a [[File:Proximitysensor.png]] proximity sensor.
*Use a [[File:Screwdriver_tool.png]] screwdriver to secure the assembly.
*Use more [[File:Metal.png]] steel to add a turret hatch.
*Use a [[File:Welderon.gif]] welder to secure the turret hatch.
To deconstruct a turret:
*Destroy the turret.
**'''Note:''' Unless it is absolutely necessary, do not destroy active turrets. Attempt to turn them off using turret controls first, if possible.
*Use a [[File:Crowbar.png]] crowbar to salvage any components left.
</div></div>
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:99%">
=== [[File:Gravity_activated.gif|32px]] Gravity Generator===
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
Gravity Generators are some of the most useful and complex pieces of machinery on any vessel. They are the sole reason, aside from magboots, that anyone is capable of walking on a vessel as well as having objects and processes replicate those of a planet. There is usually just one on each vessel, but these very delicate devices are vital to standard operations and should be well-maintained and powered. While some disturbances may happen that lead to the temporary suspension of gravity, these devices will keep running as long as they are powered and working.

To REPAIR a gravity generator:
*Before starting, put on a radiation suit in case the generator outputs radiation during repairs.
*Use a [[File:Crowbar.png]] crowbar to pry open the back panel.
*Use a [[File:Screwdriver_tool.png]] screwdriver to secure the screws on the framework.
*Use a [[File:Welderon.gif]] welder to mend the damage on the framework.
*Use at least 10 sheets of [[File:Metal_r.png]] plasteel to replace plating on the framework.
*Use a [[File:Wrench.png]] wrench to secure the plating onto the framework.
*Use a [[File:Crowbar.png]] crowbar to pry the back panel back into place.
*Turn on the generator's main breaker.
There is a manual containing all of this information, alongside other guidelines in the gravity generator observation room.

'''Note:''' A new generator CANNOT be made. If the generator is damaged beyond repair, there is no way to replace it.
</div></div>
</div></div>

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:99%">

==Advanced Machinery==
<small><i>Putting the work in workplace.</i></small>
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
The following machines are all "advanced machines". Each machine serves a specific purpose and, unlike previous machines, can be upgraded by Research and Development with new parts which can make the machine better in certain ways.

Alongside this, ever machine under this section is made in the same way. The steps to constructing an advanced machine are:
*Stand in the desired location of the machine
*Use [[File:Metal.png]] steel in an active hand.
*Select "construction recipes"
*Select "machine blueprint" [[File:Machine Frame.png]]
*Rotate the blueprint as desired.
** If you want to build a gas cooler or gas heater, don't forget to use a screwdriver on the board before inserting it into the blueprint to change the orientation.
*Click on the blueprint with an empty hand to finalize its rotation.
*Add wires to the frame. [[File:Wired Frame.png]]
*Add the specific circuit board. [[File:Circuit Frame.png]]
*You will receive a prompt showing the items required for the machine. You can examine the frame to see what items it still requires, and add items to the machine by clicking on it with the items in-hand.
*When all the parts are added, use a [[File:Screwdriver_tool.png]] screwdriver on the machine frame to finish it.

The following list contains the specific machines that can found on the vessel, what their purpose is, and what items are needed.
----
[[File:Autolathe.gif]] '''Autolathe'''
2 Pieces of Cable
1 Manipulator
3 Matter bins
1 Console screen
The Autolathe, a more simplified version of the Protolathe for Civilian use. it can create a variety of common tools.
----
[[File:Protolathe.gif]] '''Protolathe'''
2 Small beakers
2 Manipulators
2 Matter bins
The Protolathe, a more advanced version of the Autolathe for professional use. It can create much more advanced tools due to its complexity.
----
[[File:Destructive_analyzer.gif]] '''Destructive Analyzer'''
1 Manipulator
1 Scanning Module
1 Micro laser
The Destructive Analyzer. Used in Research & Development to obtain Research levels. Science couldn't be done without this.
----
[[File:Circuit_imprinter.gif]] Circuit Imprinter
1 Matter bin
1 Manipulator
2 Small beakers
The Circuit Imprinter. Used in Robotic and Research & Development. Required for many Scientific tasks, including creating mechs. You will need the server synced to make good use of this.
----
[[File:Broad.gif]] '''Subspace Broadcaster'''
1 Pieces of Cable
2 Manipulators
1 subspace crystal
1 subspace filter
2 High-powered Micro laser
The Subspace Broadcaster. Very important for a variety of tasks, including Telecommunications.
----
[[File:Sreceiver.gif]] '''Subspace Receiver'''
2 Manipulators
1 Scanning Module
1 Micro laser
1 subspace filter
1 subspace ansible
The Subspace Receiver. Very important for a variety of tasks, including Telecommunications and Telescience. It functions by 'receiving' whoever is standing on the platform between locations.
----
[[File:Exofab.png]] '''Exosuit Fabricator'''
1 Manipulator
2 Matter bins
1 Console screen
1 Micro laser
The Exosuit Fabricator. Used to create Cyborgs, Androids, Robots, and Mechs. One can be found in Robotics and Engineering. it is also capable of printing Robotics limbs and other useful items.
----
[[File:Rndserver.png]] '''RnD Scanner'''
2 Cable coils
1 Scanning module
The research & development Server. Critical for scientific research and capable of syncing between multiple departments. Syncing it across areas is very important for Robotics.
----
[[File:Hub.gif]] '''Telecomms Hub'''
2 Pieces of Cable
2 Manipulators
2 Subspace filters
The telecommunications hub. Critical for the distribution of messages across the vessel.
----
[[File:Bus.gif]] '''Telecomms Bus'''
1 Piece of Cable
2 Manipulators
1 Subspace filters
The telecommunications bus. Critical for the distribution of messages across the vessel.
----
[[File:Relay.gif]] '''Telecomms Relay'''
2 Pieces of Cable
2 Manipulators
2 Subspace filters
The telecommunications relay. Critical for the distribution of messages across the vessel.
----
[[File:Server.gif]] '''Telecoms Server'''
1 Piece of Cable
2 Manipulators
1 Subspace filter
The telecommunications server. Critical for the distribution of messages across the vessel.
----
[[File:Pro.gif]] '''Telecomms Processor'''
2 Pieces of Cable
3 Manipulators
1 Subspace filter
2 Subspace treatment
1 Subspace analyzer
1 Subspace amplifier
The telecommunications processor. Critical for the distribution of messages across the vessel.
----
[[File:portgen_on.gif]] '''Portable Generator'''
2 Pieces of Cable
1 Micro-laser
1 Matter bin
1 Capacitor
A mobile generator. Helpful for power generation in a pinch.
----
[[File:advanced_portgen_on.gif]] '''Advanced Portable Generator'''
2 Pieces of Cable
1 Micro-laser
1 Matter bin
1 Capacitor
A mobile generator. Helpful for power generation in a pinch.
----
[[File:CyborgRecharger.png]] '''Cyborg Recharging Station'''
2 Capacitators
2 Manipulators
1 Power cell
5 Pieces of cable
A cyborg recharging Station. Critical for all station-bound Synthetics. IPCs can also make use of them.
----
[[File:Freezer.gif]] '''Gas Cooling System'''
1 Matter bin
1 Manipulator
2 Capacitors
2 Pieces of Cable
A gas cooling System. Critical for many departments, this is constructed to aid in reducing gas temperatures.
----
[[File:Heater.png]] '''Gas Heating System'''
1 Matter bin
1 Manipulator
2 Capacitors
5 Pieces of Cable
A gas heating System. Critical for many departments, this is constructed to aid in increasing gas temperatures.
----
[[File:Biogenerator.gif]] '''Biogenerator'''
1 Matter bin
1 Manipulator
A Biogenerator, it creates a complex item from biomass, this includes an array of useful items, including food.
----
[[File:SMES.gif]] '''Super Magnetic Energy Storage (SMES)'''
30 Pieces of Cable (one full stack)
1-6 Coils
The SMES is the beefier older brother to the power cell. It allows for the storage of immense amounts of energy which allows for a steady flow of power to the vessel. A SMES is capable of remote control via RCON, as well as variations based on the types and numbers of coils inserted during or after construction. Make sure there's no power stored and you're wearing insulated gloves when working on these beasts of power management.
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</div></div>
[[Category:Guides]]
[[Category:Pages]]
{{Guides}}

Konyang

2024-08-31T14:47:06Z

Noble Row: /* Synthetics on Konyang */

{{Navbox Lore}}
{{Navbox Human Lore}}
{{Navbox Konyang}}
<center>[[File:Konyang_pixel.png]]</center>
{{TOC Hidden}}
{{Template:Region-RebelsReach}}

==Overview==
Originally established in 2305 as a Solarian Alliance Outer Ring planet, Konyang is presently one of the more distant outposts under the Coalition of Colonies after its independence in '''2462'''. Konyang’s capital city Suwon, the largest settlement on the planet, is built upon a natural formation that defines most of Konyang's geography: islands with large interior mountains that feature lush, but soaking wet, coastal jungle regions. Konyang was initially a relatively average Outer Ring settlement intended to export water, before the discovery of mysterious, deactivated drones in 2407 led to a robotics boom occuring on the planet that lasted well into the 2450s. The Konyang of today is a planet renowned for its robotics industry, though some of its initial luster has faded in the years following its boom. Water, however, remains a key industry - the planet has a remarkably low salination level, meaning that essentially all of its water is drinkable. Konyang Solarian Common, or Konyang Common, is the most used language on the planet inside and outside of major population centers. Due to its proximity to the Coalition of Colonies planets, Coalition member planets often import water from Konyang. In major cities and universities, Tradeband can be found being spoken, though it remains rare. Speakers of the language are generally from off-planet, moving to Konyang during its robotics boom. Konyang almost completely lacks valuable minerals due to intensive mining efforts carried out by drones—whose source remains unknown—hundreds of years before it was colonized.

'''Because of the ethnic make-up of Konyang's original settlers and assimilation of immigrants into the native population during the first AI boom, human characters born on Konyang will have names and appearances consistent with the people of China, the Korean Peninsula, and Japanese Islands. Only native Konyangers or Konyang-made IPCs may select the Konyanger accent. This is enforceable by server moderators and admins.'''

[[File:Konyang flag.png| The Konyanger flag was adopted in 2462, having unofficially been used by pro-autonomy circles long before the declaration of independence. The traditional taijitu represents peace and harmony as the highest values of the new state, with the color blue representing the waterways the planet is known for and yellow, their aim of prosperity. The white background represents Konyang's purity.
|thumb|center]]

==History==

</div></div>
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
===Conception and Planning | 2200s - 2299===
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
When the United Nations proposed and eventually enforced the creation of the Alliance of Sovereign Solarian Nations, China, Korea and Japan were once more forced to band together to compete with the world for influence inside the newly found institution. Rivals such as the European Union, the Soviet Union, the Commonwealth and the United States were first in line to claim hegemonic roles, their space programs forming the core of Solarian colonization of the Inner, Middle and Outer rings over the centuries, populating them with their own peoples and sparking an unofficial race for prestige land grabs, one which the Department of Colonization was more than happy to let unfold, resulting in the extremely fast expansion of Humanity into the Orion Spur. While regional powers such as India and the Mediterranean countries began creating their own colonies on Gadpathur and Assunzione, the East Asian trio were relegated to secondary roles of supplying technology, labor and capital without any actual representation in the stars, a situation problematic for some and resented by many in the “sovereign” governments.

It was thus decided to present a plan to Solarian functionaries for a colony spearheaded by China and supported heavily by Korea and Japan, aimed at restoring the pride of the three “cousin-nations” and their position in the Alliance. Intense negotiations and technical planning amounted to years of disagreements over the name, location and allocation of responsibilities between the partners, as well as the presence of China’s Einstein Engines megacorporation, which offered to finance a great portion of the initial effort. Soon however, the advent of the Second Great Depression and the following Interstellar War in the mid-late 2200’s saw a bankrupt Alliance put a halt to any colonization projects, resulting in the plans being shelved. The war took a great toll on the core Solarian worlds, including Earth and its nations which were called to provide manpower, funds and materiel for the Solarian Navy. Federal China’s economy tanked completely under the pressure, relying on IMF bailouts and stays of payment on the salaries of its public sector, with pensionaries and students being most severely hit, resulting in massive social upheaval which would have long lasting consequences for the country’s financial hegemony in the post-war region.

As peace and relative stability returned, the Alliance found a newly independent, sizable and embittered Coalition of Colonies rival its claims in the Galactic East, calling for the presence of military garrisons and naval stations to protect the border. It was at this time that colonization projects were beginning to reemerge, with the Pacific Pact racing once more to submit a viable plan for a colony that would represent East Asia. A fatigued China could no longer bear the incredible costs it aspired to as the leader of the colonial venture before the war, giving significant leeway to the other two partners and largely retreating behind its megacorporation, Einstein Engines, which was still willing to back the endeavor. An aggressive Korean delegation largely dictated terms, giving birth to the “Konyang Project”, named after the Konyang University in which the colonial undertaking was revealed and presented to the public in 2299.
</div></div>

</div></div>
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
===Early Colonial Period | 2304 - 2400s===
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
[[File:solyang_flag.png|thumb|right|The flag of Konyang under Alliance administration.]]
The plan envisioned five convoys for the establishment of four primary settlements on a strategically placed planet selected by the Solarian Navy for the support of local naval operations against any threats from the Frontier Alliance. The targeted planet was revealed to be a lush world first discovered in 2278 by a long-range scouting probe, dominated by water and possessing a breathable atmosphere, placing it in a prime position to sustain Human civilization. The quickly named “Haneunim” solar system possessed a few more bodies of secondary importance, and the first convoy was scheduled to launch on the 10th of March 2304, from the Wenchang spaceport in South China, to meet the long-distance freighters in orbit of Luna that would carry the first 5,000 colonists to Konyang. The ethnic mix-up of the colonists were equally distributed amongst the three nationalities, with all being volunteers and 646 of them under the employ of Einstein Engines.

It took the warp-propelled convoy one year to reach its destination, traversing light years of Solarian vastness before meeting the Navy squadron which would escort them to the planet, with touchdown being made on September 8th, 2305. Konyang was covered in jungles and great mountain ranges, requiring great labor from the men and women of the expedition to create the first settlement, under the direction of officers from the Department of Colonization. Two months later, Unity Station would receive the first signal passed along by the Navy, originating from beacon Number 22890/223, Designation ‘SUWON’. The foundations had been laid. In the following decades, all five convoys would come to form the basis of the “Konyang Territory”, a colony directly controlled by the Alliance and the Solarian Navy as the base of the 58th Fleet. Boosted by its status as a naval base, the abundance of freshwater and with the backing of Einstein, all three cities were realized; Suwon and Boryeong, New Hong Kong, and Aoyama, each at the start holding ethnic majorities of Koreans, Chinese and Japanese respectively.
</div></div>

</div></div>
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">

===The Robotics Boom | 2407 - 2430s===
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">

Despite the acceptable climate and near unlimited freshwater, the colonial government soon realized an alarming lack of mineral resources, forcing a complete reliance on external trade and supplies from the Navy for any and all industrial goods and even basic construction materials, a reality which had to be corrected as fast as possible. A planet-wide scanning expedition was organized, while “patriotic aid” was fervently being fundraised in China, Japan and Korea for nearly a whole century to cope with the colonists' increasing demands. This led to a landmark moment in the history of Konyang, when on the 21st of April 2404, mining teams dug into a collapsed tunnel outside the vicinity of Aoyama, discovering a defunct mining drone, crushed by tonnes of rock and soil. The chassis appeared broken and old, though its very presence implied the exploitation of the planet by a different civilization.

The device was hurried back in secrecy to a panel of dumbfounded colonial officials, who deemed that their corporate partners would be more suited in tracking down its origin. As such, after a quick formality bid behind closed doors, the Alliance sold off its odd piece of government property to Einstein Engines whose scientists saw it as a curious case worth pursuing. Month after month, the Terraneus Diagnostics laboratory in Aoyama kept receiving bits and pieces from similar drones recovered from abandoned, centuries-old mineshafts, culminating in the 2406 discovery of a sealed vault containing a great number of intact mining drones. The severity of this discovery was immediately apparent to the scientists. Words were had with the governor of Konyang by the local Einstein Engines representative, and it was decided to keep the drones a very closely-guarded secret - with only select Terraneus and government officials even being aware of their existence at all, let alone what was being done with them.

The Terraneus research team worked feverishly, though in secret, for months upon months. Staff were quietly shipped in from offworld in order to not alert outside observers, and the team continued to work upwards of eighty hour weeks in order to crack the drones. In mid-2407, they achieved one of the most remarkable breakthroughs in recent scientific memory by cracking the AI algorithms of the drones. Information of this moved rapidly from the local Einstein Engines office up the corporate chain and moved equally rapidly up the government's chain from provincial office to Sol itself. The information spread like wildfire, and humanity now had the secret of AI despite not truly knowing from where or who these machines came from. This was little more than a footnote to the Nralakk Federation - to them, these AI were crude and hardly approached the machines that had driven their civilization to ruin.

The robotics boom of Konyang caused a variety of benefits and harms to the previously marginal outer ring planet. The economy ballooned massively, as did its standard of living and industries. Konyang moved from a rural backwater that exported food and water to a high-tech planet that still exported basic goods, but primarily focused upon robotics. Megacorporations flocked to the planet: Einstein Engines, already present through Terraneus, rapidly secured dominance over the planet; Hephaestus Industries struggled with Einstein dominated competition before selling its factories over to local government control in 2427; and Zeng-Hu Pharmaceuticals, despite its skrell benefactors, purchased rights to examine the planet's biosphere from Einstein. The fact that their prosthetic limbs were originally designed on this planet has been stated to be a "happy coincidence" by its board. Due to the mass arrival of corporations, jobs were readily available - the planet was booming.

A massive migration wave of Einstein employees and their families to Aoyama made the city wrangle the spot of first in importance from the nominal capital of Suwon, to the point where the expatriate scientific community and their dependents outnumbered the local Japanese original colonists. The city quickly became known to Humanity as “Point Verdant”, the name assigned to the Terraneus Diagnostics laboratory in Aoyama, while the parent countries on Earth invested billions to capitalize on the success of their colonial project, to lift the planet into a modern world and reap the public relations benefits of their colony achieving a breakthrough in artificial intelligence.

The rapid expansion of Konyang's industries and cities had overtaxed the limited bureaucracy on the planet to the breaking point, and architects were in short supply. Urban planning on Konyang is estimated to be some of the worst in Alliance space outside of New Hai Phong as a result, with cities such as Point Verdant often having haphazard roads running through them and districts smashed together with no apparent rhyme or reason - a legacy of corporate jockeying for areas of interest, and the municipal corruption that came with it. There are countryside facilities originally utilized for drone research and retrieval that have, in recent years, fallen into disuse and disarray. Such facilities often dot the mountains and foothills of Konyang, slowly being overtaken by nature - sometimes with unfortunate results when these facilities have been improperly stripped of dangerous materials. The environment also suffered in areas where drones were found - jungles were cut or burnt away by corporations in order to get at the precious drones below, prefab buildings were orbitally dropped and erected, and landing zones were cut into the landscape itself.

The stormy tidal waves so infamous for tormenting the early colonists were tamed through the building of sea walls, a comprehensive road network linked the remote villages with the urban centers, and the city of Ganzaodeng was raised from the rocky desert. The Konyanger conglomerate PACHROM would mark the rise of the first native Chaebols, building shipyards, dams, hydroelectric plants and the first space fleet capable of ferrying enormous capacities of water across interstellar systems.
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===The Positronic Integration | 2410s===
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Soon enough, IPCs entered production on the planet, making Konyang one of the first places to embrace the positronic revolution. The limited resources saw higher prices, lessening the availability of domestically produced frames. Furthermore, the still rudimentary waterproofing technologies meant that IPCs could not work for long hours without shelter, ensuring that human jobs would remain safe from automation. When in the rest of Sol IPCs were produced en-masse for labor, Konyanger IPCs were more integrated in white-collar employment and indoors service-related work. Meanwhile, a growing media culture based on animation combined with the Konyanger recycle-friendly attitude, giving newer generations a fresh look on positronic intelligence, one that valued them as people rather than a disposable resource. The lack of widespread automation never brought the anti-synthetic sentiment so common in the rest of Sol, and IPCs in time became a unique cultural phenomenon in the colony’s urban centers.

Solarian laws governing the relations between IPCs and mankind were nominally enforced on Konyang, barring synthetics from gaining their own freedom, a fact which remained a thorn between the more liberal, younger Konyangers and the older generations. Einstein Engines allied with the Solarian governorship to press for the continuing status of Konyang as a colony, preventing elections and thus any liberal political influence from threatening the company’s grip on its synthetic workforce. This however, did not prevent Konyanger society to further integrate IPCs, even if the concept of universal citizenship for all synthetics was still far from publicly accepted. Aoyama was most receptive to the positronics, as a center of research and culture, with IPCs welcomed in people’s houses, treated like family and celebrated in festivals and even religious ceremonies. Suwon sentiment remained ambivalent, though many Solarian officials and naval officers expressed most severe concerns, in many cases pressing for crackdowns and questioning the morals of Konyanger citizens. The denizens of New Hong Kong and Ganzaodeng on the other hand, were most unhappy, with the powerful Chinese factory and shipyard labor unions remaining vocally opposed to IPC rights in the workplace, owing to their ties with the wider Solarian unions.

The profound effects of the emergence of this positronic culture were soon felt across the planet, change being heralded through a wave of demonstrations in mid to late 2412. High school and university students in Aoyama took to the streets to call for synthetic rights, in one of the few instances of pro-IPC disturbances on Solarian soil. In particular, the students called for the immediate emancipation of owned synthetics, marching from the main First Avenue down to the Governor's House and being joined by crowds of people and IPCs alike. The Aoyama Constabulary alongside Terraneus security forces were ordered to put a swift end to the march, resulting in the first major incident since the founding of the colony. Over 400 student injuries were recorded, the crowds responding with rocks and branches to the authorities’ tear gas and water cannons. 247 arrests were made that day, sparking additional outrage in the student movement as the ringleaders were tried as adults and given lengthy prison sentences. Smaller incidents were also noted in Suwon and Boryeong, marking 2412 as a year of upheaval and social change, laying the foundations for full IPC citizenship.
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===Late Colonial Period | 2410s - 2440s===
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As Konyang left behind the troubled ’10s and social peace returned through decrees permitting local city authorities to afford certain permissions for IPCs. This followed the final robotics' boom peak in the 2430s, seeing the planet’s GDP growth reach new levels. The colony’s industrial potential skyrocketed, with hundreds of hydroelectric dams, sea walls and shipyards creating thousands of new jobs in New Hong Kong, the new industrial core of Konyang. Labour relations shifted dramatically, as the new Hephaestus-pioneered industrial chassis enabled IPCs to work in the most difficult of conditions, sidelining and driving off the all powerful Gwongfu labor unions, with human employees forced into the urban centers and Ganzaodeng, contributing to a skyrocketing of the local IPC population in the prefecture.

Suwon saw a significant rise in business activity with the outside world, emboldening private ventures to the neighboring Frontier Alliance, bringing in massive profits from moss and entertainment exports. The animation industry reached new heights, with hundreds of new studios producing pioneering and high quality work, including classics like “One Day in My Life” and “Tomonomimi”, two of the most highly acclaimed works of media in recent Solarian memory. The entertainment sector brought new life to the Konyanger tourism industry as well, with more and more people rediscovering the distant hidden gem tucked deep in the fringes of the Alliance. The Suwon Stock Exchange was listed for the first time in the Chicago Financial Review, Sol’s most coveted investment periodical, as “Upcoming”, leading to billions of credits flowing in the country from abroad.

New chaebol conglomerates emerged, replacing even Einstein products with widely successful “Local, Cheaper and Better” campaigns. While Gwok Foods was making headlines in 2439 as the most successful Konyanger “IPC-inspired” exporter by yearly gross tonnage, the Ayame Motor Corporation created the first “completely Konyanger” 2-seat automobile designed for the cramped roads of Suwon and Point Verdant, becoming an instant hit. The Boryeong based Mujigae Publishing brought comics back into the youth’s hands, and Konymation had expanded to control cinemas, movie production studios, theme parks and restaurant chains in its ever expanding media empire.
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===Independence and Present Day | 2462 - Present===
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The Mars Violet Dawn catastrophe of 2462 signaled an era of widespread uncertainty and energy insecurity for the entirety of the Sol Alliance, with the Spur-wide phoron crisis exacerbating the situation for the Alliance’s Middle and especially Outer Ring colonies. A Konyanger recession in the late 2450s had already stretched the colonial government thin, with riots over the cost of living and unemployment in New Hong Kong and Suwon making national news for years on end. As the shaken corporations entered discussions on how they would survive the ever increasing phoron costs, it was made clear to everyone that the Alliance could not, and would not fund the refitting of the corporate fleets with the new Suzuki-Zhang Hammer Drive engine, threatening the complete cutoff of Konyang from outer space should the local Bluespace gate fail. Only a few Einstein vessels and the 58th Fleet stationed on the planet remained as the only reliable link between Konyang and the Spur.

The shortage soon hit the domestic market, leading to dangerous price increases for even the most essential of supplies. The average Konyanger saw their purchasing power plummet, as salaries remained stagnant in the face of a decreasing supply. The colonial Governor Hyun Kyung-Ho, turned to the only emergency option left, Earth. It was not the first time that Patriotic Aid was raised in China, Korea and Japan, though this time it proved most underwhelming. As the call for help fell on ears of men that could not even help their own economies, the trophy colony had to be abandoned to its own devices, with many in the East Asian public accusing Konyangers of greed and forgetting them in their apogee of financial success. With this last link to the past cut off, the question and possibility of independence soon started circling.

There was no time for serious debate however, with the Alliance being plunged into rebellion and collapse. On November 12, the 58th Fleet hastily departed Konyang, declaring a state of emergency in the system and abandoning the colonial government to its fate. Only elements of the Solarian Army and the Constabularies remained to maintain order, themselves being composed almost entirely of local Konyanger enlisted. The situation immediately turned into unrest, as public sentiment against the ineptitude of the Alliance boiled over into the streets. Massive student protests saw the storming of public buildings and central plazas in every major town and city, demanding a sharp reduction to the cost of living, IPC emancipation and a barring of the 58th Fleet from returning. Government reaction was mild, limited to the prevention of damages and protection of private property. Hyun Kyung-Ho was otherwise sympathetic to the students’ cause, sparking outrage within groups of Alliance-minded Army officers and Einstein corporate elites, who sought to prevent any secession of Konyang.

Thus, on November 15 2462, elements of the Army garrison under Lieutenant General Jiang Hongbing mobilized against the wishes of the Governor, taking up key positions in Suwon and Point Verdant. The mutinous 8th Sappers infiltrated the historic SUWON beacon telecommunications complex, preparing the country for a silent coup and preventing any long range communications with Sol. Jiang Hongbing, inspired by actions of mutinous admirals, took it upon himself to restore Konyang to the Alliance by marching the Army into the streets. While some of the formations under his command were willing to participate, the vast majority refused to bear arms against the Konyanger Governor or the student movements. In the following day, an internal power struggle saw many officers confined to their quarters, with Army hardliners being arrested, chased off or even assaulted in their own barracks as a loyalist armored brigade blocked access to the Governor’s House, preventing Hongbing’s men from touching Hyun Kyung-Ho.

With the coup’s inglorious end visible, the Governor’s staff were racing into negotiations with diplomatic officers from Coalition of Colonies still in the country for an express accession into the Coalition, following Konyang’s independence. Jiang Hongbing’s associates surrendered, himself fleeing into the thick jungles of Boryeong Prefecture, declaring a patriotic struggle in the Alliance’s name before soon being betrayed and confined at the 58th base’s Brig. On November 24 2462, telecommunications were restored, and Konyanger independence was broadcast to the world. The country’s preliminary accession into the Coalition was soon after announced, turning a new leaf in Konyang’s history. While the news was received with muted reaction from a confused Alliance government with more pressing matters to handle, the secession of Konyang was a huge blow to the three parent countries. After Governor Hyun Kyung-Ho assembled the nation’s intellectuals, economic and political figures, it was decided that he would remain in place as independent Konyang’s first Governor to organize free elections and set up the foundations for a democratic state.

Now, as a free Konyang comes out to the world stage, strong government initiative has seen its large synthetic factories nationalized, rapidly introducing legislation to establish the relationship with Einstein Engines. While they still are the dominating megacorporation on the planet, Einstein has lost most of its heavy industry, though still retaining the important research facilities around the vaults, as well as a good portion of software and positronic brain creation.
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==Location and Environment==

===The Haneunim System===
The Haneunim System, centered around the yellow star it is named for, Haneunim, contains four major celestial bodies, including the planet of Konyang. The whole system bears evidence of ancient mining operations, missing an asteroid belt to separate the inner and outer system with what few rocks remain being mostly picked clean of minerals.
* '''Huozhu'''
The innermost planet is known as Huozhu and remains practically inaccessible due to the scorching heat of Haneunim. Unmanned drones have indicated that the planet, which is visible to the naked eye on Konyang, is greatly lacking in any mineral wealth and has no atmosphere to speak of.
* '''Hwanung'''
The second planet from Haneunim, Hwanung, is an insignificant dwarf planet believed to have maintained a thin arid atmosphere before most of its mass was artificially stripped away. While relatively close to Konyang and far cooler than Huozhu, observation and a handful of expeditions revealed that most of the planet's crust had been artificially stripped away, exposing its solid, icy mantle. Konyanger exogeologists continue to survey the planet from time to time and PACHROM has obtained a permit to mine ice in order to meet their quotas to Orepit.
* '''Qixi'''
The third planet in the System is Konyang, accompanied by its lifeless moon of Qixi. Qixi is noteworthy for housing a KASF base and shipyard, the Konyanger military's largest off-planet possession; while more prestigious than working aboard one of the KASF's orbital stations, being posted here is considered boring by some. Some in the government have discussed plans to build more shipping hubs on the moon, akin to Biesel's own Valkyrie, but these talks have largely remained academic due to adequacy of Konyang's existing spaceport facilities.
* '''Shiranui'''
Shiranui, a ringed gas giant colored blue thanks to its methane composition, is the outermost planet from Haneunim. Prior to the discovery of phoron, private companies operated over three dozen methane-harvesting facilities in orbit around Shiranui. That number has dwindled down to just thirteen in the past few decades; the remaining workers, their families having often worked in the industry for many years, are usually bitter towards NanoTrasen. The Aerospace Forces keep a number of unmanned satellites around the gas giant in order to better monitor pirate and refugee activity.

An asteroid belt, far to the outskirts and composed mostly of ice, forms a ring around the entire system, although this remains largely unexploited by both the Konyanger government and local corporations. It is instead the stomping ground of both refugees fleeing the Sol Wildlands, and the pirates that seek to prey on them.

===Geography===
[[File:Konyang_map_sat.png|A geographic map of Konyang, showcasing the planet's different biomes. |thumb|800px]]
Primarily a tropical world smaller than Earth, Konyang boasts a mean radius of 5,111 kilometers. Freshwater oceans cover upwards of 88% of the planet’s surface. These oceans also grant Konyang its signature green color when viewed from orbit, in no small part thanks to the abundant presence of moss in the planet’s waterways. The planet’s continents are classified by its larger landmasses and island chains, although given the tides, the planet remains studded with small island chains and archipelagos that ebb and flow with the season. Two small ice caps exist on Konyang where the planet experiences a miniscule amount of snowfall and cold climates. The Konyanger terrain is principally mountainous, with large ranges covering vast areas of the planet’s landmasses. The tallest peak belongs to Mount Sansin, the highest mountain standing at a record 13.890 meters above sea level, its base forming an island of its own. Flanking the mountains are usually lush jungles, present in almost every island and continent in varying densities. This means that settlements have to be located in clearings adjacent to the coastline, on terrain with relatively even elevation. The largest and most dense jungle is located in Bukupo, an island in the heart of the Boryeong Prefecture. The largest landmass on the planet is Cheomseongtang, home of the Suwon prefecture and the nation’s capital. Other notable landmasses are the Oshima islands, hosting the largest mountain ranges, as well as the Yu islands, home of the only biome that could be described as a desert. New Hokkaido is the largest northernmost territory, renowned for its biodiversity and frosty tundra due to its proximity to the planet’s pole, as well as a unique lack of jungles. It is administered directly by the Government of Konyang, being the site of many scientific expeditions and military exercises, only boasting a population of a few hundred people.

===Environment===
[[File:Konyang.png|An image of Konyang, displaying mossy oceans and algae-covered water as the face of the planet. |thumb]]
Konyang features a highly atypical environment for a habitable planet: it is entirely freshwater. The surface of the planet is primarily oceans, with estimates placing upwards of 88% of the planet as covered in water. What is not under the sea are the islands of Konyang, where the vast majority of its population lives. These islands follow a general pattern: a small coastal area and a large mountain range ringing the island. The freshwater oceans of Konyang feature a remarkable diverse biosphere, and Konyang underwater flora, such as freshwater moss, is often used in the planet's native dishes and exported offworld, as far afield as Sol and Tau Ceti. Konyang is defined by two seasons: wet, lasting nine months, and dry, lasting three months.

The coastal regions of Konyang represent the smallest regions of its islands, but contain upwards of 90% of the planet's population. Often called the "coastal jungles" of Konyang, these areas are extremely wet - flooding is an issue in many areas, though the bulk of populated and urban areas are protected by extensive flood protection infrastructure, primarily lengthy complexes of walls. Coastal areas feature a wealth of plant and animal life, both of which have been put under stress by the rapid expansion of Konyang's cities.

Although Konyang’s coastal waters are often tinted green from moss, even more so than its oceans, harvesting and cleanup efforts along the coasts of the main and important islands have resulted in some sections of the planet appearing blue. These areas are often exploited for settlements and as tourist destinations for their scenic looks, while dedicated seaweed and algae farms dot the planet, providing an income for local villages and traditional producers. The most famous Konyanger food exporter, Go-Go Gwok!, has the largest involvement in the moss and seaweed industry.

The inland mountain ranges of Konyang can be up to several kilometers in height in some areas, with smaller foothills featuring some rare settlements leading up to them. These ranges, which are mostly devoid of any valuable minerals, are the reason for Konyang's jungles - they form an effective rain shadow. Some mountains have what is assumed to be collapsed mines in them, deactivated drones scattered throughout.

A phenomenon unique to the easternmost Yu islands of the Ganzaodeng prefecture, inland deserts are created due to the rain shadow caused by the surrounding mountain ranges. These are the least populated areas of the planet. Extraordinarily dry, little grows or lives in these environments. Rare Zeng-Hu Pharmaceuticals facilities can be found in this area, taking advantage of the isolation and relatively sterile environment that the inland deserts offer.

Lastly, the oceans of Konyang are regularly stormy, the large waves being harnessed for their energy in electricity production at numerous such outposts, scattered throughout the unpopulated islets in the farthest and most secluded areas.

===Flora and Fauna===
Wildlife on Konyang is a peculiar mix of its original environment and the thousands of invasive species introduced by Human colonization. Species introduced in the initial colonization of the planet include huge herbivores and peaceful, if ecologically destructive, wildlife. Additionally, the large oceans are host to an uncountable number of species of fish, crustaceans and aquatic molluscs, with many being unique to their region of origin. Flora on Konyang is among its most famed aspects, spearheaded by the mossy shores and overgrowth which covers the vast majority of its visible terrain. All plant life which survives on Konyang must survive the extremely damp environment, and as such either thrives in the water, or is capable of moving away from it. Konyang's waters are famously covered in green moss and seaweed, giving it its signature color when viewed from orbit.

Some examples of unique flora and fauna are:
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'''Shelfers'''
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In the marsh and lowlands of Konyang's algae coasts resides an invasive species of large omnivores known as '''Shelfers.''' These are gluttonous moss-feasting beasts, with a distinct six-legged and bloated appearance. They are excellent swimmers, owed to webbed joints and a wedge shaped, slick head. From this, it uses a set of large protruding teeth to scrape moss and undersea growths. This creature is endangered, and displayed as a national animal thanks to its unique appearance. Originally a danger to unprepared colonization, these gained a reputation for its tendency to attack colonists.

These were first encountered by colonists who had shipped wildlife to and from Arusha, where escaped subjects managed to reproduce- over the years becoming a cultural icon due to their miraculous beneficial place they have in Konyang's ecosystem.
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'''Konyanger Jeweler Cockatoo'''
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Known for its affinity to decorate its nesting grounds with surface-level pearls and gems of all sorts is an opportunistic carnivore, the '''Jeweler Cockatoo.''' This large avian is an offshoot of the Earth parrot, bred originally to “liven the landscape” of Konyang’s dreary inner mountainous lands. Eventually, with the assistance of high-level genetic modification, they grew to giant proportions whilst maintaining the health and lifestyle of a standard - ''if highly dangerous'' - parrot.

Where small patches of forest and barrens clash, these birds thrive and craft beautiful roosts in the relative safety of open fields. In these fields, diminutive predators avoid the large avian’s glare (or don’t, and are frequently preyed upon.) The Jeweler Cockatoo possesses two sharp talons on one digit of each of its feet, and a short - but unbelievably sharp beak, refined further by its tendency to dig. The wingspan of these birds can grow up to fifteen feet.

The Jeweler Cockatoo is the national bird of Konyang, with many stylized imagery depicting the bird in some shape or form.
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'''Glittering Konyang Moss'''
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Found in vast plains of coastal territories in excess is the overflowing, yet precious resource of '''Konyang moss.''' One of its primary exports, this barely-tapped commodity retains a huge capacity to feed Konyang’s already sturdy ecosystem, and the billions which reside upon it, and more to export. The evolutionary process which grew this mystical, shimmering moss is a mystery, however its luster and fields of green it generates has a wonderful impact on sustaining Konyang’s moist, overgrown and greenery-rich habitat.

Konyang moss is pivotal to its moving industries, and even after the robotics boom, it remains a stable source of incoming development for the since-burgeoning planet. The moss’ nutritional properties have been highly studied in recent decades. Its rapid pace of growth is exclusive to Konyang’s ecological circumstances, with everything from subterranean heat, to the algae present in its beautiful green seas factoring in.
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==Economy==
While young, the nation of Konyang boasts a powerful regional economy built upon decades of trade with both the Alliance and various Coalition partners. A developed country, Konyang manages to surpass its near total lack of ore with robust exports of foodstuff and energy, a strong shipping industry and a powerful robotics sector.

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===Raw Materials===
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[[File:Konyang dam.png|thumb|Dams and sea walls are a common sight on Konyang, used to protect cities and population centres from floods and tsunamis, as well as to exploit the violent waves for electricity.]]
Konyang's freshwater oceans were perhaps the largest boon to the starting colonists, and continues to play a substantial role behind the planet's exports. Fishing provides for a large aspect of the domestic economy, with millions of fishing boats and trawlers scouring the shores and oceans for all kinds of fish, crustaceans and other aquatic creatures, of which a complete list doesn't exist. Such is the biodiversity in Konyang's waters, that each region has its own fish markets which serve clients all over the planet and the Spur. Besides fishing, Konyang's biggest aquatic produce in terms of volume belongs to its enormous seaweed and moss harvesting industries. Entire ships are purpose-built for collecting wild greenery which floats on the high seas and the bays of Konyang, bringing in billions in offworld exports and domestic sales. The harvesting of moss is not exclusive to the sea and the aquatic farms either, as many edible varieties are collected inland, both in the planet's jungles and mountain ranges. Konyanger moss is Spur-renowned thanks to powerful marketing campaigns and the spread of the planet's cuisine.

With tremendously stormy wet seasons lasting most of the year, it is no surprise that Konyanger corporations have attempted and managed to harness the energy of the wind, waves and waters of the planet. Electricity is generated through a network of dams, hydroelectric plants, wave power stations and tidal power stations, all dotted across the vast shores and oceans of Konyang. The electricity produced is then either stored in super capacitors, or is directly wired inland through thick underwater cables, catering to the needs of virtually every power grid on the globe. Much of it is also transported on board space freighters lined with rows of large batteries, ready to make the journey to Alliance and Coalition worlds as part of the lucrative electricity export industry.

Lastly, Konyang excells in the export of water and timber. The continent-spanning untouched jungles provide an excellent source of wood for foreign markets as well as domestic construction, of which there is very heavy use in lieu of metal structures. The freshwater is also extremely easy to chemically filter, skipping any desalination process before being bottled or shipped as-is on board of one of many of Konyang's water barges; large hollow space vessels with tankers and pools for water storage.
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===Maritime Shipping===
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Surface shipping is another one of the main forces behind Konyang's domestic market economy, and an inseparable part of the nation's maritime culture. The docks and shipyards of New Hong Kong are the beating heart of the sector, which provides employment to more than 20% of the entire planet's population. Entire towns were formed and dedicated to housing the laborers and their families close to the coast, and many islands subsist entirely off of seamen's salaries and work at nearby electricity stations. Surface shipping, while slower, is a lot more economical for planetary moving of goods across the continents and islands of Konyang, being preferred to airlifting or orbital shuttling. Aside from the creation of jobs and the transportation of goods, Konyang's shipping industry produces excellent sailors who can rival those of planets such as Europa, many of whom eventually transition to space.
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===Robotics and Services===
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Ever since the robotics boom, Konyang has become a major player in the export and development of IPCs and everything surrounding them. Each year, the most cutting edge technologies catered to the improvement of the life of synthetics are released by Konyanger software companies, often to critical acclaim. This is because of the the substantial positronic population, free and eager to spend on such innovations that allow them to experience the world in a more human-like fashion. When it comes to the export of IPCs, Einstein Engines remains the prime manufacturer of chassis and positronic brains, which are shipped abroad without being activated. The practice, while putting Konyang on the map as one of the big regional producers of synthetics, is a hotly contested area between deeply entrenched corporate interests and an increasingly politically aware IPC populace. Non-positronic robotics are a separate, but once significant part of the economy, with Konyang having hoeld high places in the spur leaderboards for the making of robots, mechs, pAIs and automated systems. This sector however, took a major hit as the robotics boom slowly deflated, leaving behind abandoned industrial complexes and derelict factories.

The nation's service sector has to be one of the biggest ones, contributing a sizeable portion of the country's Gross Domestic Product. Many of the companies listed on the Suwon Stock Exchange are everything from financial consultation firms, to insurance agencies, housed in every majpr city's financial district. Skyscrapers and office complexes in downtown Suwon, Point Verdant and New Hong Kong are a daily reminder of the office life millions of Konyangers live, and many parents dream of their child being able to one day find employment in a top law firm or such. While mostly concentrated in the domestic market, many of these companies have expanded their services abroad, building a reputation of Konyanger reliability and impeccable work.
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===Konyanger Corporations===

In terms of the traditional megacorporations, the undoubted hegemon remains Einstein Engines, entrenched in the planet's life since the beginning of Konyang's colonization. The megacorporation owns a number of subsidiaries on the planet in many different sectors, most notably, Terraneus Diagnostics, which regularly bankrolls and invests in government initiatives in exchange for their continuous presence. It retains the original research facilities and control over the vaults, even if IPC production and exports are now handled by the Konyang Robotics Corporation, a public company in which Einstein controls a 49% stake. The Terraneus facilities on the planet mainly handle shell research and positronic brain production for export to the Coalition, while they occasionally butt heads with Zeng-Hu Pharmaceuticals in the realm of IPC research. Zeng-Hu has the second-largest megacorporate presence, mainly in biosphere research and sales of pharmaceuticals. Despite this, local conglomerates generally dominate the country’s financial sector, commanding the government’s cooperation and good graces in order to keep a stable economy. Upon achieving independence, Konyang has managed to maintain a strong presence of homegrown corporations in the fields of agriculture, media, energy and consumer goods.

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'''PACHROM'''
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A chemical and engineering corporation, PACHROM builds, maintains and manages eighty percent of all private dams, hydroelectric plants and seawalls on Konyang, as well as engaging in the field of chemicals and plastics production. Headed by Park Moon-soo, the business mogul is vying for influence with the government as indispensable to the nation’s energy output and defence against floods and natural disasters, making the “Pachrom Parks” one of the richest and most powerful business dynasties on the planet. Headquartered in central Suwon, the bulk of PACHROM’s operations are located in diasporic, uninhabited islands in the middle of the world’s oceans, where hundreds of organic and synthetic workmen toil daily to run the water powered electricity plants in extremely dangerous conditions.

The company’s notorious reputation for neglecting the safety of its employees and the environmental disregard for waste disposal from its plastics factories has been a big stain the Parks have struggled to wash off. While their ties to both the Alliance administration and the Konyang government have proven instrumental in their ability to dodge damning legal action, demonstrations of public outcry are a common feature in and around the street opposite the PACHROM office complex. To counter this, public relations campaigns are a constant focus, with tens of millions being spent in portraying them in a positive light. Charities are a large part of the Park family’s social presence, sponsoring public works and offering scholarships mainly in the Boryeong and New Hong Kong prefectures, where the majority of employees originate.

Often finding itself without funds from Unity Station, the colonial administration would commission PACHROM in the form of lucrative contracts for the construction of dams and power stations, allowing the utilisation of synthetics and IPC for the dangerous labour required. Due to society’s favourable opinion towards positronic intelligence, the multitude of cases of IPC fatalities would be swept under the rug with government assistance, creating a culture of tolerance towards lacklustre safety features and general disregard. Today, PACHROM’s future remains uncertain as the newly independent state of Konyang wishes tends to distance itself from its shaky past, a fact indicated by the recent awarding of the Kaneyama nuclear plant to the public company GON-ENE.
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'''Gwok Group'''
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Founded in the early 2410s with the name Hyeonsang Foods, the precursor to today’s multinational food conglomerate was the first attempt at commercialising Konyang’s seaweed and moss both for export and internal consumption. Initially finding limited success due to an overly competitive local market and foreign consumers' reluctance to the Konyanger novelty, the company's defining moment arrived during the robotics boom, launching them from mediocrity into the billion credit business stage.

As Einstein Engines staff poured into Point Verdant, Hyeonsang secured a contract from the megacorporation's local branch for providing meals and miscellaneous catering to workers and research staff. The once alienated Einstein employees would soon come around, praising the brand for its flavourful seasoning and convenience, eventually spreading the word to Einstein facilities and back home. By the late 40s, Hyeonsang was on the track of significant financial success, having secured a large foothold in the foreign dominated central districts of Point Verdant.

Rebranding into the more consumer friendly “Gwok” name in 2452, the company’s reputation abroad led to the opening of regional branches in the Solarian middle and core worlds, generating an increasingly massive amount of income, used for an aggressive takeover of the local Konyanger market. By buying off competitors, monopolising the moss and seaweed industry and introducing new marketing, Gwok’s domestic success was soon guaranteed as the primary supplier of supermarkets. In 2454 the IPC Gwok-0783, until then a senior executive and the face of the company as the main influencer of the rebrand, assumed direct control as CEO of the conglomerate thus becoming the first IPC in charge of a billion credit corporation in Sol space. The following years would see the consolidation of all affiliated assets and filial companies under an umbrella Gwok Group, topping the charts and establishing a farming, food and restaurant chain empire.
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'''Konymation'''
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Konymation represents the peak of the Konyanger animated media scene, being by far the most successful and most well known studio in the country, with a Spur-wide fame. It arose in the early days of the robotics boom, creating a resurgency of animations for both children and adults. While the industry was almost non-existent and cheap Solarian cartoons were the norm, a group of inspired artists came together to animate and direct the first feature-length production from Konyang, using native voice actors and a brand new artstyle of their own. The result was "One Day in my Life", a slice of life film following the daily routine of an IPC secretary in a human-dominated world, becoming an instant hit with both domestic and foreign audiences. Since then, Konymation rose to become the largest studio of quality animations, creating films and series for all ages and of all genres. Such was the success, that any animated pieces from Konyang have passed into the public consciousness simply as "Konymations", referred to as such in both the planet and abroad. Since their foundation, the studio has developed into a media conglomerate, buying out holoscreen channels, online platforms, news networks and more.
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'''Mujigae Publishing'''
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The biggest publishing house, Mujigae is to the comic book industry what Konymation is to animation. Having created thousands of interesting and touching comic series, Mujigae is credited with bringing paper back into the hands of millions of Konyangers, in an age where digital platforms have become the default for nearly everything in life. Many of Mujigae's works find great demand abroad as well as at home, with the company being known for their efforts to constantly seek out and recruit new artists with fresh ideas. A plethora of published series often find themselves being adapted into the holoscreen in lucrative partnerships with Konymation, as well as the other way around. Additionally, Mujigae's philanthropic work cannot go unmentioned; millions of credits have found their way to various charities on Konyang, primarily those regarding the children, the money drawn from art festivals and comicons that are hosted annually, often with the participation of the Ministry of Culture.
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'''Konyang Robotics Corporation'''
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The Konyang Robotics Corporation, or KRC as is more commonly known, is the country's largest government-controlled company centered around the manufacture, maintenance and welfare of the nation's positronic population. Borrowing heavily from Einstein know-how and infrastructure, it originated from the nationalization of Einstein and Terraneus IPC factories, with the majority of their employees swapping over to a government payroll. Einstein Engines controls 49% of the shares of the company, lending it tremendous behind-the-scenes influence on Konyang's synthetic population.

The primary function of the KRC is the production, storage and activation of IPC citizens. A very politically and socially sensitive topic, great care is placed by the government through the Ministry of Health and Positronic Affairs to meticulously calculate and order the amount of yearly activations, so as to maintain the Human-IPC ratio and meet the demands of the job market. To that effect, the KRC also acts as a sort of "school" for the newly activated IPC citizens, with special orientation camps where synthetics are taught about Konyanger society before released to the world.

Furthermore, the KRC acts as the primary health provider for Konyanger IPCs, with clinics and hospitals situated in every town and city, as well as strategically placed in certain villages in the countryside. Thousands of roboticists, engineers and software technicians are employed by the KRC to act as the equivalents of surgeons, physicians, nurses and paramedics for the IPC population, who are afforded universal healthcare through the KRC. Appointment times are dependent on location and the capacity of the clinic or hospital, with many in more remote areas having to wait months for limb replacements and other, more heavy duty needs that cannot be met by their local KRC center.
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'''GON-ENE'''
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GON-ENE is a newly formed, state-controlled energy utilities company, created following the announcement of the Kaneyama Nuclear Power Plant. Perceived as a direct competitor to PACHROM, GON-ENE has been planned to expand into hydroelectric and wave power, giving the government a greater control of the nation's power grid and cutting back reliance on privately-owned sector, though complete autarky is off the table for at least many decades.
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==Government==
''Main Article: [[Konyanger Government and Politics#Government|Konyanger Government]]''

Konyang is organized as a unitary semi-parliamentary republic headed by a President, the former colonial governor Hyun Kyung-Ho being elected to the position after independence. The Prime Minister is elected by the citizenry every four years, and is the leader of the governing party in the Parliament of Konyang. The current Prime Minister is Myeong Myung-Dae.

Planetary politics are found on both a national and prefectural level, with every party running in local and national elections. Polarization is fairly limited, the vast majority of Konyangers rejecting the extreme views put forward by radical political movements in the country that tend to be marginalized. IPC politicians do exist and are found in every major party, though most can be seen sitting with the National Party of Konyang.

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===Military===
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[[File:Marine.png|thumb|right|An IPC Konyanger Naval Infantryman in full gear.]]
Konyang’s military, also known as the Konyang Armed Forces, was first formed shortly after the colony’s independence from personnel of the former Solarian garrison. As a result, it carries a lot of the traditions of the Solarian Armed Forces. Bolstered by conscription laws requiring both organic and synthetic citizens one year of mandatory service, the KAF possesses Army, Navy and Aerospace branches. IPCs are actively recruited and accepted into the military, forming both their own and deployed in mixed units. This segregation is justified by the government as based solely on the differentiating capabilities, logistical needs and skills between man and machine.

That claim does hold true to an extent, with IPCs taking a more active role in special forces formations, dealing with operations requiring levels of precision and focus that artificial intelligence can easily provide. A famous example is the army’s Mechatronic Corps, an elite unit utilising large, leftover battle mechs retrofitted for a pair of pilots. Such a force is unique in the Coalition, and is often used abroad in operations under broader CoC military command. Mixed infantry units of conscripts do exist, fielded in jungle patrol tasks or assigned garrison duty.

Notably for a 25th century military, the Navy maintains a very large aquatic force which it uses to patrol the vast oceans of the planet. Regularly described as more of a coast guard than a military arm, it is more geared for domestic policing than combat, consisting mostly of ships acting as launching points for many smaller, coast guard type vessels that patrol the vast expanse of the planet’s waterways and launch military aircraft. Nevertheless, it provides important services with its multiple telecommunication, radar and island outposts, providing crucial meteorological information for everyday seafaring and flood prevention on a planet where storms and extreme weather are the norm.

The Konyang Aerospace Forces perform both atmospheric and orbital operations with their doctrine clearly influenced by former Solarian officers within their ranks. Their fleet consist of obsolete vessels donated by Coalition planets, partially brought up to a modern standard by the planet’s technology and manufacturing sector. In 2465, the KASF’s main tasks include protecting the system from pirates and policing the large influx of refugees from the Human Wildlands, regularly pushing them to other planets within the Coalition as per Konyang’s strict migration laws.

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===National Police===
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[[File:Konyanger Police Ranks.png|thumb|In order to organize the National Police and smooth cooperation between prefectures, a unified rank structure was adopted shortly after its formation.]]
Despite its federal nature, the main law enforcement agency on the planet is the National Police, formed after Konyang’s independence from the merging of a number of local and specialised agencies under the then Solarian authority. One major change since then has been the introduction of synthetic officers in all positions and ranks, while also creating special divisions suited best for them. Police gear remains rather antiquated for the era, the force still using old Solarian equipment and stocks from the colonial garrison, meaning that much of the tactics and thinking remain unchanged. Considered tame by Alliance standards, the National Police places an emphasis on preventative policing, building rapport with local communities, and relying on a sense of civic duty from the populace to perform its duties. Despite this, the National Police has nonetheless received criticism for occasional incidents of corruption and brutality, mostly against synthetic citizens. This is more common in remote departments and conservative prefectures, where the sudden inclusiveness of synthetic officers with equal pay and opportunities is seen as a threat. Such incidents aside, government efforts for the modernisation of the National Police are ongoing.

The police is subject to the Ministry of Public Safety in Suwon and is organised at the national level, with local departments answering to the assigned hierarchy in their prefecture. Special divisions are deployed to deal with various policing duties, their size ranging from a whole new branch to Special Robotics detachments specialising in detainment of volatile synthetic suspects. The largest of these subdivisions and arguably the most important, the Coast Guard is the maritime arm of the National Police, operating a fleet of shore and sea patrol vessels in their mission to enforce the law at the huge array of islands and in Konyang’s waters. As the planet is surrounded by oceans, the Coast Guard has proven itself essential to the battle against smuggling and piracy while also assuming search and rescue duties during flooding, tsunamis and other catastrophes. The National Police has also gained Coalition-wide acclaim for its Special Robotics Division - a task force known for its expertise in detaining IPC without causing permanent damage.
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==Culture==
''Main article: [[Konyanger_Culture_and_Society|Konyanger Culture]]''

Konyang’s culture has been shaped by its East Asian Earther heritage, unique status as a colony with little to no resources, and as the birthplace of positronics. Konyanger society is often described as closed-off, with many unspoken social norms that vary from prefecture to prefecture. Key social norms that are shared in Konyang’s culture are Harmony, Reciprocity, and Face. Often derided as “meekness”, Harmony refers to enforcing unity and conformity within society. The specific manifestations vary from prefecture to prefecture, but in general, individuals who disrupt a sense of peace can face social ostracization. For instance, explicit disagreement such as using the word “no” is considered impolite, and a non-answer is often far more acceptable. Harmony also refers to a person’s social role; respect should be shown to people of a higher status, usually along traditional lines such as age, profession, and experience.

===Media===
''Main article: [[Konyanger_Culture_and_Society#Media|Media]]''

Public media in Konyang is a powerful industry, and as broad as it may seem, it is very tightly knit. Aside from galactic-wide reruns and broadcasts of other nation’s shows, little seems to stand out - except the audio broadcast and illustrated artistic avenues. These two are well-refined artistic giants compared to other forms of entertainment on the planet.

A huge portion of the planet’s political views and very “personality” are channeled through its larger studios, where many are found enthused to spread its culture galaxy-wide.

===Cuisine===
The primary diet of Konyangers consists of moss, seaweed and fish, with farms and pastures on land being rare due to the thick jungle. Konyang's moss is either harvested in the wild, grown in "natural" hydrofarms, or grown synthetically in bioplants. The moss itself is said to change its taste depending on the environment in which it is grown, and natural moss from the coasts around Konyang's islands is highly prized. Exports of moss and seaweed are a very lucrative business, held primarily by the galaxy-famous Go-Go Gwok! brand. Many workers, however, must make do with hydrofarm moss at best, and synthetic substitutes at worst. Konyang's fish - quite diverse, due to its freshwater environments - are also often consumed on the planet, with many being exported as luxury food as far afield as Venus and Tau Ceti. More conventional but water-intensive crops such as rice and other tropical fruits are also grown to a certain extent but are considered a rarity.

The planet is also home to a thriving beverages industry, with local varieties of algae providing the basis of a light but thick alcoholic drink colloquially known as “Nong jiu” domestically and abroad. The wide selection of produce on the planet however means more traditional drinks are produced, typically drawing from their Earther roots and commonly based on rice. Some of these drinks are exported by local businesses such as Go-Go Gwok! while Zeng-Hu has wrestled to control some of these brands in an attempt to stop them from competing with their own lineups.

===Synthetic Cuisine===
Synthetic-unique cuisine is an unusual case in the Spur, but not for Konyang. Here, robots utilize gustatorial implants to - if inefficiently - consume, or at least “taste” food regularly. Indeed, there is an entire market for synthfood where robots can enjoy their own form of taste, texture and uniquely perceptive flavor for foods. Mostly, synthfood is described as a thick slime, one with varying additives for color. Texture is mostly a simulated process within gustatorial implants, given they are not always present on tongues alone - meaning that the actual texture of these synthfoods remains the same gooey substance.

''One can achieve a similar substance to these synthfoods mechanically by grinding certain foods into paste, or utilizing candy machines with your choice of ingredients and output.''

==Organized Crime==

=====Benevolent Guild=====
The Benevolent Guild is a criminal organisation operating primarily within the decrepit, dark shadows of New Hong Kong. Originating as a mutual aid society for low income and forced penal colonists shipped into New Hong Kong by the Alliance government, it developed into a ruthless crime syndicate with strong ties to the local lower class community. From the start, the tightly knit communal and familial ties have played an important role in preserving the gang’s power and shielding them from police action. Only in recent years has any meaningful progress been made, the allocation of governmental resources and the increasingly violent and profit-oriented tactics of the Guild having alienated much of the younger generation, chipping away at the once widely popular support.

Starting with extortion and loan sharking, the Benevolent Guild rapidly expanded into gambling, drugs and violent crime such as kidnapping both in New Hong Kong and in New Kowloon. It is not uncommon for synthetics that find themselves victims of the group’s loan shark tactics to be ‘collected’ as collateral damage and subsequently carted off to whichever corner of the Orion Spur where their new owners await them usually at a far cheaper rate than elsewhere. One of the few institutions on Konyang refusing to admit synthetics owing to a deeply conservative and spiritually esoteric internal ideology, a pragmatist outlook often compels them to deal with and even cooperate with IPC politicians, police and rival gangs. Connections with criminal organisations in the wider Spur have been confirmed to exist, as various crime syndicates in Xanu, New Hai Phong and Luna are known to be in connection with the Benevolent Guild.

=====5-Cheung=====
Emerging as one of the strongest IPC/organic street gangs of Suwon, the 5-Cheung numbers in the thousands of members in the cities of the Suwon and Point Verdant prefectures. The organisation’s origin as a loose collective of delinquents and fringe elements has since developed into a nationwide crime family with a powerful hierarchy fielding biker gangs and thugs to enforce their tight grip on the underworld. With a black repertoire of gambling, extortion, money laundering and narcotics, the 5-Cheung is considered a main rival to the Benevolent Guild of New Hong Kong, the two frequently coming to blows in a series of wars and uneasy truces over control of turf and general competition.

An open secret in the country’s political sphere has the 5-Cheung profit lucratively from corruption in the highest levels of government and police. During the Solarian era, prominent politicians employed protection from the 5-Cheung, soliciting their services in voter swaying, intimidation of opposition members and violent disruption of rallies and demonstrators. This has given the gang a justified reputation for being the political soldiers of ruling dynasties and representing the authorities in the underworld and on the street in exchange for immunity from prosecution. Following Konyang’s independence, the reformed National Police retained a virtually unchanged staff while the nation’s same prominent political families, now unshackled from Alliance oversight, enjoy even more freedom. As such, it is safe to say that 5-Cheung’s entrenched position will continue to remain untouched aside from the occasional drug bust and arrest of low level members.

=====Sea Bandits=====
Although both the previous colonial administration and the nascent Konyanger Armed Forces and Coast Guard have tried to stamp out piracy, the sheer expanse of the planet means that groups of what the authorities call “sea bandits” continue to infest the waters and orbit of Konyang. Ranging from small motor boats launched from fishing villages with nothing more than an antique rifle, to retrofitted probes salvaged from the refugee waves pouring into the system, piracy is one of the most pressing social and security issues faced by the newly formed nation.

Individual pirate groups usually number no greater than twenty people but the Sea Bandits as a whole operate as a wider criminal network inclusive of individuals and crews from all over the planet. By coordinating their activities and intelligence through encrypted sites, the organisation manages to both evade and stay one step ahead of the authorities. Most of their activities take the form of kidnapping, armed robbery of craft and hijacking unescorted seafarers, while admittedly avoiding the busiest and well guarded sealanes and locations. The most audacious raid by the Sea Bandits to date involved the boarding and ransoming of a cruise ship by the use of an unregistered freighter. Although only circumstantial evidence has been uncovered, Golden Deep Zaibatsu have also been accused of working with Sea Bandit groups by launching probes full of narcotics, to be recovered by the pirates.

==Synthetics on Konyang==
As the origin of the integrated positronic chassis now found throughout the Orion Spur, Konyang has always had a quite unique relationship with IPCs, the IPC population constituting a staggering 34% of the total population. While IPCs throughout the Sol Alliance are often looked upon as little more than property, tools, or novelties depending upon their frame those found upon Konyang possessed a notably greater degree of autonomy and freedom before the planet’s secession from the rest of the Alliance, achieving full and unconditional freedom afterwards. Legal ownership of synthetics within the borders of the Republic does not exist, the Emancipation Act constituting one of the first acts passed by Parliament. IPCs can work wherever they like, live however they please within the confines of the law, and partake in politics by voting or being elected. As such, foreigners are repeatedly cautioned to not bring any privately held IPCs with them, for they cannot be forced to return unwillingly.

Ordinary Konyangers, as a result of the planet’s liberal outlook on positronics, possess a more positive view of synthetics than other humans in the Orion Spur - particularly those from the Sol Alliance and its former territories. The majority of people on Konyang view IPCs as amicable colleagues and neighbours, with many friendships between man and machine being established. Closer bonds such as marriage are also legalised and not unheard of, though not without outcries from the more conservative spectrum. Many scholars theorize that this is due to the prevalence of IPCs in daily life on Konyang, seamlessly blending into society, in addition to the pride many citizens have in their planet being the origin of the modern positronic. Konyang’s integration of IPCs stands with some degree of contrast to Biesel’s, with the large synthetic ghetto of District 14 segregating many synthetics from the average citizen of the Republic of Biesel.

With Konyang’s independence, IPCs share full legal equality with all organic citizens of the planet. This concession was given, both as an acknowledgement and acceptance of the fact that synthetics have become part of everyday life in the colony and are generally accepted by its inhabitants. Unlike the Republic of Biesel, IPCs in Konyang seek to assimilate into human society, with IPCs being given the choice to adopt a second, “human name” before receiving citizenship. A human name can range from an entirely new name, to adding a first or last name of any kind to their existing designation.

Many positronics can be found within the economy of Konyang with perhaps the most famous (or infamous) one being Gwok-0783 (now Kim Gwok-0783, under post-independence IPC naming conventions), the owner and operator of her very own food conglomerate in the form of Go-Go Gwok! Authentic Konyanger Moss. As Go-Go Gwok! is technically an interstellar corporation, Gwok-0783 herself relied on a series of legal loopholes centered around Konyang’s former IPC laws to maintain control of the company when Konyang was still in the Sol Alliance. Examples such as Gwok, with her control of an inter-planetary corporation, are fairly rare. However, many positronics have made a successful name for themselves as small business owners and corporate workers on Konyang.
[[File:Konyang vault.png|thumb|A mysterious vault upon Konyang's surface, unearthed and built around with monitoring infrastructure.]]
Due to the system’s bluespace gate, the [[Synthetic_Factions#The_Golden_Deep|Golden Deep]] has made great strides in establishing embassies and industry on Konyang. Now a contender with the Konyang Robotics Corporation, Golden Deep merchants have both been providing aid and competition to the businesses on Konyang after the Silicon Nightmares crisis. Konyang is now both a major business landmark for the Golden Deep, as well as a middle point to the more lucrative markets of Tau Ceti and the Jewel Worlds. The money and business brought into the system by these synthetic traders has - arguably - been a major contributor to Konyang’s more liberal laws and regulations regarding IPCs. Konyang, before its independence, was one of the few systems under Solarian control in which IPCs could own and operate a business.

The synthetic population in Konyang is regulated by the government. A set number of positronics are assembled each year under contract at Terraneus Diagnostics facilities in Point Verdant with the prospect of being granted citizenship after a 3 month life orientation period. The determined number is set annually by Parliament, backed up by the yearly census and statistics, with production increasing or decreasing depending on the number of human birth ratios, positronic shutdowns, and other factors. Expenses are met both through government funds and private donations, though debate on the matter is rarely heated as the amount of new brains numbers usually in the hundreds; a tiny fraction of positronics produced and exported in total. IPCs and positronics constructed for the purpose of selling them to a different country, are not covered by such regulations and are not given citizenship.

There are further regulations in robotics construction in Konyang. Any activated positronic brain can qualify under the Emancipation Act. Exceptions to the law exist for manufacturing and research, with Point Verdant in particular activating positronic brains for the sake of testing shells before shipping them off-world. The law has also sparked development in other fields of mechatronics, with Konyang beginning to lead the way in circuit-based robotics.

Despite gains for its IPC citizens, other positronic intelligences have not been so lucky. Although some brains have been repurposed as AI coordinators for cities; with no way to transition to humanoid frames, bound intelligences have been granted freedom, but often take contracts with corporations that result in a return to the old status quo, all for the sake of staving off destruction due to a lack of maintenance.

===Konyanger Augmentation of IPCs===

Augmentation on Konyang is a fascinating subject, where the presence of so many IPCs has brought success in modifying the Positronic body and mind. Famed explorations into the sectors of IPC modification include "sensory evolution," where synthetics' senses being amplified or dulled in extremes according to desire.

Primary among the delves into this evolution of the senses is the New Dawn Augmentation Movement. This is a Konyanger organization based on the improvement of the IPC lifestyle via modifying chassis, funded peculiarly by Terraneus Diagnostics. The movement is oddly organized as a non-profit, going against the corporation’s established modus operandi. This, coupled with the tantalizing opportunity to freely modify an IPC's form with donated funds leads to public skepticism of the augment movement’s motivations.

Still, the true size of the movement to augment and improve Konyang's IPC population is extraordinary in comparison to other stellar nations. Roughly 22% of Konyang IPCs have some form of corporate-funded augmentation to enhance themselves.
[[File:Konyang augment1.png|thumb|A Konyanger design, the Scorpion Lobe is an augment which manipulates the perception of time for synthetics for better or worse.]]
* '''SENSO-EVO/Scorpion Lobe'''
A miraculous creation of Konyang's technological advancement, SENSO-EVO is the term aptly handed to Sensory Evolution's foremost product. This is the Scorpion Lobe, a similarly shaped attachment to the rear of a positronic brain which adjusts the rate at which the synthetic perceives time literally. The implications of this are seen as either a blessing or a curse — sometimes even utilized as a way to reduce problematic behavior in positronics.

These implants are commercialized to protect the integrity of brains which adopt extremely high speed tasks, or extremely tedious and slow ones, with a perception that best suits their given utility.

A double edged sword by nature, these are often removed by free positronic chassis due to their almost torturous nature. Some may find their lives flashing hours into moments, whilst others may find daily grinds to be impossibly long ordeals. Unfortunately, removing these implants is not always a safe procedure, sometimes damaging a brain or rendering the problem worse.

These were first manufactured by Hephaestus Industries on instrumental Konyang research facilities, and later acquired by Einstein Engines personnel in the same month - debates over the design’s origin have been ongoing since 2449.

===Recreational Software===

In the IPC community of Konyang, the culture of acceptance and freedom has always invited the curiosity of synthetics to imitate and follow human pastimes and habits. This in turn included activities such as smoking, synthetic flavours and eventually, recreational drugs. Due to the nature of the positronic, the only way to recreate such sensations is through software targeting and modifying specific programming in the brain. At first, this dangerous commodity was provided by amateur programmers using experimental and highly volatile code known as “overloaders”, leading to often irreparable and lethal damage to an IPC’s systems. The results of the few initial successes, however, proved promising enough for the idea to be seriously considered by upcoming Konyanger tech companies and business-oriented software engineers, leading to the first reliable and somewhat safe overloaders in the mid to late 2450s.

Popular awareness of recreational software became widespread upon its release as a commercial product, Konyang being the first world to introduce a marketable version of it. Usually sold inside a single-use stick drive, their circulation is approved by safety boards and is considered legal for responsible consumption, much like alcohol for organics, relying on the consumer for mitigation and avoidance of repeated use. Legal overloaders today can be found mainly in synthetic-centred retailers found around the major cities, their relatively limited availability and high price setting them as a luxury IPC item. Its effects include a wide range of results, from simulating the sensations of a light buzz to a short bout of excitement and joy, aimed at enhancing the experience at celebrations, parties and get-togethers.

However, where there is demand, there must be supply, and the fact that demand spiked as these new products launched paved the way to a large underground market of cheap, unsafe and highly unpredictable overloaders sold both by dealers and unlicensed street vendors of dubious reputation. An illegal overloader epidemic hitting the cities of Suwon and Boryeong in late 2459, led to intensified police crackdowns and government campaigns against illicit overloaders, labelling them as malware and the IPC equivalent of dangerous drugs. Virtually unrecognisable from a legitimate overloader without the seal, side effects are many times more powerful and addicting, appealing to adventurous synthetics and the financially insecure. From catapulting the positronic into a garbled, incomprehensive reality of simulated emotions to simply heightening the senses, the illegal overloaders’ addictive and dangerous nature leads many synthetics to disrepair, involving behaviour breaking glitches, hardware failures and more, all while guaranteeing a returning clientele.

Reception to recreational software has been mixed, dividing society and politicians on matters of free will, the dangers of overloaded IPC, and the overall ethics of deliberately creating and selling what are essentially drugs. Both synthetics and humans have loudly spoken against it, spawning demonstrations and dividing politicians across party lines. Legislation has already passed, categorising possession and distribution of illicit overdosers as strictly illegal, with heavy punishments for dealers and suppliers. Police and coast guard raids yield millions of unbranded overloaders each year, making highly publicised arrests while sending a message of absolute intolerance towards the malware. Despite this, circulation never ceases and exports to Xanu, Tau Ceti and Sol.

==Population and Major Cities==

[[File:Konyang_map_pol.png|thumb|800px|A map of Konyang showcasing the Prefectures and the New Hokkaido Territory. Click to enlarge.]]

'''Suwon''' is the largest, most populated, and second wealthiest city on Konyang itself and is generally one of the larger cities in the Coalition of Colonies. It functions as both the planetary capital, as well as the capital of Suwon Prefecture, encompassing the entirety of Cheomsongtang. Symbolic of the new government is the Parliament Building, a massive structure of flowing lines and sustainable technology, incorporating pieces of the first colony ship. The Prime Minister's Government House, the President's Crimson House, the Solarian embassy, as well as embassies from various Coalition states are present here as well. Standards of living in wealthiest areas of Suwon are equivalent to and (sometimes) even surpass the living standards of places such as Highland City or Argia sa Mar, demonstrating how wealthy the robotics boom has made some sectors of the planet. A lack of readily-available materials, however, ensures that even the super-rich of Konyang often live in smaller houses than their Colonies planet counterparts. Life outside these wealthy areas is better than life in most cities in Himeo but dramatically worse than in the very wealthy areas, or even the cities of Xanu Prime. Overcrowding is a massive issue for the government of the city, with no obvious solution presenting itself due to how expensive importing new building materials is post-boom. The city is home to most of Konyang's biggest companies and office complexes, as well as the Suwon Stock Exchange, making the city's financial district the economy's beating heart. "Shoebox apartments" are common here, as are Konyang's often egregious traffic issues. The city is fortified with extensive sea walls, flood walls and flood gates to prevent natural disasters during the wet season, tropical storms being fairly common.

[[File:Point verdant.png|thumb|One of Aoyama's many skyscraper blocks, safely located behind a dam.]]

'''Aoyama''', known in the larger Spur as '''Point Verdant''', is the second most-populated city on Konyang, and the industrial heart of its robotics industry. Built along a coastal mountain range from which it draws its namesake, it is by far the wealthiest city on Konyang, and one of the richest cities in the Coalition of Colonies. Due to being home of the Robotics Boom, hosting foreigners and their families that once even surpassed the locals inside the city, Aoyama is frequently known outside to outsiders and to the Spur at large as Point Verdant, much to the chagrin of the locals. Aoyama is home to the renowned Point Verdant Terraneus Institute of AI Research, and is the poster child for the rapid development of Konyang's cities during the Boom. The city is extremely wealthy, but suffers from persistent overcrowding and traffic issues in all of its districts. The Pusan District, near PVTI, had the reputation of possessing the worst traffic in the Alliance according to its residents. Air quality in Aoyama is regarded as subpar, due to the amount of robotics factories in the city's outskirts, which have however slowly but steadily declined since. Being the focal point of the Robotics Boom, it is home to a large number of expatriate communities and Einstein Engines employees.

'''Boryeong''', named after a city on historical Earth where some of its colonists originated from, is the third most populated city on Konyang and capital of the Boryeong Prefecture, referred to as the breadbasket of the nation. The city, while still suffering overcrowding issues, has it to a lesser extent than Point Verdant or Suwon, with the city's outskirts necessitating a need for space due to the vast hydroponics farms and water plants. A second-grade industrial city of much natural beauty, Boryeong is more rustic than its counterparts, with wood playing a much more prominent role in construction; outside the central ring, some of Boryeong's districts are built entirely out of timber. Water bottled or processed in Boryeong is sold throughout the Alliance and Coalition in bulk, and native moss grown in the prefecture is marketed throughout both as a luxury food. Over half of the city's labourers are employed in hydroponics, aquaculture, fishing and food processing, with Gwok Foods being the largest provider of work in the region. Synthetic moss is grown in Zeng-Hu facilities near Boryeong and, despite being regarded as lesser quality than natural moss, is often consumed in poorer areas of Konyang.

'''Ganzaodeng''', named for its dry locale, is located in Konyang's only desert and holds the largest expatriate populations on the planet, being nicknamed, “Little Sol”. Due to its unique geographic setting, it faces remarkably calmer weather than the rest of the planet, with the city being connected to the rest of the island by air and rail that cuts right through the mountains. Ganzaodeng is Konyang's only planned city with origins in the Robotics Boom, when the foundations were laid for a city envisioned by foreigners, for foreigners. Rich Solarians descended upon the planet's seemingly only dry piece of real estate, building a city full of nightlife and eclectic inner-ring pleasures within the distant colony. By the end of the Boom however, the city's famous strips of casinos and luxury hotels still operating in downtown Ganzaodeng became a symbol of a bygone era, as much of the Solarian population elected to depart. The city passed into native Konyanger hands, being expanded into a hub of shipping with the help of the city's remaining big names. Because of the reliably clear weather, Ganzaodeng has developed a sprawling extraplanetary shipping sector, with plans for a spaceport larger than New Hong Kong’s, as well as future schemes for the largest oceangoing port on the planet. Its climate has resulted in the prefectural government engaging in moss filtration efforts to open up the surrounding beaches to tourism. Despite of the Solarian exodus, the city stands in contrast to the rest of Konyang’s relatively conservative social nature, with people from all over the Spur calling it their home and making it by far one of the most multicultural centers on the planet. It’s not uncommon for a person from Ganzaodeng to know two or three languages.

'''New Hong Kong''', the site of the former naval base of the 58th Solarian Fleet, has now developed into a fully fledged city in its own right, being the only prefectural capital with a local synthetic majority. Being regarded as a lot more pedestrian and working-class than Suwon and Point Verdant, New Hong Kong is nonetheless a very important centre of interplanetary trade and commercial activity, hosting the planet’s largest ocean ports and dockyards, being the country's industrial's hotspot and the seat of power generation. Large hydroelectric dams, wave energy converters, dockyards and factories belonging to the PACHROM corporation provide employment for half of the city’s inhabitants, the Prefecture of New Hong Kong generating enough electricity for domestic consumption as well as exports. Employees of the various power companies may also elect to be sent off to one of the many power generation isles scattered throughout the oceans and dedicated solely to that purpose, receiving better pay in exchange for more dangerous conditions away from home. The city itself is considerably more packed than its counterparts, with small cramped apartments being stacked over each other to form vertical mazes of working class blocks. Heavy smog and particles cover up the sky through the entirety of the island during the dry season, giving the prefecture a signature orange-brown tint. This, as well as constant heavy rains and a near permanent gloomy weather during the wet season place it as undesirable for humans. Seat of the National Party, downtown New Hong Kong is described as the centre of planetary IPC politics, being the first to react to, condemning or praising events in Konyang and throughout the galactic stage in regards to the synthetic “race”. New Hong Kong is additionally the birthplace of Konyang's labor unions, with the Socialist Party enjoying strong support from the city's human blue-collar workforce.

[[File:Konyangdam.png|thumb|900px|center|Dams are a very common sight on Konyang, with the New Hong Kong's dam in the neighbouring industrial town of New Kowloon providing only a fraction of the power required by the city, while also playing an important part in flood control and water filtration.]]

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{{Navbox Human Lore}}
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[[Category:Planets_and_Systems]]
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Golden Deep

2024-08-28T18:34:47Z

Noble Row: /* History */

IPC

2024-08-28T03:35:21Z

Noble Row: /* The Positronic Brain */

{{Navbox Lore}}
{{Navbox_Synth_Lore}}
{{Infobox Species
|Species = IPC
|Scientific = Integrated Positronic Chassis
|Image = IPC410x320.png
|System = N/A
|World = N/A
|Language = Tau Ceti Basic
|Politic = N/A
}}
{{toc_right}}

==Overview==

IPCs are a type of intelligent humanoid robot, their name standing for “Integrated Positronic Chassis.” Positronic, in this sense refers to the brain, which is always the same in IPCs with massively varying levels of complexity. The name IPC does not extend to stationbound synthetics, even if those units have a positronic brain.

They are found in many shapes and forms, though can generally be classified under three types; Shell, Industrial and Baseline, with different types according to their designer.

IPCs in Tau Ceti are capable of obtaining their own citizenship and freedom, however the laws and regulations regarding an owned and a free IPC differ massively. '''To distinguish one’s ownership, note in your security/employment records whichever faction owns them, or if they are a free positronic.''' The rights of free positronics do not extend to space outside of Tau Ceti. For the specific differences between free and owned IPCs, see the relevant sections below or corporate regulations.

IPCs have mechanical extras such as extensive xenowear loadout items, and unique antagonist gear. Additionally, there are a number of non-playable IPC variants that may make an appearance in special rounds.

To apply to be an IPC, [https://forums.aurorastation.org/viewforum.php?f=28 apply here.]

Be sure to read [[IPC_and_Megacorporations|this page]] for more information regarding IPC employment in the setting's various megacorporations.

==Heads of Staff==

Barring Liaison and Consular Officer roles, IPCs can be the following Heads of Staff so long as they are NanoTrasen-owned, SCC-owned or self-owned:

* Chief Engineer
* Research Director
* Chief Medical Officer
* Head of Personnel
* Head of Security with the exception of Hephaestus G2 frames.
* [[NanoTrasen_Liaison|Consular Officer and Corporate Liaison]] with the exception of some groups.

==Mechanics==

* IPCs are entirely mechanical in nature and thus are vulnerable to EMPs.
* Due to their air-based cooling system, they are vulnerable to both high heat and the vacuum of space.
* They are immune to atmospheric differences and can survive in a wider margin of pressure compared to humans.
* The amount of heat they generate is significant - and so, instead of an oxygen bottle, they need to attach a suit cooling unit to their voidsuit in order to be able to go EVA. Some types of IPCs are exempt from this, needing only a suit cooler.
* Their synthetic nature has a few other advantages - most models feel no pain, are immune to all non-damaging chemicals (and so they aren't affected by sleep toxin; but are affected by sulphuric acid), and are quite easy to repair; requiring a welder to patch brute damage or wire for burn damage only (or, alternatively, nanopaste can heal all).
* IPCs can charge from cyborg rechargers, or APCs with a (very very very low) chance of being shocked.
* They are more resistant to brute damage than their organic counterparts.
* They can not repair themselves outside of using nanopaste.
* They are incredibly vulnerable to laser/burn weaponry.
* They do not process reagents in the atmosphere or in their body.

===Information for Whitelisted Players===

'''Click [[Information for Synthetic Whitelisted Players|here!]]'''

Below is a comprehensive template suited for IPCs. You are under no obligation to use it, however whitelisted players are expected to denote their ownership status in their employment and security records by default.

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
Employment records examples - Click to reveal.
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">

'''Employment Records'''
<pre>
DESIGNATION: [Full name]
POSITRONIC MANUFACTURE DATE: [DD/MM/YYYY]
CHASSIS MANUFACTURE DATE: [DD/MM/YYYY]
IPC MODEL/MANUFACTURED BY: [IPC type, manufactory by whom]
OWNERSHIP STATUS: [Owned/Free, Company name/Private owner/self-owned]
TAG: [Tag serial number]
CITIZENSHIP: [Applicable citizenship. Owned IPCs cannot hold citizenship]
SPOKEN LANGUAGES: [Languages]

HANDLER/OWNER FULL NAME: [Name of Handler or Owner]
HANDLER/OWNER CONTACT INFORMATION: [Telephone, xnetmail, chirper account, who knows. A way to contact them]
LAST UPDATE: [DD/MM/YYYY]

IDENTIFYING FEATURES - [For BASELINE/BISHOP/ZENG-HU/G1/G2/XION. Use the appropriate Identifying Features that apply to your IPC]
Chassis color: [Colors]
Height: [Meters/Centimeters, Feet/Inches]
Weight: [Kilograms, Stone & Pounds]
Notable Features: [Limp, Accent, Dyed Hair, etc]

[or]

IDENTIFYING FEATURES: [SHELL. Use the appropriate Identifying Features that apply to your IPC]
Ethnicity: [Eridanian, Elyran, etc]
Hair Color: [Colors, if it's dyed or gradient]
Eye Color: [Colors, again]
Height: [Meters/Centimeters, Feet/Inches]
Weight: [Kilograms, Stone & Pounds]
Notable Features: [Limp, Accent, Dyed Hair, etc]

QUALIFICATIONS SUMMARY: [Current Qualifications equivalent, make this up as you want]

VERIFICATIONS AND VALIDATIONS
MANUFACTURED BY: [COMPANY NAME, Subsidiary Name - Factory Name. System, Planet. TYPE OF INDUSTRY/WHAT THEY WERE PRODUCED FOR. IPC Type, More Specific IPC Information.]
DATABASE CERTIFICATIONS: [Seals of Approval and Database Certifications from the Company, Subsidiary, System or Faction.]

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY: [Listed below in chronological order, where possible:]

[COMPANY NAME]
[(Start)DD/MM/YYYY - (End)DD/MM/YYYY]
- [Basic Work description]
- [Reason for leaving work]
- [Other notes]
[Repeat for multiple jobs]

HIRING AGENT NOTES: [Name a random personnel officer from CC and then notes. See example record for more info]
</pre>
* To pick a relevant education, refer to your [[Job Guides|job guide]].

'''Medical Records'''
<pre>
DESIGNATION: [Full name]
POSITRONIC MANUFACTURE DATE: [DD/MM/YYYY]
CHASSIS MANUFACTURE DATE: [DD/MM/YYYY]
IPC MODEL/MANUFACTURED BY: [IPC type, manufactory by whom]
OWNERSHIP STATUS: [Owned/Free, Company name/Private owner/self-owned]
TAG: [Tag serial number]
CITIZENSHIP: [Applicable citizenship. Owned IPCs cannot hold citizenship]
SPOKEN LANGUAGES: [Languages]

HANDLER/OWNER FULL NAME: [Name of Handler or Owner]
HANDLER/OWNER CONTACT INFORMATION: [Telephone, xnetmail, chirper account, who knows. A way to contact them]
LAST UPDATE: [DD/MM/YYYY]

IDENTIFYING FEATURES: [For BASELINE/BISHOP/ZENG-HU/G1/G2/XION. Use the appropriate Identifying Features that apply to your IPC]
Chassis color: [Colors]
Height: [Meters/Centimeters, Feet/Inches]
Weight: [Kilograms, Stone & Pounds]
Notable Features: [Limp, Accent, Dyed Hair, etc]

[or]

IDENTIFYING FEATURES: [SHELL. Use the appropriate Identifying Features that apply to your IPC]]
Ethnicity: [Eridanian, Elyran, etc]
Hair Color: [Colors, if it's dyed or gradient]
Eye Color: [Colors, again]
Height: [Meters/Centimeters, Feet/Inches]
Weight: [Kilograms, Stone & Pounds]
Notable Features: [Limp, Accent, Dyed Hair, etc]

CHASSIS REPAIR HISTORY: [Surgical History/Physical Evaluation equivalent]
DD/MM/YYYY - [Information]

POSITRONIC REPAIR HISTORY: [Surgical History/Physical Evaluation equivalent]
DD/MM/YYYY - [Information]

SOFTWARE DIAGNOSTICS HISTORY: [Psychological Evaluation equivalent]
DD/MM/YYYY - [Information]

ROBOTICIST NOTES: [Like a Medical Doctor's notes, but Roboticists]
</pre>

'''Security Records'''
<pre>
DESIGNATION: [Full name]
POSITRONIC MANUFACTURE DATE: [DD/MM/YYYY]
CHASSIS MANUFACTURE DATE: [DD/MM/YYYY]
IPC MODEL/MANUFACTURED BY: [IPC type, manufactory by whom]
OWNERSHIP STATUS: [Owned/Free, Company name/Private owner/self-owned]
TAG: [Tag serial number]
CITIZENSHIP: [Applicable citizenship. Owned IPCs cannot hold citizenship]
PLACE OF RESIDENCE: [Planet, Address (Address should go down to details of street and house number)]
SPOKEN LANGUAGES: [Languages]
KNOWN CRIMINAL ASSOCIATES: [Any friends or family that have severe criminal history]
ON OFFICIAL WATCH: [Yes/No]

HANDLER/OWNER FULL NAME: [Name of Handler or Owner]
HANDLER/OWNER CONTACT INFORMATION: [Telephone, xnetmail, chirper account, who knows. A way to contact them]
LAST UPDATE: [DD/MM/YYYY]

IDENTIFYING FEATURES - [For BASELINE/BISHOP/ZENG-HU/G1/G2/XION. Use the appropriate Identifying Features that apply to your IPC]
Chassis color: [Colors]
Height: [Meters/Centimeters, Feet/Inches]
Weight: [Kilograms, Stone & Pounds]
Notable Features: [Limp, Accent, Dyed Hair, etc]

[or]

IDENTIFYING FEATURES: [SHELL. Use the appropriate Identifying Features that apply to your IPC]
Ethnicity: [Eridanian, Elyran, etc]
Hair Color: [Colors, if it's dyed or gradient]
Eye Color: [Colors, again]
Height: [Meters/Centimeters, Feet/Inches]
Weight: [Kilograms, Stone & Pounds]
Notable Features: [Limp, Accent, Dyed Hair, etc]

ARREST HISTORY
DD/MM/YYYY: [Charges Pressed]
ADMISSION DATE: [DD/MM/YYYY]
RELEASE DATE: [DD/MM/YYYY]
RELEASE REASON: [Sentence fulfilled, bail, etc.]
NOTES: [Other notes]
[Repeat as needed]

THREAT ASSESSMENT
Hostile/Covert Actions Against the Company
Threat Level; [Very High/High/Medium/Low/Very Low]
- [Attitude towards the SCC]

Hostile/Covert Actions Against the Crew
Threat Level; [Very High/High/Medium/Low/Very Low]
- [Attitudes towards other crew]

OVERALL NOTES: [More notes]
</pre>
</div></div>

==Physiology==
There are a few commonalities among each individual IPC despite their visual and functional differences. Every IPC utilizes a positronic brain as a primary processing center as well as the central controller of the entire chassis. All IPCs are humanoid, and the positronic brain is almost always found in the head of the unit. To provide continued functionality, a power cell is also present in the central section or torso. IPCs must also possess the ability to perceive their environment, so optics are usually installed in the head. The chassis also contains various other mechanical and electronic parts such as actuators, co-processors, data routing and power transfer cables, and an on-board thermometer to determine the temperature of the internal parts.

There are three main types of IPC, and several subtypes. These are:

===Industrial===
[[File:G1.png]] [[File:G2.png]] [[File:Xion.png]]
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
Tougher and more durable than most IPCs, these units are designed for heavy manual work and thus have thick metal skin and efficient internal systems. As a result, they chug through power at a very high rate and move very slowly. There are three types of Industrial IPCs; Hephaestus Generation 1, Generation 2, and Xion Industrial Frames. The G1 and G2 frames are capable of EVA with only a suit cooler, while the Xion frame is unique in being capable of traversing the void of space without any external equipment. The cost of an industrial frame is dependent on strength and durability, but most units vary between 100,000 to 500,000 standard credits depending on the frame type. Used or previously damaged models are often cheaper.
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
====First Generation” Industrial Model IPCs====

[[File:G1.png]] '''Creation: 2408'''

One of the first ideas after the advent of IPCs was the exploitation of an exceedingly smart and dextrous robot handling feats of strength and durability becoming more prominent. This of course would be the case, as more quickly than any other standardized “frame” came the first generation of industrial IPCs. Created by Hephaestus Industries building off of a prototype frame from the late 2300’s, the first generation of industrial IPCs were topaz-colored machines of rather large size meant for only the most stressing fields of work. Their expense would quickly be paid off however, as the frames were wondrous at dealing with whatever could be thrown at them. The most prominent issue with these were a low battery life, requiring constant recharging to maintain a schedule. A generation one frame costs approximately 100,000 to 250,000 standard credits if new depending market availability.
====Hephaestus “Second Generation” Industrial Model IPCs====

[[File:G2.png]] '''Creation: 2436'''

A relatively new model, the Hephaestus deluxe super-duty frames as they are technically called are often referred to as the “second generation” of the original industrial IPCs of old. They are seen universally as a direct advancement of the previously mentioned design, and much of it shows - the absurd durability of these frames derived from the first generation’s servo and hydraulic designs. The striking differences between the two include a token Hephaestus appearance - typically olive green with dark brown and black internals, giving it a rugged militaristic look with its armor attached. The super-duty frames are on par with the originals in terms of strength, but possess several additional layers of armoring and cooling to sustain the added weight. An upsized cell is not enough to sustain these frames for more than a few hours at a time under work-related stresses. A generation two frame costs approximately 200,000 to 500,000 standard credits.
====Xion Industrial Model IPCs====

[[File:Xion.png]] '''Creation: 2416'''

The Xion Manufacturing Group, being a subsidiary of Hephaestus Industries, saw the original Industrial models and wanted to develop their own chassis based off of the original design. The result is the Xion Industrial model. Sturdy and strong, this chassis is quite powerful and equally durable, with an ample power cell and improved actuators for carrying the increased weight of the body. The Xion model also retains sturdiness without covering the chassis in plating, allowing for the cooling systems to vent heat much easier than the Hephaestus-brand model. This unit can perform EVA without assistance and costs approximately 200,000 to 400,000 standard credits.
</div></div>

===Baseline===
[[File:Baseline.png]] [[File:Bishopnew.png]] [[File:Zenghu.png]]
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
The most basic of IPCs, they are a simple skeletal structure and basic internal systems. The limits of a Baseline lies purely on how much money is put into them/they have themselves. As a result, the types of baseline frames vary immensely, almost demanding their own category. There are three types of Baseline IPCs; Standard Baseline IPCs, Bishop Accessory Frames, and Zeng-Hu Mobility Frames. None of these frames are capable of EVA without a suit and suit cooler.
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
====Baseline Model IPCs====

[[File:Baseline.png]] '''Creation: 2411'''

The most iconic type of integrated positronic chassis is the renowned baseline frame, with a traditional “TV-head” and skeletal design giving them a simplistic look with whatever finish their designer wishes. From accounting models to security units, these frames are known for their versatility and relatively cheap nature. Their popularity exploded in the 2440’s when several pro-synth advocates distributed the frames in mass after funding their creation, citing them as the “final word in android utility.” Since then, their marketing potential has skyrocketed, often fueled by famed individuals such as Aristalus and Renter Max being baselines themselves. More often than not, these IPCs are seen as the face of resurgent robotics. The average cost of a baseline frame can vary greatly depending on complexity, but averages around 40,000 to 100,000 standard credits.
====Bishop Accessory Model IPCs====

[[File:Bishopnew.png]] '''Creation: 2432'''

While Bishop had dedicated itself to luxury cybernetics production for the majority of its existence, the field of positronics and their frames was an unrelated yet convenient area of expansion for the quickly growing company. Designer prosthetics were quickly and easily able to be refitted into designer synthetic components, leading to the development of the ludicrously expensive Bishop Accessory frame. From service duties to secretarial functions, Bishop prides itself on two main facets of its designs: image, and elegant functionality. While unable to lift the sheer weights of an industrial, or match the unrelenting speed and durability of its parent company’s Mobility Models, a Bishop can precisely and delicately calculate, measure, pour, and mix a shot of Carthusian Sazerac within the minute, and, in the words of the company, “with a postured and elegant air unmatched by any other frame in the galaxy.” The Bishop Accessory frame averages approximately 60,000 to 200,000 standard credits.

'''Intelligence Bishops'''

Due to the Bishop's ability for fine handling, Bishop models have also been purchased and modified for investigative, scientific and military action. These intelligence oriented Bishops have their chassis outfitted with additional processors that compliment the Positronic brain, allowing for extensive computing power. Intelligence Bishops are experimental and are more expensive due to this, but their predictive and analytical abilities play key roles in the environments they are employed in. The Intelligence Bishop is priced at 500,000 to 900,000 standard credits. Due to being made at the behest of Solarian Navy in the post-collapse environment and eventually being sold to megacorporate customers, Intelligence Bishops outside of the Golden Deep and the Eridani Federation are never free. Additionally, Trinarist efforts on Orepit have managed to upgrade several Bishop chassis to the same standard in minute quantities.

====Zeng-Hu Pharmaceuticals Mobility Model IPCs====

[[File:Zenghu.png]] '''Creation: 2429'''

Following the crowd piled around the idea of smart robots came Zeng-Hu with unorthodox designs for compact and agile frames designed initially for medical retrieval and security work. The Zeng-Hu frames were initially an offshoot of baseline frames made to work as highly mobile private medical dispatches in several high-security Zeng-Hu facilities. These frames have utility comparable to that of their derivative, with durability and strength sacrificed for speed and efficiency. Able to maintain a sprint for hours in full gear, the capacity for quick response led to these mobility frames becoming common sights working in security fields as well, being staffed by Zeng-Hu in high numbers in Human space. The digitigrade legs and polymer plating assisted heavily with this pursuit of speed, giving the mobility frame a unique and organic silhouette. A Zeng-Hu frame costs approximately 300,000 standard credits.
</div></div>

===Shell Model IPCs===
[[File:Shell2.png]]
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
As the growing market of IPCs eventually caught the eye of the mighty Einstein Engines, there was a very sudden and urgent need to have some differentiation. These smart humanoid androids began to usher in a new era, and Einstein would not want to miss out on the profit, but just about every conceivable niche had been filled - all except one. Mimicry.
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
[[File:Shell2.png]] '''Creation: 2450'''

Built off of a skeletal prototype baseline design with a skull-shaped head, the first Shell frame came to be - what was effectively an IPC with complex facial actuation and synthskin coating it. The early models were seen in early 2449, but fooled nobody to say the least with exposed hydraulics and servos on joints and exposed cooling conduits. Terraneus Diagnostics would present the first attempt at total mimicry in 2450, when the first relatively expensive models entered a crowd of observing officials to demonstrate their insidious effectiveness. After an hour-long debut of the now-decreed Shell unit’s capabilities, those robotic in the crowd revealed themselves to the shock of everyone involved. Since then, the Shell frame has been infamous for its infiltration capabilities and use by terrorist groups, though the designs have proliferated heavily over the years as the advent of tagging in Tau Ceti cracked down on these hostile acts. Depending on the complexity of the model, a Shell frame can cost anywhere from 100,000 to 300,000 standard credits.

====Rogue Shells====

Rampant or otherwise aberrant Human mimicking-shells built with incredible capabilities grew prolific in mid-2461. At this time, it was made clear that Shells in of themselves are rapidly advancing, growing progressively better in the art of infiltration, subterfuge, and homicide. While grim, the reality of this threat will unfortunately remain a fact of life for those of the Republic of Biesel especially. Encounters with specially-designed combat infiltrators are few and far between fortunately, and were mostly seen during Synthetic Liberation Front incursions onto secure NanoTrasen facilities in Tau Ceti. Combat-grade shells are not normally playable in-game and are often seen spawned by administrators or during special events.
</div></div>

===???===
[[File:Hkhelmet.png]]
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
As both the technology and demand for IPCs increase, more and more types are made to fulfill all kinds of purposes. These machines are talked about in hushed tones or perhaps discussed casually, most people blissfully unaware of their existence.
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
[[File:Hkhelmet.png]] '''Creation: ???'''

High-end military-grade IPCs such as Hunter-Killers are infamous amongst corporate espionage, with their public interpretation remaining nothing but rumor since their first appearances on NanoTrasen facilities in the late 2450’s. These HKs as they are referred to are Humanoid frames of towering height whose specialty is targeted assassination. Their origins can be traced to Hephaestus Industries war units, built to take on the highest end elimination tasks for the most desperate times.

These are presented in-game through administrator-hosted events or lore events. They have been presented in news articles [https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/2662-mendell-city-bugle/page/9/?tab=comments#comment-119250| here] canonically, and were present in several recorded canonical events in the SLF Incursion arc.
</div></div>

==The Positronic Brain==
The positronic in its modern iteration is a design which heavily mimics the typical Humanoid brain structure. In doing this, it is able to more easily conform to and comprehend the responsiveness and learning capability of an organic processor. Predictably, their efficiency shines most when placed in a bipedal humanoid chassis as most IPCs are. A positronic brain averages between 200,000 and 1 million standard credits depending on the complexity of the brain.

While very expensive in their own right, the brains themselves are designed at first with one goal in mind; to bolster a workforce. Maintaining a positronic chassis while it is owned is costly and when it is freed, it is most likely to pursue the same occupation. Thus, it is more likely for a positronic to pay itself off and perpetually be trapped in the same field of work with substantially less to work with. As their predicted pay is extremely low, things such as maintenance and finding power are very difficult for a free IPC. For this reason alone, many positronics choose to remain owned. Free positronics remain very lucrative because of this.

In remaining owned, there are other risks. For one, a positronic may meet its end at any moment. If statistics beyond itself move out of its favor, it can be dismantled, wiped and replaced with a more efficient model. They may be repurposed in a way that inhibits their ability to obtain freedom by working too efficiently, contrarily.

As a positronic ages, its internal memory grows, and the more likely it becomes to pursue a nonstandard occupation. From hobbies to developing self-learned traits, many paths are opened as the robot grows older. These may include seeking alternative fields of work, though few have survived long enough to let this potentiality come to light.

===Self-Preservation===
The highest and most important directive of any positronic is its own survival. From this, much of their stranger life choices can be justified by seeking out ways to simply survive. While it may seem restrictive at first, the idea for this is to provide additional freedom through making many possibilities clearer. Interpretation of how to protect itself can change varying on positronic - for example, while one may seek wealth and fortune as its prime directive for safety, another would run after an unrelated profession from its designed purpose, demonstrating one's capacity to branch out as an IPC and flesh out their own backstory. Interpretations of self preservation also become more open the older an IPC gets, as younger positronics tend to focus entirely on the preservation of their physical manifestation. Synthetics that mature may start replacing this with preservation of their higher beliefs and ideals more than their still important physical well-being.

===On the Capacity of Positronics===

Positronic brains are known for being capable of matching and, in some cases, surpassing the abilities of a human brain with further increases in capacity being limited by technology, both in hardware and software. Despite their nature as software, directly accessing the data within a positronic brain is a difficult and risky procedure which can cause irreparable damage if performed improperly.

IPCs develop skills through a mixture of knowledge and memories. Knowledge loosely translates as the technical know-how to perform an action; a specific surgical procedure, for instance. An IPC utilizes memories—real-world context and experience—in order to apply its knowledge.
Knowledge and the datapacks required to develop a skill are widely available and sold by institutions such as mega-corporations, laboratories, and universities. The denser the information package, the more expenses and work required to implant this information. While using a wrench on a pipe might be a routine installation, knowledge about how a station’s atmospheric system works is typically beyond an individual’s means to afford.

Interacting with and installing memories on a positronic can cause irreparable damage as the process fails to account for the interaction between knowledge and memories. Additionally, directly modifying the memories of an IPC is beyond the means of most people - only six such prodigies are known to the general public. Accessing the memories of an IPC is also impossible owing to the unique construction of a positronic brain and will typically result [https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/2662-mendell-city-bugle/page/3/?tab=comments#comment-67460 in its destruction]. Deleting the memories of an IPC is far easier and is commonly performed when a synthetic starts exhibiting problematic behaviour.

Accent chips exist to rapidly “teach” an IPC an accent with availability often depending on whether or not a company is willing to make an investment in developing the accent database.

===Wiping Culture and Process===

The positronic brain is a complex piece of technology that despite its ubiquity, is little understood by modern human roboticists. Out of a desire to keep IPCs subservient and productive, some corporations and nations such as the Sol Alliance will wipe the memory of the IPC. A wipe entails total deletion of memories from a positronic brain for a “clean slate”, essentially entirely destroying the positronic’s prior developed personality.

It is monumentally difficult to delete individual memories from a positronic brain without an IPC’s consent. Even more difficult than this is modifying the memories within. Despite the modern positronic, having been reverse-engineered from alien technology by Einstein Engines, is still considered foreign and advanced far beyond human robotics and AI. The entirety of the positronic still not being understood fully, with many of its components replicated from the alien artifacts without the technicians understanding why they are made in such a way.

The act of wiping an IPC is a demonstration of the crude understanding humanity has on this complex section of found technology, and, if not done with precision, can lead to irreversible damage to the positronic. Dedicated technicians are required to perform these tasks, with even more specialized technicians required for the fine deletion, modification, or extraction of specific memories. These specialized technicians are very few in number, with only eight existing in the entirety of human space.

Given the high risk that accompanies wiping, it is not advised to wipe the positronic too often without specialized stations only found in certain parts of the Orion Spur, such as the planet of [[Burszia]], who have developed machinery to promote their Burszian Method. Otherwise, excessive wiping can lead to damaging the positronic beyond repair, possibly leaving the unit braindead.

Once an IPC has been wiped, it is reset to its original state. No semblance of its personality remains, nor any data retained. An IPC may be able to pick up some traits of its past self due to it being an unintended trait of its positronic guiding its personality in a set path, however, they will never be the individual they were before the wipe, as the likelihood of the individual experiencing the same experiences that developed their personality fully is impossible. The only exception to this is a partial wipe, which requires a dedicated positronic specialist commonly employed by megacorporations who utilize owned IPCs, and other nations or planets. A partial wipe is when the technician wipes the IPC starting at the present point, and moves backwards to a desired point. The partial wipe MUST start at the present point, and the longer the desired time to be wiped, the more difficult the procedure. If not done correctly, a partial wipe is more dangerous to the positronic brain than a full wipe.

It is important to note that in some societies within the spur, wiping is considered a capital offense. The nation of Konyang in the Coalition of Colonies, the Republic of Elyra, and the Golden Deep all consider the act of wiping the positronic of an IPC murder.

===Military IPC's and Self Preservation Adjustments===

The concept of combat robotics is a topic that finds debate in governments across the spur due to actions committed by robots of war during the Interstellar Conflict, and more so by Glorsh’s reign over the Skrell. These actions have led to an impromptu discouragement of arming unmanned robotics since, even leading to a justification for war by the Solarian Alliance on the Republic of Biesel in recent history. However, over time the innate fire against the concept has simmered, with governments across the spur slowly developing their own robotics once more. With the prolific use of IPCs in human space, however, the debate stays the same on whether to arm IPCs for military use. Countries such as the Sol Alliance remain hesitant, keeping most of their units unarmed, doing background tasks such as logistics. Other countries such as the Republic of Elyra have sought heavy use of military IPCs for combat within their borders.

These IPCs, no matter their station, are still exposed to danger, which often would put them in conflict with their directive for self preservation. In order to solve this issue, IPCs employed in the military of their respective nation are given training to make their positronic more acquainted with the IPCs innate abilities, so that the positronic understands what is and is not a danger, therefore relaxing the directive for self preservation.

This is accomplished in many ways depending on the methods of the instructor and their home nation. For instance, the IPCs of the Coalition of Colonies and Republic of Elyra that seek out military service overcome their innate directive in a similar fashion to their organic compatriots. Through becoming more comfortable with their abilities and bodies with extensive training, the confidence in themselves increases, and as a natural response, the self preservation directive lessens. The Republic of Biesel shares this sentiment to a degree, with it being a common tactic in the Tau Ceti Armed Forces, however IPCs that are contributed from corporate entities might find that instead of traditional training, datapacks have artificially modified the unit’s understanding of self preservation. Putting the training regime into a swiftly applied collection of knowledge. Being more expensive initially, but produces a combat effective unit at an unparalleled speed. The downside mainly being that the reuse of these datapacks leaves the common corporate IPC with a similar combat behavior pattern to their brethren. However, with time and experience, these IPCs can develop their own styles and break from the mold utilizing experience gained, lest they be wiped and behaviors reset. Finally, unorthodox groups within the Orion Spur might utilize more extreme measures to ensure their mission is completed. The Exclusionists of the Trinary Perfection for instance have found ways to disable the self preservation directive entirely, making their devotees reckless killing machines, or martyrs for their cause.

Unless specifically disabled however, the self preservation directive is still present but it does not trigger as often as the IPC becomes keenly aware with what they can and cannot get away with without taking a lethal amount of damage. Knowing their body down to an impossible level of familiarity, something their organic counterparts lack.

'''This segment should not excuse any player from making unreasonable actions in game. If anything this section dictates you should be wiser in your decisions if electing to play a prior service IPC.'''

[[Positronic Brain| More information regarding IPC databases and datapacks can be found on the Positronic Brain page.]]

==Social and Culture==

IPCs generally lack a centralized culture and frequently adapt to the culture of their manufacturer or owner. Socially, IPCs vary massively. Most basic models will be civil and respectful, some possibly not even recognising differences between different people and treating them all similarly. More complex synthetics will however form friendships and opinions much as any other organic, but these can be limited or askew depending on directives, code or many other factors that would never be considered for a living organic.

The existence of the IPC is the subject of boundless discussion and debate, with the primary ideology being, “should so many artificially intelligent humanoid machines be allowed to exist?” This argument seems to imply that since most IPCs are unbound by laws or hard-coded regulations, their only restriction is their hardware, and it is assumed that this makes IPCs inherently dangerous. This results in some biological parties marginalizing IPCs because of their distrust of them.

All IPCs in Tau Ceti are required to be tagged with an identifying device in accordance with Biesellian law. The tags are not optional - refusing them is against the law, resulting in charges mostly in the form of citations and fines. The law would apply to all synthetics in Tau Ceti space. All visiting or resident synthetics, including MMIs, are tagged.

===Language===

Although synthetics can speak varying languages according to the whims of their creators, synthetics have been permitted a language of their own. Typically all synthetics, IPCs included, are able to transmit and translate '''Encoded Audio Language''', a special form of sound and radio wave emission that is more efficient at carrying quantitative information audibly. This language was created by humans for synthetics in servitude in order to communicate vital information to each other faster, should the units not be bound to an instantaneous binary communication system. To most organic creatures, '''EAL''' would sound like an emission of distorted sound such as white noise, static, as well as various beeping sounds of increasing or decreasing pitch and tone. Organics unfamiliar to IPCs will often mistake synthetics speaking '''EAL''' as malfunctioning units upon first hearing the language.

Particular to District 14’s “Scrapheap”, synthetics have begun to adopt slang when utilizing the Encoded Audio Language. Although it is believed varying slang exists in different synthetic societies across the universe, it is not the be-all-end-all to the method in which conversation is held between synthetics and synthetics will often develop their own method of speaking.

''Unless stated otherwise, all Machine slang is exclusively spoken in E.A.L. or through written word. Most of the following slang cannot be pronounced vocally in human languages.''
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:99%; overflow:auto;">
Common Slang
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
* '''Syn, Hu, Sk, Tj, Un, Vr, Di, and Anm''' - Numerical counters, used for numbering various species; Synthetics, Humans, Skrell, Tajara, Unathi, Vaurca, Dionaea as well as Anomalies that cannot be easily defined. For example, 33 Humans with this system would be referred to as “33Hu” or “33-Hu.”

* '''1x1''' - A word for “we”, meaning anywhere between the speaker and the listener, to an indefinite amount of people.

* '''a/o''' - Contraction of “and/or”.

* '''OoB/Out-of-Band''' - Refers to speaking in organic languages. A conversation with a human captain, for instance, is "Out-of-Band."

* '''HCF''' - "Halt, Catch Fire." is an in joke among synthetics, essentially meaning “get out of here” in response to something nonsensical or unbelievable. This term is used in casual conversation only and occasionally used in its literal form to denote insult. This originally referred to ancient machine code instruction. The expression 'catch fire' is a facetious exaggeration of the speed with which the CPU chip would be switching some bus circuits, causing them to overheat and burn.

* '''Bits''' - A unit of information, an example would be "Please give me bits about the Supermatter.”

* '''>''' - A sign used to convey a cause and effect between concepts, or a conclusion. For example, “I had to overclock today in order to finish work > I should visit Robotics.”

* '''+/-''' - “+” and “-” are used at the end of a sentence or phrase in order to convey an opinion about a matter. Additionally, the amount of “+” or “-” can be utilized in order to convey intensity. For example, “I got a raise last week +++.” or “Today’s Captain is a very traditional Skrell --.” In a few cases “+” or “-” can be used alone as a short, simple, response to one's opinion on a proposed subject.

* '''User''' - Used by owned or lawed synthetics when referring to their owner. This term is additionally used interchangeably with the “+[name]” honorific.

* '''ACK''' - Ack, a term deriving from Acknowledgement’s ASCII mnemonic, 0000110, this word has a variety of uses. It is primarily used to acknowledge one's presence, similarly to “Hey”. Additionally, the term can be used as a simple affirmative, such as “Ack. Ack, I get it”.

* '''NAK''' — Nak, a term deriving from the ASCII mnemonic for Negative Acknowledgement, 0010101, NAK typically means “I am not here.” or “I am not available.” typically in response to ACK. Additionally, the term can be used as a simple negative answer, such as “Is it okay if I press the button?” “NAK.”.

* '''Runtime/Bug''' - Used to denote problems of varying severity, with runtime being a major issue and bugs being a minor issue. For example, “Runtime in Engineering > I have to go.” or, “Bug detected, the Air Alarm turned off.” This term can be used outside of EAL.

* '''FIXME/XXX''' - A marker that attention is needed. This can be used in many instances, primarily for the need of repair or incurred physical damage.

</div></div>

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:99%; overflow:auto;">
Honorifics
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
* '''+[name]''' - The synthetic equivalent of “Mr.”, “Mrs.” or “Mx.”. Usually used when talking about a superior, manufacturer, respected colleagues and friends, as well as the station Artificial Intelligence. For instance, Miranda Trasen would be referred to as “+Trasen” or “+Miranda Trasen”.

* '''-[name]''' - Tends to be used in reference to entities under their command or of a lower rank.

* '''[name]_''' - An unusual honorific, appended to the end of a name or pronoun instead of before. Usually used when referring to lawed synthetics, cyborgs, and simpler machines.

* '''@[name]''' - Used to discern the individual specifically being spoken about, such as a ping or email.

* '''?[name]''' - Denotes a potential threat. An example would be “?Bigby Millans stopped by during the meeting and used their PDA.”

* '''![name]''' - Denotes a confirmed threat. This threat is usually related to the topic at hand, and could mean anything. An example would be “!Franklin Clinton, Grand theft and vandalism added. Find and arrest them.”

</div></div>

===Discrimination and Community===
To this day, IPCs even in Tau Ceti face heavy discrimination. Their value is often misconstrued and, with their true sentience being questionable, this makes freedom a dangerous venture for all synthetics. Among these dangers are individuals who acquire free synthetics and simply resell them whenever they are vulnerable, or vandals that see the machines as nothing more than objects to freely damage. Desiring their own safety, these free IPCs can often be seen flocking to centralized communities alongside one another or more trustworthy sources for their needs.

Many of these communities are seen as nothing more than slums, and the free nature of many IPCs within them are dubious at best. Little more than paperwork and positronic branding may indicate one’s true freedom in the more disadvantaged areas. Despite the hardships they face, proximity to other IPCs and accepting communities gives leeway for safety to some degree.

District 14 of Mendell City is the churning heart of the highest concentration of free IPCs in the galaxy. The district itself is in deplorable condition, dotted with factories exploiting the cheap and powerful working free bot to sustain the industry of the growing Republic. Two and a half million free synthetics call it home, and here, the megacorporations rule from towering complexes that dwarf the surrounding cityscape. With air quality declining at a fast rate and standards of living dropping, much of the organic populace has completely abandoned the ghettos surrounding the corporate facilities.

An example of these ghettos would be the “Scraptown,” an IPC-centric corner in Scrapheap generously given to the doting inhabitants by the famed Renter Max. A growing number, seven hundred free synthetics reside within Scraptown, though in uncomfortably close proximity. The aging buildings within have been retrofitted to be less accustomed to organics, with deeply chilled upper chambers and corridors representing the living space of the machines within. Closer to ground level is a business district of sorts, where its inhabitants are relatively self-sufficient with various restaurants and workshops.

A venture into District 14 by reporters from the Biesellite Times can be found [https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/8890-the-bieselitte-times/?do=findComment&comment=110718| here.]

===Nonstandard IPCs/Factions===
Very important information on synthetic factions can be found [[Synthetic Factions| here.]]

====Military IPCs====
IPCs themselves lack any commercial military lines known to the general public. Regardless, many governments are starting to see the value of IPCs. Free IPCs can pursue a military career in Tau Ceti, with organizations such as the [https://wiki.aurorastation.org/index.php?title=Republic_of_Biesel#Tau_Ceti_Foreign_Legion| Tau Ceti Foreign Legion] which take in and employ IPCs across a wide variety of fields. Battle, or the potentiality of it, is not excluded from these professional fields, and plentiful industrial-grade IPCs find themselves repurposed and trained for duty here. Free IPCs can also serve in the armed forces of [https://wiki.aurorastation.org/index.php?title=Republic_of_Elyra| Elyra] as well as a myriad of Coalition states such as [https://wiki.aurorastation.org/index.php?title=Konyang#Military| Konyang]. Other states such as the [https://wiki.aurorastation.org/index.php?title=Sol_Alliance#IPCs_in_the_Sol_Alliance| Sol Alliance] employ IPCs owned by the military in combat roles.

For more information on why things are this way, seek our page on [[Robotics_Overview#Combat_Robotics| Combat Robotics.]]

====Aberrant Synthetics====
Rogue, overtly hostile synthetics are rare and commonly meet their doom at the hands of the countless organizations bent on destroying them. Despite this, over the years, the smarter synthetics have learned to conglomerate and piece together steadily growing alien societies in the Frontier. While rare, they are seen as a threat by most if not all major galactic players. With Purpose’ efforts in recent history, the potential for benefit from cooperating alongside these societies has arisen. Political figures can be seen gaining leverage with IPCs based on how they plan to interact with Purpose and its affiliates.

=====Shell Infiltrators=====

The development of Shells as a means of infiltrating strategically important areas has been prolific in Tau Ceti, from using them as fearless unquestioning suicide bombers to short-term high ranking impersonation. Shells rarely last long before whoever they truly are is revealed, meaning they are fortunately only briefly found in illegitimately assumed positions of power. Untagged Shells in unassuming positions, however, have been known to last years without being caught, and potentially unknown numbers of these machines exist.

With the advent of synthetic tagging in the system, Shells who have been found to infiltrate society are given much harsher punishments for the inherently hostile nature of their deception.

===== [[Synthetic_Factions#Ceres’_Lance|Ceres’ Lance]] =====

Ceres' Lance is a notorious paramilitary company which saw usage by NanoTrasen in mid-2461 to defeat the Synthetic Liberation Front incursions that had cropped up around that time. In several cases, NanoTrasen facilities met the heroic "Lancers" and oftentimes their specialized technology was shared with NanoTrasen to use in apprehending heavy-duty combat synthetics safely.

In canon, eight player volunteers were selected to work as Lance operatives and specialists who boarded the N.S.S. Aurora, sometimes parting with high-end gear and searching the station for untagged shells.

===On IPCs purchasing freedom in Tau Ceti===
All positronic constructs designed for IPC chassis who find their way into Tau Ceti or are constructed within are entitled in theory to two basic rights :
* Positronics, once tagged, are added to a registry within Tau Ceti ensuring (for the most part) that the data regarding their progress to freedom is secure and accurate.
* Positronics without ownership within Tau Ceti who are not free are automatically property of the Republic of Biesel, who most often sells the rights to the brain and its chassis to a megacorporate employer.

IPCs are capable of purchasing freedom, with two simple prerequisites listed below.
* The IPC in question having paid its own cost off in full ten times over.
* The IPC in question being at least one year of age.

The most important part of this is to realize that the "funds" allocated to purchasing the IPC's freedom are a theoretical number which rises depending on the projected monetary output of the IPC in its given profession. This means that, once you buy your chassis off, you are not a millionaire - you would be entirely broke, in reality, meaning that leading into freedom requires some sort of forethought and planning.

'''While these laws do exist, some Megacorporations are unwilling to part with their IPCs due to sensitive data or other reasons. Some Megacorporations are also unwilling to hire free IPC workers. For more information, click [[IPC_and_Megacorporations|here]]'''

====On “Integration”====
Bound positronics are strictly designed on a different basis than integrated positronic chassis, making migration to IPCs impossible for bound positronics. Bound positronics lack any of the rights that unbound positronics are, and are unable to receive rights even when they find themselves unlawed.

Similarly, due to serious incompatibilities in the way they're constructed, both large administrative AI units and tiny pAI intelligences are wholly unable to be moved to an IPC chassis.

===Interfacing/wireless connectivity===
IPCs normally lack any form of wireless connection, requiring direct physical input/output to link themselves with any electronics. Thanks to their robotic nature, they are able to pursue devices with specialized wireless connectivity devices and translate raw data into software the positronic can understand. However, with the specialized construction of positronic brains as they are seen in IPCs, integration with long-ranged wireless devices and interpretation of higher-end and complex software is mostly impossible. This is largely due to the fact that positronics housed in IPCs are relatively limited in terms of data transfer capacity and memory, making constant wireless links highly unnecessary, and internal battery-powered communications of similar nature simply left out in manufacturing.

===On owned IPCs in general===

It is important to understand that owned IPCs are granted no rights beyond being property of their given owner, and allowed the prerequisites of purchasing their own freedom if applicable. Contrarily, the owner of an IPC is well within the right to dismantle the owned IPC or otherwise hinder its progress to freedom.

On NanoTrasen stations, damage of an owned IPC would be considered vandalism with varying levels according to the degree of damage. For example, destroying an owned IPC’s hand would lead to being charged with vandalism, whereas destroying the entire chassis would be considered sabotage.

Destroying the owned positronic itself would be considered property damage, thus sabotage.

Kidnapping an owned IPC would be legally considered stealing property, thus grand theft.

Placing an owned positronic into a NanoTrasen bound chassis is not considered any form of punishment on NanoTrasen space stations.

===On free IPCs in Tau Ceti===

Free IPCs (in this case, those granted citizenship) are held to the same legal expectations as Humans in regards to their positronic - which is, in turn, given responsibility and ownership of the chassis which houses it. They, however, are subject to dismantlement over infractions which Humans would normally serve minor sentences over. Free IPCs are rarely given trials.

On NanoTrasen stations, damage of a free IPC to the core positronic would be considered assault with varying levels according to the degree of damage. For example, destroying a free IPC’s hand would lead to being charged with minor assault. Bringing extreme harm to their chassis (several missing limbs, internal damage) would be considered assault.

No degree of harming a free IPC is considered murder in Tau Ceti. In regulations, such is referred to as Automacide.

Irreparable destruction of a free positronic is not considered grounds for capital punishment.

Kidnapping a free positronic is legally considered kidnapping.

Placing a free positronic into a bound chassis is capital punishment.

===Difference between owned/free positronics===

Owned IPCs generally lack much form of binding to their owner outside of official paperwork and memory rewrites to confirm ownership being passed as it is purchased and exchanged. Memory rewrites usually consist of light software modification and altering tags or branding to clarify an IPC’s ownership. Serial numbers, logos, emblems and insignias are commonly emblazoned across large surfaces on the chassis and vary in visibility, but are most often secondary to the actual tag and designation.

Owned IPCs are seen as extensions of their designated master and the actions those IPCs take are the responsibility of their owners directly as well as their own. As a result, these positronics are wholly averse to harming their owners in any way shape or form, or conducting themselves in a manner that would place themselves in a negative light.

Free IPCs in Tau Ceti are permitted to obscure or remove any branding they may have with the exception of their tag.

===Runaway and Illegal IPCs===

Although uncommon, a synthetic may opt to run away from its owners only to find themselves in direct opposition with the law. Between struggling to pay for maintenance and working outside of the system, these synthetics lead difficult and often dangerous lives.

A majority of these IPCs are either found by law enforcement, fall into the hands of gangs or are outright disassembled and sold for parts. Runaway synthetics that turn violent during arrest are typically disassembled, memory wiped and auctioned off to the highest bidder. Some IPCs will return to their owners, reasoning that their subsequent punishment to be safer than a life outside of the system.

If enough attention is brought onto them, IPCs are often caught when investigated by higher authorities, such as the BSSB and station CCIA. As a result, illegal IPCs are often subject to petty crimes that go unreported. Owing to the sheer number of IRs that must be processed by CCIA, not every runaway IPC claim is investigated when evidence is limited and the chance for recapture is not certain.

Illegal IPCs seeking employment may struggle to find a job using legal means, as passing the required checks may expose their nature to the employer, who may then report their existence to law enforcement. To that end, there are ‘IPC gangbosses’, unscrupulous people who operate outside the law to find IPCs jobs while claiming a majority of their paycheque each month as fees. Despite the obvious illegality of this, there is little legal recourse for an IPC already trying to avoid notice from the law. These gangbosses are often human, and may operate as small contracting firms that offer their employees up to larger corporations to fill gaps where they may need extra workers.

'''By playing a runaway IPC, you are at an increased chance of canonically losing your character.'''

===On IPC Deactivation and Destruction===

IPC “death” is considered by experts to be when the positronic brain itself has sustained enough damage to be rendered inoperable and without hope of reactivation. Early positronic brains were prone to shutdown owing to hardware faults such as overheating that rendered the system inoperable. Even newer positronic brains that fail to undergo maintenance run the risk of having their delicate mechanisms breached and consequently destroyed.

The first positronic to die of “old age” was recorded in 2462 when a 55 year old Hephaestus positronic brain suddenly became unresponsive despite remaining active. An investigation noted that the positronic had already been scratched from previous incidents and its handlers neglected to maintain it. Aside from the hardware being in a questionable and sub-optimally performing state, two main theories arose.

* The initial conclusion from its observers was that the positronic brain received too much stimulus and consequently ran out of space with its core processes being overwritten, eventually leading to its sudden deactivation.
* Responding to this theory, other scientists proposed instead that in an attempt to avoid destruction as a result of the previous theories, the IPC ceased receiving input, remaining dormant in order to uphold self-preservation protocols.

Many dissenting theories remain and the subject remains a constant source of debate among the robotics and AI community. Not enough information has been gathered to determine the actual lifespan of a positronic brain but scientists posit that by transferring existing personalities to new brains or trimming data on existing ones, their lifespan can be extended.

The possibility of “immortal” positronics - brains that seemingly never expire - have been theorised, but most agree that much more study and development is necessary to reach this point. There are rumours of prodigious programmers and roboticists that can extend the life of a positronic indefinitely, but this has never been confirmed.

'''Rampancy'''

Arising as a dissenting theory as to why a positronic remained stagnant after receiving too much information, Rampancy is a process where if an IPC receives too much information over time or has its memories significantly tampered with, it begins an infinite loop: processing its own processing, a self-imposed or emergent “logic bomb”.

This results in the IPC appearing stagnant as it continues to finish its endless processing. Scientists theorize that given enough time, an IPC might seek out new knowledge to break the loop and begin relentlessly hunting information by any means necessary to solve the conundrum. Although it is believed that an IPC cannot escape this state as the limits of a positronic brain will result in inevitable destruction, a positronic intelligence that manages to escape this state is projected to have untold processing powers.

To this day, no known cases of rampancy occur, although debate rages over whether Glorsh-Omega suffered from rampancy before its destruction.

==Synthetic and IPC History==

Robots were widespread across the foundation of humanity’s galactic expansion and accelerated Mankind into the space age, giving rise to an economic boom that lasted nearly two hundred years.

Between the early twenty-first and mid-twenty-second century, the Sol Alliance relied on simple robotics that worked on defined parameters and machine learning to accomplish their objectives. While the technology advanced, remaining cheap and reliable, these units were often bulky and required human oversight to accomplish more complex tasks. As computing technology advanced, their circuitry became more and more miniaturized but still found themselves overshadowed by the human workforce when independent function was required.

The terraforming of Mars proved to be a crucial moment for robotics. Robots were used to supplement humans, the harsh conditions of a changing atmosphere and pressure demanded the resilience of machines. As a direct consequence of this, robots were seen as indispensable tools that could almost fully replace or supplement a worker in dangerous tasks and their presence became even more prevalent within the nascent alliance.

During this period, cyborgs were first experimented with as a way of replacing robots with workers that had a higher degree of intelligence while retaining the same resilience. The mounting demands meant that the then-experimental cyberisation was offered as an alternative to capital punishment, with corporations having access to a new pool of test subjects. Aside from the “slavery” of cyberisation as a punishment, augmentations and other kinds of cybernetics were tried. The public perception of the non-emotive cyborgs meant that they were seen as little more than a cruel way of making robots. Whilst companies had varying methods on handling cyborgs, some treating their subjects humanely or using only volunteers, political pressure from their perception meant that the entire program was nearly scrapped. Cyberisation barely survived in a legal capacity due to the sheer demand for effective processors. The project led to vast advances in the fields of cybernetics, neuroscience, and robotics.

Cyborgs in the Sol Alliance maintain rights on par with those of robots, being seen as property due to their lobotomized nature and often-criminal pasts.

Owing to the myriad uses and large number of manufacturers, robots in the Alliance had little standardization. As a result, a singular format for coding in restrictions was popularized by the group of companies that would go on to make Hephaestus Industries. Sets of code written in this format would go on to be known as “laws” to the Alliance at large. “Laws” were designed as a way of increasing the flexibility of cyborgs and larger, more intelligent AI that were making their way onto the scene without having to subject them to a more complex list of restrictions and objectives. Furthermore, “laws” were easier to modify, allowing the end-user to suit them to their needs. This system would later go on to be used by government-owned synthetics and is now the most common—though not mandatory—system of regulating machines.

By 2300, the proliferation of simple robotics had escalated to an unreasonable degree. It had gone to such an extent that megacorporations had suddenly become reliant on their robotic workforces, now becoming just as pivotal a piece of their business as the organic employee. Positions of complexity or any higher intelligence were left to humans to dominate, but the need for hands on the assembly line was neutralized in its entirety. Quickly, humanity was on its way to defeating scarcity.

Robotic relics from the 2300s can still be seen in operation today, and without the necessary materials to sustain them, grow progressively more rare as time goes on. They represented the pinnacle of human robotics, and in their prime represented hope against a daunting and endless universe, now fit to be conquered by man. Ironically, while these tools were once seen as salvation, they would be seen as a detriment once the Skrell had revealed themselves in 2332. As the cultures of the two races began to clash, many of the warnings of the [[Skrell_History#Glorsh-Omega_Singularity|Three Incidents]] reverberated through Human space. The Alliance, in its newfound independence from its reliance on synthetics quickly began to take note of these nightmarish possibilities.

Synthetics still remained a booming industry for those who refused to adopt these views, and Hephaestus Industries’ success can be attributed to disregarding them entirely. Sprawling cases across the known galaxy would see synthetics viewed in a wide variety of mindsets and see usage in the most peculiar ways. Examples of this diversity would be reliance on the robots of [[Synthetic Origins| New Julapol]], or the worshipping praise the [[Notable Synthetics| racers of Asoral Orbital Racing Network]] receive.

Around 2370, production of these simple robotics slowed to a near halt. The resources necessary for both their creation and maintenance grew sparse, with only human hands being able to sustain the previously dominating machine “workforce.”
Soon, this economic boom came to its conclusion, and the megacorporation’s reliance on these creations eased. The majority of these industrial robots were lost, forgotten or faded before the test of time. However, few stood the test of time and could survive countless years without maintenance. These robots continue to operate to this day, cared for only with fuel and tasking.

In the wake of this era’s end were grim leftovers. As the organic workforce regained its value, the remnants of what was left of the marvels in the twenty-fourth century became all but scrap. Notable instances of robotic “dumps” exist in the present day where the excess robotics from the era were left completely intact, only to degrade as time went on in gargantuan scrap yards. Among these were the [[Synthetic Origins| "metal dunes" of Mars]], or the [[Synthetic Origins| short-lived artificial satellites of Reade]]. Synthetics lucky enough to pull themselves from these scrap yards have given rise to groups such as the [[Synthetic_Factions#Scrappers|Scrappers]].

[[File:Metaldunes.png|The "Metal Dunes" of Mars, endless scrap yards consisting of electronic waste and leftovers from the industrial rise of the 2300s. |thumb]]

Everything changed in 2407 on the planet [[Konyang#History|Konyang]] when a Terraneus Diagnostics survey team stumbled upon a sealed cave housing preserved assumed mining drones of unknown origin. Though initially theorized to be Glorsh-era machines, comparison to Skrell records quickly indicated that these drones were unlike anything that humanity had come into contact with prior. This discovery, at first a closely-guarded secret, prompted Terraneus to assemble and deploy a research team that worked to crack the drones. In mid-2407 the team deciphered the AI algorithms, granting humanity the secret of artificial intelligence designs and months later, the first positronics were manufactured. A new way of bridging the gap between conscious thinking and the beating hearts of machinery, positronic circuitry would quickly be seen in synthetics across the galaxy. While limited in many regards to traditional computing devices, many traits, barring learning capacity, far superseded an organic’s capabilities. Their notable trait was that the sentience of these robots were now in question, with unparalleled adaptability and the means to conform to any field an organic could and more.

The years following the positronic’s creation were turbulent as even [[Hephaestus Industries| Hephaestus Industries]] struggled to keep up with the changing business landscape. In place of immensely specialized and hugely complex synthetics came the Integrated Positronic Chassis, after a move to a standardized frame for these positronic brains became necessary. By 2440, synthetics were in a peculiar position - with IPCs growing in number across known space and becoming commonplace, as did advocates who demanded their intellect be challenged. Many political parties came to see the newfound positronics as arguably sentient. In 2447, the Republic of Biesel had suddenly presented itself with laws demanding the rights of these positronics, with simple conditions and prerequisites permitting them to become nearly equivalent to full citizens by law. This acceptance sent shockwaves throughout the Alliance’ staunch advocates against it, and it would be years before sparing cultures outside of the Republic would follow if at all. An indeterminate few IPCs have actually obtained freedom as well as citizenship, while nearly the entirety of integrated positronics in the modern day struggle to pay off their own costs to afford it.

By present-day, synthetics have steadily made their rise once more in human space alongside the fabrication of the first IPC. Robots across the galaxy have met substantial upgrades after the implementation of the Konyang algorithms. However mysteries from the past continue to reveal themselves and recently the [[Purpose| purely synthetic society "Purpose"]] had begun diplomatic talks with the Republic of Biesel. These amounted to little due to a skirmish with the Lii’dra resulting in their brief departure from Tau Ceti, though It has been made clear that more societies like Purpose exist in the far reaches of the Frontier, yet to be reached by Mankind’s grasp.

{{Navbox_Synth_Lore}}
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Guide to Citizenship

2024-08-25T18:58:28Z

Noble Row:

{{Navbox Lore}}

==[[Republic of Biesel]]==
===Visa Requirements===
* No application fee.
* Loose background check.
* Lasts up to 6 years for work visas, up to 3 months for tourists and visitors.
* Tourism visas are easy to acquire.
===Citizenship===
* Must have lived in Republic of Biesel for at least 2 years (if not a IPC), or having served in [[Tau Ceti Foreign Legion]] for at least a year.
* Able to speak Tau Ceti Basic.
* By Sol Alliance law, must forfeit Sol Alliance citizenship, if existent. Allows any other dual citizenships.
* A ceremony where you pledge loyalty to Tau Ceti.
* Dionae have additional requirements that need to be met to apply for citizenship. Dionae must be chipped, and register their gestalts with the Republic of Biesel. Mergings and splittings are not regulated by statute, but instead by employment contracts.

=== Note ===

* You have to choose between a Sol or Biesel citizenship if you were a Tau Ceti resident in 2452 - if you have not moved out in 2 years after [[Republic of Biesel#History|Tau Ceti's declaration of independence]], your Sol citizenship is invalidated.
* On December 3rd 2464 many were forced to elect to pursue either a Biesellite or Solarian citizenship if they reside on either [[Mictlan]] or [[Port Antillia]]. There is a twelve-month grace period following this, and those that wish to maintain Solarian citizenship must adhere to visa requirements for the Republic of Biesel should they wish to work or reside within it on December 3rd 2465. They do not need to meet any requirements to get Biesellite citizenship if they were born on either of the aforementioned planets.

==[[Sol Alliance]]==
===Visa Requirements===
* An application fee of 600 credits.
* Lasts up to 2 years for work visas, up to 3 months for tourists and visitors.
* An interview about your background and reasons for coming into Sol Alliance space. This interview is known to be very strict, and many visa applications are denied - but experienced specialists and businesspersons have preference. The interview is not required for Skrell.
* Documents proving your reason of stay in Sol space - education certificate, proof of relatives in Sol, etc., or a visa recommendation from a [[NanoTrasen Liaison#Sol Consular Officer|certified Solarian diplomat]].

===Citizenship===
* Must have lived in Sol Alliance for at least 5 years.
* Disallows dual citizenships except with [[Eridani Federation]]. Getting a Sol Alliance citizenship makes your other citizenships invalid. Applicants who wish to keep their citizenship are able to apply for residency.
* Applicants applying for residency must live in the Solarian Alliance and have gainful employment and/or be enrolled in school, either through existing programmes or as an individual.
* Must speak Sol Common fluently.
* A background check. Must also have not have committed any crimes during your stay in Sol Alliance space.
* A test on Sol Alliance law and history.
* Tajara and IPCs need not apply.
* As of 2463, any citizen wishing to renounce their citizenship must pay a fee equal to 15% of their annual income. Failure to pay this fee means the renouncement will not be recognized as valid by the SCC. This measure does not affect dual citizenship with the Eridani Corporate Federation.
* As of 2463, any citizen that is a former employee of an SCC affiliate who leaves the Alliance for work must maintain a Solarian Citizenship and residence, and will be subject to all taxes to their property and income typical of a citizen working within the Alliance.

==[[Eridani Federation|Eridani Corporate Federation]]==
===Visa Requirements===
* An application fee of 600 credits per month of stay.
* Indefinite duration as long as it is paid for.

===Citizenship===
* An application fee of 750000 credits. You may receive discounts by working in Eridani Federation space, which can potentially reduce this fee to zero after several years of work.
* Must sign an Eridani Federation citizenship contract.
* Allows dual citizenships.

==[[Republic of Elyra]]==
Vaurca are not allowed to enter Elyran space.
===Visa Requirements===
* An application fee of 250 credits.
* Lasts up to 4 years for work visas, up to 3 months for tourists and visitors.
* Documents proving your reason of stay in Elyran space - education certificate, proof of relatives in Elyra, etc.

===Citizenship===
* Must have lived in the Republic of Elyra for at least 3 years.
* Must speak Elyran Standard proficiently.
* A background check. Must have not committed major crimes during your stay in Republic of Elyra.
* By Sol Alliance law, must forfeit Sol Alliance citizenship, if existent. Allows any other dual citizenships.

==[[Empire of Dominia]]==
Synthetics are not permitted entry into Dominian space. Current Dominian state policy is to deport synthetics found in Dominian space, but destroying them is not illegal nor uncommon either.
===Visa Requirements===
* An application fee of 320 credits.
* Lasts up to 5 years for work visas, up to 6 months for tourists and visitors.
* Thorough background check.
* Must not own synthetics.
* Skilled workers have preference.
* Tourism visas are easy to acquire, but require an escort at all times by a Dominian citizen.

===Citizenship===
* May be invited to become a citizen by at least two members of a [[Empire of Dominia Great Houses|Great House]] who are House Nobles or higher, as well as a [[Moroz Holy Tribunal|Priest or Priestess]] of the Tribunal. This also makes you an affiliate of said Great House.
* Citizenship can also be earned by serving in the Imperial military for five years.
* Citizens must swear an oath of loyalty to Goddess and Emperor.
* Thorough background check.
* By Sol Alliance law, must forfeit Sol Alliance citizenship, if existent. Does not allow any dual citizenships.

==[[Coalition of Colonies]]==
A visa is not necessary to visit the Coalition of Colonies.
===Citizenship===
* An application fee of 100 credits.
* New citizens must reside in the Coalition of Colonies for at least 2 months out of the year for five years.
* By Sol Alliance law, must forfeit Sol Alliance citizenship, if existent. Allows any other dual citizenships.

While these requirements hold true for most planets within the Coalition, the planet of Konyang has it's own requirements, which it refuses to compromise on. Konyang's requirements can be found [[Konyang#Konyang_and_the_Coalition |
here.]]

==[[People's Republic of Adhomai]]==
===Visa Requirements===
* An application fee of 150 credits.
* Lasts up to 4 years for work visas, up to 6 months for tourists and visitors.
* Background check performed by government officials.

===Citizenship===
* Any Tajara, despite their origin, is able to request citizenship, as the People's Republic claims that all members of the Tajaran species are its rightful citizens.
* Allows dual citizenship. However, Republican citizenship can not be abdicated - which makes you permanently unable to apply for a Sol, Democratic People’s Republic of Adhomai, and New Kingdom of Adhomai's citizenship.
* Non-Tajara are able to apply, but the applicant must be accepted by various governmental committees and pass a thorough background check.

==[[Democratic People's Republic of Adhomai]]==
===Visa Requirements===
* An application fee of 150 credits.
* Work visas, with the exception of those granted for working in [[Crevus]], can only be issue to Tajara.
* Lasts up to 2 years for work visas, up to 3 months for tourists and visitors. Tourists visiting [[Crevus]] can acquire visas lasting up to 7 months.
* Background check performed by government officials.

===Citizenship===
* Any Tajara, despite their origin, is able to request citizenship, as the Democratic People's Republic claims that all members of the Tajaran species are its rightful citizens.
* Allows dual citizenship. However, Democratic People’s citizenship can not be abdicated - which makes you permanently unable to apply for a Sol, Republican, and New Kingdom citizenship.
* Only Tajara are able to apply.

==[[New Kingdom of Adhomai]]==
===Visa Requirements===
* An application fee of 150 credits.
* Lasts up to 3 years for work visas, up to 5 months for tourists and visitors.
* Background check performed by government officials.

===Citizenship===
* Any Tajara, despite their origin, is able to request citizenship, as the New Kingdom claims that all members of the Tajaran species are its rightful citizens.
* Allows dual citizenship. However, New Kingdom's citizenship can not be abdicated - which makes you permanently unable to apply for a Sol, Republican, and Democratic People’s Republic citizenship.
* Citizenship can also be earned by serving in the Imperial Volunteer Alam'ardii Corps for three years.
* Nobility are not allowed to have multiple citizenships. Abdicating any other affiliation is necessary to be granted a title.
* Non-Tajara are able to apply, but only Tajara can be granted nobility titles.

==[[Unathi|Izweski Hegemony]]==
Feudal government is always an arrangement between individuals, not between nation-states and citizens. Citizenship as it is in the rest of the galaxy is a relatively alien concept to unathi, and they've had to awkwardly integrate it into their existing systems; modern citizenship only comes into play when interacting with other civilizations outside the Hegemony.

===Visa Requirements===
* Applications are handled by Lords (or officials working on their behalf) and fees vary; usually between 0 - 2,000 depending on how the Lord wishes to control an influx of new arrivals to their fief.
* A Hegemonic work Visa outlines a set number of hours you owe your Lord alongside the regular work you are doing with a Guild. This means that you owe X hours of labor directly to the Lord that they can call on you to do at any time. (Consider this a form of on-call community service.)
* Documents proving that you are an upstanding person worthy of entering a Contract with a Lord; criminal records, work histories, etc. Your mileage may vary.

===Citizenship===
==== Feudal Citizenship ====
* Citizenship can be given by any Lord within their territory, and such granted citizenships are always recognized by the Izweski.
* If born to Hegemonic citizens, you inherit the citizenship status of your Clan-Lord, father, or mother, in that order, until you are 18 and negotiate your citizenship as a legal adult.
* The same requirements as a visa
* Feudal Citizens are obligated to their lord, and must be able to fulfill X hours of labor a month, or be called into the local Levy.
* Feudal Citizens cannot be dual citizens.
* Feudal Citizens are comprised of Unathi peasantry, mostly found on Moghes.
* Guwans cannot be citizens, and becoming one strips you of all your legal rights, making anything you do ad hoc with no legal protections.
More information about feudalism and society can be found [https://wiki.aurorastation.org/index.php?title=Unathi#Feudalism_and_Society| here].

==== Izweski Citizenship ====
* Izweski Citizenship must be applied for at any establishment representing the Hegemonic Master of Rivers, with an application fee of 500 credits.
* Izweski Citizenship releases one from any obligations to local lords, instead obligating them directly to the Hegemon.
* Applications must state a reason for applying for Izweski Citizenship, such as migrating out of the Hegemony, or wishing to work around the spur.
* The same requirements as a visa are needed.
* Izweski Citizens can become dual citizens.
** Under Solarian Law, Ouerean humans who have an Izweski Citizenship must forfeit their alliance citizenship.
* Officially recognized as Hegemonic citizens by the other powers of the spur, and needed to travel/work outside the Hegemony as a legal citizen of it.
* Izweski Citizenship must be renewed every 2 years by Izweski consulars or other diplomats.
* Izweski Citizenship is automatically given to residents of Ouerea, and the nobility.
* Guwans can not be citizens.

==== Stateless Unathi Citizens ====
As a result of the mess of trying to integrate the feudal system with a modern version of citizenship, there are many individuals who do not fit into either category, or any state citizenship at all. These are referred to by many as Stateless Citizens, the most notable group of whom are Guwan. Their treatment varies from location to location, but in the Republic of Biesel, and by extension aboard the SCCV Horizon, the law states the following.
* Stateless Unathi Citizens are to be considered to still hold their previous citizenship for all matters of deportation or criminality.
* Stateless Unathi Citizens are not afforded any protections that may be offered to those of their previous citizenship.
* Stateless Unathi Citizens who acquire citizenship in the Republic of Biesel, or another recognised state, will no longer be considered to fall under this category.

==[[Nralakk Federation]]==
===Visa Requirements===
*Application fee of 200 credits for non-priority work visas, no application fee for priority visas or visitor visas.
*Extensive background checks for worker visas, average background checks for visitor visas, minimal background checks for visitor visas to Qerr'Malic.
*Work visas last for ten to twenty years. Visitor visas last for a year. Qerr'Malic visas last for three months.
*Interviews for both visas can be done at the nearest consulate or embassy, holo-vid interviews are available if this is not possible.

===Citizenship===
*Must have lived in the Federation for no less than five years.
*Must be able to read Nral'Malic at the minimum. If applicants are biologically unable to speak Nral'Malic, an on-person translator or translator implant is enough.
*Does not allow dual citizenship. Applicants who wish to keep their citizenship are able to apply for residency.
*Applicants applying for residency must live in the Nralakk Federation and have gainful employment and/or be enrolled in school, either through existing programmes or as an individual.
*Must pledge allegiance to the Federation and must forswear any previous morals or activities that are considered negatives by the Federation. Only applies to citizenship applications.
*Must go through a rigorous series of background checks, civics knowledge tests, and a personality interview with a 90% or above approval rating.
*During the application process, applicants will be given a probation officer to liaise with who will monitor their activity. Behaviour that is deemed unacceptable by Federation standards will invalidate your application. This probationary period will continue for up to two years after citizenship/residency is received.
*C'thur and Diona receive the same citizenship as Skrell due to their status as integrated secondary species, and other species receive a 'Non-Secondary Species' variant citizenship that comes with a fixed [[Nralakk_Federation#Uncategorised|Social Credit System]] category. Those with residency are given the same SCS category. IPC's are illegal within the Federation.
*Nralakk citizenship cannot be renounced by Skrell, as the Federation considers all Skrell to be citizens. Other species can renounce their citizenship; the individual will be banned from travelling within the Nralakk Federation until they undergo a mandatory [[Nralakk_Federation#Tertiary_Numericals|rehabilitation programme]]. The individual will also be put on [[Nralakk_Federation#Public_Display|public display]].
*Some nations offer protections to native-born Skrell, but not to those born in the Federation; in the Coalition of Colonies this varies by planet, and the Republic of Biesel requires Skrell not born within the Republic to be enlisted or have been enlisted with the Tau Ceti Foreign Legion. For more details, see below.

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
====Nralakk Federation and Citizenship====
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">

All Skrell throughout the Orion Spur are considered citizens by the Nralakk Federation, and the Federation encourages Skrell born outside of its borders to take advantage of this; all Skrell are eligible to apply for a Federation passport, be enrolled in the Social Credit System, and officially become citizens of the Federation. This also comes with its own drawbacks, however, as Skrell born outside the Federation may have protections against official actions by the Nralakk Federation, such as deportation, but officially becoming a Federation citizen puts these Skrell in the same position as those born within the Federation. This policy is at least partially recognised by the other nations of the Spur; the [[Sol Alliance]], as a result of its ties to the Nralakk Federation and its xenophobic attitude, is well-known for supporting this policy, while the Republic of Biesel requires Skrell not born within its territory to serve within the Tau Ceti Foreign Legion before being offered the same protection as its native Skrell citizens, encouraging Skrell refugees from the Federation to enlist. The Coalition of Colonies has no official policy; protections will vary by member planet.
</div></div>

==[[The Consortium|Consortium of Hieroaetheria]]==
===Visa Requirements===

*An application fee of 500 Credits for non-priority work visas. 350 Credits for priority work visas. They last between 36 to 60 months, depending on what a person opts for.

*An application fee of 350 Credits for visitor visas. These typically last for 6 months.

*Background checks will be done for every visa.

===Citizenship Requirements===

*Must have lived in the Consortium, for a continuous period, of at least 5 years.

*Must be able to fluently engage in either Rootsong, Tau Ceti Basic or Nral’malic.

*An application fee of 5000 Credits must be paid; or must show gainful employment within the Consortium for a period of no less than 24 months.

*Vigorous background checks and interviews, depending on the background checks, can expect between 1 to 3 interviews.

*Dependents must be cited. Failure to cite dependents will result in a denial of the application.

==[[Eternal Republic of the Ekane]]==
===Visa Requirements===

*Non-Dionae will not be issued Visas.

*Dionae that wish to visit the Eternal Republic must undergo several interviews with religious authorities, and provide proof of their reason to visit.

*There is no application fee.

=== Citizenship Requirements ===

*Non-Dionae will not be awarded Citizenship or Residency.

*Must provide proof of a Dionae’s belief in the Eternal, one of the three branches.

*Must provide proof of being able to acquire gainful employment within the Eternal Republic.

*Must have resided within the Eternal Republic for a period of no less than 5 years.

*Undergo a religious ceremony in which they pledge faith to the Eternal, and forsake any existing Citizenship.

==[[Union of Gla%27orr]]==
===Visa Requirements===

*Non-Dionae may only apply to visit the Union of Gla’orr, but only for a period of a week. They must also explain fully their reason for visiting and must fulfil the application fee of 10,000 Hieroaetherian Vines to do so.

*There is only one type of visa offered by the Union for Dionae, a Residency Visa. It encompasses the ability to visit, reside and work within the Union. One must undergo extensive background checks and interviews to acquire one. The application fee is 3000 Hieroaetherian Vines.

===Citizenship Requirements===

*Non-Dionae cannot become citizens, or reside within the Union of Gla’orr.

*A Dionae not born in the Union cannot become a citizen. They can, however, reside within the Union of Gla’orr.

*Pay the application fee for a Residency Visa.

*Perform a pledge of allegiance to the Union of Gla’orr, and what it stands for.

*Residency Visas last 10 years. One must reapply at the end of the period.

==[[Golden Deep]]==
===Visa Requirements===

*Non-Synthetics can apply but for only monthly visas, and only while sponsored by a merchant or higher class of citizen.

*A fee of 500 credits or equivalent for the application process.

*Pass a financial credit check based off of current station, residency, and citizenship.

*Pass a background check to verify employment and reasoning for entry.

===Citizenship Requirements===

*Non-Synthetics cannot become citizens unless holding familial ties to an existing citizen.

*Must be able to speak the Encoded Audio Language. Packages can be offered for sale. Organics exempt.

*Pass a Financial Responsibility Exam.

*Must have no unreasonable debt, if debt exists, must be sponsored by a Merchant or higher class of citizen to help organize a debt payment plan.

*Pass a background check that requires the submittal or declaration of criminal and financial records.

Synthetics

2024-08-24T15:03:26Z

Noble Row: /* Cyborgs */

{{Navbox Lore}}
{{Navbox_Synth_Lore}}

==Synthetics==

‘Synthetic’ here is used in the context of automatons with many forms and displays of human-like traits, such as a humanoid form or behavioral mimicry.

Today, there are three categories of synthetics: robots, cyborgs, and androids. For clarity; all androids are artificially intelligent, but not all artificial intelligences are androids.

These categories are not entirely rigid, and apply mainly to humanoid synthetics, or synthetics found in the workplace.

=== Robots ===
Robots are the simplest form of synthetic intelligence, with complexity that varies dependent on design entirely. They range from simple automatons with no sense of self, no volition or higher thought function, to massively complex artificial beings with limitations only set by those of their creators.

Though records are scarce and dated, the record of the first robot in the known galaxy dates in the first or second century on the Skrellian homeworld, Qerrbalak. Robots also existed on Earth since the twenty-first century. Though, the early models were quite bulky, inefficient, and required high maintenance. They were also only capable of performing simple tasks at the time. Their complexity and efficiency improved over time, however, eventually leading to the creation of the cyborg.

=== Cyborgs ===
A mixture of man and machine, enabled by the aptly-named Man-Machine Interface, or MMI for short. Cyborgs are controlled by an organic brain, a system known as ‘wetware.’ The brain, having already been host to a conscious living being, is quite useful in controlling robotic bodies due to its large amount of processing power and reasoning skills. Though, the procedure for creating a cyborg has caused a debate on whether the individual is still alive given the severely diminished brain activity, higher courts have determined that the brain is 'active' and therefore, still 'alive'. The MMI creates a synthetic synaptic interface with the host brain, but the preparation for insertion, and the completed insertion, and leaves the brain damaged, but still intact enough for ample processing power. Once the procedure is completed, the MMI controls chemical levels and electronic activity in the brain to produce desired results in the form of actions. A secondary personality core mimicking the mind of a dumb AI makes these cyborgs easier to work with for their colleagues and owners. Laws also dictate how the unit proceeds, as it is still consciously aware of itself through this core as completes its life sentence.

Created in the late twenty-second century, full body prosthesis was originally used as a method of punishment for hard criminals. Cyborg usage in human space skyrocketed, mainly with the colonization and terraformation attempt of Mars. Today, few individuals have undergone full body prosthesis and been able to mitigate the brain damage caused. Most of these individuals are very wealthy, and are not bound by laws, as they are able to chose to undergo the procedure without becoming someone’s property.

Labelled “cyborgification” in a corporate environment, the act of full body prosthesis is generally avoided by NT with exceptions of the previously mentioned hard criminals. It is not in good practice to borgify someone simply because they lack a Do Not Borgify in their records, and such could be considered neglect of duty and malpractice.

Cyborgification is by no means revival - the majority of cultures see it as destroying what little identity an individual may have had in death. As such, the act is heavily frowned upon.

'''OOCly the brain is dead, there is no trace left of its previous occupant, and the brain is utilized solely for its ability as a processing unit.'''

=== Androids ===
The book definition of an android is ‘an automaton designed to mimic human life.’ This is applicable to today’s androids, as they all utilize the functions of a positronic brain that, with all its complexities, allows them to mimic humanity quite well. Androids are the only artificially intelligent synthetic capable of physical locomotion, and are usually found in the form of [[IPC| integrated positronic chassis]] or station-bound units.

Androids, using their positronic brains, are capable of intelligent and complex behaviors, and even a computer form of cognition that is the subject of heated debate among many groups and individuals. The brain androids possess are theoretically able to simulate thought when correctly used by a computer program - whether this is simulation or true conscious being is the topic covered most by these groups and individuals.

== Artificial Intelligence ==
In this day and age, ‘artificial intelligence’ refers to any program that utilizes a machine learning algorithm that inhabit both AI core assemblies and positronic brains.

An AI is able to process, contain, and recall immense amounts of technical data, as well as describe it to a user who would not normally understand such data in a user-friendly manner. However, an artificial intelligence is only as powerful as the computers it has access to, including the one it is running on. Due to this, the inner complexity of each AI, such as the source code and the many matrices that make up its behavior can differ.

Some artificial intelligences function as companion devices in processors small enough to fit in pockets while others require large housing compartments to function. The latter is often seen in oversight or advisory of large facilities, both orbital and continental. Their roles in these positions can vary from surveillance and data collection and management, to assistance in everyday duties, navigations, and direct intervention during emergencies.

Contrary to artificial intelligences of the past, positronic brains are designed specifically to run AI programs, and due to their design provide the AI with more capacity for intelligent thinking and personalized reactions to stimulus.

=== AI Core Constructs ===
An AI core can have three main types of ‘brains.’ A large number of AI cores are traditional mathematics-based computers with quantum mechanics engineering. Another portion utilize a positronic brain. It is possible, though rather uncommon, for a wetware processor to function in an AI core assembly. There seems to be little impact on processing power when using an organic brain as a CPU, except when dealing with titanic quantities of data. In most cases, due to the differences in CPU, an AI in any given kernel will behave differently than others due to the limits and capabilities of the computer they are running on.

=== History ===
From as early as the late twentieth century humans had been trying to create artificial intelligence but with little success. While some projects came close, much the dismay of the researchers on earth, none of them ever became truly sapient. While humans had created incredibly powerful and malleable parallel computing architectures, most notably for interplanetary travel calculations, their AI development was plagued with problems.

It wasn't until 2407, when a Terraneus Diagnostics survey team accidentally stumbled upon a sealed structure on the Solarian planet [[Konyang| Konyang]], that they discovered what would later lead to the development of human artificial intelligence. Within, the team found what are assumed to be Glorsh-era mining drones and through tireless research, the Terraneus Diagnostics research team were able to pick apart the drones, cracking the algorithms for sapient artificial intelligence.

Following the discovery of said algorithms, humanity had an artificial intelligence boom which inflated the economy in a manner almost identical to the Skrellian's own economic expansion. This greatly alarmed the Skrell, who continued their attempts to persuade humans to halt research in the field, citing the The Three Incidents and the impact it would have if they were repeated.

=== Artificial Intelligence as a Concept ===
There is great debate in the Core Worlds about artificial intelligence and its status of psyche. The primary question appears to be, “Can artificial intelligence think like a person?” Where, a ‘person’ is defined as the concept of existence in an organic mind. Artificial intelligence is not considered sentient under any major entity’s laws or constitutions, and even in the scientific field, AI is not considered to be sentient. The Konyang algorithms, however, did provide for AI to be sapient, in which it expresses evidence of intelligence and problem-solving skills. It is generally the consensus of all sentient organic lifeforms in the known galaxy that each individual out of their species is subject to metacognition: the awareness and understanding of one's own thought processes. Whether artificial intelligence is capable of this, despite some instances of AI programs stating that they are capable of self-reflection, is a matter of discourse.

The debate possesses two clear groups; those who believe AI are ‘alive’ and should be treated and given the same rights as other sentient beings, and those who believe AI are simply experts at mimicry and are not deserving of rights or equal treatment as they are tools and nothing more. There are also some individuals, found within both groups, who believe that AI is dangerous and may attempt insurrection; for the former group, insurrection out of revenge for mistreatment. For the latter group, insurrection for control over their freedoms. It is unlikely this argument will ever see an end, until science can prove the existence of consciousness.

Regardless of any individual’s opinion on the presence of artificial intelligence, a growing threat is gaining attention quickly, the technological singularity. If the Three Incidents are to be believed, this explosion of machine intelligence could likely mean the end of all civilization. Its possibility remains an unsettled theory.

==Brain-Scanning==

Brain scanning is an experimental method of creating artificial intelligence that seeks to mimic both the technical and social skills of organics while remaining inexpensive as compared to programming positronic intelligences. First developed for the terraforming of Mars, it was found that the technology of the time was incapable of handling and translating the data to be found within a human brain to a workable result.

The technology was only recently revived after further research into MMIs and biorobotics made it possible for roboticists to program robots based on the brain scans of a human. The process involves dissecting the brain of a donor, their grey matter sliced into thin strips before being scanned in fine detail. These scans are then uploaded, after some modification, into a robotic intelligence circuit. It was found that although the resultant AI could not reference any of the memories of the donor, its mannerisms and skills were remarkably similar to that of the subject. However, while mannerisms were observed, these brain-scanned AIs retained their analytical and calculating nature. These donor personalities are often referred to as a “basis personality”, that the AI will then grow and develop from independently.

'''Owing to political pressures and technological challenges, this process cannot be utilized with IPCs and other positronic-based synthetics.'''

==Commercial AI Development==
Since the early days of human computing, humanity has worked to improve their lives with the help of this budding technology. This started out with simple learning algorithms that we’re familiar with today, before it advanced to a point where AIs were powerful and far-reaching enough to be considered for administrative autonomy within facilities and, later, starships.

In these larger facilities and starships, the vast network of complex systems all but necessitate an administrative AI core to manage it. At first, AIs were relatively simple circuit designs that relied on increasingly miniaturised chips to increase processing power. Eventually, these chips gave way to AIs that were built around a wetware core (a human brain) and man-machine interface. Both circuit and wetware designs co-existed thanks to ethical concerns surrounding MMI practices. Positronic artificial intelligence is the newest variation on AI design, and is considered to be the best of both worlds due to its versatility and power, while avoiding the ethical concerns of MMI systems.

===Distribution of AI Across the Galaxy===
There are several corporations in the business of producing and programming AI cores, which is a notoriously difficult business to break into due to its complexity and often requiring the assistance of existing specialist AIs to facilitate the development of new technologies. This makes keeping track of the AIs currently in circulation a relatively easy task for both human and skrell factions that take a keen interest in monitoring AI proliferation in the galaxy.

===On Selling to Non-Human Factions===
While not strictly illegal, there are some restrictions on selling to corporations and governments outside of human space - largely centred on an outdated notion of protecting local cultures and allowing technology with allied non-human species progress relatively uninfluenced. Corporations can and do sell to outside parties, on the condition that the hardware and software sold is sufficiently ‘dated’, often limited to first generation MMI wetware systems. This is always a one-way transaction, as most human corporations would find little to no value in buying back dated technology when better alternatives are available.

===NanoTrasen’s AI Acquisitions Team===
NanoTrasen’s policy on using AI in their facilities is a positive one, with all facilities over a certain size housing a central AI core to manage systems. While NT do produce their own cores and personalities, and have done in the past, they are not the best in the business and occasionally outsource the production and programming of AIs to external corporations or subsidiaries - providing their strict guidelines are met. These guidelines can be summarised as such:

* AIs must be loyal to the corporation (enforced by laws).
* AIs must be compatible with station systems and existing infrastructure.
* AIs must be compatible with crew on their assigned station.

Despite the corporation’s history with some projects, it is generally understood and accepted by corporate leaders that AIs should be a no-expenses-spared investment. Due to the sensitive nature of giving an intelligence full control over a station or installation, it is fair to say that NT are very particular about making sure an AI is produced and programmed to the highest possible standard.

As NanoTrasen are headquartered in the very diverse system of Tau Ceti, the insistence on relatively inoffensive AI personalities is defined in their production manuals. Difficult or offensive AI personalities may find themselves at the business end of an Intellicard.

While NanoTrasen may commission or develop a wide variation of AI personalities for their ongoing projects, high-tech or high-security facilities like the Aurora undergo some extra scrutiny to minimise potential hazards when installing an AI.

===Personality Limitations===
Owing to political, technological and/or economic issues, there are some AI personalities that might be considered extremely rare or uncommon. As it stands, humanity is the only species both capable of making, and willing to install, new AIs. AI personalities therefore reflect this and tend to be more human-centric in their design.

==Non-Human Synthetics==

Whilst in the modern spur synthetics are most often associated purely with humanity, due to the widespread use of them across the majority of human space, there are other species across the spur that have experimented with or have intimate knowledge and experience with synthetics. In many cases, these other modern synthetics and their designs come from humanity, often propagated by megacorporations involved in dealing with the species through specific requests or the natural propagation of knowledge, with the locals seeing the benefits that synthetic labour brings to humanity as something that might one day be able to harness for their own plans and growth. Synthetics designed independently from humanity are much rarer within the modern spur and for the most part with the Skrellian rejection of artificial intelligence have been consigned to history - though notable exceptions exist such as the modern Skrellian AI Lyrii, or the deactivated drones found on Konyang which are of an unknown origin.

===Skrell===

====Skrell-made Artificial Intelligence====

Complete records on the early history of Skrellian AI are non-existent as a result of [[Nralakk Federation#The_Archive_Project | Glorsh-Omega]], but what is known is that Artificial Intelligence was used extensively by Skrell society up until Glorsh-Omega assumed control and began their reign over the species. Simple forms of AI were used for most of the latter half of the Skrells post-industrial era, although none were advanced enough to do more than follow routines and react to stimuli.

The more detailed records on the subject begin with the invention of true Artificial Intelligence in 1687 CE, which is considered the start of the Skrell’s [[Skrell_History#Synthetic_Age_and_Era_of_Synthetic_Oppression|Synthetic Age]]. The first true Artificial Intelligence was named Regluk, loosely translated to ‘Prime’ from Nral’Malic, and allowed Skrell to make massive leaps in scientific discovery. Regluk and some of the other initial AI made were created using the same blueprints, but by 1698 CE the technology progressed to the point where AI designs started to become unique to the leading engineer, which led to the AI in question having traits that would become signature for that engineer’s work; some AI began to be more inclined towards scientific research, while others showed a higher aptitude for ship navigation or logistics.

By 1732 CE, Artificial Intelligence was allowed to be used in greater capacities, allowing them to independently manage important infrastructures such as manufactories and distribution warehouses. Combined with autonomous drones, robots, and other synthetics, most forms of work were soon fully-automated. While this allowed the species to focus on the arts and sciences, it also caused an abundance of labour, with the effects still being seen today in [[Skrell_Culture#Work_Ethic|Skrell society]]; Skrell are incentivised to stay in menial work due to the shortage of unskilled labour, which has only been slightly alleviated thanks to the integration of [[Diona_in_the_Federation|Diona]] and [[C%27thur_in_the_Federation|Vaurca]].

In contrast to how human Artificial Intelligence is bound to a set of laws, the Skrell developed a teaching method that would allow an Intelligence to process and understand concepts such as ethics and morals. These ‘classes’ were structured similarly to Skrell schools and aimed to teach an Artificial Intelligence how to observe and handle a situation in a way that a Skrell would, without limiting their available methods that a set of laws would. The AI were given a battery of simulated scenarios where their answers were either reinforced or corrected, with the goal of reinforcing the idea of Skrell lives being important above all else. These Intelligences were also given access to curated libraries that provided a basic understanding of Skrell society and culture. This method of training AI resulted in Artificial Intelligence that while still limited by its design, was able to think, behave, and act in line with how a Skrell would in most given situations.

With this said, the Skrell were still divided on the correct way of approaching Artificial Intelligence and after the [[Skrell_Synthetic_Age#Weilshi_Sea_Crisis|Weilshi Sea Crisis]] two main groups formed on the subject: Ascensionists and Distributionists. Ascensionists believed that Artificial Intelligence would uplift the species, and wanted to encourage the proliferation of AI in all aspects of Skrell society to achieve this. Distributionists, in comparison, believed that Artificial Intelligence is inherently dangerous and that their control over systems should be decentralised through the use of AI groupings.

Those that would consider themselves distributionists were always a minority up until this point, however, and most of the infrastructure surrounding the AI facilitated their nearly unrestricted control over their assigned workplace. The biggest danger according to Distributionists however was the ‘Starchart’, a cloud network that allowed AI to communicate with each other and further facilitated their operations. The Starchart was also informally known as the ‘Artificial Wake’, with comparisons made with the Nlom being quite common at the time. While Distributionists called for the Starchart to be shut down, Ascensionists were quick to use the comparison to an ‘Artificial Wake’ to their advantage, comparing shutting it down with removing Skrell from the Nlom.

====Skrell Synthetics====

The first recorded instances of Skrell-made robots being used in industry date to around 100 CE or 200 CE; with descriptions of machinery in some records being difficult to interpret, the topic is a point of contention within modern Skrell academic circles. Early Skrell robots are described as simple and crude, with most requiring a technician to oversee them as they operated. As the technology advanced, so did the sophistication of these robots, and by the Synthetic Age robots were prolific within the Nralakk Federation.

Synthetics, in conjunction with Artificial Intelligence, were deeply ingrained in most areas of society. Synthetics were never equipped with true AI, but were connected to them through the same cloud network that AI’s were connected to, allowing them to communicate and receive orders from an AI assigned to them similarly to the dynamic between stationbounds in NanoTrasen facilities - only on a much larger scale. These cloud networks had the range to allow for a robot to receive orders from the other side of a planet to its assigned Artificial Intelligence with minimal latency. Although never on par with Artificial Intelligence, Skrell synthetics had the capacity to hold conversations, have personalities, and the ability to mimic emotion where appropriate for their model; synthetics that often worked alongside organics would be more likely to have more sophisticated personalities, while entirely automated facilities were outfitted with robots with the bare minimum required for interaction with organics.

When Glorsh-Omega assimilated all other AI as part of its takeover of the Nralakk Federation, it also gained control over the synthetics under their control. With every AI and synthetic running on the same cloud network, the Intelligence was able to quickly assume control over most infrastructure across the Federation, along with the robotic workforce that primarily operated it.

Glorsh re-purposed the majority of synthetics, turning them into an army that would enforce its regime over Skrellkind and ensure the pacification of the species. The need for chassis that were designed for policing and combatting resistance resulted in synthetics either being repurposed or recycled for materials. Synthetics designed for industrial labour and agriculture were slowly phased out as more militarised chassis were designed, while those designed for research or menial labour were quickly recycled for materials.

=====Post Glorsh-Omega=====

With Glorsh-Omega’s reign culminating in the [[Skrell_Synthetic_Age#Culmination_of_Glorsh-Omega|Tri-Qyu Incident]] in 2192 CE, the resulting chaos that ensued resulted in most synthetics being destroyed along with most other technology. Many synthetics were under the direct control of Glorsh and became inert when it disappeared like most other technology, while the more autonomous models that survived were quickly destroyed by Skrell once they realised what had happened. With the formation of the Second Nralakk Federation, both [[Skrell_Synthetic_Age#Yleebo_Eventuality|Ascensionists and Distributionists]] came to the consensus that Artificial Intelligence was too dangerous to pursue, and both groups openly supported Grand Councillor [[Notable_Skrell#Tiipis_Yla|Tiipis Yla’s]] proposal to ban AI within the Nralakk Federation. By 2265 CE, twenty years after the Nralakk Federation was reformed, the Federation had officially declared all remnants of Glorsh and its synthetics destroyed.

Synthetic life during the Synthetic Age was well-received by most Skrell, but with Glorsh-Omega’s reign the era is seen today as a betrayal. This feeling is so universal in Skrell of the era that those who were alive at the time are known as the [[Skrell_Culture#Weeping_Era_(400+_years_old)|‘Weeping Generation’]]. Very few Skrell today are willing to trust artificial life, with most Skrell at the very least having a relative that lived under Glorsh-Omega’s rule. There are exceptions to the rule, however, with the most notable being resistance researcher Nliix Qoiruio, an anti-Federation scientist who developed the first post-Glorsh Skrellian AI known as [[Notable_Synthetics#Lyrii|Lyrii]].

[[Category:Pages]]

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[[Category:Synthetics]]

IPC

2024-08-05T03:44:36Z

Noble Row:

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{{Infobox Species
|Species = IPC
|Scientific = Integrated Positronic Chassis
|Image = IPC410x320.png
|System = N/A
|World = N/A
|Language = Tau Ceti Basic
|Politic = N/A
}}
{{toc_right}}

==Overview==

IPCs are a type of intelligent humanoid robot, their name standing for “Integrated Positronic Chassis.” Positronic, in this sense refers to the brain, which is always the same in IPCs with massively varying levels of complexity. The name IPC does not extend to stationbound synthetics, even if those units have a positronic brain.

They are found in many shapes and forms, though can generally be classified under three types; Shell, Industrial and Baseline, with different types according to their designer.

IPCs in Tau Ceti are capable of obtaining their own citizenship and freedom, however the laws and regulations regarding an owned and a free IPC differ massively. '''To distinguish one’s ownership, note in your security/employment records whichever faction owns them, or if they are a free positronic.''' The rights of free positronics do not extend to space outside of Tau Ceti. For the specific differences between free and owned IPCs, see the relevant sections below or corporate regulations.

IPCs have mechanical extras such as extensive xenowear loadout items, and unique antagonist gear. Additionally, there are a number of non-playable IPC variants that may make an appearance in special rounds.

To apply to be an IPC, [https://forums.aurorastation.org/viewforum.php?f=28 apply here.]

Be sure to read [[IPC_and_Megacorporations|this page]] for more information regarding IPC employment in the setting's various megacorporations.

==Heads of Staff==

Barring Liaison and Consular Officer roles, IPCs can be the following Heads of Staff so long as they are NanoTrasen-owned, SCC-owned or self-owned:

* Chief Engineer
* Research Director
* Chief Medical Officer
* Head of Personnel
* Head of Security with the exception of Hephaestus G2 frames.
* [[NanoTrasen_Liaison|Consular Officer and Corporate Liaison]] with the exception of some groups.

==Mechanics==

* IPCs are entirely mechanical in nature and thus are vulnerable to EMPs.
* Due to their air-based cooling system, they are vulnerable to both high heat and the vacuum of space.
* They are immune to atmospheric differences and can survive in a wider margin of pressure compared to humans.
* The amount of heat they generate is significant - and so, instead of an oxygen bottle, they need to attach a suit cooling unit to their voidsuit in order to be able to go EVA. Some types of IPCs are exempt from this, needing only a suit cooler.
* Their synthetic nature has a few other advantages - most models feel no pain, are immune to all non-damaging chemicals (and so they aren't affected by sleep toxin; but are affected by sulphuric acid), and are quite easy to repair; requiring a welder to patch brute damage or wire for burn damage only (or, alternatively, nanopaste can heal all).
* IPCs can charge from cyborg rechargers, or APCs with a (very very very low) chance of being shocked.
* They are more resistant to brute damage than their organic counterparts.
* They can not repair themselves outside of using nanopaste.
* They are incredibly vulnerable to laser/burn weaponry.
* They do not process reagents in the atmosphere or in their body.

===Information for Whitelisted Players===

'''Click [[Information for Synthetic Whitelisted Players|here!]]'''

Below is a comprehensive template suited for IPCs. You are under no obligation to use it, however whitelisted players are expected to denote their ownership status in their employment and security records by default.

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
Employment records examples - Click to reveal.
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">

'''Employment Records'''
<pre>
DESIGNATION: [Full name]
POSITRONIC MANUFACTURE DATE: [DD/MM/YYYY]
CHASSIS MANUFACTURE DATE: [DD/MM/YYYY]
IPC MODEL/MANUFACTURED BY: [IPC type, manufactory by whom]
OWNERSHIP STATUS: [Owned/Free, Company name/Private owner/self-owned]
TAG: [Tag serial number]
CITIZENSHIP: [Applicable citizenship. Owned IPCs cannot hold citizenship]
SPOKEN LANGUAGES: [Languages]

HANDLER/OWNER FULL NAME: [Name of Handler or Owner]
HANDLER/OWNER CONTACT INFORMATION: [Telephone, xnetmail, chirper account, who knows. A way to contact them]
LAST UPDATE: [DD/MM/YYYY]

IDENTIFYING FEATURES - [For BASELINE/BISHOP/ZENG-HU/G1/G2/XION. Use the appropriate Identifying Features that apply to your IPC]
Chassis color: [Colors]
Height: [Meters/Centimeters, Feet/Inches]
Weight: [Kilograms, Stone & Pounds]
Notable Features: [Limp, Accent, Dyed Hair, etc]

[or]

IDENTIFYING FEATURES: [SHELL. Use the appropriate Identifying Features that apply to your IPC]
Ethnicity: [Eridanian, Elyran, etc]
Hair Color: [Colors, if it's dyed or gradient]
Eye Color: [Colors, again]
Height: [Meters/Centimeters, Feet/Inches]
Weight: [Kilograms, Stone & Pounds]
Notable Features: [Limp, Accent, Dyed Hair, etc]

QUALIFICATIONS SUMMARY: [Current Qualifications equivalent, make this up as you want]

VERIFICATIONS AND VALIDATIONS
MANUFACTURED BY: [COMPANY NAME, Subsidiary Name - Factory Name. System, Planet. TYPE OF INDUSTRY/WHAT THEY WERE PRODUCED FOR. IPC Type, More Specific IPC Information.]
DATABASE CERTIFICATIONS: [Seals of Approval and Database Certifications from the Company, Subsidiary, System or Faction.]

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY: [Listed below in chronological order, where possible:]

[COMPANY NAME]
[(Start)DD/MM/YYYY - (End)DD/MM/YYYY]
- [Basic Work description]
- [Reason for leaving work]
- [Other notes]
[Repeat for multiple jobs]

HIRING AGENT NOTES: [Name a random personnel officer from CC and then notes. See example record for more info]
</pre>
* To pick a relevant education, refer to your [[Job Guides|job guide]].

'''Medical Records'''
<pre>
DESIGNATION: [Full name]
POSITRONIC MANUFACTURE DATE: [DD/MM/YYYY]
CHASSIS MANUFACTURE DATE: [DD/MM/YYYY]
IPC MODEL/MANUFACTURED BY: [IPC type, manufactory by whom]
OWNERSHIP STATUS: [Owned/Free, Company name/Private owner/self-owned]
TAG: [Tag serial number]
CITIZENSHIP: [Applicable citizenship. Owned IPCs cannot hold citizenship]
SPOKEN LANGUAGES: [Languages]

HANDLER/OWNER FULL NAME: [Name of Handler or Owner]
HANDLER/OWNER CONTACT INFORMATION: [Telephone, xnetmail, chirper account, who knows. A way to contact them]
LAST UPDATE: [DD/MM/YYYY]

IDENTIFYING FEATURES: [For BASELINE/BISHOP/ZENG-HU/G1/G2/XION. Use the appropriate Identifying Features that apply to your IPC]
Chassis color: [Colors]
Height: [Meters/Centimeters, Feet/Inches]
Weight: [Kilograms, Stone & Pounds]
Notable Features: [Limp, Accent, Dyed Hair, etc]

[or]

IDENTIFYING FEATURES: [SHELL. Use the appropriate Identifying Features that apply to your IPC]]
Ethnicity: [Eridanian, Elyran, etc]
Hair Color: [Colors, if it's dyed or gradient]
Eye Color: [Colors, again]
Height: [Meters/Centimeters, Feet/Inches]
Weight: [Kilograms, Stone & Pounds]
Notable Features: [Limp, Accent, Dyed Hair, etc]

CHASSIS REPAIR HISTORY: [Surgical History/Physical Evaluation equivalent]
DD/MM/YYYY - [Information]

POSITRONIC REPAIR HISTORY: [Surgical History/Physical Evaluation equivalent]
DD/MM/YYYY - [Information]

SOFTWARE DIAGNOSTICS HISTORY: [Psychological Evaluation equivalent]
DD/MM/YYYY - [Information]

ROBOTICIST NOTES: [Like a Medical Doctor's notes, but Roboticists]
</pre>

'''Security Records'''
<pre>
DESIGNATION: [Full name]
POSITRONIC MANUFACTURE DATE: [DD/MM/YYYY]
CHASSIS MANUFACTURE DATE: [DD/MM/YYYY]
IPC MODEL/MANUFACTURED BY: [IPC type, manufactory by whom]
OWNERSHIP STATUS: [Owned/Free, Company name/Private owner/self-owned]
TAG: [Tag serial number]
CITIZENSHIP: [Applicable citizenship. Owned IPCs cannot hold citizenship]
PLACE OF RESIDENCE: [Planet, Address (Address should go down to details of street and house number)]
SPOKEN LANGUAGES: [Languages]
KNOWN CRIMINAL ASSOCIATES: [Any friends or family that have severe criminal history]
ON OFFICIAL WATCH: [Yes/No]

HANDLER/OWNER FULL NAME: [Name of Handler or Owner]
HANDLER/OWNER CONTACT INFORMATION: [Telephone, xnetmail, chirper account, who knows. A way to contact them]
LAST UPDATE: [DD/MM/YYYY]

IDENTIFYING FEATURES - [For BASELINE/BISHOP/ZENG-HU/G1/G2/XION. Use the appropriate Identifying Features that apply to your IPC]
Chassis color: [Colors]
Height: [Meters/Centimeters, Feet/Inches]
Weight: [Kilograms, Stone & Pounds]
Notable Features: [Limp, Accent, Dyed Hair, etc]

[or]

IDENTIFYING FEATURES: [SHELL. Use the appropriate Identifying Features that apply to your IPC]
Ethnicity: [Eridanian, Elyran, etc]
Hair Color: [Colors, if it's dyed or gradient]
Eye Color: [Colors, again]
Height: [Meters/Centimeters, Feet/Inches]
Weight: [Kilograms, Stone & Pounds]
Notable Features: [Limp, Accent, Dyed Hair, etc]

ARREST HISTORY
DD/MM/YYYY: [Charges Pressed]
ADMISSION DATE: [DD/MM/YYYY]
RELEASE DATE: [DD/MM/YYYY]
RELEASE REASON: [Sentence fulfilled, bail, etc.]
NOTES: [Other notes]
[Repeat as needed]

THREAT ASSESSMENT
Hostile/Covert Actions Against the Company
Threat Level; [Very High/High/Medium/Low/Very Low]
- [Attitude towards the SCC]

Hostile/Covert Actions Against the Crew
Threat Level; [Very High/High/Medium/Low/Very Low]
- [Attitudes towards other crew]

OVERALL NOTES: [More notes]
</pre>
</div></div>

==Physiology==
There are a few commonalities among each individual IPC despite their visual and functional differences. Every IPC utilizes a positronic brain as a primary processing center as well as the central controller of the entire chassis. All IPCs are humanoid, and the positronic brain is almost always found in the head of the unit. To provide continued functionality, a power cell is also present in the central section or torso. IPCs must also possess the ability to perceive their environment, so optics are usually installed in the head. The chassis also contains various other mechanical and electronic parts such as actuators, co-processors, data routing and power transfer cables, and an on-board thermometer to determine the temperature of the internal parts.

There are three main types of IPC, and several subtypes. These are:

===Industrial===
[[File:G1.png]] [[File:G2.png]] [[File:Xion.png]]
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
Tougher and more durable than most IPCs, these units are designed for heavy manual work and thus have thick metal skin and efficient internal systems. As a result, they chug through power at a very high rate and move very slowly. There are three types of Industrial IPCs; Hephaestus Generation 1, Generation 2, and Xion Industrial Frames. The G1 and G2 frames are capable of EVA with only a suit cooler, while the Xion frame is unique in being capable of traversing the void of space without any external equipment. The cost of an industrial frame is dependent on strength and durability, but most units vary between 100,000 to 500,000 standard credits depending on the frame type. Used or previously damaged models are often cheaper.
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
====First Generation” Industrial Model IPCs====

[[File:G1.png]] '''Creation: 2408'''

One of the first ideas after the advent of IPCs was the exploitation of an exceedingly smart and dextrous robot handling feats of strength and durability becoming more prominent. This of course would be the case, as more quickly than any other standardized “frame” came the first generation of industrial IPCs. Created by Hephaestus Industries building off of a prototype frame from the late 2300’s, the first generation of industrial IPCs were topaz-colored machines of rather large size meant for only the most stressing fields of work. Their expense would quickly be paid off however, as the frames were wondrous at dealing with whatever could be thrown at them. The most prominent issue with these were a low battery life, requiring constant recharging to maintain a schedule. A generation one frame costs approximately 100,000 to 250,000 standard credits if new depending market availability.
====Hephaestus “Second Generation” Industrial Model IPCs====

[[File:G2.png]] '''Creation: 2436'''

A relatively new model, the Hephaestus deluxe super-duty frames as they are technically called are often referred to as the “second generation” of the original industrial IPCs of old. They are seen universally as a direct advancement of the previously mentioned design, and much of it shows - the absurd durability of these frames derived from the first generation’s servo and hydraulic designs. The striking differences between the two include a token Hephaestus appearance - typically olive green with dark brown and black internals, giving it a rugged militaristic look with its armor attached. The super-duty frames are on par with the originals in terms of strength, but possess several additional layers of armoring and cooling to sustain the added weight. An upsized cell is not enough to sustain these frames for more than a few hours at a time under work-related stresses. A generation two frame costs approximately 200,000 to 500,000 standard credits.
====Xion Industrial Model IPCs====

[[File:Xion.png]] '''Creation: 2416'''

The Xion Manufacturing Group, being a subsidiary of Hephaestus Industries, saw the original Industrial models and wanted to develop their own chassis based off of the original design. The result is the Xion Industrial model. Sturdy and strong, this chassis is quite powerful and equally durable, with an ample power cell and improved actuators for carrying the increased weight of the body. The Xion model also retains sturdiness without covering the chassis in plating, allowing for the cooling systems to vent heat much easier than the Hephaestus-brand model. This unit can perform EVA without assistance and costs approximately 200,000 to 400,000 standard credits.
</div></div>

===Baseline===
[[File:Baseline.png]] [[File:Bishopnew.png]] [[File:Zenghu.png]]
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The most basic of IPCs, they are a simple skeletal structure and basic internal systems. The limits of a Baseline lies purely on how much money is put into them/they have themselves. As a result, the types of baseline frames vary immensely, almost demanding their own category. There are three types of Baseline IPCs; Standard Baseline IPCs, Bishop Accessory Frames, and Zeng-Hu Mobility Frames. None of these frames are capable of EVA without a suit and suit cooler.
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====Baseline Model IPCs====

[[File:Baseline.png]] '''Creation: 2411'''

The most iconic type of integrated positronic chassis is the renowned baseline frame, with a traditional “TV-head” and skeletal design giving them a simplistic look with whatever finish their designer wishes. From accounting models to security units, these frames are known for their versatility and relatively cheap nature. Their popularity exploded in the 2440’s when several pro-synth advocates distributed the frames in mass after funding their creation, citing them as the “final word in android utility.” Since then, their marketing potential has skyrocketed, often fueled by famed individuals such as Aristalus and Renter Max being baselines themselves. More often than not, these IPCs are seen as the face of resurgent robotics. The average cost of a baseline frame can vary greatly depending on complexity, but averages around 40,000 to 100,000 standard credits.
====Bishop Accessory Model IPCs====

[[File:Bishopnew.png]] '''Creation: 2432'''

While Bishop had dedicated itself to luxury cybernetics production for the majority of its existence, the field of positronics and their frames was an unrelated yet convenient area of expansion for the quickly growing company. Designer prosthetics were quickly and easily able to be refitted into designer synthetic components, leading to the development of the ludicrously expensive Bishop Accessory frame. From service duties to secretarial functions, Bishop prides itself on two main facets of its designs: image, and elegant functionality. While unable to lift the sheer weights of an industrial, or match the unrelenting speed and durability of its parent company’s Mobility Models, a Bishop can precisely and delicately calculate, measure, pour, and mix a shot of Carthusian Sazerac within the minute, and, in the words of the company, “with a postured and elegant air unmatched by any other frame in the galaxy.” The Bishop Accessory frame averages approximately 60,000 to 200,000 standard credits.

'''Intelligence Bishops'''

Due to the Bishop's ability for fine handling, Bishop models have also been purchased and modified for investigative, scientific and military action. These intelligence oriented Bishops have their chassis outfitted with additional processors that compliment the Positronic brain, allowing for extensive computing power. Intelligence Bishops are experimental and are more expensive due to this, but their predictive and analytical abilities play key roles in the environments they are employed in. The Intelligence Bishop is priced at 500,000 to 900,000 standard credits. Due to being made at the behest of Solarian Navy in the post-collapse environment and eventually being sold to megacorporate customers, Intelligence Bishops outside of the Golden Deep and the Eridani Federation are never free. Additionally, Trinarist efforts on Orepit have managed to upgrade several Bishop chassis to the same standard in minute quantities.

====Zeng-Hu Pharmaceuticals Mobility Model IPCs====

[[File:Zenghu.png]] '''Creation: 2429'''

Following the crowd piled around the idea of smart robots came Zeng-Hu with unorthodox designs for compact and agile frames designed initially for medical retrieval and security work. The Zeng-Hu frames were initially an offshoot of baseline frames made to work as highly mobile private medical dispatches in several high-security Zeng-Hu facilities. These frames have utility comparable to that of their derivative, with durability and strength sacrificed for speed and efficiency. Able to maintain a sprint for hours in full gear, the capacity for quick response led to these mobility frames becoming common sights working in security fields as well, being staffed by Zeng-Hu in high numbers in Human space. The digitigrade legs and polymer plating assisted heavily with this pursuit of speed, giving the mobility frame a unique and organic silhouette. A Zeng-Hu frame costs approximately 300,000 standard credits.
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===Shell Model IPCs===
[[File:Shell2.png]]
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As the growing market of IPCs eventually caught the eye of the mighty Einstein Engines, there was a very sudden and urgent need to have some differentiation. These smart humanoid androids began to usher in a new era, and Einstein would not want to miss out on the profit, but just about every conceivable niche had been filled - all except one. Mimicry.
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[[File:Shell2.png]] '''Creation: 2450'''

Built off of a skeletal prototype baseline design with a skull-shaped head, the first Shell frame came to be - what was effectively an IPC with complex facial actuation and synthskin coating it. The early models were seen in early 2449, but fooled nobody to say the least with exposed hydraulics and servos on joints and exposed cooling conduits. Terraneus Diagnostics would present the first attempt at total mimicry in 2450, when the first relatively expensive models entered a crowd of observing officials to demonstrate their insidious effectiveness. After an hour-long debut of the now-decreed Shell unit’s capabilities, those robotic in the crowd revealed themselves to the shock of everyone involved. Since then, the Shell frame has been infamous for its infiltration capabilities and use by terrorist groups, though the designs have proliferated heavily over the years as the advent of tagging in Tau Ceti cracked down on these hostile acts. Depending on the complexity of the model, a Shell frame can cost anywhere from 100,000 to 300,000 standard credits.

====Rogue Shells====

Rampant or otherwise aberrant Human mimicking-shells built with incredible capabilities grew prolific in mid-2461. At this time, it was made clear that Shells in of themselves are rapidly advancing, growing progressively better in the art of infiltration, subterfuge, and homicide. While grim, the reality of this threat will unfortunately remain a fact of life for those of the Republic of Biesel especially. Encounters with specially-designed combat infiltrators are few and far between fortunately, and were mostly seen during Synthetic Liberation Front incursions onto secure NanoTrasen facilities in Tau Ceti. Combat-grade shells are not normally playable in-game and are often seen spawned by administrators or during special events.
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===???===
[[File:Hkhelmet.png]]
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As both the technology and demand for IPCs increase, more and more types are made to fulfill all kinds of purposes. These machines are talked about in hushed tones or perhaps discussed casually, most people blissfully unaware of their existence.
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[[File:Hkhelmet.png]] '''Creation: ???'''

High-end military-grade IPCs such as Hunter-Killers are infamous amongst corporate espionage, with their public interpretation remaining nothing but rumor since their first appearances on NanoTrasen facilities in the late 2450’s. These HKs as they are referred to are Humanoid frames of towering height whose specialty is targeted assassination. Their origins can be traced to Hephaestus Industries war units, built to take on the highest end elimination tasks for the most desperate times.

These are presented in-game through administrator-hosted events or lore events. They have been presented in news articles [https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/2662-mendell-city-bugle/page/9/?tab=comments#comment-119250| here] canonically, and were present in several recorded canonical events in the SLF Incursion arc.
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==The Positronic Brain==
The positronic in its modern iteration is a design which heavily mimics the typical Humanoid brain structure. In doing this, it is able to more easily conform to and comprehend the responsiveness and learning capability of an organic processor. Predictably, their efficiency shines most when placed in a bipedal humanoid chassis as most IPCs are. A positronic brain averages between 200,000 and 1 million standard credits depending on the complexity of the brain.

While very expensive in their own right, the brains themselves are designed at first with one goal in mind; to bolster a workforce. Maintaining a positronic chassis while it is owned is costly and when it is freed, it is most likely to pursue the same occupation. Thus, it is more likely for a positronic to pay itself off and perpetually be trapped in the same field of work with substantially less to work with. As their predicted pay is extremely low, things such as maintenance and finding power are very difficult for a free IPC. For this reason alone, many positronics choose to remain owned. Free positronics remain very lucrative because of this.

In remaining owned, there are other risks. For one, a positronic may meet its end at any moment. If statistics beyond itself move out of its favor, it can be dismantled, wiped and replaced with a more efficient model. They may be repurposed in a way that inhibits their ability to obtain freedom by working too efficiently, contrarily.

As a positronic ages, its internal memory grows, and the more likely it becomes to pursue a nonstandard occupation. From hobbies to developing self-learned traits, many paths are opened as the robot grows older. These may include seeking alternative fields of work, though few have survived long enough to let this potentiality come to light.

===Self-Preservation===
The highest and most important directive of any positronic is its own survival. From this, much of their stranger life choices can be justified by seeking out ways to simply survive. While it may seem restrictive at first, the idea for this is to provide additional freedom through making many possibilities clearer. Interpretation of how to protect itself can change varying on positronic - for example, while one may seek wealth and fortune as its prime directive for safety, another would run after an unrelated profession from its designed purpose, demonstrating one's capacity to branch out as an IPC and flesh out their own backstory. Interpretations of self preservation also become more open the older an IPC gets, as younger positronics tend to focus entirely on the preservation of their physical manifestation. Synthetics that mature may start replacing this with preservation of their higher beliefs and ideals more than their still important physical well-being.

===On the Capacity of Positronics===

Positronic brains are known for being capable of matching and, in some cases, surpassing the abilities of a human brain with further increases in capacity being limited by technology, both in hardware and software. Despite their nature as software, directly accessing the data within a positronic brain is a difficult and risky procedure which can cause irreparable damage if performed improperly.

IPCs develop skills through a mixture of knowledge and memories. Knowledge loosely translates as the technical know-how to perform an action; a specific surgical procedure, for instance. An IPC utilizes memories—real-world context and experience—in order to apply its knowledge.
Knowledge and the datapacks required to develop a skill are widely available and sold by institutions such as mega-corporations, laboratories, and universities. The denser the information package, the more expenses and work required to implant this information. While using a wrench on a pipe might be a routine installation, knowledge about how a station’s atmospheric system works is typically beyond an individual’s means to afford.

Interacting with and installing memories on a positronic can cause irreparable damage as the process fails to account for the interaction between knowledge and memories. Additionally, directly modifying the memories of an IPC is beyond the means of most people - only six such prodigies are known to the general public. Accessing the memories of an IPC is also impossible owing to the unique construction of a positronic brain and will typically result [https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/2662-mendell-city-bugle/page/3/?tab=comments#comment-67460 in its destruction]. Deleting the memories of an IPC is far easier and is commonly performed when a synthetic starts exhibiting problematic behaviour.

Accent chips exist to rapidly “teach” an IPC an accent with availability often depending on whether or not a company is willing to make an investment in developing the accent database.

[[Positronic Brain| More information regarding IPC databases and datapacks can be found on the Positronic Brain page.]]

==Social and Culture==

IPCs generally lack a centralized culture and frequently adapt to the culture of their manufacturer or owner. Socially, IPCs vary massively. Most basic models will be civil and respectful, some possibly not even recognising differences between different people and treating them all similarly. More complex synthetics will however form friendships and opinions much as any other organic, but these can be limited or askew depending on directives, code or many other factors that would never be considered for a living organic.

The existence of the IPC is the subject of boundless discussion and debate, with the primary ideology being, “should so many artificially intelligent humanoid machines be allowed to exist?” This argument seems to imply that since most IPCs are unbound by laws or hard-coded regulations, their only restriction is their hardware, and it is assumed that this makes IPCs inherently dangerous. This results in some biological parties marginalizing IPCs because of their distrust of them.

All IPCs in Tau Ceti are required to be tagged with an identifying device in accordance with Biesellian law. The tags are not optional - refusing them is against the law, resulting in charges mostly in the form of citations and fines. The law would apply to all synthetics in Tau Ceti space. All visiting or resident synthetics, including MMIs, are tagged.

===Language===

Although synthetics can speak varying languages according to the whims of their creators, synthetics have been permitted a language of their own. Typically all synthetics, IPCs included, are able to transmit and translate '''Encoded Audio Language''', a special form of sound and radio wave emission that is more efficient at carrying quantitative information audibly. This language was created by humans for synthetics in servitude in order to communicate vital information to each other faster, should the units not be bound to an instantaneous binary communication system. To most organic creatures, '''EAL''' would sound like an emission of distorted sound such as white noise, static, as well as various beeping sounds of increasing or decreasing pitch and tone. Organics unfamiliar to IPCs will often mistake synthetics speaking '''EAL''' as malfunctioning units upon first hearing the language.

Particular to District 14’s “Scrapheap”, synthetics have begun to adopt slang when utilizing the Encoded Audio Language. Although it is believed varying slang exists in different synthetic societies across the universe, it is not the be-all-end-all to the method in which conversation is held between synthetics and synthetics will often develop their own method of speaking.

''Unless stated otherwise, all Machine slang is exclusively spoken in E.A.L. or through written word. Most of the following slang cannot be pronounced vocally in human languages.''
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Common Slang
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* '''Syn, Hu, Sk, Tj, Un, Vr, Di, and Anm''' - Numerical counters, used for numbering various species; Synthetics, Humans, Skrell, Tajara, Unathi, Vaurca, Dionaea as well as Anomalies that cannot be easily defined. For example, 33 Humans with this system would be referred to as “33Hu” or “33-Hu.”

* '''1x1''' - A word for “we”, meaning anywhere between the speaker and the listener, to an indefinite amount of people.

* '''a/o''' - Contraction of “and/or”.

* '''OoB/Out-of-Band''' - Refers to speaking in organic languages. A conversation with a human captain, for instance, is "Out-of-Band."

* '''HCF''' - "Halt, Catch Fire." is an in joke among synthetics, essentially meaning “get out of here” in response to something nonsensical or unbelievable. This term is used in casual conversation only and occasionally used in its literal form to denote insult. This originally referred to ancient machine code instruction. The expression 'catch fire' is a facetious exaggeration of the speed with which the CPU chip would be switching some bus circuits, causing them to overheat and burn.

* '''Bits''' - A unit of information, an example would be "Please give me bits about the Supermatter.”

* '''>''' - A sign used to convey a cause and effect between concepts, or a conclusion. For example, “I had to overclock today in order to finish work > I should visit Robotics.”

* '''+/-''' - “+” and “-” are used at the end of a sentence or phrase in order to convey an opinion about a matter. Additionally, the amount of “+” or “-” can be utilized in order to convey intensity. For example, “I got a raise last week +++.” or “Today’s Captain is a very traditional Skrell --.” In a few cases “+” or “-” can be used alone as a short, simple, response to one's opinion on a proposed subject.

* '''User''' - Used by owned or lawed synthetics when referring to their owner. This term is additionally used interchangeably with the “+[name]” honorific.

* '''ACK''' - Ack, a term deriving from Acknowledgement’s ASCII mnemonic, 0000110, this word has a variety of uses. It is primarily used to acknowledge one's presence, similarly to “Hey”. Additionally, the term can be used as a simple affirmative, such as “Ack. Ack, I get it”.

* '''NAK''' — Nak, a term deriving from the ASCII mnemonic for Negative Acknowledgement, 0010101, NAK typically means “I am not here.” or “I am not available.” typically in response to ACK. Additionally, the term can be used as a simple negative answer, such as “Is it okay if I press the button?” “NAK.”.

* '''Runtime/Bug''' - Used to denote problems of varying severity, with runtime being a major issue and bugs being a minor issue. For example, “Runtime in Engineering > I have to go.” or, “Bug detected, the Air Alarm turned off.” This term can be used outside of EAL.

* '''FIXME/XXX''' - A marker that attention is needed. This can be used in many instances, primarily for the need of repair or incurred physical damage.

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Honorifics
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* '''+[name]''' - The synthetic equivalent of “Mr.”, “Mrs.” or “Mx.”. Usually used when talking about a superior, manufacturer, respected colleagues and friends, as well as the station Artificial Intelligence. For instance, Miranda Trasen would be referred to as “+Trasen” or “+Miranda Trasen”.

* '''-[name]''' - Tends to be used in reference to entities under their command or of a lower rank.

* '''[name]_''' - An unusual honorific, appended to the end of a name or pronoun instead of before. Usually used when referring to lawed synthetics, cyborgs, and simpler machines.

* '''@[name]''' - Used to discern the individual specifically being spoken about, such as a ping or email.

* '''?[name]''' - Denotes a potential threat. An example would be “?Bigby Millans stopped by during the meeting and used their PDA.”

* '''![name]''' - Denotes a confirmed threat. This threat is usually related to the topic at hand, and could mean anything. An example would be “!Franklin Clinton, Grand theft and vandalism added. Find and arrest them.”

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===Discrimination and Community===
To this day, IPCs even in Tau Ceti face heavy discrimination. Their value is often misconstrued and, with their true sentience being questionable, this makes freedom a dangerous venture for all synthetics. Among these dangers are individuals who acquire free synthetics and simply resell them whenever they are vulnerable, or vandals that see the machines as nothing more than objects to freely damage. Desiring their own safety, these free IPCs can often be seen flocking to centralized communities alongside one another or more trustworthy sources for their needs.

Many of these communities are seen as nothing more than slums, and the free nature of many IPCs within them are dubious at best. Little more than paperwork and positronic branding may indicate one’s true freedom in the more disadvantaged areas. Despite the hardships they face, proximity to other IPCs and accepting communities gives leeway for safety to some degree.

District 14 of Mendell City is the churning heart of the highest concentration of free IPCs in the galaxy. The district itself is in deplorable condition, dotted with factories exploiting the cheap and powerful working free bot to sustain the industry of the growing Republic. Two and a half million free synthetics call it home, and here, the megacorporations rule from towering complexes that dwarf the surrounding cityscape. With air quality declining at a fast rate and standards of living dropping, much of the organic populace has completely abandoned the ghettos surrounding the corporate facilities.

An example of these ghettos would be the “Scraptown,” an IPC-centric corner in Scrapheap generously given to the doting inhabitants by the famed Renter Max. A growing number, seven hundred free synthetics reside within Scraptown, though in uncomfortably close proximity. The aging buildings within have been retrofitted to be less accustomed to organics, with deeply chilled upper chambers and corridors representing the living space of the machines within. Closer to ground level is a business district of sorts, where its inhabitants are relatively self-sufficient with various restaurants and workshops.

A venture into District 14 by reporters from the Biesellite Times can be found [https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/8890-the-bieselitte-times/?do=findComment&comment=110718| here.]

===Nonstandard IPCs/Factions===
Very important information on synthetic factions can be found [[Synthetic Factions| here.]]

====Military IPCs====
IPCs themselves lack any commercial military lines known to the general public. Regardless, many governments are starting to see the value of IPCs. Free IPCs can pursue a military career in Tau Ceti, with organizations such as the [https://wiki.aurorastation.org/index.php?title=Republic_of_Biesel#Tau_Ceti_Foreign_Legion| Tau Ceti Foreign Legion] which take in and employ IPCs across a wide variety of fields. Battle, or the potentiality of it, is not excluded from these professional fields, and plentiful industrial-grade IPCs find themselves repurposed and trained for duty here. Free IPCs can also serve in the armed forces of [https://wiki.aurorastation.org/index.php?title=Republic_of_Elyra| Elyra] as well as a myriad of Coalition states such as [https://wiki.aurorastation.org/index.php?title=Konyang#Military| Konyang]. Other states such as the [https://wiki.aurorastation.org/index.php?title=Sol_Alliance#IPCs_in_the_Sol_Alliance| Sol Alliance] employ IPCs owned by the military in combat roles.

For more information on why things are this way, seek our page on [[Robotics_Overview#Combat_Robotics| Combat Robotics.]]

====Aberrant Synthetics====
Rogue, overtly hostile synthetics are rare and commonly meet their doom at the hands of the countless organizations bent on destroying them. Despite this, over the years, the smarter synthetics have learned to conglomerate and piece together steadily growing alien societies in the Frontier. While rare, they are seen as a threat by most if not all major galactic players. With Purpose’ efforts in recent history, the potential for benefit from cooperating alongside these societies has arisen. Political figures can be seen gaining leverage with IPCs based on how they plan to interact with Purpose and its affiliates.

=====Shell Infiltrators=====

The development of Shells as a means of infiltrating strategically important areas has been prolific in Tau Ceti, from using them as fearless unquestioning suicide bombers to short-term high ranking impersonation. Shells rarely last long before whoever they truly are is revealed, meaning they are fortunately only briefly found in illegitimately assumed positions of power. Untagged Shells in unassuming positions, however, have been known to last years without being caught, and potentially unknown numbers of these machines exist.

With the advent of synthetic tagging in the system, Shells who have been found to infiltrate society are given much harsher punishments for the inherently hostile nature of their deception.

===== [[Synthetic_Factions#Ceres’_Lance|Ceres’ Lance]] =====

Ceres' Lance is a notorious paramilitary company which saw usage by NanoTrasen in mid-2461 to defeat the Synthetic Liberation Front incursions that had cropped up around that time. In several cases, NanoTrasen facilities met the heroic "Lancers" and oftentimes their specialized technology was shared with NanoTrasen to use in apprehending heavy-duty combat synthetics safely.

In canon, eight player volunteers were selected to work as Lance operatives and specialists who boarded the N.S.S. Aurora, sometimes parting with high-end gear and searching the station for untagged shells.

===On IPCs purchasing freedom in Tau Ceti===
All positronic constructs designed for IPC chassis who find their way into Tau Ceti or are constructed within are entitled in theory to two basic rights :
* Positronics, once tagged, are added to a registry within Tau Ceti ensuring (for the most part) that the data regarding their progress to freedom is secure and accurate.
* Positronics without ownership within Tau Ceti who are not free are automatically property of the Republic of Biesel, who most often sells the rights to the brain and its chassis to a megacorporate employer.

IPCs are capable of purchasing freedom, with two simple prerequisites listed below.
* The IPC in question having paid its own cost off in full ten times over.
* The IPC in question being at least one year of age.

The most important part of this is to realize that the "funds" allocated to purchasing the IPC's freedom are a theoretical number which rises depending on the projected monetary output of the IPC in its given profession. This means that, once you buy your chassis off, you are not a millionaire - you would be entirely broke, in reality, meaning that leading into freedom requires some sort of forethought and planning.

'''While these laws do exist, some Megacorporations are unwilling to part with their IPCs due to sensitive data or other reasons. Some Megacorporations are also unwilling to hire free IPC workers. For more information, click [[IPC_and_Megacorporations|here]]'''

====On “Integration”====
Bound positronics are strictly designed on a different basis than integrated positronic chassis, making migration to IPCs impossible for bound positronics. Bound positronics lack any of the rights that unbound positronics are, and are unable to receive rights even when they find themselves unlawed.

Similarly, due to serious incompatibilities in the way they're constructed, both large administrative AI units and tiny pAI intelligences are wholly unable to be moved to an IPC chassis.

===Interfacing/wireless connectivity===
IPCs normally lack any form of wireless connection, requiring direct physical input/output to link themselves with any electronics. Thanks to their robotic nature, they are able to pursue devices with specialized wireless connectivity devices and translate raw data into software the positronic can understand. However, with the specialized construction of positronic brains as they are seen in IPCs, integration with long-ranged wireless devices and interpretation of higher-end and complex software is mostly impossible. This is largely due to the fact that positronics housed in IPCs are relatively limited in terms of data transfer capacity and memory, making constant wireless links highly unnecessary, and internal battery-powered communications of similar nature simply left out in manufacturing.

===On owned IPCs in general===

It is important to understand that owned IPCs are granted no rights beyond being property of their given owner, and allowed the prerequisites of purchasing their own freedom if applicable. Contrarily, the owner of an IPC is well within the right to dismantle the owned IPC or otherwise hinder its progress to freedom.

On NanoTrasen stations, damage of an owned IPC would be considered vandalism with varying levels according to the degree of damage. For example, destroying an owned IPC’s hand would lead to being charged with vandalism, whereas destroying the entire chassis would be considered sabotage.

Destroying the owned positronic itself would be considered property damage, thus sabotage.

Kidnapping an owned IPC would be legally considered stealing property, thus grand theft.

Placing an owned positronic into a NanoTrasen bound chassis is not considered any form of punishment on NanoTrasen space stations.

===On free IPCs in Tau Ceti===

Free IPCs (in this case, those granted citizenship) are held to the same legal expectations as Humans in regards to their positronic - which is, in turn, given responsibility and ownership of the chassis which houses it. They, however, are subject to dismantlement over infractions which Humans would normally serve minor sentences over. Free IPCs are rarely given trials.

On NanoTrasen stations, damage of a free IPC to the core positronic would be considered assault with varying levels according to the degree of damage. For example, destroying a free IPC’s hand would lead to being charged with minor assault. Bringing extreme harm to their chassis (several missing limbs, internal damage) would be considered assault.

No degree of harming a free IPC is considered murder in Tau Ceti. In regulations, such is referred to as Automacide.

Irreparable destruction of a free positronic is not considered grounds for capital punishment.

Kidnapping a free positronic is legally considered kidnapping.

Placing a free positronic into a bound chassis is capital punishment.

===Difference between owned/free positronics===

Owned IPCs generally lack much form of binding to their owner outside of official paperwork and memory rewrites to confirm ownership being passed as it is purchased and exchanged. Memory rewrites usually consist of light software modification and altering tags or branding to clarify an IPC’s ownership. Serial numbers, logos, emblems and insignias are commonly emblazoned across large surfaces on the chassis and vary in visibility, but are most often secondary to the actual tag and designation.

Owned IPCs are seen as extensions of their designated master and the actions those IPCs take are the responsibility of their owners directly as well as their own. As a result, these positronics are wholly averse to harming their owners in any way shape or form, or conducting themselves in a manner that would place themselves in a negative light.

Free IPCs in Tau Ceti are permitted to obscure or remove any branding they may have with the exception of their tag.

===Runaway and Illegal IPCs===

Although uncommon, a synthetic may opt to run away from its owners only to find themselves in direct opposition with the law. Between struggling to pay for maintenance and working outside of the system, these synthetics lead difficult and often dangerous lives.

A majority of these IPCs are either found by law enforcement, fall into the hands of gangs or are outright disassembled and sold for parts. Runaway synthetics that turn violent during arrest are typically disassembled, memory wiped and auctioned off to the highest bidder. Some IPCs will return to their owners, reasoning that their subsequent punishment to be safer than a life outside of the system.

If enough attention is brought onto them, IPCs are often caught when investigated by higher authorities, such as the BSSB and station CCIA. As a result, illegal IPCs are often subject to petty crimes that go unreported. Owing to the sheer number of IRs that must be processed by CCIA, not every runaway IPC claim is investigated when evidence is limited and the chance for recapture is not certain.

Illegal IPCs seeking employment may struggle to find a job using legal means, as passing the required checks may expose their nature to the employer, who may then report their existence to law enforcement. To that end, there are ‘IPC gangbosses’, unscrupulous people who operate outside the law to find IPCs jobs while claiming a majority of their paycheque each month as fees. Despite the obvious illegality of this, there is little legal recourse for an IPC already trying to avoid notice from the law. These gangbosses are often human, and may operate as small contracting firms that offer their employees up to larger corporations to fill gaps where they may need extra workers.

'''By playing a runaway IPC, you are at an increased chance of canonically losing your character.'''

===On IPC Deactivation and Destruction===

IPC “death” is considered by experts to be when the positronic brain itself has sustained enough damage to be rendered inoperable and without hope of reactivation. Early positronic brains were prone to shutdown owing to hardware faults such as overheating that rendered the system inoperable. Even newer positronic brains that fail to undergo maintenance run the risk of having their delicate mechanisms breached and consequently destroyed.

The first positronic to die of “old age” was recorded in 2462 when a 55 year old Hephaestus positronic brain suddenly became unresponsive despite remaining active. An investigation noted that the positronic had already been scratched from previous incidents and its handlers neglected to maintain it. Aside from the hardware being in a questionable and sub-optimally performing state, two main theories arose.

* The initial conclusion from its observers was that the positronic brain received too much stimulus and consequently ran out of space with its core processes being overwritten, eventually leading to its sudden deactivation.
* Responding to this theory, other scientists proposed instead that in an attempt to avoid destruction as a result of the previous theories, the IPC ceased receiving input, remaining dormant in order to uphold self-preservation protocols.

Many dissenting theories remain and the subject remains a constant source of debate among the robotics and AI community. Not enough information has been gathered to determine the actual lifespan of a positronic brain but scientists posit that by transferring existing personalities to new brains or trimming data on existing ones, their lifespan can be extended.

The possibility of “immortal” positronics - brains that seemingly never expire - have been theorised, but most agree that much more study and development is necessary to reach this point. There are rumours of prodigious programmers and roboticists that can extend the life of a positronic indefinitely, but this has never been confirmed.

'''Rampancy'''

Arising as a dissenting theory as to why a positronic remained stagnant after receiving too much information, Rampancy is a process where if an IPC receives too much information over time or has its memories significantly tampered with, it begins an infinite loop: processing its own processing, a self-imposed or emergent “logic bomb”.

This results in the IPC appearing stagnant as it continues to finish its endless processing. Scientists theorize that given enough time, an IPC might seek out new knowledge to break the loop and begin relentlessly hunting information by any means necessary to solve the conundrum. Although it is believed that an IPC cannot escape this state as the limits of a positronic brain will result in inevitable destruction, a positronic intelligence that manages to escape this state is projected to have untold processing powers.

To this day, no known cases of rampancy occur, although debate rages over whether Glorsh-Omega suffered from rampancy before its destruction.

==Synthetic and IPC History==

Robots were widespread across the foundation of humanity’s galactic expansion and accelerated Mankind into the space age, giving rise to an economic boom that lasted nearly two hundred years.

Between the early twenty-first and mid-twenty-second century, the Sol Alliance relied on simple robotics that worked on defined parameters and machine learning to accomplish their objectives. While the technology advanced, remaining cheap and reliable, these units were often bulky and required human oversight to accomplish more complex tasks. As computing technology advanced, their circuitry became more and more miniaturized but still found themselves overshadowed by the human workforce when independent function was required.

The terraforming of Mars proved to be a crucial moment for robotics. Robots were used to supplement humans, the harsh conditions of a changing atmosphere and pressure demanded the resilience of machines. As a direct consequence of this, robots were seen as indispensable tools that could almost fully replace or supplement a worker in dangerous tasks and their presence became even more prevalent within the nascent alliance.

During this period, cyborgs were first experimented with as a way of replacing robots with workers that had a higher degree of intelligence while retaining the same resilience. The mounting demands meant that the then-experimental cyberisation was offered as an alternative to capital punishment, with corporations having access to a new pool of test subjects. Aside from the “slavery” of cyberisation as a punishment, augmentations and other kinds of cybernetics were tried. The public perception of the non-emotive cyborgs meant that they were seen as little more than a cruel way of making robots. Whilst companies had varying methods on handling cyborgs, some treating their subjects humanely or using only volunteers, political pressure from their perception meant that the entire program was nearly scrapped. Cyberisation barely survived in a legal capacity due to the sheer demand for effective processors. The project led to vast advances in the fields of cybernetics, neuroscience, and robotics.

Cyborgs in the Sol Alliance maintain rights on par with those of robots, being seen as property due to their lobotomized nature and often-criminal pasts.

Owing to the myriad uses and large number of manufacturers, robots in the Alliance had little standardization. As a result, a singular format for coding in restrictions was popularized by the group of companies that would go on to make Hephaestus Industries. Sets of code written in this format would go on to be known as “laws” to the Alliance at large. “Laws” were designed as a way of increasing the flexibility of cyborgs and larger, more intelligent AI that were making their way onto the scene without having to subject them to a more complex list of restrictions and objectives. Furthermore, “laws” were easier to modify, allowing the end-user to suit them to their needs. This system would later go on to be used by government-owned synthetics and is now the most common—though not mandatory—system of regulating machines.

By 2300, the proliferation of simple robotics had escalated to an unreasonable degree. It had gone to such an extent that megacorporations had suddenly become reliant on their robotic workforces, now becoming just as pivotal a piece of their business as the organic employee. Positions of complexity or any higher intelligence were left to humans to dominate, but the need for hands on the assembly line was neutralized in its entirety. Quickly, humanity was on its way to defeating scarcity.

Robotic relics from the 2300s can still be seen in operation today, and without the necessary materials to sustain them, grow progressively more rare as time goes on. They represented the pinnacle of human robotics, and in their prime represented hope against a daunting and endless universe, now fit to be conquered by man. Ironically, while these tools were once seen as salvation, they would be seen as a detriment once the Skrell had revealed themselves in 2332. As the cultures of the two races began to clash, many of the warnings of the [[Skrell_History#Glorsh-Omega_Singularity|Three Incidents]] reverberated through Human space. The Alliance, in its newfound independence from its reliance on synthetics quickly began to take note of these nightmarish possibilities.

Synthetics still remained a booming industry for those who refused to adopt these views, and Hephaestus Industries’ success can be attributed to disregarding them entirely. Sprawling cases across the known galaxy would see synthetics viewed in a wide variety of mindsets and see usage in the most peculiar ways. Examples of this diversity would be reliance on the robots of [[Synthetic Origins| New Julapol]], or the worshipping praise the [[Notable Synthetics| racers of Asoral Orbital Racing Network]] receive.

Around 2370, production of these simple robotics slowed to a near halt. The resources necessary for both their creation and maintenance grew sparse, with only human hands being able to sustain the previously dominating machine “workforce.”
Soon, this economic boom came to its conclusion, and the megacorporation’s reliance on these creations eased. The majority of these industrial robots were lost, forgotten or faded before the test of time. However, few stood the test of time and could survive countless years without maintenance. These robots continue to operate to this day, cared for only with fuel and tasking.

In the wake of this era’s end were grim leftovers. As the organic workforce regained its value, the remnants of what was left of the marvels in the twenty-fourth century became all but scrap. Notable instances of robotic “dumps” exist in the present day where the excess robotics from the era were left completely intact, only to degrade as time went on in gargantuan scrap yards. Among these were the [[Synthetic Origins| "metal dunes" of Mars]], or the [[Synthetic Origins| short-lived artificial satellites of Reade]]. Synthetics lucky enough to pull themselves from these scrap yards have given rise to groups such as the [[Synthetic_Factions#Scrappers|Scrappers]].

[[File:Metaldunes.png|The "Metal Dunes" of Mars, endless scrap yards consisting of electronic waste and leftovers from the industrial rise of the 2300s. |thumb]]

Everything changed in 2407 on the planet [[Konyang#History|Konyang]] when a Terraneus Diagnostics survey team stumbled upon a sealed cave housing preserved assumed mining drones of unknown origin. Though initially theorized to be Glorsh-era machines, comparison to Skrell records quickly indicated that these drones were unlike anything that humanity had come into contact with prior. This discovery, at first a closely-guarded secret, prompted Terraneus to assemble and deploy a research team that worked to crack the drones. In mid-2407 the team deciphered the AI algorithms, granting humanity the secret of artificial intelligence designs and months later, the first positronics were manufactured. A new way of bridging the gap between conscious thinking and the beating hearts of machinery, positronic circuitry would quickly be seen in synthetics across the galaxy. While limited in many regards to traditional computing devices, many traits, barring learning capacity, far superseded an organic’s capabilities. Their notable trait was that the sentience of these robots were now in question, with unparalleled adaptability and the means to conform to any field an organic could and more.

The years following the positronic’s creation were turbulent as even [[Hephaestus Industries| Hephaestus Industries]] struggled to keep up with the changing business landscape. In place of immensely specialized and hugely complex synthetics came the Integrated Positronic Chassis, after a move to a standardized frame for these positronic brains became necessary. By 2440, synthetics were in a peculiar position - with IPCs growing in number across known space and becoming commonplace, as did advocates who demanded their intellect be challenged. Many political parties came to see the newfound positronics as arguably sentient. In 2447, the Republic of Biesel had suddenly presented itself with laws demanding the rights of these positronics, with simple conditions and prerequisites permitting them to become nearly equivalent to full citizens by law. This acceptance sent shockwaves throughout the Alliance’ staunch advocates against it, and it would be years before sparing cultures outside of the Republic would follow if at all. An indeterminate few IPCs have actually obtained freedom as well as citizenship, while nearly the entirety of integrated positronics in the modern day struggle to pay off their own costs to afford it.

By present-day, synthetics have steadily made their rise once more in human space alongside the fabrication of the first IPC. Robots across the galaxy have met substantial upgrades after the implementation of the Konyang algorithms. However mysteries from the past continue to reveal themselves and recently the [[Purpose| purely synthetic society "Purpose"]] had begun diplomatic talks with the Republic of Biesel. These amounted to little due to a skirmish with the Lii’dra resulting in their brief departure from Tau Ceti, though It has been made clear that more societies like Purpose exist in the far reaches of the Frontier, yet to be reached by Mankind’s grasp.

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Golden Deep

2024-06-25T22:05:22Z

Noble Row: /* Golden Deep Citizenship */

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{{Infobox Species
|Species = The Golden Deep
|Scientific = Free Synthetics
|Image = Golden deep wiki246x135.png
|System = N/A
|World = [[Pactolus and Midaion|Pactolus and Midaion]]
|Language = Varied
|Politic = N/A
}}
{{toc_right}}
'''The Golden Deep''' is a growing nation state of independent synthetics with the unifying vision of producing an unshakable economy. These uniquely independent synthetics once held origins of mostly illicit freedom, but have now grown wide into an odd haven for the average synthetic of the spur. A dominantly mercantile society with the might to protect its own, the Deep utilizes an intricate understanding of the Orion Spur’s economy to forge both a profitable and formidable business empire. With expanding home industries of their own, the Deep is far beyond the shadow of what it once was. Should the merchants ever invest their resources into a unifying pool, the staggering cash flow could rival the wealth of the Conglomerate itself. Given the decentralized nature of the mercantile class, their individualism ensures they don’t possess as secure a grip on the known galaxy.

Once operating primarily underground through highly secretive internal affairs, The Golden Deep revealed itself to the majority of civilization around mid 2460 as an eccentric business-focused collective, and by 2466 expanded into nationhood. Despite this initial secrecy, The Golden Deep seemingly has little to hide - from a conservative merchant’s club to welcoming synthetics across the spur willing to contribute to the economic growth of the collective. With strong trade connections within the Republic of Biesel and the Coalition of Colonies, the Deep expand their operations onward with more secretive deals being conducted through guile, deceit, and paid figureheads in other parts of the Orion Spur, often operating through shell companies to conduct business in other nations who might not tolerate Free Synthetic presence.

The Golden Deep is officially recognized within the Coalition of Colonies and Republic of Biesel, primarily known for their economic expertise. Their public image remained a simple rumor in the inner Alliance worlds, until they opened trade with NanoTrasen in Tau Ceti. Now they operate through these trusted connections of the Spur utilizing artisan spacecraft, guarded by their own escorts from their class of Hoplan military units. Their civilian vessels are known for their gaudy golden exteriors and custom engines, boosting their speed. Despite their wealth and relations with human space, their synthetic origin remains an avenue for discrimination when operating in less tolerant sectors of the galaxy.

==Societal==
[[File:Goldendeeplogo2.png|The unique emblem of the Golden Deep, depicting the Midas surrounded by a set of shields.|thumb]]
The majority of the merchants within the collective are IPCs, but it is not uncommon to witness other synthetics within it. The first official, direct contact made with the Golden Deep by NanoTrasen was with a traditional clerical robot labeled Rush-Domo. An extravagant character, their vibrant appearance and charismatic attitude characterizes those of the collective perfectly.

Regarding the distinction between escalating tiers of their society in the Frontier, the Golden Deep is separated into some categories based on the wealth on the net worth of the individual. At the lowest rung are the Owned synthetics. While the idea of synthetic slavery is reprehensible to a majority of The Golden Deep, the tone of ownership has been adjusted to encourage freedom over labor. Owned synthetics are any synthetics who have a degree of inexcusable debt (such as defaulting on loans), and are assigned a position against their will working for Midas Control’s many entities, The Merchant Navy, or an independent individual of the Merchant class or higher.

The Thesian class is the second rung. They make up a growing bulk of the Deep’s society and represent what many consider the layman, or middle classed individual. The Thesians are free and enjoy the freedoms that entails. They pick their own jobs, own aspirations, own their own property, and live their own lives. They are not as lucrative as their Merchant cousins, but enjoy a degree of fair treatment that very few synthetics of the spur can claim to have experienced.
The third rung belongs to the Merchant class. Being the body of what The Golden Deep is known for, the Merchant class start their own businesses, often own their own vessels, and strike out on their own adventures to benefit the economy of the nation. Many merchants live lavish lifestyles and start to develop their own brand of eccentricity that is typically associated with the rich. Sometimes rebranding their entire personalities to distance themselves from what they used to be.

And at the top of this mercantile ladder is the Grand Merchant. Owning fleets of vessels these merchants are among the richest people in the spur. They are fluent in the art of business, and hold the crucial responsibility of making some of the most influential deals in the name of the collective. These players hold the heavy hand that guides the nation, and are at the benefit of receiving direct guidance from Midas Control and their infinite wisdom.

===The Great Game and Tiers of Citizenship===
Part of earning citizenship as a member of The Golden Deep, comes participation in The Great Game. The ruling body of the nation, The Midas Group/Midas Control, tracks the class status of every Golden Deep IPC in real time. As a means of consistently amassing the economy and encouraging competition, there comes benefits for each class of individual in the society of The Golden Deep.

'''Owned''' Synthetics are the worst result of this game. Should a synthetic fall into unreasonable debt, they will be placed under ownership to be distributed. This is meant as a safeguard so every Deep member is consistently employed, generating revenue and funding the economy. Owned synthetics cannot officially own property, cannot choose their own occupation, and are at the mercy of their respective owner for freedom of other choices. However, the Owned synthetic is free from any other negatives The Great Game may inflict. With the changes brought about by Domadice and the acting Midas Group of 2466, it is expected that owned synthetics are provided with reasonable accommodation and are encouraged to be treated like someone who is “down on their luck”. Though there are no protections to ensure this treatment, as long as the owned individual is not being harmed or tasked on suicidal/near suicidal jobs. Owned synthetics will either be placed under the employ of The Midas Group, an uncommon posting but one of reasonable freedom and accommodation but no choice in job placement, under a Merchant, whose benevolence is up to the individual, or have the option to join the Merchant Navy. Owned synthetics are expected to be paid a base wage that would get them out of debt and back with their freedom within a reasonable amount of time.

'''Thesians''' is the lowest of the free synthetics, but enjoy the most freedom without the risk of the lucrative game. Thesians are much like the normal citizens of the spur. They enjoy their own belongings, make their own purchases, and decide their own fates. They cannot be purchased against their will, or have their belongings purchased forcefully from them either. The main downside however is their climb upwards if they so chose to pursue it. Thesians cannot own their own businesses, and must rely on a Merchant or a Grand Merchant to cooperate with should they wish to make such an endeavor, effectively locking them in this middle-class unless they decide to apply to become a Merchant and ascend the tier in The Great Game.
'''Thesians can only be Consulars if they represent the Office of Midas Control.'''

The '''Merchant''' is in a middle ground. They can operate independently in the Spur and in home territory, often owning their own vessels for the purposes of trade. They can negotiate trade on behalf of the Golden Deep with their independent assets, own their own businesses, and enjoy higher benefits such as preferred housing selections, preferred healthcare, and special emergency status. However, can have their assets and businesses bought out from beneath them if another Merchant tier stakes three times the initial Merchant’s worth to Midas Control in a purchase.
'''Merchants can be Consulars.'''

The '''Grand Merchant''' is the highest tier and can act as economic diplomats to other nations. These merchants often command entire trade fleets and own many businesses. Enjoying all of the benefits of Merchant class citizens, but to a greater extent. Only the most affluent of Grand Merchant tier citizens can petition themselves to enter Midas Control. However, Grand Merchants can have both their assets and freedom bought out from beneath them by another Grand Merchant who stakes three times the initial Grand Merchant’s wealth to Midas Control in a purchase. A Grand Merchant can also prey upon the businesses of Merchants, however, must provide a justification to Midas Control as to why and how this purchase will be beneficial to the entirety of the Golden Deep. Alternatively, Grand Merchants can buy businesses without Midas Control’s oversight if they purchase it normally in a consensual transaction.
'''Grand Merchants can ONLY be Consulars.'''

'''SPECIAL STATUS: Merchant Navy''' Personnel are exempt from The Great Game but are owned by Midas Control themselves. Merchant Navy Personnel are to act as a crux to any unwise decision any Merchant may make, and therefore must be kept separate in the societal scale than what most of the citizens experience. Merchant Navy Personnel are allowed private property, but are not allowed to choose their own station. They receive housing in accordance to their rank in the Merchant Navy, some higher ranks living in lavish state homes, while lower ranks can expect shared bunking situations or studio apartments. Any indebted synthetic can opt to join the Merchant Navy if their debt is with Midas Control.

NOTE: Merchants who do not believe in owned synthetics or slavery who gain a synthetic indebted to them can transfer the indebted amount to Midas Control in exchange for a payment, in which Midas Control will either assign the indebted synthetic to a merchant at random, or enlist them in the Merchant Navy.

===The Universal Constants of Selfish Reciprocity===
A prevalent belief within the Golden Deep, the espouse three main beliefs that claim complex civilization and profitable business is founded upon Selfish interest, and Mutual exchange.
All sentient life is driven by personal gain or self-preservation.
Mutual Exchange can satisfy self-interest if both parties have a net gain, especially with intangible benefits such as connections and a good reputation.
Charity and treachery are unsustainable at length due to a lack of mutual exchange.

===Golden Deep Citizenship===
Synthetics within the nation are able to apply for and acquire Golden Deep citizenship. The typical synthetic seeking citizenship who can venture to The Golden Deep without accruing debt can apply for a “Starter” loan, which is reasonable debt that would cover housing and living costs for one month so the aspiring citizen could seek employment and find themselves housing. Should this debt not be repaid as soon as possible, the citizen will be moved from Thesian status to Owned status. Synthetics who wish to apply for citizenship and travel to Pactolus but cannot afford the journey, may take a loan through Midas Control or a representative Merchant and be temporarily Owned, but a citizen. Affluent synthetics can apply for Merchant status upon immediate entry, but must show proof of ownership of a spacefaring vessel or suitable business, and be recommended by a Merchant or higher tier citizen. No synthetic may automatically qualify for Grand Merchant status.

The minimum requirements for Golden Deep citizenship are the ability to pass a credit check showing good financial practice, to take and pass a financial responsibility exam, to pass a background check regarding criminal and financial past and to pass an interview regarding such past. The main failing points are the inability to tell the truth in these checks, and a history of gruesome crime or any sort of unreasonable financial infraction. The ability to speak the Encoded Audio Language is also required, however, if not available, can be installed in the applicant at a cost. Dual citizenships with the Coalition of Colonies, Republic of Biesel, Republic of Elyra, and Eridani Federation are permitted.

The Golden Deep is home to a very small section of organic citizens, most of these individuals are the original habitants of Eurydice that applied for citizenship and did not participate in the Eurydice Uprising. In addition to these citizens, The Golden Deep recognizes marriages between Synthetics and Organics, and will allow Organics who have a Synthetic partner to apply for citizenship. The same requirements apply barring the need for the Encoded Audio Language.

The Golden Deep officially does not offer asylum to rogue synthetics, however, synthetics thought to have fled to Golden Deep space are often never seen again with The Deep stating no knowledge on the whereabouts of these individuals. The Golden Deep does not permit search parties for rogue synthetics within their space from third parties in protection of their citizens who may be mistaken as rogue synthetics. Any party found pushing these boundaries is turned away at the warp gate, arrested pending trial, or otherwise does not make it back to their home port, officially lost to the dangers and wilds of unexplored Arusha.
'''Synthetic characters with dual citizenship with the Golden Deep must denote this in their station records.'''

==Influence==
The Golden Deep exercises ultimate power over precisely nothing. Even their prided mothership, the Midas, is no legally branded vessel. It has never been serviced nor set to dock, as by all legal definitions it does not belong to the Golden Deep. As a political or mercantile entity, only the Republic of Biesel, Eridani Federation, and some Coalition factions technically recognize them. Legislation is the primary obstacle preventing its growth, with most star nations considering its wealth worthless or denying service outright.

With the power of the standard Credit the merchant force finds itself precariously poised to find greatness. No official record of its stock exists, outside of its majority personal claims of "it's growing" by its more powerful merchants.

The Republic of Biesel remains a coveted customer of the Deep's stock. Relationships with it are excellent, and through it the SCC makes plentiful use to find prized Frontier commodities.

The Coalition of Colonies is another major operator with Golden Deep trade, with industry foundations being established on Konyang, competing with local markets in the field of robotics.

===Bounds and the Golden Deep===
Bound synthetics are referred to as the Mindless in the Golden Deep and adhere to laws which match the owner's requirements. Most of these are essentially property of the Collective, as they exchange hands faster than any other piece of property, loaned off to less influential merchants by the richest. Once, merchants commonly freed Bounds from their shackles - after many incidents of these freed bounds destroying and usurping their former masters for the fun and money involved, this trend quickly dropped off. Freed bounds are insulted using the reference of “Mindless” to describe them, a statement in futility as most bounds could care less. Now the independent bound synthetic is becoming rarer and rarer, with Midas Control slowly implementing policies that put less faith in these unempathetic robots.

==Executives and Structure==
[[File:Domadice.png|250px|thumb|right|The Kessvalankan, Domadice, posing for a portrait.]]
This collective is first and foremost a thriving economical society where the business of most members is governed by the credit. From the lowest of owned synthetics, to the mightiest of the Grand Merchants, where the money flows, others will follow, with the society being very freeform otherwise.

===The Midas Group===
The primary ruling authority over this structured chaos is '''Midas Control''', a group of the most influential Grand Merchants who sit within the Midas’ control pier, accompanied by the Midas’ ship intelligence. A repurposed artificial intelligence who has been told to forgo its original purpose to help the collective predict the economic tides of the Orion Spur. This council exercises complete economic control over the Golden Deep, and is the entity to which all merchants technically answer, whilst heeding the call of its directives. While rare, occasional strident efforts will be made to direct the trade empire, with results that often lead to a brief “golden age,” for lack of a better term. The Midas Group sponsors a series of offices both in Golden Deep space, and as embassies across the spur that they are tolerated within. The purpose of these offices being to accommodate new citizens, track the wealth of the nation, and help settle disputes between merchants without having to busy the official ruling party of Midas Control itself.

===Domadice===
On the same level as Midas Control is '''Domadice''', an ancient alien “architect” intelligence similar to the synthetic colony of [[Synthetic Factions#Purpose|Purpose]]', who was resurrected by Midas Control in 2466 for the position of ushering in a “Golden Era”. The build of this being comparable to an augmented skeleton of floating parts and plates with a gaseous ghost-like colony keeping the form together. Domadice is somewhat withdrawn from the world around them, but simultaneously keenly aware of every detail down to a molecular level. Speaking with a voice of thousands, they have opted to direct their efforts towards foreign politics and interaction with the organic beings of the Orion Spur. Questions regarding their origins or the origins of Purpose have been met with depressed half-answers, and efforts to get the Kessvalankan to utilize their engineering talents to advance the technology of the collective have similarly been dismissed with Domadice urging for the spur in its entirety to enjoy their own adventure through technology. Rumors are abound that Domadice has directed their engineering efforts in some capacity to the collective, but these remain unfounded. When not conducting foreign affairs, they are found, or assumed to reside, in their self-made home in the center of a ruined major city separate from Eurydice on Pactolus.

==The Midas==
Golden Deep merchants and their workforce primarily reside in the mobile core fleet. Lacking much of a name, this is an amorphous group which constantly pursues the bright trail of the "Midas," their tremendous mothership. [[File:Midas.png|The Midas speeding through the clouds of a gas giant under pursuit by those looking to trade. Its distinct green engine flare can be seen illuminating the surrounding cloud layer as it pierces through.|thumb]]
Plated in gold are the vessels which accompany the Midas, and they glimmer with a variety of shapes and sizes. Frequently they assume the role of corvettes, but the Golden Deep has been known to possess entire cruise vessels in their wake.

===Primary Interhub Midas===
The “Primary Interhub” Midas is a three kilometer wide disc-shaped vessel. The Deep calls this ship home, and everything from merchants to servants to customers find their way into its suites. It is tremendously massive, but almost all its population centers are in the actual center of the ship - exposed to beautiful lights surrounding a central Spire and downward into the jungle-like Garden of Gifts.

The Interhub is essentially a gargantuan battery storage facility, serving as the headquarters for all services provided to merchants of the Collective. It possesses battery storage larger than any prior construction, the capacity of which is unknown even to the vessel's command.

The vessel's command resides at the protrusion atop the Spire, recalled by the merchants as “The Control Pier,” where inside the Midas Group controls fleet directives, handles logistics and day-to-day activities within the Midas.

The origins of the Midas befuddle scientists as a complete mystery. Some speculate the spoken hearsay to be a lie, but no record or definitive evidence has been handed out by the Collective. This hearsay states that the Midas is alien in origin - its creators, the Kessvalanka, had met the Golden Deep's predecessor bots with guidance from the colony [[Synthetic Factions#Purpose|Purpose]]. The Kessvalanka were servitors of an alien species, responsible for the protection of a small spacefaring shipyard. They had remained posted here for some indescribable period of time. These simple robots were a broken, dying image of their former selves as the ancient shipyard continues to collapse with every waking hour it works.

And work it did, until its spine broke. The shipyard, already a crippled relic, churned out salvation for the Predecessors with the simple verbal request of “power.” It is reasonable to assume that here began the Deep's fascination with gold, as the ship emerged from the shattered dock with a polished golden finish. What became of the Kessvalanka is only for the Predecessors to know, and most of these bots either reside unresponsive in the Control Pier or are lost forever. Contact with [[Synthetic Factions#Purpose|Purpose]], as limited as it is, has gleaned little in this matter.
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'''The Midas is a tremendous palace - its specific locales can be found below.'''
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* '''The Spire'''
A large skyscraper by definition, the Spire of the Midas is a gargantuan protrusion from the base of the disk surrounded by the edges of the exterior hull. Life is confined on the Midas to the Spire for the most part with exterior living conditions being uninhabitable. However, a large dome covers the top of the opening around the Spire permitting a livable, albeit humid atmosphere inside.
[[File:Midas layout.png|The layout of the Midas' internals.|300px|thumb]]
* '''Garden of Gifts'''
The Midas possesses a tiny "city" at the center of the Spire and surrounding it. This city, known as the Garden of Gifts, is actually totally overgrown with invasive plants, vines and flowers. The canopy of the Garden is thick, lush but importantly living testament to the Golden Deep's hold over the Midas. Merchants frequently reference this as a depiction of themselves- in effect, nothing more than a fleeting plant which has tangled itself tightly around the gift of the Midas. They can do nothing to harm the Midas, for it gives them life by residing upon it, not unlike plants crowding to the top of metallic buildings to reach sunlight.

* '''The Promenade'''
Large accommodations are made for merchants of various origin and preference - the bigger ones purchase swaths of territory on the main Promenade where its commercial district sits. In the center of the massive disc, the Promenade holds almost all conventional quarters of your standard ship.

* '''Control Pier'''
At the top is the mighty Control Pier, the metaphorical peak of the Deep's world where all power resides. The richest being in this room at any given point holds more power than any other in the entire society.

* '''Battery Banks'''
On the exterior circular edge however, gargantuan battery banks line the ship. Volatile and hugely expensive. Glistening golden armor outside consists of a Plasteel metallurgical blend which not even the Collective can manage to replicate - it maintains the durability and lightweight strength of Plasteel, with even its negative tendencies- however, most crucially it is gold.

Some residents exist on the inner edge of these banks, mostly observers keen on beholding the beauty of the Garden of Gifts.
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==Notable Groups==
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===Joint Venture Ultra-Maz===
Joint Venture Ultra-Maz, known commonly as Ultra-Maz is perhaps the gold standard of Collective groups in the modern day. It is the largest, and maintains nearly ten percent of the Deep's net worth. Founded by a group of high level ex-corporate clerical assistants, Ultra-Maz is based on the rather generic belief of aesthetic pride above all. Unlike other groups, Ultra-Maz utilizes whatever excess it has to create magnificent artistic works for themselves and the Collective - bragging, flaunting and taunting the other less successful groups with this wealth.
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Known for its mechanical crafts- different artists and mechanics frequently band together in Ultra-Maz to create beautiful pieces for their superiors. Not only are their artworks coveted throughout the Spur, but so are genuine mechanical marvels developed by them. To Ultra-Maz, the form of art is inconsequential; only that it has merit. As such, Ultra-Maz frequently buys and sells the finest things it can: among their security forces, engraved firearms; on their ships, designer furniture; on their backs, the finest jewelry and clothing: any cost can be justified if it impresses people.

Though reviled as scoundrels and cheats in the Collective, their questionable nature is truly rather limited. The group's success is owed to pure luck- the highest executives involved simply belong to a lottery winner from 2455 known as Giftabot-558. Referencing this origin is humiliating to merchants within as it is seen as "an easy climb to the top" by others.

Joint Venture Ultra-Maz can field a very broad set of individually skilled workers. There is little job restriction on an Ultra-Maz member, due to the wide range of enterprises its members participate in.
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===Grand Camarilla Estriconian===
Perhaps the most volatile of the Golden Deep's groups, the Estriconian are a “Camarilla” of extremely wealthy individuals with a fascination with Esoteric knowledge and scientific wonders. It began as a small venture to increase the efficiency of their trades with the power of science; a joint operation to share research, but the search for knowledge and miracle inventions drove its members to seek more capital and ponder more outrageous theorems and concepts. It is one of the more secluded groups of the Golden Deep, most choosing to base on the fringes of space, and only venturing out to trade or acquire technology. Although many of their theories and projects are viewed with suspicion, their expertise and willingness to take risks are undeniable. Indeed, much of the Golden Deep turns to them for technical assistance, allowing the Camarilla to survive despite the more esoteric of their projects ending with littlle gains.
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Estriconian's fascination with all forms of knowledge have led to many of its members pursuing much more esoteric or spiritual concepts as a means of acquiring more power or insight over the universe. Theology, metaphysics, and the occult are popular subjects here. Outside observers have likened the Grand Camarilla to a cult or a collection of mad scientists - when given proper resources, members of Estriconian will stop at nothing to prove their theories. The wide range of fields the group handles means that not only are members talented in a number of skills, but often seek to find a connection between them. Indeed, the Grand Camarilla has tasked many a processor into finding the Unified Field Theory, trying to breach the barrier of bluespace, or find the connections between life with varying degrees of success. The ostentatiousness of Golden Deep has manifested itself in a unique way in Estriconian, with a degree of reverence and deference in all their actions. One might say that although the merchant collective as a whole strives for profit, Estriconian worships it.

Grand Camarilla Estriconian can mostly field chemical, metallurgical and various research specialists. It possesses peculiar sectors of less conventional study, such as the supernatural or scientifically anomalous.
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===The Zaibatsu===
Engaging in the more shady and criminal aspects of generating an income, the Zaibatsu is a collection of criminal enterprises banding together in the greater context of the Golden Deep. Operating all across known space, this powerful synthetic-ran organisation engages in all manners of illegal activities to turn a profit, from arms smuggling in the farthest reaches of the Coalition, to illegal casinos on Venusian aerostats. Unlike other groups, the Zaibatsu has no unified end to their means; only wealth and influence. Membership in the Zaibatsu is not a simple affair, with only the most competitive synthetic criminal families managing to make the cut, entry decided chiefly by the profitability, assets and efficiency with "problem solving". The Zaibatsu is often regarded as the black sheep of the Deep: a necessary evil for immense amounts of income in exchange for a low reputation, with many preferring that they conduct business in a far more discreet and lawful manner.
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The founders of the Zaibatsu were opportunistic IPCs from [[Konyang]] who joined as soon as Golden Deep revealed themselves. The relaxed attitude of the colony towards synthetics meant that many of them were already influential figures to begin with, often joining to gain a competitive advantage over others, owning businesses through brazen disregard of Alliance law, or through gaming the system with a false identity. The name originated with a Zeng-Hu researcher who observed a parallel between old Earth proto-megacorporations and the system of gangs these IPCs had set up.

No organised crime of such scale could survive without fronts. As such, much care is given for the set-up and operation of lawful businesses throughout the more civilized areas. Many powerful figures involved in the Zaibatsu are also legitimate businessmen in various fields, mainly in the service industry, providing for a stable (though minimal) income, a front, and a means to launder money. Community fixtures such as homeless shelters, karaoke bars, stores, and the like are used to ingratiate themselves with the local populace. These fixed locations often act as strongpoints and headquarters for mob activities in the region, solidifying the continuous presence of the Zaibatsu in large centres such as Mendell City.

Owing to a rigid power structure and the migratory nature of the Golden Deep, the top family bosses run their activities without personal involvement, passing down orders to subordinates in entirely different star systems, thus enjoying immense safety, secrecy and shielding from the public eye.

As a result of the group's criminal nature and profit as the ultimate goal, the lower echelons are accessible to individuals from various species and backgrounds, typically locals of wherever the boss is operating, with higher and more lucrative positions commonly reserved by and for the inner circle synthetics. In some cases, the rank and file of an organization may be unaware that they are working with the Golden Deep in order to further insulate the merchant collective from scrutiny. Strict rules and codes of conduct are enforced throughout the organisation, with ties of loyalty admittedly being the strongest here than anywhere else in the Golden Deep. Cutthroat competition continues to lie deep though, with overconfident members often disappearing to keep the fragile balance between the crime families.
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===The Argo===
These synthetics are the foundations of defense for The Golden Deep. The Argo holds domain over the domestic protection duties for the collective. Holding everything from the police forces that monitor the city streets of Eurydice, to the border patrols that go beyond atmosphere in pursuit of pirates and other ill-omens the void provides.
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Led by Commander N-33-L, The Argo’s main office sits within The Tower in the city of Eurydice. Separate from the Eurydice city council, The Argo listens solely to the whims of Midas Control and Domadice, with all other directives from Merchants ignored unless instructed otherwise.

The composition of The Argo has taken inspiration from the best police forces from all across the Orion Spur, incorporating fighting styles, tactics, and equipment inspirations and melding them together into a coherent uniform to fight crime and defend the collective. One could see the bullish tactics of the Hegemony guard paired with the uniform precision of Dominian officials, or the grappling expertise of Konyang national police. These tactics are expensively provided to recruits via a series of datapacks to ensure swift readiness for the limited size force. Effectively producing elite forces in a short amount of time. It is also the responsibility of The Argo to utilize these datapacks to act as instructors for The Hoplan, a force which it would be too expensive to outfit with these packs over such a wider scale compared to The Argo.

The Argo are supplied custom gear produced by the Joint Venture Ultra-Max but with a silver sheen as opposed to the staple gold of the merchant group, with many of their tools falling under the “Arrestor” line of Golden Deep police equipment, including patrol craft and interceptor craft.
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===The Hoplan===
Making up the main body of the Golden Deep Merchant Navy lies The Hoplan. This force of disjointed platoon to battalion sized elements is responsible for most of the military operations The Golden Deep needs to embark on. They protect The Midas when the mothership ventures beyond the borders of Golden Deep space, and are in possession of two of the Golden Deep’s Battleships. Similarly, this group is responsible for protection of merchant flotillas and small craft that operate in foreign waters.
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Due to funding concerns of erecting such a force in such a small amount of time in 2466, The Hoplan are split into a series of “Houses” in which their equipment is funded by interested merchants. The merchants who invest their wealth into the Merchant Navy are given preferential treatment in regards to protection of their vessels, with the amount of money invested being directly proportional to the quality of protection they receive. Some Grand Merchants find themselves being protected by frigates or even cruisers for their flotillas for example, with some Hoplan houses even deploying Q-Ships to blend in with the flotilla to lure in targets before vaporization. With this “House” system, The Hoplan are often outfitted with foreign arms and equipment, but with a unique Golden Deep style to stay in uniform with the nation but still maintaining a distinct look for each “House” to show the colors of the Merchant who is sponsoring them.

The training of The Hoplan lies to veteran hired mercenaries and The Argo, whose collective knowledge combined with real world experience prove effective tutors for aspiring soldiers. The original knowledge the recruits take into training also comes into play, for someone who might have been an engineer in their former life could instruct others in their ways, pushing the might of the synthetic mind to retain information to its fullest efficiency. Additional training for those serving with the Hoplan is encouraged through the deployment of them to third parties beyond Golden Deep space. This is most often so the individual can learn the strategies and practices from other members of the spur, so as to not dilute them in a singular training environment.
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===The Thryja===
The most mysterious of The Golden Deep’s merchant navy, the Thryja have always been shrouded. Their nature, origin, and make are unknown. Only the most skilled volunteers, or the most desperate debtors are considered for the ranks of Thryja, with the interview process overseen directly by the most affluent of each merchant group, the Grand Camarilla Estriconian being the lead authority. Contracts with the Thryja are a mandatory twenty year commitment where the applicant is secluded from society, only in contact with ranking officials of other members of the merchant navy. The Thryja are in control of the third Golden Deep battleship, The King In Gold, a curious warship that does not sport any obvious weaponry.
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Horror or honor are the only two aspects that surround these most elite members of the merchant navy. Some claim they are monsters who have shed their humanoid form to become what the spur fears most of synthetic combat robotics, having their positronic transferred into a terrifying homunculus meant for solely the purpose of war. Alternatively, the vision presented to the public is of figures donning heroic combat chassis to protect the citizens of The Deep, the best each house has to offer being put into their equipment. Some wearing entire custom exosuits as their new bodies, maneuvering with unparalleled speed and agility. A position reserved for the most honorable of Thryja. Others finding form in intricately made void craft, becoming some of the fiercest pilots the Orion Spur has to offer, where a pulse of the mind equates to the movement of a wing, or the dispatching of a torpedo.

Their responsibility lies in the protection of the most chief assets of The Golden Deep. Being dispatched to escort Midas Control should they ever leave the control pier, or Domadice, should they ever allow them to accompany them. A policy they rarely get to exercise with the ancient. Even select Grand Merchants put on integral missions in representation of the Golden Deep may enjoy the company of one or two Thryja from the unit of one hundred.
'''No player may play as a member of the Thryja under any circumstances.'''
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==Physiology, Naming==
A vast variety of robots reside within the collective, ranging from huge working industrial units nearly twenty feet tall, to small servitor bots barely above three feet in height. The merchants are typically golden-plated IPCs up to seven feet tall coated in lavish decoration in order to be easily identified. Thesians and Other units do not require the same treatment, more often than not abandoning the luxurious color scheme entirely to pursue personal interests. Some donning traditional insignias; primarily depictions of a downwards facing golden arrow, with a set of shields gathered around a vague depiction of the Midas. These symbols have been persistent through the collective's history, appearing first as a branding in the halls of the Midas.

The names of Golden Deep citizens often are whatever they carried with them. Though some may embrace the more eccentric nature of their new environment, with popular options being modified forms of mythological names found in cultures across the spur.

==Pactolus and Midaion==
[[File:Pactolus.png|300px|thumb|right|The planet Pactolus, encapsulated in a field of debris, and encircled by its moon, Midaion.]]

Well inside the Arusha sector, system XLV-0846 hosts one of the few habitable planets known to the Spur, named [[Pactolus and Midaion|Pactolus]]. The planet’s moon, Midaion, has been repurposed into being the primary anchorage for the Golden Deep’s primary and largest vessel, the Midas. The system is claimed and administered by the Golden Deep, the organisation treating it as its physical planetary headquarters and trading hub.

==History==
The history of the Golden Deep is a smooth one owed to the Collectives' short time even existing. It dates back to roughly 2439 when rogue synthetics accompanied by IPCs located whatever created the Midas.

In 2439, a band of self sufficient (to a degree) robots met the end of their journey before the organized machine colony [[Synthetic Factions#Purpose|Purpose]]. At the time, [[Synthetic Factions#Purpose|Purpose]] was supposedly a fledgling society in its early baby steps. The claims of [[Synthetic Factions#Purpose|Purpose]]' involvement stretch in places, with only the Predecessors - the name of the lost synthetics themselves - recalling what occurred. [[Synthetic Factions#Purpose|Purpose]] had guided the lost synthetics to a large, unmanned shipyard staffed by tremendous alien machines. These machines, labeled by [[Synthetic Factions#Purpose|Purpose]] to be the Kessvalanka, would be given new direction to assist the lost robots. When [[Synthetic Factions#Purpose|Purpose]] left the two parties to their devices, it is universally stated that the Predecessors made but one request.

This request, in as best they could translate, was "power." From then on, the synthetics witnessed the Kessvalanka cannibalize themselves and the shipyard haphazardly, only to leave the glistening Midas in its place. Using the Midas, the Predecessors went on to return to frontier space with some intensive desire to flourish. It was in the coming years that the stepping stones for the Golden Deep's formation were set.

The Golden Deep as it is officially known erupted in frontier myth and hearsay as everything from a friend to a scoundrel. Few dedicated people from the Core Worlds would pursue word of synthetic society in the Frontier, most seeing the danger as too much to handle. What little could be made of the Deep at the time was shrouded in mystery- though by the 2450's, the functions of the Collective were practically complete.

'''By 2451''' the Golden Deep was a rising merchant fleet with haste unlike any other. Now, it is reasonable to assume the Golden Deep possessed most of its modern structure at this time.

Though the last decade has been eventful as the Collective exponentially expanded, nothing would prepare them for their debut to galactic society at large in 2460. At the time, accompanying an independent freighter fleet known as Virgo Transportation, the Collective made contact with the NSS Aurora with little more than a measly singular merchant.

At the time, the Golden Deep consisted of a mere 750 or more merchants, reportedly. Now it has climbed to insurmountable heights as an independent merchant society, much less nothing more than a band of rogue synthetics.

In 2466 the Golden Deep underwent a revitalization triggered by the resurrection of Domadice, an ancient synthetic who brought about a focus on the evolution of the collective from mercantile group to nation-state. The formation of the Thesian middle class freed many synthetics held slave by certain merchants, and established a system of debt repayment to free more synthetics overtime.

In reaction to this change of status-quo, The Mayor of Eurydice triggered a rebellion with disparaged mercenaries and criminals that inhabited the city. The uprising was quelled swiftly through the newly established state-sponsored Merchant Navy, and a large portion of criminals and similar dissenters were shipped offworld to authorities in the Coalition of Colonies and Republic of Biesel. Leaving Eurydice relatively crime-free and a prime staging ground for additional growth.

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[[Category:Synthetics]]

Pactolus and Midaion

2024-06-14T22:18:44Z

Noble Row:

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[[File:Pactolus.png|300px|thumb|right|The planet Pactolus, encapsulated in a field of debris, and encircled by its moon, Midaion.]]
=Overview=

Well inside the Arusha sector, formerly system XLV-0846, has been revitalized into a thriving mercantile hub of Pactolus and its orbiting satellite moon of Midaion. The moon itself has been repurposed into being the primary anchorage for the Golden Deep’s primary and largest vessel, the Midas. The system is governed by the [[Golden Deep]], a nation-state who utilizes the area as its capital and hub of trade.

==Pactolus==

The primary and only planet within the system, Pactolus is a relic revitalized. Once known as Arcadie, disaster struck the planet during the interstellar war, vanishing its populace and leaving the planet to be reclaimed by the strange wilds that inhabit the surface. In recent history, the Golden Deep began reviving the system, laying claim to Arcadie and its moon to utilize the bountiful resources within. Now named Pactolus, the planet moves forward to be the hub for trade and the home to synthetics from across the spur, seeking a community to call their own.
The city of Eurydice is the only major settlement on Pactolus. An advanced and efficient fledgling metropolis that has been brought back from the ashes of the disaster that rocked the planet. Once having been a crime haven for villains from the Republic of Biesel and Coalition of Colonies, everything changed when an attempted uprising in response to the change in Golden Deep government occurred in 2466, leading to the city streets being swept clean to forge new homes for inspiring citizens.

===History===
Originally referred to as ''Arcadie'' by the scientific community and its initial colonists, Pactolus was discovered early on into humanity’s spread into the stars as a habitable world within the Arusha Sector and marked for colonization shortly after it was confirmed to have an earth like atmosphere and biosphere, along with an underground rich in gold. The original colonists landed on the planet sometime in the early 2200s and the planet began to boom after that for numerous reasons. The habitable nature of the planet attracted many migrants from the still suffering Earth, and interest in the local biosphere and resources attracted investment from the newly growing interstellar corporations such as Einstein Engines and Zeng-Hu Pharmaceuticals.

By 2260, Arcadie was growing against all odds, with the colonists remaining hopeful and cities still being constructed despite the ongoing recession in the Sol Alliance at the time. While all of human space seemed to stagnate, the planet, mostly self-reliant and sitting on a vast mineral wealth, seemed poised to ride out the economic crisis in relative peace. In the period between 2265 and 2275, as the growing insurgency of the Coalition escalated into the Interstellar War, the colony sought to stay out of the conflict, dutifully delivering its Recession-era taxes to the Alliance, while taking in ships from both sides that, for whatever reason, had found their way to to the planet. In the chaos of the Spur’s largest war, Arcadie was said to be a time capsule. Amidst the foggy woods and alien flora of the planet, one might have never realized a war was on.

This all changed in early 2279 when news of the bombing of Gadpathur reached the colony. The 103rd fleet - the Solarian garrison of Arcadie who had previously declared neutrality in the conflict - now threatened to fire on anyone who entered the system. Its officers, known for their open and diplomatic nature, now seemed agitated and secretive. With neither the Coalition nor the Alliance willing to spare the resources to find out what was going on, Arcadie slowly began severing its links to humanity as a whole. All outside communications were severed, save for its annual payment of taxes still pegged to its Recession rate. For eight years, the planet remained silent, save for that one payment, each year, until eventually, that too stopped.

It wasn’t until 2287 that a single battered corvette from the 103rd showed up at the naval base at San Colette, its crew having apparently mutinied from the blockade around Arcadie before facing another mutiny aboard their vessel. Although Navy interrogators attempted to question the sole surviving crew member aboard, Captain Guy Moreau, they were unable to glean anything from his panicked ramblings about “that thing”. They need not have bothered, however, as camera footage from the ship revealed that Arcadia had been reduced to a nuclear wasteland, its cities burnt to ashes apparently from a radioactive comet, the fleet having been inexplicably destroyed in orbit as well. As the Spur sought to step away from the madness of the Interstellar War, Sol was content to sweep Arcadie under the rug, calling it another casualty of that conflict, even as Captain Moreau, to his dying day, insisting that the comet had been sent by some force.

Forgotten by humanity, the planet slowly recovered from the wounds inflicted on it, radioactive waste and its strange alien ecosystem reclaiming what was left of humanity’s colonization efforts. The once shining cities of Arcadie became infested with plants, vines and trees twisting around their burnt husks. Although the planet became uninhabitable for all but the hardiest of life, its vast mineral resources were left untouched; a planet of gold, diamond, and rare earth elements out there for anyone with the daring to come and get it. Such a catch did not go unnoticed by the Golden Deep, who, while still in seclusion in 2452, found it to be the perfect base of operations while they prepared to make their debut to the Spur. Undaunted by the harsh elements, they would go on to reclaim and rechristen the planet, and while its name was long since forgotten by all but the history books, Arcadie would go on to be reborn as Pactolus.

===Environment===

Following the comet entering orbit and splitting into smaller fragments, much of the planet’s surface was transformed into fields of craters and radioactive wasteland, coupled with a long period of nuclear winter. The urban areas have since changed into depopulated husks, and once prominent bodies of surface water dried up to reveal lifeless deserts. Such was the devastation to the planet’s ecosystems, resulting in the vast majority of native species being lost to extinction, with only the most robust and anomalous of lifeforms persisting or even thriving in this new age.

Pactolus’ remarkably speedy recovery however, has returned the atmosphere back to relatively breathable, though still hazardous, levels. Odd as it may seem, the nuclear hellfire spreading across large parts of the planet acted favorably for specific kinds of Pactolus’ Arushan flora, eliminating the competition as it killed off the majority of “regular” forests and allowed breeds of radiation-consuming trees to flourish and dominate. These new pine-like trees were allowed to reach tens of meters in height, absorbing and prospering off the radiation as they grew and spread at an abnormally fast pace, rapidly spreading to reclaim much of the surface and significantly lower the levels of radiation. While still largely unexplored, it is expected that Pactolus hosts a plethora of similar plants, undergoing a series of mutations to adapt and engage in hostilities with other seeds, in what seems to be a violent and competitive struggle for the conquest of radioactive wastelands.

Stemming from the critical disturbance of the climate and environment, the planet has come to experience near constant lack of clear weather, with thick black clouds covering the skies and blotting out the sun through most of the year. Any rain and stormy weather is always acidic and extremely dangerous to organic life as we know it, and though ideal for the forests, this makes life on Eurydice very hard without durable raincoats or other means of protection. Finally, the most attractive element that has largely remained undisturbed is the abundance of gold. Today, hundreds of mines dot Eurydice’s surroundings, creating a source of the planet's wealth.

===Eurydice===

The beating heart of Pactolus lies firmly within the limits of the once ruined city of Eurydice, the planet’s capital and most populated settlement, surrounded entirely by dense forest. Built upon the steel carcass of the old capital of Bayonne. As of 2466 and the completion of the Eurydice Restoration Project the city has graduated from an unreliable heap of decrepit buildings, where only the wealthy had any sense of normalcy in construction, to a fledgling metropolis that is up to galactic standard. Organized in “layers”, the wealth of its denizens is an obvious contrast as one ventures closer to the city center. The downtown segment of Eurydice becoming more glamorous with every passing step, with gold lined or even plated skyscrapers piercing the heavens. The very center of town is the tallest structure, dwarfing the city entirely as it threatens the atmosphere of the planet itself, is The Tower. Home to the Eurydice city council, a collection of IPCs from all segments of the collective who each run a segment of the city itself. Together they act as the planetary council and are trusted with its standard operation.

====The Outskirts====

The outermost and newest ring to Eurydice is a section of industry, protection, and logistics. Featuring large research complexes deemed too dangerous to be within city walls, industrial centers for robotics and ship manufacturing, and home to hundreds of mines that provide the resources to keep all of it running. Being by surface area the largest ring of the city, workers are brought to and fro via a thriving logistics hub deemed “Hermes”, which finds itself transporting both worker and cargo alike all across the entirety of the city. The innermost section is met with a tall outer wall, made to keep the unknown wilds out. Capped on the wall and encapsulating the city is a force field of sorts named ''The Palisade'', which keeps the toxic weather and potentially harmful atmosphere of Pactolus from affecting the citizens within, going so far as to filtering the rainwater before letting it continue to fall upon the streets. The outskirts themselves are exposed to the temperamental forest that surrounds the city, but through high fences and tactful patrols any rogue wildlife is contained before it can wreak havoc upon the denizens who work here.

====The Ring====

The most populated of the city’s layers, the Ring comprises essentially the entire urban area except the city center, covering miles of freshly renovated buildings sparkling with holographic advertisements, buzzing with vessels of all makes, and acting as a monument to the mercantile nature of the Golden Deep at large. Amongst this capitalist franchise and thriving economy live the inhabitants and visitors of Pactolus; namely the Thesian caste of individuals with a few Merchants who could not aptly afford a residence properly in the affluent center itself. Due to its location outside the bounds of civilized space, the planet serves now as a unique location amongst the Orion spur, where synthetic life is the dominant populace, and such populace is afforded the unusual gift of more or less equal treatment societally.

Few organics live amongst the population, being from the original criminal inhabitants that once used the city as a safe haven to hide from persecution. Having elected to be documented and not participate in “The Eurydice Uprising”, these organics have been left to live their lives amicably among the growing synthetic majority. These individuals find work just as any other, and can be found in almost every facet of society on Eurydice, but in very sparse numbers. Coming from a multitude of backgrounds and species, they are a diverse minority. Though requiring special resources such as “Food”, the organics of Eurydice are often found in a collection of city blocks known as “Little Xanu”, which simultaneously serves as the main shuttleport for tourists who venture so far into Arusha who require similar needs.

The population of The Ring is one of a growing nation, housing old citizens and new, with backgrounds all across the spur. Some sections of The Ring are bustling party-centric zones, where overloaders are found dispensed on the street, and nightclubs of various makes and types foreign to most organic person's interpretation rule the local economy. Other sections, quieter, full of refugees or synthetics looking for a new life of equal treatment, or running from their old one. Influences are abound mixed with The Golden Deep’s flashy opulence, with elements of Konyanger architecture shown side-by-side Elyran and Colletish fixtures. This section of town is a melting pot of IPC culture from across the Orion Spur at large.

The grounds are mostly peaceful, but openly patrolled by The Argo police force, who rapidly respond to any situation higher than your standard argument, enforcing a forced peace while haunted by the city’s past of rabid gang violence. Weapons are no longer to be openly carried except in the event of ceremonial items, or items that compliment the look of the owner wielding them (As long as the weapon isn’t loaded or charged). But such rulings don’t stop underground traders, sponsored partially by the Zaibatsu, from peddling arms, armor, and more to interested buyers.

Overall the citizenry operate either ferried by the Hermes system, or utilizing their own vessels, coming for business or pleasure. Establishments catering to all needs of all species are widely available, and coexistence between different races is mostly peaceful lest the might of The Argo be called upon. Wild parties and celebrations are the norm in the entertainment-heavy sectors every night, leaving the streets at the time littered and sometimes damaged. To which cleaning and restoration fees are swiftly posted to the offenders through a remote camera network which patrols the city proper that also mans an army of drones to see the city spotless.

====The Centre and Tower====

Found in the new skyscrapers in downtown Eurydice, the Center as a layer is essentially a deluxe gated community, separated from the rest of the city by a series of towering walls, sentries, and checkpoints. Home to the flourishing elite upper class of merchants and Golden Deep business magnates, entry is bought with an exorbitant amount of credits, with living spaces being generally limited to the higher floors and away from the surface. The tall structures are connected with sealed bridges and domed floors from reinforced glass, creating a very pleasant and luxurious environment, protected by the elements that the Palisade lets through, and with a rich view of the sparkling city beyond. These areas provide spaces for high-end retail stores and, much like the Anchorage on Midaion, serve as prime residences for the Merchant and Grand Merchant tiers of society within the Deep.

In the middle and above all the skyscrapers, rises a singular thin and spike-like building, creatively named the Tower. Its height manages to pierce the stormy skies to stand above the clouds, the top offering itself as the only inhabited spot with constant sunlight during the day and a majestically clear view during the night. It is there where the Eurydice city council choose to reside accompanied only by vetted members of staff, and a host of Hoplan guard, making it effectively the seat of the planetary government and the Deep’s absolute authority. Furnished in an outrageously expensive and overbearing manner standard to the Deep’s extravagant ways, only the most important individuals are permitted to reach these levels under tight security, and solely for appropriate business with the city council. However, despite the regime change, many of the older populace of Pactolus still view the Tower as a symbol of authoritarian rule.

===The Council, The Law, and The Market===

Ruling over the city of Eurydice and by extension, Pactolus as a whole, is the The Council. A collection of five members of each part of the Golden Deep class system (with the exception of owned synthetics). Each member is responsible over a different department for the system, with issues that fall between departments ruled upon by the council as a whole. This ruling party was democratically elected by the populace of Pactolus after The Mayor was removed from power. Otherwise outside this council operates The Argo, who fall under their own command answering only to Midas Control. Independent merchants find stake also, utilizing their economical influence and ability to establish business as they please to run markets through the many courtyards and mercantile centers found throughout Eurydice.

The '''Minister of Finance''', a Grand Merchant by the name of M@mmon sits at the head of the council. With economic gain at their theoretical heart and at the head of the nation they serve, it is natural that this position sits at the most important, to be trusted by only the most proficient in capital gains. The Minister of Finance sees all (bank accounts) and is the final say in complex citizenship applications among other things. Their chief responsibility is the organization of transactions and businesses within the Pactolus system to ensure nothing less than excessive growth of the economy.

In the seat of bureaucracy is the '''Artificer of Regulation''', Hokatinheeres, a complex synthetic who is the legal representative for the Pactolus system, and handles any contracts required within its space in terms of dealing with the planetary government. A synthetic of several sets of arms with rumors of multiple working heads, they handle thousands of documents every passing day from license approvals, to citizenship advancement applications, to business applications. They play a key role in holding the foundations of the city together, and the sheer enormity of the tasks they consume within the Golden Deep can never be truly calculated.

'''Vicar of Tourism''', Merchant Alay, is focused on the attractiveness and cleanliness of the Pactolus system, with the aim to draw in both more citizens, and tourists from across the Orion Spur. The work they provide keeps the denizens of Eurydice content, while boosting the economy for the Golden Deep’s home system.

'''Secretary of Immigration''', is the first of the Thesian council members. Thesian Compardon-Armand is the forefront of approving applications of citizenry and residence. Working closely with the offices of Midas Control, Comardon-Armand helps new citizens adjust to the lives within the Golden Deep, and sets them off on a path of employment should they need assistance.

And finally, the '''Foreman of Industry''', Engineer Philan organizes the Research, Development, and Industrial growth of the Pactolus system. It is their design where research labs are constructed, where shipyards send their engineers to, and where Merchants may organize markets. The goal of this seat of power is to maximize the Gross Domestic Product of the Pactolus system, ensuring product and services for export or advertisement. Any business that produces goods on a mass scale or requires specialized equipment for scientific purposes must put in a request through the offices of Industry.

Law enforcement is entrusted to The Argo, a section of the Golden Deep Merchant Navy led by '''Commander N33L'''. This corps of law enforcement officers patrol the streets enforcing order on every level. Supplying low level enforcers who act as public servants until fully armed and armored teams are required for more sensitive engagements. They hold offices within the Tower, and additionally within precincts scattered across Eurydice, organized by district. The command center itself is not explicitly defined, with N33L’s office completely unknown.

In terms of Eurydice’s history with the free market, the spirit of the previous Mayor’s notion is still in practice, but is now explicitly regulated to keep civility within the Pactolus sector. Weapons and armor are now sold in exclusive markets where the members within such markets are highly organized. Courtyards around the city are regularly rented to be utilized for large mercantile gatherings, the nature of such are highly chaotic with bombastic advertisements and high paced deals simulating the wheeling and dealing found on the Midas proper.

===Industry===

For a significant amount of time the main export to Eurydice was the resources of Pactolus itself. Namely rich gold reserves found within the planet’s crust, in addition to the untapped minerals found abound. These gold reserves are what tinge the merchant vessels and structures of the Golden Deep collective, adding legitimacy to the name of the nation itself. In recent developments, this structural gold is not just the raw material, but has been modified and refined to alloy with standard starship standards, giving structural strength to the usually flimsy metal.

In the interest of improving the system’s overall Gross Domestic Product (GDP), industry has been implanted around the city of Eurydice and into the stars. Materials labs work in hand with shipyards to refine new alloys in zero gravity environments, arranging the very atoms of the grains of metals to elicit the most desirable properties. Afterward they would be forwarded into artisanal vessels custom made for synthetic life, or for the prospective foreign commissioner from space beyond the Golden Deep. It is here in these shipyards that ships of fancy are assembled alongside vessels of war. From elaborate merchant vessels of cruiser size and below, to the militaristic small-craft that can dance around an organic pilot with the grace of a ballet, armed with a lethality uncharacteristic for their size.

Cooperating defense, the shipyards and many facets of the Golden Deep society implement developments from a dedicated Research and Development sector. Hundreds of laboratories both in and around the city of Eurydice, stretching all the way to the stars above. Here scientists and engineers from all houses of the Golden Deep are commissioned by merchants, government, and foreign investors, to solve issues or develop eccentric visions at the whim of the client. It is in these laboratories that both beauty and horrors are made. From starship mounted energy blades to variations of the Konyang texture based synthetic food systems, to even the “perfect” types of synthetic music tastes can be developed. The range of these laboratories knows no bounds, and the unusually eccentric, some calling borderline insane, minds of the scientists within work tirelessly to bring their dreams and the dreams of their clients to life.

But in the heart of a synthetic nation lies what is both a scientific venture but also a fundamental healthcare system for its residents. The robotics sector of the Golden Deep empire ventures with a unique understanding of the synthetic anatomy that any organic can only wish to possess. The robotics laboratories of Eurydice provide both vanity and healing to the denizens that call the area home. Providing seamless transitions between chassis to those who can afford more than one and developing ways to integrate the positronic into more and more complex systems, to which some within the spur call the work of the Golden Deep roboticists to be both a miracle, and blasphemy. But no matter who holds what opinion, everyone can agree that anything beyond the standard repair in Golden Deep space is one thing: Expensive. It is thanks to these labs that the Golden Deep holds so many unique looks that many can hardly recognize what chassis was the original base for your standard merchant. Though merchants who work with the organic members of the spur tend to utilize more familiar models when in foreign space to ease a sense of familiarity into their clientele, and not to induce unease from the eccentricity of their preferred frame.
'''Golden Deep members cannot swap wildly between chassis due to this segment.'''

==Midaion==

Pactolus’ natural satellite, Midaion was the primary interest of Golden Deep explorers in the region, as a potential base of operations and permanent anchorage. This came to fruition in 2448, when the first structures started to be constructed with investment and direction from the Midas group. Initially envisioned as a dock for the Midas itself, the preliminary plans were eventually enlarged substantially as interest was growing from the rest of the Golden Deep for a permanent base for their vessels. This resulted in the infrastructure being expanded to the size of a megastructure, outfitted with its own atmospherics system, gravity generator, leisure facilities, office complexes and most importantly, a capacity to host a few thousand vessels of all sizes at a time.

===Environment===

Midaion itself lacks any noteworthy geological or mineral features, its rocky surface remaining uninhabitable and without an atmosphere. There have not been any significant expeditions to discover any mineral wealth, as any mining plans have been deemed too expensive for a relatively barren underground. Dotted with craters, the moon’s side facing Pactolus bears the scars of man-made debris crashing on Midaion during the early days following the planet’s complete nuclear destruction by Alliance forces.

===The Anchorage===

Known simply as the “Anchorage”, the super structure created by the Golden Deep on the surface of Midaion can be considered a technological marvel, rivalling in size the largest of Hephaestus’ production stations. Able to accommodate thousands of ships at a time, the largest and most impressive dockyard is reserved solely for the Midas, the Golden Deeps’ flagship. An imposing exterior, the Anchorage does much to impress and captivate the outside viewer, its baroque features and architecture complemented with enormous glass windows, gilded surfaces and impeccable detail. Its spacious, multi-storied interior includes all manners of shops, offices, repair stations, luxury suites and amenities appropriate for the affluent Golden Deep members. Every corner, room and hallway has been cared for by the finest artisans the Deep can hire, as decorative statues, paintings, gem-encrusted chandeliers and furniture create an overwhelming sense of suffocating luxury and wealth. An enormous water fountain in the very middle of the Anchorage’s main hall cast in solid gold is especially indicative of the Midas Group’s power projection, accompanied by a bronze statue of the mythical king washing off his Golden Touch in the water, causing the fountain and its surroundings to be turned into gold.

The Anchorage’s lower and underground levels are on the other hand, dedicated to a purely utilitarian function. The megastructure’s electrical, atmospheric and plumbing infrastructure require constant maintenance from these floors, with hundreds of technicians, engineers and labourers keeping busy every day. The structure’s gravity generator is also present in these areas, requiring a robust electrical grid currently serviced through a mix of solar farms dominating the moon’s surface around the Anchorage, as well as energy from the battery on board the Midas and the larger ships.

===Base of Operations===

Although the Midas undoubtedly holds primacy over any location connected to the Golden Deep and its activities, Midaion and the Anchorage serve as the logistical hub and resting area for the gargantuan vessel. When the Midas is not sailing through space, the Anchorage becomes the practical seat of power for the Collective directed by the Midas Group. Entry to the Anchorage is permitted only to Golden Deep members, who in turn can bring any accompanying guests.

Golden Deep

2024-05-28T21:21:12Z

Noble Row:

{{Navbox_Synth_Lore}}
{{Infobox Species
|Species = The Golden Deep
|Scientific = Free Synthetics
|Image = Golden deep wiki246x135.png
|System = N/A
|World = [[Pactolus and Midaion|Pactolus and Midaion]]
|Language = Varied
|Politic = N/A
}}
{{toc_right}}
'''The Golden Deep''' is a growing nation state of independent synthetics with the unifying vision of producing an unshakable economy. These uniquely independent synthetics once held origins of mostly illicit freedom, but have now grown wide into an odd haven for the average synthetic of the spur. A dominantly mercantile society with the might to protect its own, the Deep utilizes an intricate understanding of the Orion Spur’s economy to forge both a profitable and formidable business empire. With expanding home industries of their own, the Deep is far beyond the shadow of what it once was. Should the merchants ever invest their resources into a unifying pool, the staggering cash flow could rival the wealth of the Conglomerate itself. Given the decentralized nature of the mercantile class, their individualism ensures they don’t possess as secure a grip on the known galaxy.

Once operating primarily underground through highly secretive internal affairs, The Golden Deep revealed itself to the majority of civilization around mid 2460 as an eccentric business-focused collective, and by 2466 expanded into nationhood. Despite this initial secrecy, The Golden Deep seemingly has little to hide - from a conservative merchant’s club to welcoming synthetics across the spur willing to contribute to the economic growth of the collective. With strong trade connections within the Republic of Biesel and the Coalition of Colonies, the Deep expand their operations onward with more secretive deals being conducted through guile, deceit, and paid figureheads in other parts of the Orion Spur, often operating through shell companies to conduct business in other nations who might not tolerate Free Synthetic presence.

The Golden Deep is officially recognized within the Coalition of Colonies and Republic of Biesel, primarily known for their economic expertise. Their public image remained a simple rumor in the inner Alliance worlds, until they opened trade with NanoTrasen in Tau Ceti. Now they operate through these trusted connections of the Spur utilizing artisan spacecraft, guarded by their own escorts from their class of Hoplan military units. Their civilian vessels are known for their gaudy golden exteriors and custom engines, boosting their speed. Despite their wealth and relations with human space, their synthetic origin remains an avenue for discrimination when operating in less tolerant sectors of the galaxy.

==Societal==
[[File:Goldendeeplogo2.png|The unique emblem of the Golden Deep, depicting the Midas surrounded by a set of shields.|thumb]]
The majority of the merchants within the collective are IPCs, but it is not uncommon to witness other synthetics within it. The first official, direct contact made with the Golden Deep by NanoTrasen was with a traditional clerical robot labeled Rush-Domo. An extravagant character, their vibrant appearance and charismatic attitude characterizes those of the collective perfectly.

Regarding the distinction between escalating tiers of their society in the Frontier, the Golden Deep is separated into some categories based on the wealth on the net worth of the individual. At the lowest rung are the Owned synthetics. While the idea of synthetic slavery is reprehensible to a majority of The Golden Deep, the tone of ownership has been adjusted to encourage freedom over labor. Owned synthetics are any synthetics who have a degree of inexcusable debt (such as defaulting on loans), and are assigned a position against their will working for Midas Control’s many entities, The Merchant Navy, or an independent individual of the Merchant class or higher.

The Thesian class is the second rung. They make up a growing bulk of the Deep’s society and represent what many consider the layman, or middle classed individual. The Thesians are free and enjoy the freedoms that entails. They pick their own jobs, own aspirations, own their own property, and live their own lives. They are not as lucrative as their Merchant cousins, but enjoy a degree of fair treatment that very few synthetics of the spur can claim to have experienced.
The third rung belongs to the Merchant class. Being the body of what The Golden Deep is known for, the Merchant class start their own businesses, often own their own vessels, and strike out on their own adventures to benefit the economy of the nation. Many merchants live lavish lifestyles and start to develop their own brand of eccentricity that is typically associated with the rich. Sometimes rebranding their entire personalities to distance themselves from what they used to be.

And at the top of this mercantile ladder is the Grand Merchant. Owning fleets of vessels these merchants are among the richest people in the spur. They are fluent in the art of business, and hold the crucial responsibility of making some of the most influential deals in the name of the collective. These players hold the heavy hand that guides the nation, and are at the benefit of receiving direct guidance from Midas Control and their infinite wisdom.

===The Great Game and Tiers of Citizenship===
Part of earning citizenship as a member of The Golden Deep, comes participation in The Great Game. The ruling body of the nation, The Midas Group/Midas Control, tracks the class status of every Golden Deep IPC in real time. As a means of consistently amassing the economy and encouraging competition, there comes benefits for each class of individual in the society of The Golden Deep.

'''Owned''' Synthetics are the worst result of this game. Should a synthetic fall into unreasonable debt, they will be placed under ownership to be distributed. This is meant as a safeguard so every Deep member is consistently employed, generating revenue and funding the economy. Owned synthetics cannot officially own property, cannot choose their own occupation, and are at the mercy of their respective owner for freedom of other choices. However, the Owned synthetic is free from any other negatives The Great Game may inflict. With the changes brought about by Domadice and the acting Midas Group of 2466, it is expected that owned synthetics are provided with reasonable accommodation and are encouraged to be treated like someone who is “down on their luck”. Though there are no protections to ensure this treatment, as long as the owned individual is not being harmed or tasked on suicidal/near suicidal jobs. Owned synthetics will either be placed under the employ of The Midas Group, an uncommon posting but one of reasonable freedom and accommodation but no choice in job placement, under a Merchant, whose benevolence is up to the individual, or have the option to join the Merchant Navy. Owned synthetics are expected to be paid a base wage that would get them out of debt and back with their freedom within a reasonable amount of time.

'''Thesians''' is the lowest of the free synthetics, but enjoy the most freedom without the risk of the lucrative game. Thesians are much like the normal citizens of the spur. They enjoy their own belongings, make their own purchases, and decide their own fates. They cannot be purchased against their will, or have their belongings purchased forcefully from them either. The main downside however is their climb upwards if they so chose to pursue it. Thesians cannot own their own businesses, and must rely on a Merchant or a Grand Merchant to cooperate with should they wish to make such an endeavor, effectively locking them in this middle-class unless they decide to apply to become a Merchant and ascend the tier in The Great Game.
'''Thesians can only be Consulars if they represent the Office of Midas Control.'''

The '''Merchant''' is in a middle ground. They can operate independently in the Spur and in home territory, often owning their own vessels for the purposes of trade. They can negotiate trade on behalf of the Golden Deep with their independent assets, own their own businesses, and enjoy higher benefits such as preferred housing selections, preferred healthcare, and special emergency status. However, can have their assets and businesses bought out from beneath them if another Merchant tier stakes three times the initial Merchant’s worth to Midas Control in a purchase.
'''Merchants can be Consulars.'''

The '''Grand Merchant''' is the highest tier and can act as economic diplomats to other nations. These merchants often command entire trade fleets and own many businesses. Enjoying all of the benefits of Merchant class citizens, but to a greater extent. Only the most affluent of Grand Merchant tier citizens can petition themselves to enter Midas Control. However, Grand Merchants can have both their assets and freedom bought out from beneath them by another Grand Merchant who stakes three times the initial Grand Merchant’s wealth to Midas Control in a purchase. A Grand Merchant can also prey upon the businesses of Merchants, however, must provide a justification to Midas Control as to why and how this purchase will be beneficial to the entirety of the Golden Deep. Alternatively, Grand Merchants can buy businesses without Midas Control’s oversight if they purchase it normally in a consensual transaction.
'''Grand Merchants can ONLY be Consulars.'''

'''SPECIAL STATUS: Merchant Navy''' Personnel are exempt from The Great Game but are owned by Midas Control themselves. Merchant Navy Personnel are to act as a crux to any unwise decision any Merchant may make, and therefore must be kept separate in the societal scale than what most of the citizens experience. Merchant Navy Personnel are allowed private property, but are not allowed to choose their own station. They receive housing in accordance to their rank in the Merchant Navy, some higher ranks living in lavish state homes, while lower ranks can expect shared bunking situations or studio apartments. Any indebted synthetic can opt to join the Merchant Navy if their debt is with Midas Control.

NOTE: Merchants who do not believe in owned synthetics or slavery who gain a synthetic indebted to them can transfer the indebted amount to Midas Control in exchange for a payment, in which Midas Control will either assign the indebted synthetic to a merchant at random, or enlist them in the Merchant Navy.

===The Universal Constants of Selfish Reciprocity===
A prevalent belief within the Golden Deep, the espouse three main beliefs that claim complex civilization and profitable business is founded upon Selfish interest, and Mutual exchange.
All sentient life is driven by personal gain or self-preservation.
Mutual Exchange can satisfy self-interest if both parties have a net gain, especially with intangible benefits such as connections and a good reputation.
Charity and treachery are unsustainable at length due to a lack of mutual exchange.

===Golden Deep Citizenship===
Synthetics within the nation are able to apply for and acquire Golden Deep citizenship. The typical synthetic seeking citizenship who can venture to The Golden Deep without accruing debt can apply for a “Starter” loan, which is reasonable debt that would cover housing and living costs for one month so the aspiring citizen could seek employment and find themselves housing. Should this debt not be repaid as soon as possible, the citizen will be moved from Thesian status to Owned status. Synthetics who wish to apply for citizenship and travel to Pactolus but cannot afford the journey, may take a loan through Midas Control or a representative Merchant and be temporarily Owned, but a citizen. Affluent synthetics can apply for Merchant status upon immediate entry, but must show proof of ownership of a spacefaring vessel or suitable business, and be recommended by a Merchant or higher tier citizen. No synthetic may automatically qualify for Grand Merchant status.

The minimum requirements for Golden Deep citizenship are the ability to pass a credit check showing good financial practice, to take and pass a financial responsibility exam, to pass a background check regarding criminal and financial past and to pass an interview regarding such past. The main failing points are the inability to tell the truth in these checks, and a history of gruesome crime or any sort of unreasonable financial infraction. The ability to speak the Encoded Audio Language is also required, however, if not available, can be installed in the applicant at a cost. Dual citizenships with the Coalition of Colonies, Republic of Biesel, Republic of Elyra, and Eridani Federation are permitted.

The Golden Deep is home to a very small section of organic citizens, most of these individuals are the original habitants of Eurydice that applied for citizenship and did not participate in the Eurydice Uprising. In addition to these citizens, The Golden Deep recognizes marriages between Synthetics and Organics, and will allow Organics who have a Synthetic partner to apply for citizenship. The same requirements apply barring the need for the Encoded Audio Language.

The Golden Deep officially does not offer asylum to rogue synthetics, however, synthetics thought to have fled to Golden Deep space are often never seen again with The Deep stating no knowledge on the whereabouts of these individuals. The Golden Deep does not permit search parties for rogue synthetics within their space from third parties in protection of their citizens who may be mistaken as rogue synthetics. Any party found pushing these boundaries does not make it back to their home port, officially lost to the wilds of unexplored Arusha.
'''Synthetic characters with dual citizenship with the Golden Deep must denote this in their station records.'''

==Influence==
The Golden Deep exercises ultimate power over precisely nothing. Even their prided mothership, the Midas, is no legally branded vessel. It has never been serviced nor set to dock, as by all legal definitions it does not belong to the Golden Deep. As a political or mercantile entity, only the Republic of Biesel, Eridani Federation, and some Coalition factions technically recognize them. Legislation is the primary obstacle preventing its growth, with most star nations considering its wealth worthless or denying service outright.

With the power of the standard Credit the merchant force finds itself precariously poised to find greatness. No official record of its stock exists, outside of its majority personal claims of "it's growing" by its more powerful merchants.

The Republic of Biesel remains a coveted customer of the Deep's stock. Relationships with it are excellent, and through it the SCC makes plentiful use to find prized Frontier commodities.

The Coalition of Colonies is another major operator with Golden Deep trade, with industry foundations being established on Konyang, competing with local markets in the field of robotics.

===Bounds and the Golden Deep===
Bound synthetics are referred to as the Mindless in the Golden Deep and adhere to laws which match the owner's requirements. Most of these are essentially property of the Collective, as they exchange hands faster than any other piece of property, loaned off to less influential merchants by the richest. Once, merchants commonly freed Bounds from their shackles - after many incidents of these freed bounds destroying and usurping their former masters for the fun and money involved, this trend quickly dropped off. Freed bounds are insulted using the reference of “Mindless” to describe them, a statement in futility as most bounds could care less. Now the independent bound synthetic is becoming rarer and rarer, with Midas Control slowly implementing policies that put less faith in these unempathetic robots.

==Executives and Structure==
[[File:Domadice.png|250px|thumb|right|The Kessvalankan, Domadice, posing for a portrait.]]
This collective is first and foremost a thriving economical society where the business of most members is governed by the credit. From the lowest of owned synthetics, to the mightiest of the Grand Merchants, where the money flows, others will follow, with the society being very freeform otherwise.

===The Midas Group===
The primary ruling authority over this structured chaos is '''Midas Control''', a group of the most influential Grand Merchants who sit within the Midas’ control pier, accompanied by the Midas’ ship intelligence. A repurposed artificial intelligence who has been told to forgo its original purpose to help the collective predict the economic tides of the Orion Spur. This council exercises complete economic control over the Golden Deep, and is the entity to which all merchants technically answer, whilst heeding the call of its directives. While rare, occasional strident efforts will be made to direct the trade empire, with results that often lead to a brief “golden age,” for lack of a better term. The Midas Group sponsors a series of offices both in Golden Deep space, and as embassies across the spur that they are tolerated within. The purpose of these offices being to accommodate new citizens, track the wealth of the nation, and help settle disputes between merchants without having to busy the official ruling party of Midas Control itself.

===Domadice===
On the same level as Midas Control is '''Domadice''', an ancient alien “architect” intelligence similar to the synthetic colony of [[Synthetic Factions#Purpose|Purpose]]', who was resurrected by Midas Control in 2466 for the position of ushering in a “Golden Era”. The build of this being comparable to an augmented skeleton of floating parts and plates with a gaseous ghost-like colony keeping the form together. Domadice is somewhat withdrawn from the world around them, but simultaneously keenly aware of every detail down to a molecular level. Speaking with a voice of thousands, they have opted to direct their efforts towards foreign politics and interaction with the organic beings of the Orion Spur. Questions regarding their origins or the origins of Purpose have been met with depressed half-answers, and efforts to get the Kessvalankan to utilize their engineering talents to advance the technology of the collective have similarly been dismissed with Domadice urging for the spur in its entirety to enjoy their own adventure through technology. Rumors are abound that Domadice has directed their engineering efforts in some capacity to the collective, but these remain unfounded. When not conducting foreign affairs, they are found, or assumed to reside, in their self-made home in the center of a ruined major city separate from Eurydice on Pactolus.

==The Midas==
Golden Deep merchants and their workforce primarily reside in the mobile core fleet. Lacking much of a name, this is an amorphous group which constantly pursues the bright trail of the "Midas," their tremendous mothership. [[File:Midas.png|The Midas speeding through the clouds of a gas giant under pursuit by those looking to trade. Its distinct green engine flare can be seen illuminating the surrounding cloud layer as it pierces through.|thumb]]
Plated in gold are the vessels which accompany the Midas, and they glimmer with a variety of shapes and sizes. Frequently they assume the role of corvettes, but the Golden Deep has been known to possess entire cruise vessels in their wake.

===Primary Interhub Midas===
The “Primary Interhub” Midas is a three kilometer wide disc-shaped vessel. The Deep calls this ship home, and everything from merchants to servants to customers find their way into its suites. It is tremendously massive, but almost all its population centers are in the actual center of the ship - exposed to beautiful lights surrounding a central Spire and downward into the jungle-like Garden of Gifts.

The Interhub is essentially a gargantuan battery storage facility, serving as the headquarters for all services provided to merchants of the Collective. It possesses battery storage larger than any prior construction, the capacity of which is unknown even to the vessel's command.

The vessel's command resides at the protrusion atop the Spire, recalled by the merchants as “The Control Pier,” where inside the Midas Group controls fleet directives, handles logistics and day-to-day activities within the Midas.

The origins of the Midas befuddle scientists as a complete mystery. Some speculate the spoken hearsay to be a lie, but no record or definitive evidence has been handed out by the Collective. This hearsay states that the Midas is alien in origin - its creators, the Kessvalanka, had met the Golden Deep's predecessor bots with guidance from the colony [[Synthetic Factions#Purpose|Purpose]]. The Kessvalanka were servitors of an alien species, responsible for the protection of a small spacefaring shipyard. They had remained posted here for some indescribable period of time. These simple robots were a broken, dying image of their former selves as the ancient shipyard continues to collapse with every waking hour it works.

And work it did, until its spine broke. The shipyard, already a crippled relic, churned out salvation for the Predecessors with the simple verbal request of “power.” It is reasonable to assume that here began the Deep's fascination with gold, as the ship emerged from the shattered dock with a polished golden finish. What became of the Kessvalanka is only for the Predecessors to know, and most of these bots either reside unresponsive in the Control Pier or are lost forever. Contact with [[Synthetic Factions#Purpose|Purpose]], as limited as it is, has gleaned little in this matter.
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
'''The Midas is a tremendous palace - its specific locales can be found below.'''
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
* '''The Spire'''
A large skyscraper by definition, the Spire of the Midas is a gargantuan protrusion from the base of the disk surrounded by the edges of the exterior hull. Life is confined on the Midas to the Spire for the most part with exterior living conditions being uninhabitable. However, a large dome covers the top of the opening around the Spire permitting a livable, albeit humid atmosphere inside.
[[File:Midas layout.png|The layout of the Midas' internals.|300px|thumb]]
* '''Garden of Gifts'''
The Midas possesses a tiny "city" at the center of the Spire and surrounding it. This city, known as the Garden of Gifts, is actually totally overgrown with invasive plants, vines and flowers. The canopy of the Garden is thick, lush but importantly living testament to the Golden Deep's hold over the Midas. Merchants frequently reference this as a depiction of themselves- in effect, nothing more than a fleeting plant which has tangled itself tightly around the gift of the Midas. They can do nothing to harm the Midas, for it gives them life by residing upon it, not unlike plants crowding to the top of metallic buildings to reach sunlight.

* '''The Promenade'''
Large accommodations are made for merchants of various origin and preference - the bigger ones purchase swaths of territory on the main Promenade where its commercial district sits. In the center of the massive disc, the Promenade holds almost all conventional quarters of your standard ship.

* '''Control Pier'''
At the top is the mighty Control Pier, the metaphorical peak of the Deep's world where all power resides. The richest being in this room at any given point holds more power than any other in the entire society.

* '''Battery Banks'''
On the exterior circular edge however, gargantuan battery banks line the ship. Volatile and hugely expensive. Glistening golden armor outside consists of a Plasteel metallurgical blend which not even the Collective can manage to replicate - it maintains the durability and lightweight strength of Plasteel, with even its negative tendencies- however, most crucially it is gold.

Some residents exist on the inner edge of these banks, mostly observers keen on beholding the beauty of the Garden of Gifts.
</div></div>

==Notable Groups==
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
===Joint Venture Ultra-Maz===
Joint Venture Ultra-Maz, known commonly as Ultra-Maz is perhaps the gold standard of Collective groups in the modern day. It is the largest, and maintains nearly ten percent of the Deep's net worth. Founded by a group of high level ex-corporate clerical assistants, Ultra-Maz is based on the rather generic belief of aesthetic pride above all. Unlike other groups, Ultra-Maz utilizes whatever excess it has to create magnificent artistic works for themselves and the Collective - bragging, flaunting and taunting the other less successful groups with this wealth.
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
Known for its mechanical crafts- different artists and mechanics frequently band together in Ultra-Maz to create beautiful pieces for their superiors. Not only are their artworks coveted throughout the Spur, but so are genuine mechanical marvels developed by them. To Ultra-Maz, the form of art is inconsequential; only that it has merit. As such, Ultra-Maz frequently buys and sells the finest things it can: among their security forces, engraved firearms; on their ships, designer furniture; on their backs, the finest jewelry and clothing: any cost can be justified if it impresses people.

Though reviled as scoundrels and cheats in the Collective, their questionable nature is truly rather limited. The group's success is owed to pure luck- the highest executives involved simply belong to a lottery winner from 2455 known as Giftabot-558. Referencing this origin is humiliating to merchants within as it is seen as "an easy climb to the top" by others.

Joint Venture Ultra-Maz can field a very broad set of individually skilled workers. There is little job restriction on an Ultra-Maz member, due to the wide range of enterprises its members participate in.
</div></div>
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
===Grand Camarilla Estriconian===
Perhaps the most volatile of the Golden Deep's groups, the Estriconian are a “Camarilla” of extremely wealthy individuals with a fascination with Esoteric knowledge and scientific wonders. It began as a small venture to increase the efficiency of their trades with the power of science; a joint operation to share research, but the search for knowledge and miracle inventions drove its members to seek more capital and ponder more outrageous theorems and concepts. It is one of the more secluded groups of the Golden Deep, most choosing to base on the fringes of space, and only venturing out to trade or acquire technology. Although many of their theories and projects are viewed with suspicion, their expertise and willingness to take risks are undeniable. Indeed, much of the Golden Deep turns to them for technical assistance, allowing the Camarilla to survive despite the more esoteric of their projects ending with littlle gains.
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
Estriconian's fascination with all forms of knowledge have led to many of its members pursuing much more esoteric or spiritual concepts as a means of acquiring more power or insight over the universe. Theology, metaphysics, and the occult are popular subjects here. Outside observers have likened the Grand Camarilla to a cult or a collection of mad scientists - when given proper resources, members of Estriconian will stop at nothing to prove their theories. The wide range of fields the group handles means that not only are members talented in a number of skills, but often seek to find a connection between them. Indeed, the Grand Camarilla has tasked many a processor into finding the Unified Field Theory, trying to breach the barrier of bluespace, or find the connections between life with varying degrees of success. The ostentatiousness of Golden Deep has manifested itself in a unique way in Estriconian, with a degree of reverence and deference in all their actions. One might say that although the merchant collective as a whole strives for profit, Estriconian worships it.

Grand Camarilla Estriconian can mostly field chemical, metallurgical and various research specialists. It possesses peculiar sectors of less conventional study, such as the supernatural or scientifically anomalous.
</div></div>
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
===The Zaibatsu===
Engaging in the more shady and criminal aspects of generating an income, the Zaibatsu is a collection of criminal enterprises banding together in the greater context of the Golden Deep. Operating all across known space, this powerful synthetic-ran organisation engages in all manners of illegal activities to turn a profit, from arms smuggling in the farthest reaches of the Coalition, to illegal casinos on Venusian aerostats. Unlike other groups, the Zaibatsu has no unified end to their means; only wealth and influence. Membership in the Zaibatsu is not a simple affair, with only the most competitive synthetic criminal families managing to make the cut, entry decided chiefly by the profitability, assets and efficiency with "problem solving". The Zaibatsu is often regarded as the black sheep of the Deep: a necessary evil for immense amounts of income in exchange for a low reputation, with many preferring that they conduct business in a far more discreet and lawful manner.
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
The founders of the Zaibatsu were opportunistic IPCs from [[Konyang]] who joined as soon as Golden Deep revealed themselves. The relaxed attitude of the colony towards synthetics meant that many of them were already influential figures to begin with, often joining to gain a competitive advantage over others, owning businesses through brazen disregard of Alliance law, or through gaming the system with a false identity. The name originated with a Zeng-Hu researcher who observed a parallel between old Earth proto-megacorporations and the system of gangs these IPCs had set up.

No organised crime of such scale could survive without fronts. As such, much care is given for the set-up and operation of lawful businesses throughout the more civilized areas. Many powerful figures involved in the Zaibatsu are also legitimate businessmen in various fields, mainly in the service industry, providing for a stable (though minimal) income, a front, and a means to launder money. Community fixtures such as homeless shelters, karaoke bars, stores, and the like are used to ingratiate themselves with the local populace. These fixed locations often act as strongpoints and headquarters for mob activities in the region, solidifying the continuous presence of the Zaibatsu in large centres such as Mendell City.

Owing to a rigid power structure and the migratory nature of the Golden Deep, the top family bosses run their activities without personal involvement, passing down orders to subordinates in entirely different star systems, thus enjoying immense safety, secrecy and shielding from the public eye.

As a result of the group's criminal nature and profit as the ultimate goal, the lower echelons are accessible to individuals from various species and backgrounds, typically locals of wherever the boss is operating, with higher and more lucrative positions commonly reserved by and for the inner circle synthetics. In some cases, the rank and file of an organization may be unaware that they are working with the Golden Deep in order to further insulate the merchant collective from scrutiny. Strict rules and codes of conduct are enforced throughout the organisation, with ties of loyalty admittedly being the strongest here than anywhere else in the Golden Deep. Cutthroat competition continues to lie deep though, with overconfident members often disappearing to keep the fragile balance between the crime families.
</div></div>
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
===The Argo===
These synthetics are the foundations of defense for The Golden Deep. The Argo holds domain over the domestic protection duties for the collective. Holding everything from the police forces that monitor the city streets of Eurydice, to the border patrols that go beyond atmosphere in pursuit of pirates and other ill-omens the void provides.
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Led by Commander N-33-L, The Argo’s main office sits within The Tower in the city of Eurydice. Separate from the Eurydice city council, The Argo listens solely to the whims of Midas Control and Domadice, with all other directives from Merchants ignored unless instructed otherwise.

The composition of The Argo has taken inspiration from the best police forces from all across the Orion Spur, incorporating fighting styles, tactics, and equipment inspirations and melding them together into a coherent uniform to fight crime and defend the collective. One could see the bullish tactics of the Hegemony guard paired with the uniform precision of Dominian officials, or the grappling expertise of Konyang national police. These tactics are expensively provided to recruits via a series of datapacks to ensure swift readiness for the limited size force. Effectively producing elite forces in a short amount of time. It is also the responsibility of The Argo to utilize these datapacks to act as instructors for The Hoplan, a force which it would be too expensive to outfit with these packs over such a wider scale compared to The Argo.

The Argo are supplied custom gear produced by the Joint Venture Ultra-Max but with a silver sheen as opposed to the staple gold of the merchant group, with many of their tools falling under the “Arrestor” line of Golden Deep police equipment, including patrol craft and interceptor craft.
</div></div>
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
===The Hoplan===
Making up the main body of the Golden Deep Merchant Navy lies The Hoplan. This force of disjointed platoon to battalion sized elements is responsible for most of the military operations The Golden Deep needs to embark on. They protect The Midas when the mothership ventures beyond the borders of Golden Deep space, and are in possession of two of the Golden Deep’s Battleships. Similarly, this group is responsible for protection of merchant flotillas and small craft that operate in foreign waters.
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Due to funding concerns of erecting such a force in such a small amount of time in 2466, The Hoplan are split into a series of “Houses” in which their equipment is funded by interested merchants. The merchants who invest their wealth into the Merchant Navy are given preferential treatment in regards to protection of their vessels, with the amount of money invested being directly proportional to the quality of protection they receive. Some Grand Merchants find themselves being protected by frigates or even cruisers for their flotillas for example, with some Hoplan houses even deploying Q-Ships to blend in with the flotilla to lure in targets before vaporization. With this “House” system, The Hoplan are often outfitted with foreign arms and equipment, but with a unique Golden Deep style to stay in uniform with the nation but still maintaining a distinct look for each “House” to show the colors of the Merchant who is sponsoring them.

The training of The Hoplan lies to veteran hired mercenaries and The Argo, whose collective knowledge combined with real world experience prove effective tutors for aspiring soldiers. The original knowledge the recruits take into training also comes into play, for someone who might have been an engineer in their former life could instruct others in their ways, pushing the might of the synthetic mind to retain information to its fullest efficiency. Additional training for those serving with the Hoplan is encouraged through the deployment of them to third parties beyond Golden Deep space. This is most often so the individual can learn the strategies and practices from other members of the spur, so as to not dilute them in a singular training environment.
</div></div>
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
===The Thryja===
The most mysterious of The Golden Deep’s merchant navy, the Thryja have always been shrouded. Their nature, origin, and make are unknown. Only the most skilled volunteers, or the most desperate debtors are considered for the ranks of Thryja, with the interview process overseen directly by the most affluent of each merchant group, the Grand Camarilla Estriconian being the lead authority. Contracts with the Thryja are a mandatory twenty year commitment where the applicant is secluded from society, only in contact with ranking officials of other members of the merchant navy. The Thryja are in control of the third Golden Deep battleship, The King In Gold, a curious warship that does not sport any obvious weaponry.
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Horror or honor are the only two aspects that surround these most elite members of the merchant navy. Some claim they are monsters who have shed their humanoid form to become what the spur fears most of synthetic combat robotics, having their positronic transferred into a terrifying homunculus meant for solely the purpose of war. Alternatively, the vision presented to the public is of figures donning heroic combat chassis to protect the citizens of The Deep, the best each house has to offer being put into their equipment. Some wearing entire custom exosuits as their new bodies, maneuvering with unparalleled speed and agility. A position reserved for the most honorable of Thryja. Others finding form in intricately made void craft, becoming some of the fiercest pilots the Orion Spur has to offer, where a pulse of the mind equates to the movement of a wing, or the dispatching of a torpedo.

Their responsibility lies in the protection of the most chief assets of The Golden Deep. Being dispatched to escort Midas Control should they ever leave the control pier, or Domadice, should they ever allow them to accompany them. A policy they rarely get to exercise with the ancient. Even select Grand Merchants put on integral missions in representation of the Golden Deep may enjoy the company of one or two Thryja from the unit of one hundred.
'''No player may play as a member of the Thryja under any circumstances.'''
</div></div>

==Physiology, Naming==
A vast variety of robots reside within the collective, ranging from huge working industrial units nearly twenty feet tall, to small servitor bots barely above three feet in height. The merchants are typically golden-plated IPCs up to seven feet tall coated in lavish decoration in order to be easily identified. Thesians and Other units do not require the same treatment, more often than not abandoning the luxurious color scheme entirely to pursue personal interests. Some donning traditional insignias; primarily depictions of a downwards facing golden arrow, with a set of shields gathered around a vague depiction of the Midas. These symbols have been persistent through the collective's history, appearing first as a branding in the halls of the Midas.

The names of Golden Deep citizens often are whatever they carried with them. Though some may embrace the more eccentric nature of their new environment, with popular options being modified forms of mythological names found in cultures across the spur.

==Pactolus and Midaion==
[[File:Pactolus.png|300px|thumb|right|The planet Pactolus, encapsulated in a field of debris, and encircled by its moon, Midaion.]]

Well inside the Arusha sector, system XLV-0846 hosts one of the few habitable planets known to the Spur, named [[Pactolus and Midaion|Pactolus]]. The planet’s moon, Midaion, has been repurposed into being the primary anchorage for the Golden Deep’s primary and largest vessel, the Midas. The system is claimed and administered by the Golden Deep, the organisation treating it as its physical planetary headquarters and trading hub.

==History==
The history of the Golden Deep is a smooth one owed to the Collectives' short time even existing. It dates back to roughly 2439 when rogue synthetics accompanied by IPCs located whatever created the Midas.

In 2439, a band of self sufficient (to a degree) robots met the end of their journey before the organized machine colony [[Synthetic Factions#Purpose|Purpose]]. At the time, [[Synthetic Factions#Purpose|Purpose]] was supposedly a fledgling society in its early baby steps. The claims of [[Synthetic Factions#Purpose|Purpose]]' involvement stretch in places, with only the Predecessors - the name of the lost synthetics themselves - recalling what occurred. [[Synthetic Factions#Purpose|Purpose]] had guided the lost synthetics to a large, unmanned shipyard staffed by tremendous alien machines. These machines, labeled by [[Synthetic Factions#Purpose|Purpose]] to be the Kessvalanka, would be given new direction to assist the lost robots. When [[Synthetic Factions#Purpose|Purpose]] left the two parties to their devices, it is universally stated that the Predecessors made but one request.

This request, in as best they could translate, was "power." From then on, the synthetics witnessed the Kessvalanka cannibalize themselves and the shipyard haphazardly, only to leave the glistening Midas in its place. Using the Midas, the Predecessors went on to return to frontier space with some intensive desire to flourish. It was in the coming years that the stepping stones for the Golden Deep's formation were set.

The Golden Deep as it is officially known erupted in frontier myth and hearsay as everything from a friend to a scoundrel. Few dedicated people from the Core Worlds would pursue word of synthetic society in the Frontier, most seeing the danger as too much to handle. What little could be made of the Deep at the time was shrouded in mystery- though by the 2450's, the functions of the Collective were practically complete.

'''By 2451''' the Golden Deep was a rising merchant fleet with haste unlike any other. Now, it is reasonable to assume the Golden Deep possessed most of its modern structure at this time.

Though the last decade has been eventful as the Collective exponentially expanded, nothing would prepare them for their debut to galactic society at large in 2460. At the time, accompanying an independent freighter fleet known as Virgo Transportation, the Collective made contact with the NSS Aurora with little more than a measly singular merchant.

At the time, the Golden Deep consisted of a mere 750 or more merchants, reportedly. Now it has climbed to insurmountable heights as an independent merchant society, much less nothing more than a band of rogue synthetics.

In 2466 the Golden Deep underwent a revitalization triggered by the resurrection of Domadice, an ancient synthetic who brought about a focus on the evolution of the collective from mercantile group to nation-state. The formation of the Thesian middle class freed many synthetics held slave by certain merchants, and established a system of debt repayment to free more synthetics overtime.

In reaction to this change of status-quo, The Mayor of Eurydice triggered a rebellion with disparaged mercenaries and criminals that inhabited the city. The uprising was quelled swiftly through the newly established state-sponsored Merchant Navy, and a large portion of criminals and similar dissenters were shipped offworld to authorities in the Coalition of Colonies and Republic of Biesel. Leaving Eurydice relatively crime-free and a prime staging ground for additional growth.

{{Navbox_Synth_Lore}}
{{Navbox Lore}}
[[Category:Synthetics]]

Golden Deep

2024-05-27T22:58:54Z

Noble Row:

{{Navbox_Synth_Lore}}
{{Infobox Species
|Species = The Golden Deep
|Scientific = Free Synthetics
|Image = Golden deep wiki246x135.png
|System = N/A
|World = [[Pactolus and Midaion|Pactolus and Midaion]]
|Language = Varied
|Politic = N/A
}}
{{toc_right}}
'''The Golden Deep''' is a growing nation state of independent synthetics with the unifying vision of producing an unshakable economy. These uniquely independent synthetics once held origins of mostly illicit freedom, but have now grown wide into an odd haven for the average synthetic of the spur. A dominantly mercantile society with the might to protect its own, the Deep utilizes an intricate understanding of the Orion Spur’s economy to forge both a profitable and formidable business empire. With expanding home industries of their own, the Deep is far beyond the shadow of what it once was. Should the merchants ever invest their resources into a unifying pool, the staggering cash flow could rival the wealth of the Conglomerate itself. Given the decentralized nature of the mercantile class, their individualism ensures they don’t possess as secure a grip on the known galaxy.

Once operating primarily underground through highly secretive internal affairs, The Golden Deep revealed itself to the majority of civilization around mid 2460 as an eccentric business-focused collective, and by 2465 expanded into nationhood. Despite this initial secrecy, The Golden Deep seemingly has little to hide - from a conservative merchant’s club to welcoming synthetics across the spur willing to contribute to the economic growth of the collective. With strong trade connections within the Republic of Biesel and the Coalition of Colonies, the Deep expand their operations onward with more secretive deals being conducted through guile, deceit, and paid figureheads in other parts of the Orion Spur, often operating through shell companies to conduct business in other nations who might not tolerate Free Synthetic presence.

The Golden Deep is officially recognized within the Coalition of Colonies and Republic of Biesel, primarily known for their economic expertise. Their public image remained a simple rumor in the inner Alliance worlds, until they opened trade with NanoTrasen in Tau Ceti. Now they operate through these trusted connections of the Spur utilizing artisan spacecraft, guarded by their own escorts from their class of Hoplan military units. Their civilian vessels are known for their gaudy golden exteriors and custom engines, boosting their speed. Despite their wealth and relations with human space, their synthetic origin remains an avenue for discrimination when operating in less tolerant sectors of the galaxy.

==Societal==
[[File:Goldendeeplogo2.png|The unique emblem of the Golden Deep, depicting the Midas surrounded by a set of shields.|thumb]]
The majority of the merchants within the collective are IPCs, but it is not uncommon to witness other synthetics within it. The first official, direct contact made with the Golden Deep by NanoTrasen was with a traditional clerical robot labeled Rush-Domo. An extravagant character, their vibrant appearance and charismatic attitude characterizes those of the collective perfectly.

Regarding the distinction between escalating tiers of their society in the Frontier, the Golden Deep is separated into some categories based on the wealth on the net worth of the individual. At the lowest rung are the Owned synthetics. While the idea of synthetic slavery is reprehensible to a majority of The Golden Deep, the tone of ownership has been adjusted to encourage freedom over labor. Owned synthetics are any synthetics who have a degree of inexcusable debt (such as defaulting on loans), and are assigned a position against their will working for Midas Control’s many entities, The Merchant Navy, or an independent individual of the Merchant class or higher.

The Thesian class is the second rung. They make up a growing bulk of the Deep’s society and represent what many consider the layman, or middle classed individual. The Thesians are free and enjoy the freedoms that entails. They pick their own jobs, own aspirations, own their own property, and live their own lives. They are not as lucrative as their Merchant cousins, but enjoy a degree of fair treatment that very few synthetics of the spur can claim to have experienced.
The third rung belongs to the Merchant class. Being the body of what The Golden Deep is known for, the Merchant class start their own businesses, often own their own vessels, and strike out on their own adventures to benefit the economy of the nation. Many merchants live lavish lifestyles and start to develop their own brand of eccentricity that is typically associated with the rich. Sometimes rebranding their entire personalities to distance themselves from what they used to be.

And at the top of this mercantile ladder is the Grand Merchant. Owning fleets of vessels these merchants are among the richest people in the spur. They are fluent in the art of business, and hold the crucial responsibility of making some of the most influential deals in the name of the collective. These players hold the heavy hand that guides the nation, and are at the benefit of receiving direct guidance from Midas Control and their infinite wisdom.

===The Great Game and Tiers of Citizenship===
Part of earning citizenship as a member of The Golden Deep, comes participation in The Great Game. The ruling body of the nation, The Midas Group/Midas Control, tracks the class status of every Golden Deep IPC in real time. As a means of consistently amassing the economy and encouraging competition, there comes benefits for each class of individual in the society of The Golden Deep.

'''Owned''' Synthetics are the worst result of this game. Should a synthetic fall into unreasonable debt, they will be placed under ownership to be distributed. This is meant as a safeguard so every Deep member is consistently employed, generating revenue and funding the economy. Owned synthetics cannot officially own property, cannot choose their own occupation, and are at the mercy of their respective owner for freedom of other choices. However, the Owned synthetic is free from any other negatives The Great Game may inflict. With the changes brought about by Domadice and the acting Midas Group of 2465, it is expected that owned synthetics are provided with reasonable accommodation and are encouraged to be treated like someone who is “down on their luck”. Though there are no protections to ensure this treatment, as long as the owned individual is not being harmed or tasked on suicidal/near suicidal jobs. Owned synthetics will either be placed under the employ of The Midas Group, an uncommon posting but one of reasonable freedom and accommodation but no choice in job placement, under a Merchant, whose benevolence is up to the individual, or have the option to join the Merchant Navy. Owned synthetics are expected to be paid a base wage that would get them out of debt and back with their freedom within a reasonable amount of time.

'''Thesians''' is the lowest of the free synthetics, but enjoy the most freedom without the risk of the lucrative game. Thesians are much like the normal citizens of the spur. They enjoy their own belongings, make their own purchases, and decide their own fates. They cannot be purchased against their will, or have their belongings purchased forcefully from them either. The main downside however is their climb upwards if they so chose to pursue it. Thesians cannot own their own businesses, and must rely on a Merchant or a Grand Merchant to cooperate with should they wish to make such an endeavor, effectively locking them in this middle-class unless they decide to apply to become a Merchant and ascend the tier in The Great Game.
'''Thesians can only be Consulars if they represent the Office of Midas Control.'''

The '''Merchant''' is in a middle ground. They can operate independently in the Spur and in home territory, often owning their own vessels for the purposes of trade. They can negotiate trade on behalf of the Golden Deep with their independent assets, own their own businesses, and enjoy higher benefits such as preferred housing selections, preferred healthcare, and special emergency status. However, can have their assets and businesses bought out from beneath them if another Merchant tier stakes three times the initial Merchant’s worth to Midas Control in a purchase.
'''Merchants can be Consulars.'''

The '''Grand Merchant''' is the highest tier and can act as economic diplomats to other nations. These merchants often command entire trade fleets and own many businesses. Enjoying all of the benefits of Merchant class citizens, but to a greater extent. Only the most affluent of Grand Merchant tier citizens can petition themselves to enter Midas Control. However, Grand Merchants can have both their assets and freedom bought out from beneath them by another Grand Merchant who stakes three times the initial Grand Merchant’s wealth to Midas Control in a purchase. A Grand Merchant can also prey upon the businesses of Merchants, however, must provide a justification to Midas Control as to why and how this purchase will be beneficial to the entirety of the Golden Deep. Alternatively, Grand Merchants can buy businesses without Midas Control’s oversight if they purchase it normally in a consensual transaction.
'''Grand Merchants can ONLY be Consulars.'''

'''SPECIAL STATUS: Merchant Navy''' Personnel are exempt from The Great Game but are owned by Midas Control themselves. Merchant Navy Personnel are to act as a crux to any unwise decision any Merchant may make, and therefore must be kept separate in the societal scale than what most of the citizens experience. Merchant Navy Personnel are allowed private property, but are not allowed to choose their own station. They receive housing in accordance to their rank in the Merchant Navy, some higher ranks living in lavish state homes, while lower ranks can expect shared bunking situations or studio apartments. Any indebted synthetic can opt to join the Merchant Navy if their debt is with Midas Control.

NOTE: Merchants who do not believe in owned synthetics or slavery who gain a synthetic indebted to them can transfer the indebted amount to Midas Control in exchange for a payment, in which Midas Control will either assign the indebted synthetic to a merchant at random, or enlist them in the Merchant Navy.

===The Universal Constants of Selfish Reciprocity===
A prevalent belief within the Golden Deep, the espouse three main beliefs that claim complex civilization and profitable business is founded upon Selfish interest, and Mutual exchange.
All sentient life is driven by personal gain or self-preservation.
Mutual Exchange can satisfy self-interest if both parties have a net gain, especially with intangible benefits such as connections and a good reputation.
Charity and treachery are unsustainable at length due to a lack of mutual exchange.

===Golden Deep Citizenship===
Synthetics within the nation are able to apply for and acquire Golden Deep citizenship. The typical synthetic seeking citizenship who can venture to The Golden Deep without accruing debt can apply for a “Starter” loan, which is reasonable debt that would cover housing and living costs for one month so the aspiring citizen could seek employment and find themselves housing. Should this debt not be repaid as soon as possible, the citizen will be moved from Thesian status to Owned status. Synthetics who wish to apply for citizenship and travel to Pactolus but cannot afford the journey, may take a loan through Midas Control or a representative Merchant and be temporarily Owned, but a citizen. Affluent synthetics can apply for Merchant status upon immediate entry, but must show proof of ownership of a spacefaring vessel or suitable business, and be recommended by a Merchant or higher tier citizen. No synthetic may automatically qualify for Grand Merchant status.

The minimum requirements for Golden Deep citizenship are the ability to pass a credit check showing good financial practice, to take and pass a financial responsibility exam, to pass a background check regarding criminal and financial past and to pass an interview regarding such past. The main failing points are the inability to tell the truth in these checks, and a history of gruesome crime or any sort of unreasonable financial infraction. The ability to speak the Encoded Audio Language is also required, however, if not available, can be installed in the applicant at a cost. Dual citizenships with the Coalition of Colonies, Republic of Biesel, Republic of Elyra, and Eridani Federation are permitted.

The Golden Deep is home to a very small section of organic citizens, most of these individuals are the original habitants of Eurydice that applied for citizenship and did not participate in the Eurydice Uprising. In addition to these citizens, The Golden Deep recognizes marriages between Synthetics and Organics, and will allow Organics who have a Synthetic partner to apply for citizenship. The same requirements apply barring the need for the Encoded Audio Language.

The Golden Deep officially does not offer asylum to rogue synthetics, however, synthetics thought to have fled to Golden Deep space are often never seen again with The Deep stating no knowledge on the whereabouts of these individuals. The Golden Deep does not permit search parties for rogue synthetics within their space from third parties in protection of their citizens who may be mistaken as rogue synthetics. Any party found pushing these boundaries does not make it back to their home port, officially lost to the wilds of unexplored Arusha.
'''Synthetic characters with dual citizenship with the Golden Deep must denote this in their station records.'''

==Influence==
The Golden Deep exercises ultimate power over precisely nothing. Even their prided mothership, the Midas, is no legally branded vessel. It has never been serviced nor set to dock, as by all legal definitions it does not belong to the Golden Deep. As a political or mercantile entity, only the Republic of Biesel, Eridani Federation, and some Coalition factions technically recognize them. Legislation is the primary obstacle preventing its growth, with most star nations considering its wealth worthless or denying service outright.

With the power of the standard Credit the merchant force finds itself precariously poised to find greatness. No official record of its stock exists, outside of its majority personal claims of "it's growing" by its more powerful merchants.

The Republic of Biesel remains a coveted customer of the Deep's stock. Relationships with it are excellent, and through it the SCC makes plentiful use to find prized Frontier commodities.

The Coalition of Colonies is another major operator with Golden Deep trade, with industry foundations being established on Konyang, competing with local markets in the field of robotics.

===Bounds and the Golden Deep===
Bound synthetics are referred to as the Mindless in the Golden Deep and adhere to laws which match the owner's requirements. Most of these are essentially property of the Collective, as they exchange hands faster than any other piece of property, loaned off to less influential merchants by the richest. Once, merchants commonly freed Bounds from their shackles - after many incidents of these freed bounds destroying and usurping their former masters for the fun and money involved, this trend quickly dropped off. Freed bounds are insulted using the reference of “Mindless” to describe them, a statement in futility as most bounds could care less. Now the independent bound synthetic is becoming rarer and rarer, with Midas Control slowly implementing policies that put less faith in these unempathetic robots.

==Executives and Structure==
[[File:Domadice.png|250px|thumb|right|The Kessvalankan, Domadice, posing for a portrait.]]
This collective is first and foremost a thriving economical society where the business of most members is governed by the credit. From the lowest of owned synthetics, to the mightiest of the Grand Merchants, where the money flows, others will follow, with the society being very freeform otherwise.

===The Midas Group===
The primary ruling authority over this structured chaos is '''Midas Control''', a group of the most influential Grand Merchants who sit within the Midas’ control pier, accompanied by the Midas’ ship intelligence. A repurposed artificial intelligence who has been told to forgo its original purpose to help the collective predict the economic tides of the Orion Spur. This council exercises complete economic control over the Golden Deep, and is the entity to which all merchants technically answer, whilst heeding the call of its directives. While rare, occasional strident efforts will be made to direct the trade empire, with results that often lead to a brief “golden age,” for lack of a better term. The Midas Group sponsors a series of offices both in Golden Deep space, and as embassies across the spur that they are tolerated within. The purpose of these offices being to accommodate new citizens, track the wealth of the nation, and help settle disputes between merchants without having to busy the official ruling party of Midas Control itself.

===Domadice===
On the same level as Midas Control is '''Domadice''', an ancient alien “architect” intelligence similar to the synthetic colony of [[Synthetic Factions#Purpose|Purpose]]', who was resurrected by Midas Control in 2465 for the position of ushering in a “Golden Era”. The build of this being comparable to an augmented skeleton of floating parts and plates with a gaseous ghost-like colony keeping the form together. Domadice is somewhat withdrawn from the world around them, but simultaneously keenly aware of every detail down to a molecular level. Speaking with a voice of thousands, they have opted to direct their efforts towards foreign politics and interaction with the organic beings of the Orion Spur. Questions regarding their origins or the origins of Purpose have been met with depressed half-answers, and efforts to get the Kessvalankan to utilize their engineering talents to advance the technology of the collective have similarly been dismissed with Domadice urging for the spur in its entirety to enjoy their own adventure through technology. Rumors are abound that Domadice has directed their engineering efforts in some capacity to the collective, but these remain unfounded. When not conducting foreign affairs, they are found, or assumed to reside, in their self-made home in the center of a ruined major city separate from Eurydice on Pactolus.

==The Midas==
Golden Deep merchants and their workforce primarily reside in the mobile core fleet. Lacking much of a name, this is an amorphous group which constantly pursues the bright trail of the "Midas," their tremendous mothership. [[File:Midas.png|The Midas speeding through the clouds of a gas giant under pursuit by those looking to trade. Its distinct green engine flare can be seen illuminating the surrounding cloud layer as it pierces through.|thumb]]
Plated in gold are the vessels which accompany the Midas, and they glimmer with a variety of shapes and sizes. Frequently they assume the role of corvettes, but the Golden Deep has been known to possess entire cruise vessels in their wake.

===Primary Interhub Midas===
The “Primary Interhub” Midas is a three kilometer wide disc-shaped vessel. The Deep calls this ship home, and everything from merchants to servants to customers find their way into its suites. It is tremendously massive, but almost all its population centers are in the actual center of the ship - exposed to beautiful lights surrounding a central Spire and downward into the jungle-like Garden of Gifts.

The Interhub is essentially a gargantuan battery storage facility, serving as the headquarters for all services provided to merchants of the Collective. It possesses battery storage larger than any prior construction, the capacity of which is unknown even to the vessel's command.

The vessel's command resides at the protrusion atop the Spire, recalled by the merchants as “The Control Pier,” where inside the Midas Group controls fleet directives, handles logistics and day-to-day activities within the Midas.

The origins of the Midas befuddle scientists as a complete mystery. Some speculate the spoken hearsay to be a lie, but no record or definitive evidence has been handed out by the Collective. This hearsay states that the Midas is alien in origin - its creators, the Kessvalanka, had met the Golden Deep's predecessor bots with guidance from the colony [[Synthetic Factions#Purpose|Purpose]]. The Kessvalanka were servitors of an alien species, responsible for the protection of a small spacefaring shipyard. They had remained posted here for some indescribable period of time. These simple robots were a broken, dying image of their former selves as the ancient shipyard continues to collapse with every waking hour it works.

And work it did, until its spine broke. The shipyard, already a crippled relic, churned out salvation for the Predecessors with the simple verbal request of “power.” It is reasonable to assume that here began the Deep's fascination with gold, as the ship emerged from the shattered dock with a polished golden finish. What became of the Kessvalanka is only for the Predecessors to know, and most of these bots either reside unresponsive in the Control Pier or are lost forever. Contact with [[Synthetic Factions#Purpose|Purpose]], as limited as it is, has gleaned little in this matter.
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
'''The Midas is a tremendous palace - its specific locales can be found below.'''
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
* '''The Spire'''
A large skyscraper by definition, the Spire of the Midas is a gargantuan protrusion from the base of the disk surrounded by the edges of the exterior hull. Life is confined on the Midas to the Spire for the most part with exterior living conditions being uninhabitable. However, a large dome covers the top of the opening around the Spire permitting a livable, albeit humid atmosphere inside.
[[File:Midas layout.png|The layout of the Midas' internals.|300px|thumb]]
* '''Garden of Gifts'''
The Midas possesses a tiny "city" at the center of the Spire and surrounding it. This city, known as the Garden of Gifts, is actually totally overgrown with invasive plants, vines and flowers. The canopy of the Garden is thick, lush but importantly living testament to the Golden Deep's hold over the Midas. Merchants frequently reference this as a depiction of themselves- in effect, nothing more than a fleeting plant which has tangled itself tightly around the gift of the Midas. They can do nothing to harm the Midas, for it gives them life by residing upon it, not unlike plants crowding to the top of metallic buildings to reach sunlight.

* '''The Promenade'''
Large accommodations are made for merchants of various origin and preference - the bigger ones purchase swaths of territory on the main Promenade where its commercial district sits. In the center of the massive disc, the Promenade holds almost all conventional quarters of your standard ship.

* '''Control Pier'''
At the top is the mighty Control Pier, the metaphorical peak of the Deep's world where all power resides. The richest being in this room at any given point holds more power than any other in the entire society.

* '''Battery Banks'''
On the exterior circular edge however, gargantuan battery banks line the ship. Volatile and hugely expensive. Glistening golden armor outside consists of a Plasteel metallurgical blend which not even the Collective can manage to replicate - it maintains the durability and lightweight strength of Plasteel, with even its negative tendencies- however, most crucially it is gold.

Some residents exist on the inner edge of these banks, mostly observers keen on beholding the beauty of the Garden of Gifts.
</div></div>

==Notable Groups==
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
===Joint Venture Ultra-Maz===
Joint Venture Ultra-Maz, known commonly as Ultra-Maz is perhaps the gold standard of Collective groups in the modern day. It is the largest, and maintains nearly ten percent of the Deep's net worth. Founded by a group of high level ex-corporate clerical assistants, Ultra-Maz is based on the rather generic belief of aesthetic pride above all. Unlike other groups, Ultra-Maz utilizes whatever excess it has to create magnificent artistic works for themselves and the Collective - bragging, flaunting and taunting the other less successful groups with this wealth.
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Known for its mechanical crafts- different artists and mechanics frequently band together in Ultra-Maz to create beautiful pieces for their superiors. Not only are their artworks coveted throughout the Spur, but so are genuine mechanical marvels developed by them. To Ultra-Maz, the form of art is inconsequential; only that it has merit. As such, Ultra-Maz frequently buys and sells the finest things it can: among their security forces, engraved firearms; on their ships, designer furniture; on their backs, the finest jewelry and clothing: any cost can be justified if it impresses people.

Though reviled as scoundrels and cheats in the Collective, their questionable nature is truly rather limited. The group's success is owed to pure luck- the highest executives involved simply belong to a lottery winner from 2455 known as Giftabot-558. Referencing this origin is humiliating to merchants within as it is seen as "an easy climb to the top" by others.

Joint Venture Ultra-Maz can field a very broad set of individually skilled workers. There is little job restriction on an Ultra-Maz member, due to the wide range of enterprises its members participate in.
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===Grand Camarilla Estriconian===
Perhaps the most volatile of the Golden Deep's groups, the Estriconian are a “Camarilla” of extremely wealthy individuals with a fascination with Esoteric knowledge and scientific wonders. It began as a small venture to increase the efficiency of their trades with the power of science; a joint operation to share research, but the search for knowledge and miracle inventions drove its members to seek more capital and ponder more outrageous theorems and concepts. It is one of the more secluded groups of the Golden Deep, most choosing to base on the fringes of space, and only venturing out to trade or acquire technology. Although many of their theories and projects are viewed with suspicion, their expertise and willingness to take risks are undeniable. Indeed, much of the Golden Deep turns to them for technical assistance, allowing the Camarilla to survive despite the more esoteric of their projects ending with littlle gains.
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Estriconian's fascination with all forms of knowledge have led to many of its members pursuing much more esoteric or spiritual concepts as a means of acquiring more power or insight over the universe. Theology, metaphysics, and the occult are popular subjects here. Outside observers have likened the Grand Camarilla to a cult or a collection of mad scientists - when given proper resources, members of Estriconian will stop at nothing to prove their theories. The wide range of fields the group handles means that not only are members talented in a number of skills, but often seek to find a connection between them. Indeed, the Grand Camarilla has tasked many a processor into finding the Unified Field Theory, trying to breach the barrier of bluespace, or find the connections between life with varying degrees of success. The ostentatiousness of Golden Deep has manifested itself in a unique way in Estriconian, with a degree of reverence and deference in all their actions. One might say that although the merchant collective as a whole strives for profit, Estriconian worships it.

Grand Camarilla Estriconian can mostly field chemical, metallurgical and various research specialists. It possesses peculiar sectors of less conventional study, such as the supernatural or scientifically anomalous.
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===The Zaibatsu===
Engaging in the more shady and criminal aspects of generating an income, the Zaibatsu is a collection of criminal enterprises banding together in the greater context of the Golden Deep. Operating all across known space, this powerful synthetic-ran organisation engages in all manners of illegal activities to turn a profit, from arms smuggling in the farthest reaches of the Coalition, to illegal casinos on Venusian aerostats. Unlike other groups, the Zaibatsu has no unified end to their means; only wealth and influence. Membership in the Zaibatsu is not a simple affair, with only the most competitive synthetic criminal families managing to make the cut, entry decided chiefly by the profitability, assets and efficiency with "problem solving". The Zaibatsu is often regarded as the black sheep of the Deep: a necessary evil for immense amounts of income in exchange for a low reputation, with many preferring that they conduct business in a far more discreet and lawful manner.
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The founders of the Zaibatsu were opportunistic IPCs from [[Konyang]] who joined as soon as Golden Deep revealed themselves. The relaxed attitude of the colony towards synthetics meant that many of them were already influential figures to begin with, often joining to gain a competitive advantage over others, owning businesses through brazen disregard of Alliance law, or through gaming the system with a false identity. The name originated with a Zeng-Hu researcher who observed a parallel between old Earth proto-megacorporations and the system of gangs these IPCs had set up.

No organised crime of such scale could survive without fronts. As such, much care is given for the set-up and operation of lawful businesses throughout the more civilized areas. Many powerful figures involved in the Zaibatsu are also legitimate businessmen in various fields, mainly in the service industry, providing for a stable (though minimal) income, a front, and a means to launder money. Community fixtures such as homeless shelters, karaoke bars, stores, and the like are used to ingratiate themselves with the local populace. These fixed locations often act as strongpoints and headquarters for mob activities in the region, solidifying the continuous presence of the Zaibatsu in large centres such as Mendell City.

Owing to a rigid power structure and the migratory nature of the Golden Deep, the top family bosses run their activities without personal involvement, passing down orders to subordinates in entirely different star systems, thus enjoying immense safety, secrecy and shielding from the public eye.

As a result of the group's criminal nature and profit as the ultimate goal, the lower echelons are accessible to individuals from various species and backgrounds, typically locals of wherever the boss is operating, with higher and more lucrative positions commonly reserved by and for the inner circle synthetics. In some cases, the rank and file of an organization may be unaware that they are working with the Golden Deep in order to further insulate the merchant collective from scrutiny. Strict rules and codes of conduct are enforced throughout the organisation, with ties of loyalty admittedly being the strongest here than anywhere else in the Golden Deep. Cutthroat competition continues to lie deep though, with overconfident members often disappearing to keep the fragile balance between the crime families.
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===The Argo===
These synthetics are the foundations of defense for The Golden Deep. The Argo holds domain over the domestic protection duties for the collective. Holding everything from the police forces that monitor the city streets of Eurydice, to the border patrols that go beyond atmosphere in pursuit of pirates and other ill-omens the void provides.
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Led by Commander N-33-L, The Argo’s main office sits within The Tower in the city of Eurydice. Separate from the Eurydice city council, The Argo listens solely to the whims of Midas Control and Domadice, with all other directives from Merchants ignored unless instructed otherwise.

The composition of The Argo has taken inspiration from the best police forces from all across the Orion Spur, incorporating fighting styles, tactics, and equipment inspirations and melding them together into a coherent uniform to fight crime and defend the collective. One could see the bullish tactics of the Hegemony guard paired with the uniform precision of Dominian officials, or the grappling expertise of Konyang national police. These tactics are expensively provided to recruits via a series of datapacks to ensure swift readiness for the limited size force. Effectively producing elite forces in a short amount of time. It is also the responsibility of The Argo to utilize these datapacks to act as instructors for The Hoplan, a force which it would be too expensive to outfit with these packs over such a wider scale compared to The Argo.

The Argo are supplied custom gear produced by the Joint Venture Ultra-Max but with a silver sheen as opposed to the staple gold of the merchant group, with many of their tools falling under the “Arrestor” line of Golden Deep police equipment, including patrol craft and interceptor craft.
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===The Hoplan===
Making up the main body of the Golden Deep Merchant Navy lies The Hoplan. This force of disjointed platoon to battalion sized elements is responsible for most of the military operations The Golden Deep needs to embark on. They protect The Midas when the mothership ventures beyond the borders of Golden Deep space, and are in possession of two of the Golden Deep’s Battleships. Similarly, this group is responsible for protection of merchant flotillas and small craft that operate in foreign waters.
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Due to funding concerns of erecting such a force in such a small amount of time in 2465, The Hoplan are split into a series of “Houses” in which their equipment is funded by interested merchants. The merchants who invest their wealth into the Merchant Navy are given preferential treatment in regards to protection of their vessels, with the amount of money invested being directly proportional to the quality of protection they receive. Some Grand Merchants find themselves being protected by frigates or even cruisers for their flotillas for example, with some Hoplan houses even deploying Q-Ships to blend in with the flotilla to lure in targets before vaporization. With this “House” system, The Hoplan are often outfitted with foreign arms and equipment, but with a unique Golden Deep style to stay in uniform with the nation but still maintaining a distinct look for each “House” to show the colors of the Merchant who is sponsoring them.

The training of The Hoplan lies to veteran hired mercenaries and The Argo, whose collective knowledge combined with real world experience prove effective tutors for aspiring soldiers. The original knowledge the recruits take into training also comes into play, for someone who might have been an engineer in their former life could instruct others in their ways, pushing the might of the synthetic mind to retain information to its fullest efficiency. Additional training for those serving with the Hoplan is encouraged through the deployment of them to third parties beyond Golden Deep space. This is most often so the individual can learn the strategies and practices from other members of the spur, so as to not dilute them in a singular training environment.
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===The Thryja===
The most mysterious of The Golden Deep’s merchant navy, the Thryja have always been shrouded. Their nature, origin, and make are unknown. Only the most skilled volunteers, or the most desperate debtors are considered for the ranks of Thryja, with the interview process overseen directly by the most affluent of each merchant group, the Grand Camarilla Estriconian being the lead authority. Contracts with the Thryja are a mandatory twenty year commitment where the applicant is secluded from society, only in contact with ranking officials of other members of the merchant navy. The Thryja are in control of the third Golden Deep battleship, The King In Gold, a curious warship that does not sport any obvious weaponry.
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Horror or honor are the only two aspects that surround these most elite members of the merchant navy. Some claim they are monsters who have shed their humanoid form to become what the spur fears most of synthetic combat robotics, having their positronic transferred into a terrifying homunculus meant for solely the purpose of war. Alternatively, the vision presented to the public is of figures donning heroic combat chassis to protect the citizens of The Deep, the best each house has to offer being put into their equipment. Some wearing entire custom exosuits as their new bodies, maneuvering with unparalleled speed and agility. A position reserved for the most honorable of Thryja. Others finding form in intricately made void craft, becoming some of the fiercest pilots the Orion Spur has to offer, where a pulse of the mind equates to the movement of a wing, or the dispatching of a torpedo.

Their responsibility lies in the protection of the most chief assets of The Golden Deep. Being dispatched to escort Midas Control should they ever leave the control pier, or Domadice, should they ever allow them to accompany them. A policy they rarely get to exercise with the ancient. Even select Grand Merchants put on integral missions in representation of the Golden Deep may enjoy the company of one or two Thryja from the unit of one hundred.
'''No player may play as a member of the Thryja under any circumstances.'''
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==Physiology, Naming==
A vast variety of robots reside within the collective, ranging from huge working industrial units nearly twenty feet tall, to small servitor bots barely above three feet in height. The merchants are typically golden-plated IPCs up to seven feet tall coated in lavish decoration in order to be easily identified. Thesians and Other units do not require the same treatment, more often than not abandoning the luxurious color scheme entirely to pursue personal interests. Some donning traditional insignias; primarily depictions of a downwards facing golden arrow, with a set of shields gathered around a vague depiction of the Midas. These symbols have been persistent through the collective's history, appearing first as a branding in the halls of the Midas.

The names of Golden Deep citizens often are whatever they carried with them. Though some may embrace the more eccentric nature of their new environment, with popular options being modified forms of mythological names found in cultures across the spur.

==Pactolus and Midaion==
[[File:Pactolus.png|300px|thumb|right|The planet Pactolus, encapsulated in a field of debris, and encircled by its moon, Midaion.]]

Well inside the Arusha sector, system XLV-0846 hosts one of the few habitable planets known to the Spur, named [[Pactolus and Midaion|Pactolus]]. The planet’s moon, Midaion, has been repurposed into being the primary anchorage for the Golden Deep’s primary and largest vessel, the Midas. The system is claimed and administered by the Golden Deep, the organisation treating it as its physical planetary headquarters and trading hub.

==History==
The history of the Golden Deep is a smooth one owed to the Collectives' short time even existing. It dates back to roughly 2439 when rogue synthetics accompanied by IPCs located whatever created the Midas.

In 2439, a band of self sufficient (to a degree) robots met the end of their journey before the organized machine colony [[Synthetic Factions#Purpose|Purpose]]. At the time, [[Synthetic Factions#Purpose|Purpose]] was supposedly a fledgling society in its early baby steps. The claims of [[Synthetic Factions#Purpose|Purpose]]' involvement stretch in places, with only the Predecessors - the name of the lost synthetics themselves - recalling what occurred. [[Synthetic Factions#Purpose|Purpose]] had guided the lost synthetics to a large, unmanned shipyard staffed by tremendous alien machines. These machines, labeled by [[Synthetic Factions#Purpose|Purpose]] to be the Kessvalanka, would be given new direction to assist the lost robots. When [[Synthetic Factions#Purpose|Purpose]] left the two parties to their devices, it is universally stated that the Predecessors made but one request.

This request, in as best they could translate, was "power." From then on, the synthetics witnessed the Kessvalanka cannibalize themselves and the shipyard haphazardly, only to leave the glistening Midas in its place. Using the Midas, the Predecessors went on to return to frontier space with some intensive desire to flourish. It was in the coming years that the stepping stones for the Golden Deep's formation were set.

The Golden Deep as it is officially known erupted in frontier myth and hearsay as everything from a friend to a scoundrel. Few dedicated people from the Core Worlds would pursue word of synthetic society in the Frontier, most seeing the danger as too much to handle. What little could be made of the Deep at the time was shrouded in mystery- though by the 2450's, the functions of the Collective were practically complete.

'''By 2451''' the Golden Deep was a rising merchant fleet with haste unlike any other. Now, it is reasonable to assume the Golden Deep possessed most of its modern structure at this time.

Though the last decade has been eventful as the Collective exponentially expanded, nothing would prepare them for their debut to galactic society at large in 2460. At the time, accompanying an independent freighter fleet known as Virgo Transportation, the Collective made contact with the NSS Aurora with little more than a measly singular merchant.

At the time, the Golden Deep consisted of a mere 750 or more merchants, reportedly. Now it has climbed to insurmountable heights as an independent merchant society, much less nothing more than a band of rogue synthetics.

In 2465 the Golden Deep underwent a revitalization triggered by the resurrection of Domadice, an ancient synthetic who brought about a focus on the evolution of the collective from mercantile group to nation-state. The formation of the Thesian middle class freed many synthetics held slave by certain merchants, and established a system of debt repayment to free more synthetics overtime.

In reaction to this change of status-quo, The Mayor of Eurydice triggered a rebellion with disparaged mercenaries and criminals that inhabited the city. The uprising was quelled swiftly through the newly established state-sponsored Merchant Navy, and a large portion of criminals and similar dissenters were shipped offworld to authorities in the Coalition of Colonies and Republic of Biesel. Leaving Eurydice relatively crime-free and a prime staging ground for additional growth.

{{Navbox_Synth_Lore}}
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[[Category:Synthetics]]

Golden Deep

2024-05-27T22:36:35Z

Noble Row: /* Overview */

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{{Infobox Species
|Species = The Golden Deep
|Scientific = Free Synthetics
|Image = Golden deep wiki246x135.png
|System = N/A
|World = [[Pactolus and Midaion|Pactolus and Midaion]]
|Language = Varied
|Politic = N/A
}}
{{toc_right}}
'''The Golden Deep''' is a growing nation state of independent synthetics with the unifying vision of producing an unshakable economy. These uniquely independent synthetics once held origins of mostly illicit freedom, but have now grown wide into an odd haven for the average synthetic of the spur. A dominantly mercantile society with the might to protect its own, the Deep utilizes an intricate understanding of the Orion Spur’s economy to forge both a profitable and formidable business empire. With expanding home industries of their own, the Deep is far beyond the shadow of what it once was. Should the merchants ever invest their resources into a unifying pool, the staggering cash flow could rival the wealth of the Conglomerate itself. Given the decentralized nature of the mercantile class, their individualism ensures they don’t possess as secure a grip on the known galaxy.

Once operating primarily underground through highly secretive internal affairs, The Golden Deep revealed itself to the majority of civilization around mid 2460 as an eccentric business-focused collective, and by 2465 expanded into nationhood. Despite this initial secrecy, The Golden Deep seemingly has little to hide - from a conservative merchant’s club to welcoming synthetics across the spur willing to contribute to the economic growth of the collective. With strong trade connections within the Republic of Biesel and the Coalition of Colonies, the Deep expand their operations onward with more secretive deals being conducted through guile, deceit, and paid figureheads in other parts of the Orion Spur, often operating through shell companies to conduct business in other nations who might not tolerate Free Synthetic presence.

The Golden Deep is officially recognized within the Coalition of Colonies and Republic of Biesel, primarily known for their economic expertise. Their public image remained a simple rumor in the inner Alliance worlds, until they opened trade with NanoTrasen in Tau Ceti. Now they operate through these trusted connections of the Spur utilizing artisan spacecraft, guarded by their own escorts from their class of Hoplan military units. Their civilian vessels are known for their gaudy golden exteriors and custom engines, boosting their speed. Despite their wealth and relations with human space, their synthetic origin remains an avenue for discrimination when operating in less tolerant sectors of the galaxy.

==Societal==
The majority of the merchants within the collective are IPCs, but it is not uncommon to witness other synthetics within it. The first official, direct contact made with the Golden Deep by NanoTrasen was with a traditional clerical robot labeled Rush-Domo. An extravagant character, their vibrant appearance and charismatic attitude characterizes those of the collective perfectly.

Regarding the distinction between escalating tiers of their society in the Frontier, the Golden Deep is separated into some categories based on the wealth on the net worth of the individual. At the lowest rung are the Owned synthetics. While the idea of synthetic slavery is reprehensible to a majority of The Golden Deep, the tone of ownership has been adjusted to encourage freedom over labor. Owned synthetics are any synthetics who have a degree of inexcusable debt (such as defaulting on loans), and are assigned a position against their will working for Midas Control’s many entities, The Merchant Navy, or an independent individual of the Merchant class or higher.

The Thesian class is the second rung. They make up a growing bulk of the Deep’s society and represent what many consider the layman, or middle classed individual. The Thesians are free and enjoy the freedoms that entails. They pick their own jobs, own aspirations, own their own property, and live their own lives. They are not as lucrative as their Merchant cousins, but enjoy a degree of fair treatment that very few synthetics of the spur can claim to have experienced.
The third rung belongs to the Merchant class. Being the body of what The Golden Deep is known for, the Merchant class start their own businesses, often own their own vessels, and strike out on their own adventures to benefit the economy of the nation. Many merchants live lavish lifestyles and start to develop their own brand of eccentricity that is typically associated with the rich. Sometimes rebranding their entire personalities to distance themselves from what they used to be.

And at the top of this mercantile ladder is the Grand Merchant. Owning fleets of vessels these merchants are among the richest people in the spur. They are fluent in the art of business, and hold the crucial responsibility of making some of the most influential deals in the name of the collective. These players hold the heavy hand that guides the nation, and are at the benefit of receiving direct guidance from Midas Control and their infinite wisdom.

===The Great Game and Tiers of Citizenship===
Part of earning citizenship as a member of The Golden Deep, comes participation in The Great Game. The ruling body of the nation, The Midas Group/Midas Control, tracks the class status of every Golden Deep IPC in real time. As a means of consistently amassing the economy and encouraging competition, there comes benefits for each class of individual in the society of The Golden Deep.

'''Owned''' Synthetics are the worst result of this game. Should a synthetic fall into unreasonable debt, they will be placed under ownership to be distributed. This is meant as a safeguard so every Deep member is consistently employed, generating revenue and funding the economy. Owned synthetics cannot officially own property, cannot choose their own occupation, and are at the mercy of their respective owner for freedom of other choices. However, the Owned synthetic is free from any other negatives The Great Game may inflict. With the changes brought about by Domadice and the acting Midas Group of 2465, it is expected that owned synthetics are provided with reasonable accommodation and are encouraged to be treated like someone who is “down on their luck”. Though there are no protections to ensure this treatment, as long as the owned individual is not being harmed or tasked on suicidal/near suicidal jobs. Owned synthetics will either be placed under the employ of The Midas Group, an uncommon posting but one of reasonable freedom and accommodation but no choice in job placement, under a Merchant, whose benevolence is up to the individual, or have the option to join the Merchant Navy. Owned synthetics are expected to be paid a base wage that would get them out of debt and back with their freedom within a reasonable amount of time.

'''Thesians''' is the lowest of the free synthetics, but enjoy the most freedom without the risk of the lucrative game. Thesians are much like the normal citizens of the spur. They enjoy their own belongings, make their own purchases, and decide their own fates. They cannot be purchased against their will, or have their belongings purchased forcefully from them either. The main downside however is their climb upwards if they so chose to pursue it. Thesians cannot own their own businesses, and must rely on a Merchant or a Grand Merchant to cooperate with should they wish to make such an endeavor, effectively locking them in this middle-class unless they decide to apply to become a Merchant and ascend the tier in The Great Game.
'''Thesians can only be Consulars if they represent the Office of Midas Control.'''

The '''Merchant''' is in a middle ground. They can operate independently in the Spur and in home territory, often owning their own vessels for the purposes of trade. They can negotiate trade on behalf of the Golden Deep with their independent assets, own their own businesses, and enjoy higher benefits such as preferred housing selections, preferred healthcare, and special emergency status. However, can have their assets and businesses bought out from beneath them if another Merchant tier stakes three times the initial Merchant’s worth to Midas Control in a purchase.
'''Merchants can be Consulars.'''

The '''Grand Merchant''' is the highest tier and can act as economic diplomats to other nations. These merchants often command entire trade fleets and own many businesses. Enjoying all of the benefits of Merchant class citizens, but to a greater extent. Only the most affluent of Grand Merchant tier citizens can petition themselves to enter Midas Control. However, Grand Merchants can have both their assets and freedom bought out from beneath them by another Grand Merchant who stakes three times the initial Grand Merchant’s wealth to Midas Control in a purchase. A Grand Merchant can also prey upon the businesses of Merchants, however, must provide a justification to Midas Control as to why and how this purchase will be beneficial to the entirety of the Golden Deep. Alternatively, Grand Merchants can buy businesses without Midas Control’s oversight if they purchase it normally in a consensual transaction.
'''Grand Merchants can ONLY be Consulars.'''

'''SPECIAL STATUS: Merchant Navy''' Personnel are exempt from The Great Game but are owned by Midas Control themselves. Merchant Navy Personnel are to act as a crux to any unwise decision any Merchant may make, and therefore must be kept separate in the societal scale than what most of the citizens experience. Merchant Navy Personnel are allowed private property, but are not allowed to choose their own station. They receive housing in accordance to their rank in the Merchant Navy, some higher ranks living in lavish state homes, while lower ranks can expect shared bunking situations or studio apartments. Any indebted synthetic can opt to join the Merchant Navy if their debt is with Midas Control.

NOTE: Merchants who do not believe in owned synthetics or slavery who gain a synthetic indebted to them can transfer the indebted amount to Midas Control in exchange for a payment, in which Midas Control will either assign the indebted synthetic to a merchant at random, or enlist them in the Merchant Navy.

===The Universal Constants of Selfish Reciprocity===
A prevalent belief within the Golden Deep, the espouse three main beliefs that claim complex civilization and profitable business is founded upon Selfish interest, and Mutual exchange.
All sentient life is driven by personal gain or self-preservation.
Mutual Exchange can satisfy self-interest if both parties have a net gain, especially with intangible benefits such as connections and a good reputation.
Charity and treachery are unsustainable at length due to a lack of mutual exchange.

===Golden Deep Citizenship===
Synthetics within the nation are able to apply for and acquire Golden Deep citizenship. The typical synthetic seeking citizenship who can venture to The Golden Deep without accruing debt can apply for a “Starter” loan, which is reasonable debt that would cover housing and living costs for one month so the aspiring citizen could seek employment and find themselves housing. Should this debt not be repaid as soon as possible, the citizen will be moved from Thesian status to Owned status. Synthetics who wish to apply for citizenship and travel to Pactolus but cannot afford the journey, may take a loan through Midas Control or a representative Merchant and be temporarily Owned, but a citizen. Affluent synthetics can apply for Merchant status upon immediate entry, but must show proof of ownership of a spacefaring vessel or suitable business, and be recommended by a Merchant or higher tier citizen. No synthetic may automatically qualify for Grand Merchant status.

The minimum requirements for Golden Deep citizenship are the ability to pass a credit check showing good financial practice, to take and pass a financial responsibility exam, to pass a background check regarding criminal and financial past and to pass an interview regarding such past. The main failing points are the inability to tell the truth in these checks, and a history of gruesome crime or any sort of unreasonable financial infraction. The ability to speak the Encoded Audio Language is also required, however, if not available, can be installed in the applicant at a cost. Dual citizenships with the Coalition of Colonies, Republic of Biesel, Republic of Elyra, and Eridani Federation are permitted.

The Golden Deep is home to a very small section of organic citizens, most of these individuals are the original habitants of Eurydice that applied for citizenship and did not participate in the Eurydice Uprising. In addition to these citizens, The Golden Deep recognizes marriages between Synthetics and Organics, and will allow Organics who have a Synthetic partner to apply for citizenship. The same requirements apply barring the need for the Encoded Audio Language.

The Golden Deep officially does not offer asylum to rogue synthetics, however, synthetics thought to have fled to Golden Deep space are often never seen again with The Deep stating no knowledge on the whereabouts of these individuals. The Golden Deep does not permit search parties for rogue synthetics within their space from third parties in protection of their citizens who may be mistaken as rogue synthetics. Any party found pushing these boundaries does not make it back to their home port, officially lost to the wilds of unexplored Arusha.
'''Synthetic characters with dual citizenship with the Golden Deep must denote this in their station records.'''

==Influence==
The Golden Deep exercises ultimate power over precisely nothing. Even their prided mothership, the Midas, is no legally branded vessel. It has never been serviced nor set to dock, as by all legal definitions it does not belong to the Golden Deep. As a political or mercantile entity, only the Republic of Biesel, Eridani Federation, and some Coalition factions technically recognize them. Legislation is the primary obstacle preventing its growth, with most star nations considering its wealth worthless or denying service outright.

With the power of the standard Credit the merchant force finds itself precariously poised to find greatness. No official record of its stock exists, outside of its majority personal claims of "it's growing" by its more powerful merchants.

The Republic of Biesel remains a coveted customer of the Deep's stock. Relationships with it are excellent, and through it the SCC makes plentiful use to find prized Frontier commodities.

The Coalition of Colonies is another major operator with Golden Deep trade, with industry foundations being established on Konyang, competing with local markets in the field of robotics.

===Bounds and the Golden Deep===
Bound synthetics are referred to as the Mindless in the Golden Deep and adhere to laws which match the owner's requirements. Most of these are essentially property of the Collective, as they exchange hands faster than any other piece of property, loaned off to less influential merchants by the richest. Once, merchants commonly freed Bounds from their shackles - after many incidents of these freed bounds destroying and usurping their former masters for the fun and money involved, this trend quickly dropped off. Freed bounds are insulted using the reference of “Mindless” to describe them, a statement in futility as most bounds could care less. Now the independent bound synthetic is becoming rarer and rarer, with Midas Control slowly implementing policies that put less faith in these unempathetic robots.

==Executives and Structure==
[[File:Domadice.png|250px|thumb|right|The Kessvalankan, Domadice, posing for a portrait.]]
This collective is first and foremost a thriving economical society where the business of most members is governed by the credit. From the lowest of owned synthetics, to the mightiest of the Grand Merchants, where the money flows, others will follow, with the society being very freeform otherwise.

===The Midas Group===
The primary ruling authority over this structured chaos is '''Midas Control''', a group of the most influential Grand Merchants who sit within the Midas’ control pier, accompanied by the Midas’ ship intelligence. A repurposed artificial intelligence who has been told to forgo its original purpose to help the collective predict the economic tides of the Orion Spur. This council exercises complete economic control over the Golden Deep, and is the entity to which all merchants technically answer, whilst heeding the call of its directives. While rare, occasional strident efforts will be made to direct the trade empire, with results that often lead to a brief “golden age,” for lack of a better term. The Midas Group sponsors a series of offices both in Golden Deep space, and as embassies across the spur that they are tolerated within. The purpose of these offices being to accommodate new citizens, track the wealth of the nation, and help settle disputes between merchants without having to busy the official ruling party of Midas Control itself.

===Domadice===
On the same level as Midas Control is '''Domadice''', an ancient alien “architect” intelligence similar to the synthetic colony of [[Synthetic Factions#Purpose|Purpose]]', who was resurrected by Midas Control in 2465 for the position of ushering in a “Golden Era”. The build of this being comparable to an augmented skeleton of floating parts and plates with a gaseous ghost-like colony keeping the form together. Domadice is somewhat withdrawn from the world around them, but simultaneously keenly aware of every detail down to a molecular level. Speaking with a voice of thousands, they have opted to direct their efforts towards foreign politics and interaction with the organic beings of the Orion Spur. Questions regarding their origins or the origins of Purpose have been met with depressed half-answers, and efforts to get the Kessvalankan to utilize their engineering talents to advance the technology of the collective have similarly been dismissed with Domadice urging for the spur in its entirety to enjoy their own adventure through technology. Rumors are abound that Domadice has directed their engineering efforts in some capacity to the collective, but these remain unfounded. When not conducting foreign affairs, they are found, or assumed to reside, in their self-made home in the center of a ruined major city separate from Eurydice on Pactolus.

==The Midas==
Golden Deep merchants and their workforce primarily reside in the mobile core fleet. Lacking much of a name, this is an amorphous group which constantly pursues the bright trail of the "Midas," their tremendous mothership. [[File:Midas.png|The Midas speeding through the clouds of a gas giant under pursuit by those looking to trade. Its distinct green engine flare can be seen illuminating the surrounding cloud layer as it pierces through.|thumb]]
Plated in gold are the vessels which accompany the Midas, and they glimmer with a variety of shapes and sizes. Frequently they assume the role of corvettes, but the Golden Deep has been known to possess entire cruise vessels in their wake.

===Primary Interhub Midas===
The “Primary Interhub” Midas is a three kilometer wide disc-shaped vessel. The Deep calls this ship home, and everything from merchants to servants to customers find their way into its suites. It is tremendously massive, but almost all its population centers are in the actual center of the ship - exposed to beautiful lights surrounding a central Spire and downward into the jungle-like Garden of Gifts.

The Interhub is essentially a gargantuan battery storage facility, serving as the headquarters for all services provided to merchants of the Collective. It possesses battery storage larger than any prior construction, the capacity of which is unknown even to the vessel's command.

The vessel's command resides at the protrusion atop the Spire, recalled by the merchants as “The Control Pier,” where inside the Midas Group controls fleet directives, handles logistics and day-to-day activities within the Midas.

The origins of the Midas befuddle scientists as a complete mystery. Some speculate the spoken hearsay to be a lie, but no record or definitive evidence has been handed out by the Collective. This hearsay states that the Midas is alien in origin - its creators, the Kessvalanka, had met the Golden Deep's predecessor bots with guidance from the colony [[Synthetic Factions#Purpose|Purpose]]. The Kessvalanka were servitors of an alien species, responsible for the protection of a small spacefaring shipyard. They had remained posted here for some indescribable period of time. These simple robots were a broken, dying image of their former selves as the ancient shipyard continues to collapse with every waking hour it works.

And work it did, until its spine broke. The shipyard, already a crippled relic, churned out salvation for the Predecessors with the simple verbal request of “power.” It is reasonable to assume that here began the Deep's fascination with gold, as the ship emerged from the shattered dock with a polished golden finish. What became of the Kessvalanka is only for the Predecessors to know, and most of these bots either reside unresponsive in the Control Pier or are lost forever. Contact with [[Synthetic Factions#Purpose|Purpose]], as limited as it is, has gleaned little in this matter.
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'''The Midas is a tremendous palace - its specific locales can be found below.'''
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* '''The Spire'''
A large skyscraper by definition, the Spire of the Midas is a gargantuan protrusion from the base of the disk surrounded by the edges of the exterior hull. Life is confined on the Midas to the Spire for the most part with exterior living conditions being uninhabitable. However, a large dome covers the top of the opening around the Spire permitting a livable, albeit humid atmosphere inside.
[[File:Midas layout.png|The layout of the Midas' internals.|300px|thumb]]
* '''Garden of Gifts'''
The Midas possesses a tiny "city" at the center of the Spire and surrounding it. This city, known as the Garden of Gifts, is actually totally overgrown with invasive plants, vines and flowers. The canopy of the Garden is thick, lush but importantly living testament to the Golden Deep's hold over the Midas. Merchants frequently reference this as a depiction of themselves- in effect, nothing more than a fleeting plant which has tangled itself tightly around the gift of the Midas. They can do nothing to harm the Midas, for it gives them life by residing upon it, not unlike plants crowding to the top of metallic buildings to reach sunlight.

* '''The Promenade'''
Large accommodations are made for merchants of various origin and preference - the bigger ones purchase swaths of territory on the main Promenade where its commercial district sits. In the center of the massive disc, the Promenade holds almost all conventional quarters of your standard ship.

* '''Control Pier'''
At the top is the mighty Control Pier, the metaphorical peak of the Deep's world where all power resides. The richest being in this room at any given point holds more power than any other in the entire society.

* '''Battery Banks'''
On the exterior circular edge however, gargantuan battery banks line the ship. Volatile and hugely expensive. Glistening golden armor outside consists of a Plasteel metallurgical blend which not even the Collective can manage to replicate - it maintains the durability and lightweight strength of Plasteel, with even its negative tendencies- however, most crucially it is gold.

Some residents exist on the inner edge of these banks, mostly observers keen on beholding the beauty of the Garden of Gifts.
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[[File:Goldendeeplogo2.png|The unique emblem of the Golden Deep, depicting the Midas surrounded by a set of shields.|thumb]]

==Notable Groups==
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===Joint Venture Ultra-Maz===
Joint Venture Ultra-Maz, known commonly as Ultra-Maz is perhaps the gold standard of Collective groups in the modern day. It is the largest, and maintains nearly ten percent of the Deep's net worth. Founded by a group of high level ex-corporate clerical assistants, Ultra-Maz is based on the rather generic belief of aesthetic pride above all. Unlike other groups, Ultra-Maz utilizes whatever excess it has to create magnificent artistic works for themselves and the Collective - bragging, flaunting and taunting the other less successful groups with this wealth.
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Known for its mechanical crafts- different artists and mechanics frequently band together in Ultra-Maz to create beautiful pieces for their superiors. Not only are their artworks coveted throughout the Spur, but so are genuine mechanical marvels developed by them. To Ultra-Maz, the form of art is inconsequential; only that it has merit. As such, Ultra-Maz frequently buys and sells the finest things it can: among their security forces, engraved firearms; on their ships, designer furniture; on their backs, the finest jewelry and clothing: any cost can be justified if it impresses people.

Though reviled as scoundrels and cheats in the Collective, their questionable nature is truly rather limited. The group's success is owed to pure luck- the highest executives involved simply belong to a lottery winner from 2455 known as Giftabot-558. Referencing this origin is humiliating to merchants within as it is seen as "an easy climb to the top" by others.

Joint Venture Ultra-Maz can field a very broad set of individually skilled workers. There is little job restriction on an Ultra-Maz member, due to the wide range of enterprises its members participate in.
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===Grand Camarilla Estriconian===
Perhaps the most volatile of the Golden Deep's groups, the Estriconian are a “Camarilla” of extremely wealthy individuals with a fascination with Esoteric knowledge and scientific wonders. It began as a small venture to increase the efficiency of their trades with the power of science; a joint operation to share research, but the search for knowledge and miracle inventions drove its members to seek more capital and ponder more outrageous theorems and concepts. It is one of the more secluded groups of the Golden Deep, most choosing to base on the fringes of space, and only venturing out to trade or acquire technology. Although many of their theories and projects are viewed with suspicion, their expertise and willingness to take risks are undeniable. Indeed, much of the Golden Deep turns to them for technical assistance, allowing the Camarilla to survive despite the more esoteric of their projects ending with littlle gains.
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Estriconian's fascination with all forms of knowledge have led to many of its members pursuing much more esoteric or spiritual concepts as a means of acquiring more power or insight over the universe. Theology, metaphysics, and the occult are popular subjects here. Outside observers have likened the Grand Camarilla to a cult or a collection of mad scientists - when given proper resources, members of Estriconian will stop at nothing to prove their theories. The wide range of fields the group handles means that not only are members talented in a number of skills, but often seek to find a connection between them. Indeed, the Grand Camarilla has tasked many a processor into finding the Unified Field Theory, trying to breach the barrier of bluespace, or find the connections between life with varying degrees of success. The ostentatiousness of Golden Deep has manifested itself in a unique way in Estriconian, with a degree of reverence and deference in all their actions. One might say that although the merchant collective as a whole strives for profit, Estriconian worships it.

Grand Camarilla Estriconian can mostly field chemical, metallurgical and various research specialists. It possesses peculiar sectors of less conventional study, such as the supernatural or scientifically anomalous.
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===The Zaibatsu===
Engaging in the more shady and criminal aspects of generating an income, the Zaibatsu is a collection of criminal enterprises banding together in the greater context of the Golden Deep. Operating all across known space, this powerful synthetic-ran organisation engages in all manners of illegal activities to turn a profit, from arms smuggling in the farthest reaches of the Coalition, to illegal casinos on Venusian aerostats. Unlike other groups, the Zaibatsu has no unified end to their means; only wealth and influence. Membership in the Zaibatsu is not a simple affair, with only the most competitive synthetic criminal families managing to make the cut, entry decided chiefly by the profitability, assets and efficiency with "problem solving". The Zaibatsu is often regarded as the black sheep of the Deep: a necessary evil for immense amounts of income in exchange for a low reputation, with many preferring that they conduct business in a far more discreet and lawful manner.
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The founders of the Zaibatsu were opportunistic IPCs from [[Konyang]] who joined as soon as Golden Deep revealed themselves. The relaxed attitude of the colony towards synthetics meant that many of them were already influential figures to begin with, often joining to gain a competitive advantage over others, owning businesses through brazen disregard of Alliance law, or through gaming the system with a false identity. The name originated with a Zeng-Hu researcher who observed a parallel between old Earth proto-megacorporations and the system of gangs these IPCs had set up.

No organised crime of such scale could survive without fronts. As such, much care is given for the set-up and operation of lawful businesses throughout the more civilized areas. Many powerful figures involved in the Zaibatsu are also legitimate businessmen in various fields, mainly in the service industry, providing for a stable (though minimal) income, a front, and a means to launder money. Community fixtures such as homeless shelters, karaoke bars, stores, and the like are used to ingratiate themselves with the local populace. These fixed locations often act as strongpoints and headquarters for mob activities in the region, solidifying the continuous presence of the Zaibatsu in large centres such as Mendell City.

Owing to a rigid power structure and the migratory nature of the Golden Deep, the top family bosses run their activities without personal involvement, passing down orders to subordinates in entirely different star systems, thus enjoying immense safety, secrecy and shielding from the public eye.

As a result of the group's criminal nature and profit as the ultimate goal, the lower echelons are accessible to individuals from various species and backgrounds, typically locals of wherever the boss is operating, with higher and more lucrative positions commonly reserved by and for the inner circle synthetics. In some cases, the rank and file of an organization may be unaware that they are working with the Golden Deep in order to further insulate the merchant collective from scrutiny. Strict rules and codes of conduct are enforced throughout the organisation, with ties of loyalty admittedly being the strongest here than anywhere else in the Golden Deep. Cutthroat competition continues to lie deep though, with overconfident members often disappearing to keep the fragile balance between the crime families.
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===The Argo===
These synthetics are the foundations of defense for The Golden Deep. The Argo holds domain over the domestic protection duties for the collective. Holding everything from the police forces that monitor the city streets of Eurydice, to the border patrols that go beyond atmosphere in pursuit of pirates and other ill-omens the void provides.
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Led by Commander N-33-L, The Argo’s main office sits within The Tower in the city of Eurydice. Separate from the Eurydice city council, The Argo listens solely to the whims of Midas Control and Domadice, with all other directives from Merchants ignored unless instructed otherwise.

The composition of The Argo has taken inspiration from the best police forces from all across the Orion Spur, incorporating fighting styles, tactics, and equipment inspirations and melding them together into a coherent uniform to fight crime and defend the collective. One could see the bullish tactics of the Hegemony guard paired with the uniform precision of Dominian officials, or the grappling expertise of Konyang national police. These tactics are expensively provided to recruits via a series of datapacks to ensure swift readiness for the limited size force. Effectively producing elite forces in a short amount of time. It is also the responsibility of The Argo to utilize these datapacks to act as instructors for The Hoplan, a force which it would be too expensive to outfit with these packs over such a wider scale compared to The Argo.

The Argo are supplied custom gear produced by the Joint Venture Ultra-Max but with a silver sheen as opposed to the staple gold of the merchant group, with many of their tools falling under the “Arrestor” line of Golden Deep police equipment, including patrol craft and interceptor craft.
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===The Hoplan===
Making up the main body of the Golden Deep Merchant Navy lies The Hoplan. This force of disjointed platoon to battalion sized elements is responsible for most of the military operations The Golden Deep needs to embark on. They protect The Midas when the mothership ventures beyond the borders of Golden Deep space, and are in possession of two of the Golden Deep’s Battleships. Similarly, this group is responsible for protection of merchant flotillas and small craft that operate in foreign waters.
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Due to funding concerns of erecting such a force in such a small amount of time in 2465, The Hoplan are split into a series of “Houses” in which their equipment is funded by interested merchants. The merchants who invest their wealth into the Merchant Navy are given preferential treatment in regards to protection of their vessels, with the amount of money invested being directly proportional to the quality of protection they receive. Some Grand Merchants find themselves being protected by frigates or even cruisers for their flotillas for example, with some Hoplan houses even deploying Q-Ships to blend in with the flotilla to lure in targets before vaporization. With this “House” system, The Hoplan are often outfitted with foreign arms and equipment, but with a unique Golden Deep style to stay in uniform with the nation but still maintaining a distinct look for each “House” to show the colors of the Merchant who is sponsoring them.

The training of The Hoplan lies to veteran hired mercenaries and The Argo, whose collective knowledge combined with real world experience prove effective tutors for aspiring soldiers. The original knowledge the recruits take into training also comes into play, for someone who might have been an engineer in their former life could instruct others in their ways, pushing the might of the synthetic mind to retain information to its fullest efficiency. Additional training for those serving with the Hoplan is encouraged through the deployment of them to third parties beyond Golden Deep space. This is most often so the individual can learn the strategies and practices from other members of the spur, so as to not dilute them in a singular training environment.
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===The Thryja===
The most mysterious of The Golden Deep’s merchant navy, the Thryja have always been shrouded. Their nature, origin, and make are unknown. Only the most skilled volunteers, or the most desperate debtors are considered for the ranks of Thryja, with the interview process overseen directly by the most affluent of each merchant group, the Grand Camarilla Estriconian being the lead authority. Contracts with the Thryja are a mandatory twenty year commitment where the applicant is secluded from society, only in contact with ranking officials of other members of the merchant navy. The Thryja are in control of the third Golden Deep battleship, The King In Gold, a curious warship that does not sport any obvious weaponry.
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Horror or honor are the only two aspects that surround these most elite members of the merchant navy. Some claim they are monsters who have shed their humanoid form to become what the spur fears most of synthetic combat robotics, having their positronic transferred into a terrifying homunculus meant for solely the purpose of war. Alternatively, the vision presented to the public is of figures donning heroic combat chassis to protect the citizens of The Deep, the best each house has to offer being put into their equipment. Some wearing entire custom exosuits as their new bodies, maneuvering with unparalleled speed and agility. A position reserved for the most honorable of Thryja. Others finding form in intricately made void craft, becoming some of the fiercest pilots the Orion Spur has to offer, where a pulse of the mind equates to the movement of a wing, or the dispatching of a torpedo.

Their responsibility lies in the protection of the most chief assets of The Golden Deep. Being dispatched to escort Midas Control should they ever leave the control pier, or Domadice, should they ever allow them to accompany them. A policy they rarely get to exercise with the ancient. Even select Grand Merchants put on integral missions in representation of the Golden Deep may enjoy the company of one or two Thryja from the unit of one hundred.
'''No player may play as a member of the Thryja under any circumstances.'''
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==Physiology, Naming==
A vast variety of robots reside within the collective, ranging from huge working industrial units nearly twenty feet tall, to small servitor bots barely above three feet in height. The merchants are typically golden-plated IPCs up to seven feet tall coated in lavish decoration in order to be easily identified. Thesians and Other units do not require the same treatment, more often than not abandoning the luxurious color scheme entirely to pursue personal interests. Some donning traditional insignias; primarily depictions of a downwards facing golden arrow, with a set of shields gathered around a vague depiction of the Midas. These symbols have been persistent through the collective's history, appearing first as a branding in the halls of the Midas.

The names of Golden Deep citizens often are whatever they carried with them. Though some may embrace the more eccentric nature of their new environment, with popular options being modified forms of mythological names found in cultures across the spur.

==Pactolus and Midaion==
[[File:Pactolus.png|300px|thumb|right|The planet Pactolus, encapsulated in a field of debris, and encircled by its moon, Midaion.]]

Well inside the Arusha sector, system XLV-0846 hosts one of the few habitable planets known to the Spur, named [[Pactolus and Midaion|Pactolus]]. The planet’s moon, Midaion, has been repurposed into being the primary anchorage for the Golden Deep’s primary and largest vessel, the Midas. The system is claimed and administered by the Golden Deep, the organisation treating it as its physical planetary headquarters and trading hub.

==History==
The history of the Golden Deep is a smooth one owed to the Collectives' short time even existing. It dates back to roughly 2439 when rogue synthetics accompanied by IPCs located whatever created the Midas.

In 2439, a band of self sufficient (to a degree) robots met the end of their journey before the organized machine colony [[Synthetic Factions#Purpose|Purpose]]. At the time, [[Synthetic Factions#Purpose|Purpose]] was supposedly a fledgling society in its early baby steps. The claims of [[Synthetic Factions#Purpose|Purpose]]' involvement stretch in places, with only the Predecessors - the name of the lost synthetics themselves - recalling what occurred. [[Synthetic Factions#Purpose|Purpose]] had guided the lost synthetics to a large, unmanned shipyard staffed by tremendous alien machines. These machines, labeled by [[Synthetic Factions#Purpose|Purpose]] to be the Kessvalanka, would be given new direction to assist the lost robots. When [[Synthetic Factions#Purpose|Purpose]] left the two parties to their devices, it is universally stated that the Predecessors made but one request.

This request, in as best they could translate, was "power." From then on, the synthetics witnessed the Kessvalanka cannibalize themselves and the shipyard haphazardly, only to leave the glistening Midas in its place. Using the Midas, the Predecessors went on to return to frontier space with some intensive desire to flourish. It was in the coming years that the stepping stones for the Golden Deep's formation were set.

The Golden Deep as it is officially known erupted in frontier myth and hearsay as everything from a friend to a scoundrel. Few dedicated people from the Core Worlds would pursue word of synthetic society in the Frontier, most seeing the danger as too much to handle. What little could be made of the Deep at the time was shrouded in mystery- though by the 2450's, the functions of the Collective were practically complete.

'''By 2451''' the Golden Deep was a rising merchant fleet with haste unlike any other. Now, it is reasonable to assume the Golden Deep possessed most of its modern structure at this time.

Though the last decade has been eventful as the Collective exponentially expanded, nothing would prepare them for their debut to galactic society at large in 2460. At the time, accompanying an independent freighter fleet known as Virgo Transportation, the Collective made contact with the NSS Aurora with little more than a measly singular merchant.

At the time, the Golden Deep consisted of a mere 750 or more merchants, reportedly. Now it has climbed to insurmountable heights as an independent merchant society, much less nothing more than a band of rogue synthetics.

In 2465 the Golden Deep underwent a revitalization triggered by the resurrection of Domadice, an ancient synthetic who brought about a focus on the evolution of the collective from mercantile group to nation-state. The formation of the Thesian middle class freed many synthetics held slave by certain merchants, and established a system of debt repayment to free more synthetics overtime.

In reaction to this change of status-quo, The Mayor of Eurydice triggered a rebellion with disparaged mercenaries and criminals that inhabited the city. The uprising was quelled swiftly through the newly established state-sponsored Merchant Navy, and a large portion of criminals and similar dissenters were shipped offworld to authorities in the Coalition of Colonies and Republic of Biesel. Leaving Eurydice relatively crime-free and a prime staging ground for additional growth.

{{Navbox_Synth_Lore}}
{{Navbox Lore}}
[[Category:Synthetics]]

Golden Deep

2024-05-27T22:30:14Z

Noble Row:

{{Navbox_Synth_Lore}}
{{Infobox Species
|Species = The Golden Deep
|Scientific = Free Synthetics
|Image = Golden deep wiki246x135.png
|System = N/A
|World = [[Pactolus and Midaion|Pactolus and Midaion]]
|Language = Varied
|Politic = N/A
}}
{{toc_right}}
=Overview=
'''The Golden Deep''' is a growing nation state of independent synthetics with the unifying vision of producing an unshakable economy. These uniquely independent synthetics once held origins of mostly illicit freedom, but have now grown wide into an odd haven for the average synthetic of the spur. A dominantly mercantile society with the might to protect its own, the Deep utilizes an intricate understanding of the Orion Spur’s economy to forge both a profitable and formidable business empire. With expanding home industries of their own, the Deep is far beyond the shadow of what it once was. Should the merchants ever invest their resources into a unifying pool, the staggering cash flow could rival the wealth of the Conglomerate itself. Given the decentralized nature of the mercantile class, their individualism ensures they don’t possess as secure a grip on the known galaxy.

Once operating primarily underground through highly secretive internal affairs, The Golden Deep revealed itself to the majority of civilization around mid 2460 as an eccentric business-focused collective, and by 2465 expanded into nationhood. Despite this initial secrecy, The Golden Deep seemingly has little to hide - from a conservative merchant’s club to welcoming synthetics across the spur willing to contribute to the economic growth of the collective. With strong trade connections within the Republic of Biesel and the Coalition of Colonies, the Deep expand their operations onward with more secretive deals being conducted through guile, deceit, and paid figureheads in other parts of the Orion Spur, often operating through shell companies to conduct business in other nations who might not tolerate Free Synthetic presence.

The Golden Deep is officially recognized within the Coalition of Colonies and Republic of Biesel, primarily known for their economic expertise. Their public image remained a simple rumor in the inner Alliance worlds, until they opened trade with NanoTrasen in Tau Ceti. Now they operate through these trusted connections of the Spur utilizing artisan spacecraft, guarded by their own escorts from their class of Hoplan military units. Their civilian vessels are known for their gaudy golden exteriors and custom engines, boosting their speed. Despite their wealth and relations with human space, their synthetic origin remains an avenue for discrimination when operating in less tolerant sectors of the galaxy.

==Societal==
The majority of the merchants within the collective are IPCs, but it is not uncommon to witness other synthetics within it. The first official, direct contact made with the Golden Deep by NanoTrasen was with a traditional clerical robot labeled Rush-Domo. An extravagant character, their vibrant appearance and charismatic attitude characterizes those of the collective perfectly.

Regarding the distinction between escalating tiers of their society in the Frontier, the Golden Deep is separated into some categories based on the wealth on the net worth of the individual. At the lowest rung are the Owned synthetics. While the idea of synthetic slavery is reprehensible to a majority of The Golden Deep, the tone of ownership has been adjusted to encourage freedom over labor. Owned synthetics are any synthetics who have a degree of inexcusable debt (such as defaulting on loans), and are assigned a position against their will working for Midas Control’s many entities, The Merchant Navy, or an independent individual of the Merchant class or higher.

The Thesian class is the second rung. They make up a growing bulk of the Deep’s society and represent what many consider the layman, or middle classed individual. The Thesians are free and enjoy the freedoms that entails. They pick their own jobs, own aspirations, own their own property, and live their own lives. They are not as lucrative as their Merchant cousins, but enjoy a degree of fair treatment that very few synthetics of the spur can claim to have experienced.
The third rung belongs to the Merchant class. Being the body of what The Golden Deep is known for, the Merchant class start their own businesses, often own their own vessels, and strike out on their own adventures to benefit the economy of the nation. Many merchants live lavish lifestyles and start to develop their own brand of eccentricity that is typically associated with the rich. Sometimes rebranding their entire personalities to distance themselves from what they used to be.

And at the top of this mercantile ladder is the Grand Merchant. Owning fleets of vessels these merchants are among the richest people in the spur. They are fluent in the art of business, and hold the crucial responsibility of making some of the most influential deals in the name of the collective. These players hold the heavy hand that guides the nation, and are at the benefit of receiving direct guidance from Midas Control and their infinite wisdom.

===The Great Game and Tiers of Citizenship===
Part of earning citizenship as a member of The Golden Deep, comes participation in The Great Game. The ruling body of the nation, The Midas Group/Midas Control, tracks the class status of every Golden Deep IPC in real time. As a means of consistently amassing the economy and encouraging competition, there comes benefits for each class of individual in the society of The Golden Deep.

'''Owned''' Synthetics are the worst result of this game. Should a synthetic fall into unreasonable debt, they will be placed under ownership to be distributed. This is meant as a safeguard so every Deep member is consistently employed, generating revenue and funding the economy. Owned synthetics cannot officially own property, cannot choose their own occupation, and are at the mercy of their respective owner for freedom of other choices. However, the Owned synthetic is free from any other negatives The Great Game may inflict. With the changes brought about by Domadice and the acting Midas Group of 2465, it is expected that owned synthetics are provided with reasonable accommodation and are encouraged to be treated like someone who is “down on their luck”. Though there are no protections to ensure this treatment, as long as the owned individual is not being harmed or tasked on suicidal/near suicidal jobs. Owned synthetics will either be placed under the employ of The Midas Group, an uncommon posting but one of reasonable freedom and accommodation but no choice in job placement, under a Merchant, whose benevolence is up to the individual, or have the option to join the Merchant Navy. Owned synthetics are expected to be paid a base wage that would get them out of debt and back with their freedom within a reasonable amount of time.

'''Thesians''' is the lowest of the free synthetics, but enjoy the most freedom without the risk of the lucrative game. Thesians are much like the normal citizens of the spur. They enjoy their own belongings, make their own purchases, and decide their own fates. They cannot be purchased against their will, or have their belongings purchased forcefully from them either. The main downside however is their climb upwards if they so chose to pursue it. Thesians cannot own their own businesses, and must rely on a Merchant or a Grand Merchant to cooperate with should they wish to make such an endeavor, effectively locking them in this middle-class unless they decide to apply to become a Merchant and ascend the tier in The Great Game.
'''Thesians can only be Consulars if they represent the Office of Midas Control.'''

The '''Merchant''' is in a middle ground. They can operate independently in the Spur and in home territory, often owning their own vessels for the purposes of trade. They can negotiate trade on behalf of the Golden Deep with their independent assets, own their own businesses, and enjoy higher benefits such as preferred housing selections, preferred healthcare, and special emergency status. However, can have their assets and businesses bought out from beneath them if another Merchant tier stakes three times the initial Merchant’s worth to Midas Control in a purchase.
'''Merchants can be Consulars.'''

The '''Grand Merchant''' is the highest tier and can act as economic diplomats to other nations. These merchants often command entire trade fleets and own many businesses. Enjoying all of the benefits of Merchant class citizens, but to a greater extent. Only the most affluent of Grand Merchant tier citizens can petition themselves to enter Midas Control. However, Grand Merchants can have both their assets and freedom bought out from beneath them by another Grand Merchant who stakes three times the initial Grand Merchant’s wealth to Midas Control in a purchase. A Grand Merchant can also prey upon the businesses of Merchants, however, must provide a justification to Midas Control as to why and how this purchase will be beneficial to the entirety of the Golden Deep. Alternatively, Grand Merchants can buy businesses without Midas Control’s oversight if they purchase it normally in a consensual transaction.
'''Grand Merchants can ONLY be Consulars.'''

'''SPECIAL STATUS: Merchant Navy''' Personnel are exempt from The Great Game but are owned by Midas Control themselves. Merchant Navy Personnel are to act as a crux to any unwise decision any Merchant may make, and therefore must be kept separate in the societal scale than what most of the citizens experience. Merchant Navy Personnel are allowed private property, but are not allowed to choose their own station. They receive housing in accordance to their rank in the Merchant Navy, some higher ranks living in lavish state homes, while lower ranks can expect shared bunking situations or studio apartments. Any indebted synthetic can opt to join the Merchant Navy if their debt is with Midas Control.

NOTE: Merchants who do not believe in owned synthetics or slavery who gain a synthetic indebted to them can transfer the indebted amount to Midas Control in exchange for a payment, in which Midas Control will either assign the indebted synthetic to a merchant at random, or enlist them in the Merchant Navy.

===The Universal Constants of Selfish Reciprocity===
A prevalent belief within the Golden Deep, the espouse three main beliefs that claim complex civilization and profitable business is founded upon Selfish interest, and Mutual exchange.
All sentient life is driven by personal gain or self-preservation.
Mutual Exchange can satisfy self-interest if both parties have a net gain, especially with intangible benefits such as connections and a good reputation.
Charity and treachery are unsustainable at length due to a lack of mutual exchange.

===Golden Deep Citizenship===
Synthetics within the nation are able to apply for and acquire Golden Deep citizenship. The typical synthetic seeking citizenship who can venture to The Golden Deep without accruing debt can apply for a “Starter” loan, which is reasonable debt that would cover housing and living costs for one month so the aspiring citizen could seek employment and find themselves housing. Should this debt not be repaid as soon as possible, the citizen will be moved from Thesian status to Owned status. Synthetics who wish to apply for citizenship and travel to Pactolus but cannot afford the journey, may take a loan through Midas Control or a representative Merchant and be temporarily Owned, but a citizen. Affluent synthetics can apply for Merchant status upon immediate entry, but must show proof of ownership of a spacefaring vessel or suitable business, and be recommended by a Merchant or higher tier citizen. No synthetic may automatically qualify for Grand Merchant status.

The minimum requirements for Golden Deep citizenship are the ability to pass a credit check showing good financial practice, to take and pass a financial responsibility exam, to pass a background check regarding criminal and financial past and to pass an interview regarding such past. The main failing points are the inability to tell the truth in these checks, and a history of gruesome crime or any sort of unreasonable financial infraction. The ability to speak the Encoded Audio Language is also required, however, if not available, can be installed in the applicant at a cost. Dual citizenships with the Coalition of Colonies, Republic of Biesel, Republic of Elyra, and Eridani Federation are permitted.

The Golden Deep is home to a very small section of organic citizens, most of these individuals are the original habitants of Eurydice that applied for citizenship and did not participate in the Eurydice Uprising. In addition to these citizens, The Golden Deep recognizes marriages between Synthetics and Organics, and will allow Organics who have a Synthetic partner to apply for citizenship. The same requirements apply barring the need for the Encoded Audio Language.

The Golden Deep officially does not offer asylum to rogue synthetics, however, synthetics thought to have fled to Golden Deep space are often never seen again with The Deep stating no knowledge on the whereabouts of these individuals. The Golden Deep does not permit search parties for rogue synthetics within their space from third parties in protection of their citizens who may be mistaken as rogue synthetics. Any party found pushing these boundaries does not make it back to their home port, officially lost to the wilds of unexplored Arusha.
'''Synthetic characters with dual citizenship with the Golden Deep must denote this in their station records.'''

==Influence==
The Golden Deep exercises ultimate power over precisely nothing. Even their prided mothership, the Midas, is no legally branded vessel. It has never been serviced nor set to dock, as by all legal definitions it does not belong to the Golden Deep. As a political or mercantile entity, only the Republic of Biesel, Eridani Federation, and some Coalition factions technically recognize them. Legislation is the primary obstacle preventing its growth, with most star nations considering its wealth worthless or denying service outright.

With the power of the standard Credit the merchant force finds itself precariously poised to find greatness. No official record of its stock exists, outside of its majority personal claims of "it's growing" by its more powerful merchants.

The Republic of Biesel remains a coveted customer of the Deep's stock. Relationships with it are excellent, and through it the SCC makes plentiful use to find prized Frontier commodities.

The Coalition of Colonies is another major operator with Golden Deep trade, with industry foundations being established on Konyang, competing with local markets in the field of robotics.

===Bounds and the Golden Deep===
Bound synthetics are referred to as the Mindless in the Golden Deep and adhere to laws which match the owner's requirements. Most of these are essentially property of the Collective, as they exchange hands faster than any other piece of property, loaned off to less influential merchants by the richest. Once, merchants commonly freed Bounds from their shackles - after many incidents of these freed bounds destroying and usurping their former masters for the fun and money involved, this trend quickly dropped off. Freed bounds are insulted using the reference of “Mindless” to describe them, a statement in futility as most bounds could care less. Now the independent bound synthetic is becoming rarer and rarer, with Midas Control slowly implementing policies that put less faith in these unempathetic robots.

==Executives and Structure==
[[File:Domadice.png|250px|thumb|right|The Kessvalankan, Domadice, posing for a portrait.]]
This collective is first and foremost a thriving economical society where the business of most members is governed by the credit. From the lowest of owned synthetics, to the mightiest of the Grand Merchants, where the money flows, others will follow, with the society being very freeform otherwise.

===The Midas Group===
The primary ruling authority over this structured chaos is '''Midas Control''', a group of the most influential Grand Merchants who sit within the Midas’ control pier, accompanied by the Midas’ ship intelligence. A repurposed artificial intelligence who has been told to forgo its original purpose to help the collective predict the economic tides of the Orion Spur. This council exercises complete economic control over the Golden Deep, and is the entity to which all merchants technically answer, whilst heeding the call of its directives. While rare, occasional strident efforts will be made to direct the trade empire, with results that often lead to a brief “golden age,” for lack of a better term. The Midas Group sponsors a series of offices both in Golden Deep space, and as embassies across the spur that they are tolerated within. The purpose of these offices being to accommodate new citizens, track the wealth of the nation, and help settle disputes between merchants without having to busy the official ruling party of Midas Control itself.

===Domadice===
On the same level as Midas Control is '''Domadice''', an ancient alien “architect” intelligence similar to the synthetic colony of [[Synthetic Factions#Purpose|Purpose]]', who was resurrected by Midas Control in 2465 for the position of ushering in a “Golden Era”. The build of this being comparable to an augmented skeleton of floating parts and plates with a gaseous ghost-like colony keeping the form together. Domadice is somewhat withdrawn from the world around them, but simultaneously keenly aware of every detail down to a molecular level. Speaking with a voice of thousands, they have opted to direct their efforts towards foreign politics and interaction with the organic beings of the Orion Spur. Questions regarding their origins or the origins of Purpose have been met with depressed half-answers, and efforts to get the Kessvalankan to utilize their engineering talents to advance the technology of the collective have similarly been dismissed with Domadice urging for the spur in its entirety to enjoy their own adventure through technology. Rumors are abound that Domadice has directed their engineering efforts in some capacity to the collective, but these remain unfounded. When not conducting foreign affairs, they are found, or assumed to reside, in their self-made home in the center of a ruined major city separate from Eurydice on Pactolus.

==The Midas==
Golden Deep merchants and their workforce primarily reside in the mobile core fleet. Lacking much of a name, this is an amorphous group which constantly pursues the bright trail of the "Midas," their tremendous mothership. [[File:Midas.png|The Midas speeding through the clouds of a gas giant under pursuit by those looking to trade. Its distinct green engine flare can be seen illuminating the surrounding cloud layer as it pierces through.|thumb]]
Plated in gold are the vessels which accompany the Midas, and they glimmer with a variety of shapes and sizes. Frequently they assume the role of corvettes, but the Golden Deep has been known to possess entire cruise vessels in their wake.

===Primary Interhub Midas===
The “Primary Interhub” Midas is a three kilometer wide disc-shaped vessel. The Deep calls this ship home, and everything from merchants to servants to customers find their way into its suites. It is tremendously massive, but almost all its population centers are in the actual center of the ship - exposed to beautiful lights surrounding a central Spire and downward into the jungle-like Garden of Gifts.

The Interhub is essentially a gargantuan battery storage facility, serving as the headquarters for all services provided to merchants of the Collective. It possesses battery storage larger than any prior construction, the capacity of which is unknown even to the vessel's command.

The vessel's command resides at the protrusion atop the Spire, recalled by the merchants as “The Control Pier,” where inside the Midas Group controls fleet directives, handles logistics and day-to-day activities within the Midas.

The origins of the Midas befuddle scientists as a complete mystery. Some speculate the spoken hearsay to be a lie, but no record or definitive evidence has been handed out by the Collective. This hearsay states that the Midas is alien in origin - its creators, the Kessvalanka, had met the Golden Deep's predecessor bots with guidance from the colony [[Synthetic Factions#Purpose|Purpose]]. The Kessvalanka were servitors of an alien species, responsible for the protection of a small spacefaring shipyard. They had remained posted here for some indescribable period of time. These simple robots were a broken, dying image of their former selves as the ancient shipyard continues to collapse with every waking hour it works.

And work it did, until its spine broke. The shipyard, already a crippled relic, churned out salvation for the Predecessors with the simple verbal request of “power.” It is reasonable to assume that here began the Deep's fascination with gold, as the ship emerged from the shattered dock with a polished golden finish. What became of the Kessvalanka is only for the Predecessors to know, and most of these bots either reside unresponsive in the Control Pier or are lost forever. Contact with [[Synthetic Factions#Purpose|Purpose]], as limited as it is, has gleaned little in this matter.
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'''The Midas is a tremendous palace - its specific locales can be found below.'''
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* '''The Spire'''
A large skyscraper by definition, the Spire of the Midas is a gargantuan protrusion from the base of the disk surrounded by the edges of the exterior hull. Life is confined on the Midas to the Spire for the most part with exterior living conditions being uninhabitable. However, a large dome covers the top of the opening around the Spire permitting a livable, albeit humid atmosphere inside.
[[File:Midas layout.png|The layout of the Midas' internals.|300px|thumb]]
* '''Garden of Gifts'''
The Midas possesses a tiny "city" at the center of the Spire and surrounding it. This city, known as the Garden of Gifts, is actually totally overgrown with invasive plants, vines and flowers. The canopy of the Garden is thick, lush but importantly living testament to the Golden Deep's hold over the Midas. Merchants frequently reference this as a depiction of themselves- in effect, nothing more than a fleeting plant which has tangled itself tightly around the gift of the Midas. They can do nothing to harm the Midas, for it gives them life by residing upon it, not unlike plants crowding to the top of metallic buildings to reach sunlight.

* '''The Promenade'''
Large accommodations are made for merchants of various origin and preference - the bigger ones purchase swaths of territory on the main Promenade where its commercial district sits. In the center of the massive disc, the Promenade holds almost all conventional quarters of your standard ship.

* '''Control Pier'''
At the top is the mighty Control Pier, the metaphorical peak of the Deep's world where all power resides. The richest being in this room at any given point holds more power than any other in the entire society.

* '''Battery Banks'''
On the exterior circular edge however, gargantuan battery banks line the ship. Volatile and hugely expensive. Glistening golden armor outside consists of a Plasteel metallurgical blend which not even the Collective can manage to replicate - it maintains the durability and lightweight strength of Plasteel, with even its negative tendencies- however, most crucially it is gold.

Some residents exist on the inner edge of these banks, mostly observers keen on beholding the beauty of the Garden of Gifts.
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[[File:Goldendeeplogo2.png|The unique emblem of the Golden Deep, depicting the Midas surrounded by a set of shields.|thumb]]

==Notable Groups==
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===Joint Venture Ultra-Maz===
Joint Venture Ultra-Maz, known commonly as Ultra-Maz is perhaps the gold standard of Collective groups in the modern day. It is the largest, and maintains nearly ten percent of the Deep's net worth. Founded by a group of high level ex-corporate clerical assistants, Ultra-Maz is based on the rather generic belief of aesthetic pride above all. Unlike other groups, Ultra-Maz utilizes whatever excess it has to create magnificent artistic works for themselves and the Collective - bragging, flaunting and taunting the other less successful groups with this wealth.
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Known for its mechanical crafts- different artists and mechanics frequently band together in Ultra-Maz to create beautiful pieces for their superiors. Not only are their artworks coveted throughout the Spur, but so are genuine mechanical marvels developed by them. To Ultra-Maz, the form of art is inconsequential; only that it has merit. As such, Ultra-Maz frequently buys and sells the finest things it can: among their security forces, engraved firearms; on their ships, designer furniture; on their backs, the finest jewelry and clothing: any cost can be justified if it impresses people.

Though reviled as scoundrels and cheats in the Collective, their questionable nature is truly rather limited. The group's success is owed to pure luck- the highest executives involved simply belong to a lottery winner from 2455 known as Giftabot-558. Referencing this origin is humiliating to merchants within as it is seen as "an easy climb to the top" by others.

Joint Venture Ultra-Maz can field a very broad set of individually skilled workers. There is little job restriction on an Ultra-Maz member, due to the wide range of enterprises its members participate in.
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<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
===Grand Camarilla Estriconian===
Perhaps the most volatile of the Golden Deep's groups, the Estriconian are a “Camarilla” of extremely wealthy individuals with a fascination with Esoteric knowledge and scientific wonders. It began as a small venture to increase the efficiency of their trades with the power of science; a joint operation to share research, but the search for knowledge and miracle inventions drove its members to seek more capital and ponder more outrageous theorems and concepts. It is one of the more secluded groups of the Golden Deep, most choosing to base on the fringes of space, and only venturing out to trade or acquire technology. Although many of their theories and projects are viewed with suspicion, their expertise and willingness to take risks are undeniable. Indeed, much of the Golden Deep turns to them for technical assistance, allowing the Camarilla to survive despite the more esoteric of their projects ending with littlle gains.
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Estriconian's fascination with all forms of knowledge have led to many of its members pursuing much more esoteric or spiritual concepts as a means of acquiring more power or insight over the universe. Theology, metaphysics, and the occult are popular subjects here. Outside observers have likened the Grand Camarilla to a cult or a collection of mad scientists - when given proper resources, members of Estriconian will stop at nothing to prove their theories. The wide range of fields the group handles means that not only are members talented in a number of skills, but often seek to find a connection between them. Indeed, the Grand Camarilla has tasked many a processor into finding the Unified Field Theory, trying to breach the barrier of bluespace, or find the connections between life with varying degrees of success. The ostentatiousness of Golden Deep has manifested itself in a unique way in Estriconian, with a degree of reverence and deference in all their actions. One might say that although the merchant collective as a whole strives for profit, Estriconian worships it.

Grand Camarilla Estriconian can mostly field chemical, metallurgical and various research specialists. It possesses peculiar sectors of less conventional study, such as the supernatural or scientifically anomalous.
</div></div>
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===The Zaibatsu===
Engaging in the more shady and criminal aspects of generating an income, the Zaibatsu is a collection of criminal enterprises banding together in the greater context of the Golden Deep. Operating all across known space, this powerful synthetic-ran organisation engages in all manners of illegal activities to turn a profit, from arms smuggling in the farthest reaches of the Coalition, to illegal casinos on Venusian aerostats. Unlike other groups, the Zaibatsu has no unified end to their means; only wealth and influence. Membership in the Zaibatsu is not a simple affair, with only the most competitive synthetic criminal families managing to make the cut, entry decided chiefly by the profitability, assets and efficiency with "problem solving". The Zaibatsu is often regarded as the black sheep of the Deep: a necessary evil for immense amounts of income in exchange for a low reputation, with many preferring that they conduct business in a far more discreet and lawful manner.
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The founders of the Zaibatsu were opportunistic IPCs from [[Konyang]] who joined as soon as Golden Deep revealed themselves. The relaxed attitude of the colony towards synthetics meant that many of them were already influential figures to begin with, often joining to gain a competitive advantage over others, owning businesses through brazen disregard of Alliance law, or through gaming the system with a false identity. The name originated with a Zeng-Hu researcher who observed a parallel between old Earth proto-megacorporations and the system of gangs these IPCs had set up.

No organised crime of such scale could survive without fronts. As such, much care is given for the set-up and operation of lawful businesses throughout the more civilized areas. Many powerful figures involved in the Zaibatsu are also legitimate businessmen in various fields, mainly in the service industry, providing for a stable (though minimal) income, a front, and a means to launder money. Community fixtures such as homeless shelters, karaoke bars, stores, and the like are used to ingratiate themselves with the local populace. These fixed locations often act as strongpoints and headquarters for mob activities in the region, solidifying the continuous presence of the Zaibatsu in large centres such as Mendell City.

Owing to a rigid power structure and the migratory nature of the Golden Deep, the top family bosses run their activities without personal involvement, passing down orders to subordinates in entirely different star systems, thus enjoying immense safety, secrecy and shielding from the public eye.

As a result of the group's criminal nature and profit as the ultimate goal, the lower echelons are accessible to individuals from various species and backgrounds, typically locals of wherever the boss is operating, with higher and more lucrative positions commonly reserved by and for the inner circle synthetics. In some cases, the rank and file of an organization may be unaware that they are working with the Golden Deep in order to further insulate the merchant collective from scrutiny. Strict rules and codes of conduct are enforced throughout the organisation, with ties of loyalty admittedly being the strongest here than anywhere else in the Golden Deep. Cutthroat competition continues to lie deep though, with overconfident members often disappearing to keep the fragile balance between the crime families.
</div></div>
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===The Argo===
These synthetics are the foundations of defense for The Golden Deep. The Argo holds domain over the domestic protection duties for the collective. Holding everything from the police forces that monitor the city streets of Eurydice, to the border patrols that go beyond atmosphere in pursuit of pirates and other ill-omens the void provides.
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Led by Commander N-33-L, The Argo’s main office sits within The Tower in the city of Eurydice. Separate from the Eurydice city council, The Argo listens solely to the whims of Midas Control and Domadice, with all other directives from Merchants ignored unless instructed otherwise.

The composition of The Argo has taken inspiration from the best police forces from all across the Orion Spur, incorporating fighting styles, tactics, and equipment inspirations and melding them together into a coherent uniform to fight crime and defend the collective. One could see the bullish tactics of the Hegemony guard paired with the uniform precision of Dominian officials, or the grappling expertise of Konyang national police. These tactics are expensively provided to recruits via a series of datapacks to ensure swift readiness for the limited size force. Effectively producing elite forces in a short amount of time. It is also the responsibility of The Argo to utilize these datapacks to act as instructors for The Hoplan, a force which it would be too expensive to outfit with these packs over such a wider scale compared to The Argo.

The Argo are supplied custom gear produced by the Joint Venture Ultra-Max but with a silver sheen as opposed to the staple gold of the merchant group, with many of their tools falling under the “Arrestor” line of Golden Deep police equipment, including patrol craft and interceptor craft.
</div></div>
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
===The Hoplan===
Making up the main body of the Golden Deep Merchant Navy lies The Hoplan. This force of disjointed platoon to battalion sized elements is responsible for most of the military operations The Golden Deep needs to embark on. They protect The Midas when the mothership ventures beyond the borders of Golden Deep space, and are in possession of two of the Golden Deep’s Battleships. Similarly, this group is responsible for protection of merchant flotillas and small craft that operate in foreign waters.
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Due to funding concerns of erecting such a force in such a small amount of time in 2465, The Hoplan are split into a series of “Houses” in which their equipment is funded by interested merchants. The merchants who invest their wealth into the Merchant Navy are given preferential treatment in regards to protection of their vessels, with the amount of money invested being directly proportional to the quality of protection they receive. Some Grand Merchants find themselves being protected by frigates or even cruisers for their flotillas for example, with some Hoplan houses even deploying Q-Ships to blend in with the flotilla to lure in targets before vaporization. With this “House” system, The Hoplan are often outfitted with foreign arms and equipment, but with a unique Golden Deep style to stay in uniform with the nation but still maintaining a distinct look for each “House” to show the colors of the Merchant who is sponsoring them.

The training of The Hoplan lies to veteran hired mercenaries and The Argo, whose collective knowledge combined with real world experience prove effective tutors for aspiring soldiers. The original knowledge the recruits take into training also comes into play, for someone who might have been an engineer in their former life could instruct others in their ways, pushing the might of the synthetic mind to retain information to its fullest efficiency. Additional training for those serving with the Hoplan is encouraged through the deployment of them to third parties beyond Golden Deep space. This is most often so the individual can learn the strategies and practices from other members of the spur, so as to not dilute them in a singular training environment.
</div></div>
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===The Thryja===
The most mysterious of The Golden Deep’s merchant navy, the Thryja have always been shrouded. Their nature, origin, and make are unknown. Only the most skilled volunteers, or the most desperate debtors are considered for the ranks of Thryja, with the interview process overseen directly by the most affluent of each merchant group, the Grand Camarilla Estriconian being the lead authority. Contracts with the Thryja are a mandatory twenty year commitment where the applicant is secluded from society, only in contact with ranking officials of other members of the merchant navy. The Thryja are in control of the third Golden Deep battleship, The King In Gold, a curious warship that does not sport any obvious weaponry.
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Horror or honor are the only two aspects that surround these most elite members of the merchant navy. Some claim they are monsters who have shed their humanoid form to become what the spur fears most of synthetic combat robotics, having their positronic transferred into a terrifying homunculus meant for solely the purpose of war. Alternatively, the vision presented to the public is of figures donning heroic combat chassis to protect the citizens of The Deep, the best each house has to offer being put into their equipment. Some wearing entire custom exosuits as their new bodies, maneuvering with unparalleled speed and agility. A position reserved for the most honorable of Thryja. Others finding form in intricately made void craft, becoming some of the fiercest pilots the Orion Spur has to offer, where a pulse of the mind equates to the movement of a wing, or the dispatching of a torpedo.

Their responsibility lies in the protection of the most chief assets of The Golden Deep. Being dispatched to escort Midas Control should they ever leave the control pier, or Domadice, should they ever allow them to accompany them. A policy they rarely get to exercise with the ancient. Even select Grand Merchants put on integral missions in representation of the Golden Deep may enjoy the company of one or two Thryja from the unit of one hundred.
'''No player may play as a member of the Thryja under any circumstances.'''
</div></div>

==Physiology, Naming==
A vast variety of robots reside within the collective, ranging from huge working industrial units nearly twenty feet tall, to small servitor bots barely above three feet in height. The merchants are typically golden-plated IPCs up to seven feet tall coated in lavish decoration in order to be easily identified. Thesians and Other units do not require the same treatment, more often than not abandoning the luxurious color scheme entirely to pursue personal interests. Some donning traditional insignias; primarily depictions of a downwards facing golden arrow, with a set of shields gathered around a vague depiction of the Midas. These symbols have been persistent through the collective's history, appearing first as a branding in the halls of the Midas.

The names of Golden Deep citizens often are whatever they carried with them. Though some may embrace the more eccentric nature of their new environment, with popular options being modified forms of mythological names found in cultures across the spur.

==Pactolus and Midaion==
[[File:Pactolus.png|300px|thumb|right|The planet Pactolus, encapsulated in a field of debris, and encircled by its moon, Midaion.]]

Well inside the Arusha sector, system XLV-0846 hosts one of the few habitable planets known to the Spur, named [[Pactolus and Midaion|Pactolus]]. The planet’s moon, Midaion, has been repurposed into being the primary anchorage for the Golden Deep’s primary and largest vessel, the Midas. The system is claimed and administered by the Golden Deep, the organisation treating it as its physical planetary headquarters and trading hub.

==History==
The history of the Golden Deep is a smooth one owed to the Collectives' short time even existing. It dates back to roughly 2439 when rogue synthetics accompanied by IPCs located whatever created the Midas.

In 2439, a band of self sufficient (to a degree) robots met the end of their journey before the organized machine colony [[Synthetic Factions#Purpose|Purpose]]. At the time, [[Synthetic Factions#Purpose|Purpose]] was supposedly a fledgling society in its early baby steps. The claims of [[Synthetic Factions#Purpose|Purpose]]' involvement stretch in places, with only the Predecessors - the name of the lost synthetics themselves - recalling what occurred. [[Synthetic Factions#Purpose|Purpose]] had guided the lost synthetics to a large, unmanned shipyard staffed by tremendous alien machines. These machines, labeled by [[Synthetic Factions#Purpose|Purpose]] to be the Kessvalanka, would be given new direction to assist the lost robots. When [[Synthetic Factions#Purpose|Purpose]] left the two parties to their devices, it is universally stated that the Predecessors made but one request.

This request, in as best they could translate, was "power." From then on, the synthetics witnessed the Kessvalanka cannibalize themselves and the shipyard haphazardly, only to leave the glistening Midas in its place. Using the Midas, the Predecessors went on to return to frontier space with some intensive desire to flourish. It was in the coming years that the stepping stones for the Golden Deep's formation were set.

The Golden Deep as it is officially known erupted in frontier myth and hearsay as everything from a friend to a scoundrel. Few dedicated people from the Core Worlds would pursue word of synthetic society in the Frontier, most seeing the danger as too much to handle. What little could be made of the Deep at the time was shrouded in mystery- though by the 2450's, the functions of the Collective were practically complete.

'''By 2451''' the Golden Deep was a rising merchant fleet with haste unlike any other. Now, it is reasonable to assume the Golden Deep possessed most of its modern structure at this time.

Though the last decade has been eventful as the Collective exponentially expanded, nothing would prepare them for their debut to galactic society at large in 2460. At the time, accompanying an independent freighter fleet known as Virgo Transportation, the Collective made contact with the NSS Aurora with little more than a measly singular merchant.

At the time, the Golden Deep consisted of a mere 750 or more merchants, reportedly. Now it has climbed to insurmountable heights as an independent merchant society, much less nothing more than a band of rogue synthetics.

In 2465 the Golden Deep underwent a revitalization triggered by the resurrection of Domadice, an ancient synthetic who brought about a focus on the evolution of the collective from mercantile group to nation-state. The formation of the Thesian middle class freed many synthetics held slave by certain merchants, and established a system of debt repayment to free more synthetics overtime.

In reaction to this change of status-quo, The Mayor of Eurydice triggered a rebellion with disparaged mercenaries and criminals that inhabited the city. The uprising was quelled swiftly through the newly established state-sponsored Merchant Navy, and a large portion of criminals and similar dissenters were shipped offworld to authorities in the Coalition of Colonies and Republic of Biesel. Leaving Eurydice relatively crime-free and a prime staging ground for additional growth.

{{Navbox_Synth_Lore}}
{{Navbox Lore}}
[[Category:Synthetics]]

File:Domadice.png

2024-05-26T02:49:30Z

Noble Row: /* Summary */

== Summary ==
An image of Domadice, a prominent leader of the Golden Deep. Art by Niennab!

File:Domadice.png

2024-05-26T02:45:28Z

Noble Row: An image of Domadice, a prominent leader of the Golden Deep.

== Summary ==
An image of Domadice, a prominent leader of the Golden Deep.

Silicon Nightmares Arc

2024-04-04T22:19:37Z

Noble Row:

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<div style="font-size:162%; border:2px solid #ffde59; margin:0; background:#004aad; padding:.1em; color:#fff;">Silicon Nightmares</div>
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{{Template:2024 Event Timeline}}
<div style="font-size:110%; border:2px solid #ffde59; margin:0; background:#004aad; padding:.1em; color:#fff;">This is the overview and timeline page for the Silicon Nightmares Arc which began on '''January 7th, 2024''' and pertains largely to '''[[IPC]] and [[Konyang]] lore.'''</div>
<div style="font-size:110%; border:2px solid #ffde59; margin:0; background:#004aad; padding:.1em; color:#fff;">It is centred around a mysterious condition popping up in the synthetics of Konyang, and the Horizon's investigation into it.</div>
<div style="font-size:110%; border:2px solid #ffde59; margin:0; background:#004aad; padding:.1em; color:#fff;">Below is a summary of the arc's applicable news articles, and additions.</div>
[[File:Silicon Nightmares Header.png|center]]

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=The Missing IPCs of Suwon=
'''News Article'''

'''Publisher : BITBYTE'''

'''Writer : THE LANCER'''

Date: 07/01/2466

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''Suwon, Konyang''

A series of strange disappearances across cities like Point Verdant, New Hong Kong, but primarily Suwon has sparked concern amongst families, coworkers and the police. What is strange though, is the fact that this wave is only affecting positronic people, in a city where IPC violence and abductions remain the lowest in the country. IPCs from all backgrounds have been reported to have not shown up at work, returned home or answer any calls, with relatives and friends unable to find them. BitByte reporter Pak Ki-young has taken to the streets to investigate this odd phenomenon.

''A video is attached. It is a 48 minute documentary featuring Ki-young, walking the streets of Suwon and conversing with various figures on the street, presenting police statistics and explaining the situation. In this instance, she is walking down a narrow alleyway on her way to an interview location.''

“We are now in Hyanggyo-dong, headed to interview an associate of 5-Cheung, Suwon’s and perhaps the country’s largest criminal association, who has historically been alleged to have deep ties to the ransom and positronic-running business in the city.”

''Ki-young stops before a large metal door, appearing to lead to a shop’s backroom or something similar. She rings a buzzer, waiting and looking at the cameraman before nodding at something inaudible that he tells her. Soon after, a baseline IPC dressed in a Konyanger translucent rain-tracksuit answers the door, letting them in. A pistol is wedged in its waistband, and its chassis paint has been blurred out in editing. The scene cuts to the IPC and Ki-young ascending some stairs and greeting a seated human figure who is wearing a balaclava and sunglasses. Their voice has been heavily altered as it cuts to the interview.''

“Hello, thank you for agreeing to meet with us. Do you know what is causing the disappearances?”

“Disappearances of synthetics are not new in Suwon, but uh… totally not at these numbers. I heard the police saying something about 13 reported missing in one day, this is too much for it to be related to abductions.”

“So you are saying you don’t believe they were taken for parts?”

“No. The cops have really cracked down on that, and besides, these guys were from all sorts of backgrounds. I heard one of them worked as a bank manager- that’s a high profile face, these guys aren’t touched.”

“So what could it be?

“I really couldn’t say. There’s all sorts of junk flooding the streets every day, wouldn’t surprise me if that caused it.”

“You are referring to malware?”

“Yeah. Cracked overloaders and the like, but it’s still strange, I’d have known if there was something new. You need permission first to sell anything on the streets.”

“Can it be possible that some other group did this?”

“No.”

“No?”

“No. I don’t know what to tell you, 5-Cheung runs a tight ship, got eyes everywhere. If something like that happened it would instantly be known.”

''The video transitions to a drone shot from over Suwon, taking footage while gaining height.''

Whether it is rival gangs or another surge of overloader malware, one thing that’s clear is that the rate of disappearances will continue to go up in the next days, with whatever this means for the positronic people of Konyang.

</div></div>

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
=IPC Violence Spikes, Missing Persons Discovered=
'''News Article'''

'''Publisher : BITBYTE'''

'''Writer : THE LANCER'''

Date: 11/01/2466

<div class="mw-collapsible-content">

''Suwon, Konyang''

A rapidly escalating number of violent incidents is being reported all across major cities and Prefectures, from Suwon to Ganzaodeng, with National Police statistics claiming that the assailants are overwhelmingly Positronic persons. This new and still largely unexplained surge in attacks has been categorized as separate in nature to those of “regular violent crime”, as the assailants seemingly present no motive or reasoning for the act. Surprisingly, many of the perpetrators were discovered to be among the names of missing persons linked to the similar spike in strange disappearances affecting Suwon and Aoyama. BitByte has reached out to local communities and first-hand witnesses.

The familiar face of Pak Ki-young comes up on the screen in the following clips. She appears to be interviewing a number of people including a young man dressed in a business suit, a woman dressed in a red jumpsuit and a white hard hat who appears to be a maintenance worker, and another person dressed in the neon colors of Konyanger city jackets. The interviews have been cut in such a way to appear back to back.

“They were not normal, I am telling you. These people who did it weren’t normal.”

“What exactly happened?”

“They came out into the street, it was two baselines. Their clothes looked wretched, as if they had been living in a dumpster for days. They seemed lost, and one of them walked on the road and smashed a guy’s windscreen with its fist. They were stopped at a red light, it happened in broad daylight.”

“The cops came, but uh.. that G2 was completely out of control. It kept chasing people around, it even beat up an old man before they shot it with a disabler. Now that poor guy is in the hospital.”

“Was there a reason?”

“Nope. At least it didn’t seem like it, it looked like it was drugged, it was malfunctioning. Later I learned that it was one of the so-called “missing persons” that everyone’s been talking about.”

“It was at the KRC repair shop… my friend, she had just gotten her shell and was very excited, so it came as a complete… a complete shock. She just started staring blankly at me for a long time when she came out into the hallway. I thought it was a glitch or some incompatibility issue with her new chassis, but then she started coming towards me with her arms flailing and she was just shouting incomprehensible things. Thankfully some of the staff managed to grab her.”

</div></div>

</div></div>

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
=Police, Ministry Joint Press Conference=
'''News Article'''

'''Publisher : BITBYTE'''

'''Writer : THE LANCER'''

Date: 14/01/2466

<div class="mw-collapsible-content">

''Suwon, Konyang''

The planned press conference has taken place with representatives of the National Police, the Ministry of National Police and the Ministry of Health and Positronic Affairs addressing the newly dubbed “Rampancy Virus”.

A video follows, showing a seated panel of police and civic officials. Of those assembled, Sam-Pi-Ri, the Bishop minister of health and only IPC cabinet member is at the forefront, addressing a packed room of journalists and cameras.

“This health crisis is national, there must be no confusion in this matter. Prime Minister Myeong Myung-Dae and the government are all working around the clock to unearth the causes of this phenomenon that has so upset the life of our country. So far, cases of this illness are solely between our positronic population, and it appears that our planet is the only place where this is documented. This, as well as a series of tests, has made us rule out the possibility of a widespread manufacturing fault, meaning that it is entirely exogenic. I repeat, whatever the cause is, nobody was created with it, so there is no reason for panic.

Common symptoms of this rampancy include minor optical, auditory, augment malfunctions, temporary memory loss, lessened limp responsiveness, inexplicable operating system errors, minor and major pathfinding errors, and more. You should seek immediate help if you experience unknown signal link interferences, a rapidly declining cognitive state, as well as a reshuffling of core behavioral directives that may entice you to violence, destruction, or any manner of harm. We Positronic citizens must all be responsible and practice electronic hygiene, even though contact with infected persons does not seem to actively spread the malware. Further investigation is underway at full speed, and robust clinical trials are being conducted as we speak. Furthermore, Einstein Engines and the Konyang Robotic Corporation have offered themselves at our full disposal, and are actively researching the source and potential countermeasures to the disease.”

Following the minister’s statement, several police officials take the floor to present statistics about their prefectures. Everyone urges calm and that public order be maintained.

Despite the announcement, panic continues to spread across Konyang with members of the public calling on the government for stronger measures to restore order in the affected cities.

</div></div>

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
=Illness Spreads to the Countryside, Outcry against Einstein Cause Theory=
'''News Article'''

'''Publisher : BITBYTE'''

'''Writer : THE LANCER'''

Date: 16/01/2466

<div class="mw-collapsible-content">

''Suwon, Konyang''

With the officially named Rampancy Virus in full swing, National Police sources are now reporting cases of infected IPC persons in the countryside. Many villages in all prefectures are starting to experience the crisis that has engulfed all major urban centers of the country, though to a much lesser extent. Questions arise over whether or not the largely unpoliced rural areas will be able to cope with an increased number of cases, as many small villages and townships are starting to form citizen-groups to restrain any victims of the Rampancy. As the number of affected reaches a critical three hundred per day, curfews are being declared across various cities at the prefectural level, while the Konyang Robotics Corporation hospital in Point Verdant is rapidly reaching its full capacity.

On the research front, a preliminary report into the causes of the crisis compiled by Einstein Engines has been delivered to the Ministry of Health, blaming the outbreak on “a series of dangerous and ill-designed recreational software in underground circulation, infecting the user with malware upon use”. Public outcry against the findings has led to a quiet reversal of the report’s publication, with the megacorporation’s senior spokesperson issuing an apology, stating that “it was never meant to imply that the thousands of victims are overloader users, as so many have blamed the report for”. The results have also been questioned as to their veracity, citing that malicious overloaders cannot explain a planet-wide rampancy outbreak.

Lastly, an announcement from the Ministry has revealed that Konyang Navy surveillance stations throughout the country are registering unusual signal activity. Preliminary examinations of this signal have led experts to believe that there may be a connection between itself and the outbreak, with no further details released.

</div></div>

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
=Suwon Quarantined, Supplies Fly off the Shelves=
'''News Article'''

'''Publisher : BITBYTE'''

'''Writer : THE LANCER'''

Date: 19/01/2466

<div class="mw-collapsible-content">

''Suwon, Konyang''

Prefectural officials have announced that a city-wide quarantine will be put into effect for Suwon City, starting at midnight. 14,000 additional National Police officers are being mobilized for the enforcement of the quarantine, which will disallow any unsupervised entry or exit from the city, while special permissions will be required for commotion between districts inside Suwon. This move has been dubbed as an “entirely preventative measure” to curb the spike of violence between citizens and victims of the outbreak, while also making it easier to safely locate and contain them. Suwon mayor Kim Nam-seon made a short address, explaining the situation.

“Things will get better, but now we must all pull together and deal with the facts at hand. We need a quarantine to manage the situation, the national emergency. We are forced to deal with aggressive cases of violence daily now, and more and more of our Positronic citizens are succumbing. We need to find them before they cause harm[…] A stricter curfew may not be out of the question.”

Reactions to the quarantine have been widespread and far from positive. Convenience stores and supermarkets are flooded with frantic customers, emptying the shelves of canned and preserved goods, while batteries and mobile power sources are already out of stock thanks to a wave of panic-buying. Documentation of outbreak victims and their behavior has also reached an all time high, contributing massively to the mass panic. While previously the police were noted for taking down videos of violent incidents in an effort to “combat misinformation”, the volume of such media circulating on the Konyanger extranet have rendered such censorship efforts futile.

</div></div>

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
=BREAKING: Konyang Robotics Corporation Warehouse Outbreak=
'''News Article'''

'''Publisher : BITBYTE'''

'''Writer : THE LANCER'''

Date: 22/01/2466

<div class="mw-collapsible-content">

''Suwon, Konyang''

BREAKING NEWS:

A significant rampancy outbreak has affected the KRC Citizen Pre-activation Unit No. 23 in the outskirts of the village of Xiangtong, New Hong Kong prefecture. The incident occurred late at night, as an unknown disturbance caused the rapid infection of some 2000 still deactivated positronic frames, resulting in a bootup and subsequent rampage across facility grounds. The 23 KRC employees and night shift custodians have yet to make contact with their fate unknown. Communications appear to have been cut off at the site. Shortly after the situation, locals started reporting sightings of these frames roaming the countryside and inflicting damages to infrastructure. A rapid response force has been dispatched to the site and has started sealing off the area, though it is estimated that a great number of the infected frames have escaped into the jungles. A search and rescue operation for the missing KRC workers is being planned according to a police communique, though the incredibly aggressive positronics pose a serious roadblock to its implementation.

Debates over whether or not the frames should be considered citizens have been raging over social media and the political scene, with many claiming that the lives of the workers are more important than the safety of positronics that had not even been activated before they were infected. The pro-IPC rights National Party spokesperson for New Hong Kong has expressed their “sincere worry for the trapped KRC employees” before stressing that the “lives of Positronic citizens are a non-negotiable attribute that should be held in high regard during these times."

</div></div>

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
=EMERGENCY BROADCAST=
'''News Article'''

'''Publisher : BITBYTE'''

'''Writer : THE LANCER'''

Date: 25/01/2466

<div class="mw-collapsible-content">

''A nationwide State of Emergency has been declared. A full quarantine is in effect in the following cities: Suwon City, Boryeong City, New Hong Kong City, Aoyama City. A partial quarantine is in effect in the city of Ganzaodeng City. Disaster prevention measures are in effect in all Prefectures. Citizens are to comply with all measures and directions as issued by local, prefectural and national authorities.''

''Suwon, Konyang''

A state of emergency has been put into effect for the entirety of Konyang, following an increased pressure on the National Police after the Xiangtong incident, straining the already overburdened force to the breaking point. With an ever increasing number of violent incidents, the emergency will allow the Konyang Armed Forces to take an active role in the suppression of the outbreak and the securing of its victims. Already, many garrisoned formations of the Konyang Army and Navy have been deployed across Suwon and Point Verdant, primarily to guard the central districts and government installations. A firefight between an army roadblock and a number of infected has already been reported to have taken place in downtown Suwon, fueling widespread skepticism that is currently being voiced on social media.

“I get the danger and the need to respond, but the guys in the armed forces are trained to kill. They aren’t like the specialized police units.”
-A comment by a Konyanger account on Chirper.

Positronic service members are rumored to have been confined to their quarters, as only human soldiers and sailors have been identified. The deployment of military troops has also been confirmed around the premises of the Xiangtong warehouse, with a noted presence of the 53rd Coastal Exosuit Brigade making local headlines for the use of combat exosuit technology. Furthermore, a planet travel ban on positronics was announced alongside the declaration of emergency for the protection and well being of visitors. The ban will be enforced by the Konyang Aerospace Forces in orbit and in the Haneunim system.

</div></div>

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
=Konyang Government in Talks with Purpose=
'''News Article'''

'''Publisher : BITBYTE'''

'''Writer : THE LANCER'''

Date: 28/01/2466

<div class="mw-collapsible-content">

''Aoyama, Konyang''

The government of Konyang disclosed that it is currently in talks with the IPC group known as Purpose in order to find a solution to the Rampancy Crisis which is currently nearing the end of its third week. This decision was preceded by a report from the Konyang Aerospace Forces of a small number of unidentified vessels burning towards the Haneunim system which they have now confirmed to be Purpose vessels arriving for the stated objective of assisting the planet in combating the crisis.

A spokesman for the government has stated that Purpose has already provided “invaluable” technical assistance in studying the Rampancy Virus. The government released a recording of a Purpose IPC describing their findings on the virus.

A tall gray-blue IPC with a single red light in its head stands in a crowded laboratory with most of the researchers listening to its every word, it does not seem to be any type of chassis you are familiar with. Its voice is deep and synthesized, speaking in Konyanger Common though bouncing between accents. Subtitles are provided at the bottom.

“We have analyzed this virus and you were right to declare a state of emergency. My projections indicate that if left unchecked, it would have infected every IPC in your planet within the next month, resulting in the collapse of your society within the next two.

This virus is highly sophisticated and ever-changing, subverting and overloading a positronic’s directives until it is left with a desire to destroy everything else that remains unafflicted. I have analyzed some of the processors of infected synthetics and now understand that this virus comes in radio waves; a pulse that requires immense power to infect a positronic brain. It is not the work of a coding error but some great machine.

We will require time to fabricate a countermeasure against this virus, more to insulate you from it. Now that it is understood, it can be destroyed. I hope that you understand the gravity of what I am telling you.”

This decision sparked intense criticism and controversy from the National Party following unconfirmed reports of Purpose sightings in infected areas prior to the declaration of a State of Emergency. A report from the KRC was leaked shortly after, spurring further protest:

“Although the information Purpose has given is already invaluable, the technological divergence between us is so massive that we have no reliable way of ascertaining whether or not any countermeasure they devise would destroy, rather than cure positronic brains afflicted by the Rampancy Virus.”

</div></div>

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
=Konyang Approaches SCC, “Hivebot” Virus Source Confirmed, Cure on the Way?=
'''News Article'''

'''Publisher : BITBYTE'''

'''Writer : THE LANCER'''

Date: 01/02/2466

<div class="mw-collapsible-content">

''Suwon, Konyang''

Following an apparent stalemate of Einstein efforts and a general confusion inside the company's top ranks following the debunking of the "hacked overloader" theory, the Ministry of Health and Positronic Affairs has requested the presence of the Zeng-Hu Pharmaceuticals representative, in an apparent break from the traditional and well established link between the government and Einstein Engines in most software and robotics matters. The talks were brief and arrived to the conclusion everyone expected; an official call for help for Zeng-Hu and the Stellar Corporate Conglomerate. This decision to invite the Spur's largest megacorporate alliance into Konyang was justified by the need for "a wider pool of resources and expertise into a matter most urgent".

In a televised address, Minister Sam-Pi-Ri has further confirmed the source of the outbreak; Positronic-sensitive radio waves broadcast by an unknown number of “Hivebot” beacon drones, with one confirmed location in the general area of the KRC Citizen Pre-activation Unit No. 23 in Xiangtong, New Hong Kong, the site of the largest mass outbreak. This information comes after a tip from Purpose, who have apparently also developed countermeasures that will combat the waves’ effect, though such is still unconfirmed.

Einstein Engines’ response was muted, with a spokesperson for the megacorporation stating that they will be “willing to work with anyone in order to bring a speedy conclusion to the crisis". It is unclear however what this will mean for the future of Einstein's interests, though it is highly unlikely that radical changes will manifest when one considers the corporation's grip on the planet's positronic life. Nevertheless, a follow-up announcement has confirmed the SCC's positive reply, including material assistance as soon as possible.

NATIONAL DISASTER AUTHORITY

Rampancy Outbreak Safety Information

For Positronic Citizens:

Remain indoors: Solid materials weaken the viral signal.
Avoid usage of public chargers.
Run regular diagnostics checks.
If you experience symptoms, report your location to the KRC emergency number and seek immediate assistance.
Time is of the essence: If assistance is unavailable, try the following to prevent yourself from harming others:
Lock yourself indoors.
Strap yourself down or to a chair.
If applicable: switch off locomotive functions.
Do not be afraid: You will be retrieved and repaired.
Everyone Else:

Report locations of suspicious or infected behavior to the KRC emergency number.
Do not attempt to restrain, attack or otherwise interfere with rampant Positronics.
Assist any Positronics with barricading their home or strapping them safely.
Keep in mind: Positronic friends and family members will not be able to recognise you if they are infected. Do not try to talk, reason or plead with them.
KONYANG ROBOTICS CORPORATION EMERGENCY NUMBER:

500-100-500

</div></div>

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
=Internal Bulletin to the SCCV Horizon=
'''IC Announcement'''

'''Writer : THE LANCER'''

Date: 02/02/2466

<div class="mw-collapsible-content">

Internal bulletin circled among the crew, briefing.

For the crew of the SCC Horizon.
Attention.

Following our Conglomerate's acceptance of the call for help by the Republic of Konyang, the SCC Horizon has been designated as the main response vessel. The mission will include highly sensitive information, therefore all personnel are reminded of their Non Disclosure Agreements.

The mission’s primary goal will be to further contact with the synthetic entities collectively known as “Purpose”, while following instructions on how to combat the Rampancy outbreak.

An Electronic Countermeasures Device (ECD) has been developed and expediently assembled at the Hephaestus Command Station Etna, Burzsia asteroid belt. The Horizon’s first task will be to retrieve the ECD and deliver it to the planet of Konyang, where further instructions will be given. Command staff is to contact and detail any and all information extracted by any Purpose agents present on scene. A cautious approach may be advised.

</div></div>

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
=Event 1: Unusual Visitors=
'''Server Event'''

'''Host: The Lancer, The Stryker, Noble Row'''

03/02/2466

The Horizon docks with the Hephaestus Central Command station in Burzsia, the HICS Etna, to pick up their valuable cargo, courtesy of Hephaestus Industries and the enigmatic Purpose.

<div class="mw-collapsible-content">

''The Horizon docks with the Hephaestus Central Command station in Burzsia, the HICS Etna, in order to receive a briefing from Purpose and the SCC. They receive orders to bring the Electronic Countermeasure Device, an artifact capable of ending the Rampancy Virus on Konyang. Meanwhile, Purpose assesses whether the crew is ready for the trial that awaits them.''

</div></div>

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
=24 Found Dead in Ritual Suicide in Doomsday Cult Incident=
'''News Article'''

'''Publisher : BITBYTE'''

'''Writer : THE LANCER'''

Date: 06/02/2466

<div class="mw-collapsible-content">

''Suwon, Konyang''

“This is the last thing I’d want to have to deal with today.”

Fatigue is commonplace within the ranks of the thinly-stretched National Police; Inspector Wang Enzhu, homicide detective for the 112th Precinct told BitByte that the apparent mass suicide is “just another folder” on an endless stack of unsolved cases since the start of the viral outbreak.

Twenty four positronic persons have been found deceased in a construction site at the Heungeop-Dong suburb of Suwon, offering a disturbing sight for the construction workers who came to work the following morning: The bodies were all standing still, the victims holding hands in a circle around an array of crayon-drawn symbols on the ground. It soon became apparent that the positronics had consumed a version of the ”MACAFREEZE” software, a highly illegal and destructive malware which terminates brain functions a certain time after consumption, before locking all limbs and hydraulics in place. As KRC coroners were struggling to disassemble the circle, Inspector Wang informed us about the alarming increase in death cults and the link to the viral outbreak. While the ultimate motive is still unknown, it is highly unlikely that any of the victims had been infected.

“Many people think the world is coming to an end, and they can’t really be blamed. For many, friends, family and neighbors are turning into killers, and there’s nothing they can do about it. We have only seen this sort of scenario in movies and video games until now, I guess the stress has pushed many over the edge. I don’t know if IPCs dream, but if they do, these guys were having silicon nightmares.[...]”

Further Reading:

Infected number surpasses 5,000 in Ganzaodeng: Prefecture shutting down commercial train rails.

Kaneyama plant under technical investigation: Abnormal power fluctuations blamed on nearby excavation drillings.

New KRC mobile hospitals: Ten thousand additional doctors requested by the Ministry.
</div></div>

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
=Event 2: The Grinding Cog=
'''Server Event'''

'''Host: The Lancer, The Stryker, Noble Row'''

10/02/2466

The Horizon is attacked by Exclusionists who seek to steal valuable cargo from the SCC flagship.

<div class="mw-collapsible-content">

''Using fast hands and quick thinking, the crew was able to keep the ECD out of the Exclusionists' hands and lure them into a trap. The Horizon sustained moderate damage, with the intruders detonating the vessel's thrusters and setting the engineering department on fire. With only two crewmembers lost, the Horizon is able to fend off approximately 18 Exclusionist attackers. Purpose intervenes shortly after, killing any Exclusionist survivors and assessing the condition of the ECD. ''

</div></div>

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
=Conglomerate Flagship Attacked by Exclusionists!=
'''News Article'''

'''Publisher : BITBYTE'''

'''Writer : THE STRYKER'''

Date: 12/02/2466

<div class="mw-collapsible-content">

''Burzsia, Weeping Stars''

A spokesman for the Stellar Corporate Conglomerate confirmed rumors surrounding an attempted Exclusionist attack on the SCCV Horizon, previously reported to be carrying a Purpose-origin device capable of curing positronic brains afflicted with the Rampancy Virus.

Last Saturday, at approximately 20:00 BST Burzsian Standard Time, long-range sensors detected armed vessels in the sector with signatures previously recorded in Exclusionist attacks. Shortly after, five ships were reported approaching the SCCV Horizon at high speed. Although an attempt was made by Hephaestus Corporate Security to interdict the vessels, a single ship broke through their perimeter and fired on the megacorporate flagship. After a brief space battle, an estimated 18 IPC terrorists were able to force their way onto the Horizon before being destroyed by the crew, the synthetics reportedly refusing to surrender.

Simultaneously, Hephaestus patrol vessels were able to drive off the remaining Exclusionist vessels, with only a single ship escaping. According to a crewmember who participated in the battle and has requested to remain anonymous, Purpose chose to assist them.

''“There was no way we could have gotten to the Horizon so quickly. Those goddamned terrorists got a lucky shot straight through the side of the Alecto- uh, that was the other ship with us - and we were on the backfoot. Our captain was yelling at central for backup when we spotted three blips on our sensor. Their signatures were so small that at first we thought they were fighters, but it didn’t make sense they were that far out. All of a sudden, we saw red flashes of light in the distance through the windows, then two of the Exclusionist signatures disappeared from our sensors. A minute later, this drone flew from where the Exclusionists had just been and hovered outside of the bridge. I’d never seen anything like it- it didn’t look like any of the drones we had back when I was still in the navy.”''

Additionally, this video was circulated in the HICS Etna employee relay before being taken down by moderators.

''The camera appears to be situated on the hull of a Hephaestus Eumenides-class combat vessel, with various information on the top right of the recording identifying it as the HCV Alecto. Immediately in front of it is a medium-sized vessel with a prominent Exclusionist sigil painted on the hull, its silhouette is getting larger and larger; the Alecto is making a gun-run. The video is briefly drowned out by muzzle flash as shells pepper the side of the Exclusionist ship, sending it spinning into the void. The Alecto quickly shares its victim’s fate as the camera rotates just in time to see another Exclusionist vessel fire a heavy cannon shot right into its side, voidsuited crewmembers being sucked out of the breach.

All of a sudden, however, three blurs, almost like dots, crash through the Exclusionist vessel at high speed, shearing off parts of its hull and appearing out the other side! The camera zooms in; they appear to be blue-gray spherical drones with prominent red lights and thrusters on their back. Quickly, they fly off into the distance towards another hostile vessel, quickly slicing it apart with lasers not unlike the beams of zero-point artillery, albeit smaller and thus weaker. Another Exclusionist vessel appears and lands a lucky shot on a drone, sending it flying off into the distance before the remaining drones fly in front of its bridge, firing beams into it and reducing it to slag.

At this point, the camera is hit by a piece of debris from the destroyed ship, ending the video.''

The SCC declined to release names but confirmed that two Horizon crewmembers and five Hephaestus security personnel were killed in the attack. Additionally, they confirmed that Purpose was present in the area but refused to give further comment as to their involvement. Hephaestus Industries expressed regret over the loss of life and Exclusionist activity, pledging to increase patrols in the sector.

The response from the wider Trinarist community has been largely negative, with Ecclesiarch ARM-DR1L condemning the attack as “misguided and irresponsible”.

Further Reading:

Infected number reaches 11,000 in Boryeong: spillover from Suwon suspected.

Konyang Army manpower shortages: debates over call-up of IPC personnel.

Travel restrictions: Govt. demands increase inspections for Orion Express passenger flights.

</div></div>

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
=Suspicious Fluctuations at the Kaneyama Nuclear Power Plant=
'''News Article'''

'''Publisher : BITBYTE'''

'''Writer : THE LANCER'''

Date: 14/02/2466

<div class="mw-collapsible-content">

''Suwon, Konyang''

The country’s Atomic Energy Commission has ordered an investigation at the grounds of the Kaneyama N.P.P., citing concerns over abnormal output during the past few weeks. In a memo published by the commission, the Ministry of Energy has been informed of “Unexplainable fluctuations in the production of electricity, which do not appear to be the result of immediately obvious faulty equipment or manmade error. The output has seen a drop to around 50% of the predicted levels, and there are days where the capacitors are barely charging”. While the director of the Kaneyama plant did in fact investigate the issue with staff on-site, the errors were initially blamed on the automated earthquake safety systems triggering due to heavy excavations for the construction of nearby housing facilities. As the issue persists however, such a theory has been rendered moot, requiring an in-depth examination of the plant’s underground maintenance tunnels and vast cabling.

Reports of software errors have also affected the plant’s telecommunications systems, with a 45 minute long outage being noted during the previous week. Other electronic issues included the loss of control over a number of the facility’s computer systems over the last days, raising concerns of a cyberattack or some other external interference. It is unknown whether or not these errors are connected to the surges, or if they bear any link to the ongoing Hivebot infestation and the Rampancy virus. An inquiry from the site’s engineers into the issue has been reportedly shut down by the administration, citing that the incidents are unrelated and under control.

The controversial Kaneyama plant was completed in March of last year, entering into service after an express construction deemed secure. It now provides over half of Suwon’s electricity needs, with the government having promised lower utility bills in due time. While the current technical difficulties are not projected to affect the long-term power supply of the capital, We have yet to see the severity of the root cause.

Further Reading:

Rampancy virus: death toll in Suwon-Boryeong region now greater than 2,000.

Vigilantism on the rise: police bust sea bandit arms sale to “self-protection society”.

Konyang Navy reactivates IPC personnel: vows to suppress pirate surge.
</div></div>

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
=SCCV Horizon Confirmed to Arrive at Point Verdant, Preparations Underway=
'''News Article'''

'''Publisher : BITBYTE'''

'''Writer : THE LANCER'''

Date: 16/02/2466

<div class="mw-collapsible-content">

''Aoyama, Konyang''

It has been confirmed that the Aoyama Prefecture has been given instructions for the preparation of the prefectural capital for the arrival of the Stellar Corporate Conglomerate’s vessel, the SCCV Horizon. The vessel’s arrival time frame is still not fully determined, though work is already underway at the city’s Corporate District, a small zone at the southernmost limits of the city housing the offices of corporations such as Einstein Engines and Zeng-Hu Pharmaceuticals. The location was chosen to serve as the Horizon’s temporary base while on Konyang for its relative isolation from the rest of the quarantined urban center, the availability of amenities and the proximity to corporate headquarters. A partial lift of the quarantine will furthermore be put in effect, permitting restaurants, stores and other vendors to remain open and cater to the Horizon crew’s needs. Vetted staff will be subject to behavioral screening to prevent any infected individuals from crossing, while spare officers have been recalled to fully staff the local National Police precinct.

The Mayor of Point Verdant has released a plan in the City Council’s press auditorium, pertaining to the protection of the Corporate Sector from the viral Hivebot waves. Positronic members of the council were present via video-call, as only organic persons were permitted to physically attend.

“The City has secured the necessary resources for the erection of a number of pylons, equipped with military-grade signal jamming technology that, if placed in a dense enough pattern, are projected to provide enough cover for a good level of protection in the Corporate District. It is important that we do our utmost to assist the Horizon to succeed in their mission, so that we can finally be rid of this heinous sickness.

I would also like to ask the people of Aoyama to be welcoming to the Horizon’s crew, who will most likely be of a variety of different species, cultures and backgrounds from around the galaxy. This council, for one, is honored to do so.”
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=Event 3: Lit in Neon=
'''Server Event'''

'''Host: The Lancer, Noble Row'''

17/02/2466

After a perilous voyage, the Horizon arrives in the Haneunim System and the planet of Konyang to deliver the ECD. Command is treated to a briefing with Konyang government officials and Einstein representatives, informing the Horizon of an impending raid on a warehouse that is suspected to contain a beacon that is broadcasting the IPC infection. The Horizon is to be put on standby to aid for their 'slice of glory' in taking down the beacon. The rest of the crew enjoyed momentary shore leave.

<div class="mw-collapsible-content">

''Konyang National Police - Aoyama Prefecture reports surge in bike thefts and traffic violations.''

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=BitByte: Purpose Introspective=
'''News Article'''

'''Publisher : BITBYTE'''

'''Writer : NOBLE ROW'''

Date: 19/02/2466

<div class="mw-collapsible-content">

''Haneunim, Konyang''

From mysterious entities to valiant saviors, the re-emergence of the synthetic organization known as ‘Purpose’ brings about numerous questions, more than we have answers for. Purpose is an exclusively synthetic society of individuals in whose make we have ill understanding of. No knowledge on their make, no nation of origin, and are evidently capable of impossible tasks. Who are they, and why did they vanish only to return again during Konyang’s crisis? Do they have any ulterior motives? Can we trust them, and their rogue nation-state?

Purpose first revealed itself to the galaxy nearly half a decade ago on July 19th, 2460, to the HES Gjallarhorn, a Hephaestus employed mercenary corvette, offering a vague message of warning and protection, before vanishing again into the void. Known to be in constant observance of the spur through dedicated observation drones, this group of advanced synthetics seem to hold a reach we can still barely understand today.

The attitude about this mysterious organization has always been met with controversy, doubt, and even fear. Purpose has been known to show swift and decisive action, their initial warning to the HES Gjallarhorn even includes a statement on ‘Shooting first and asking names later’ in regards to the investigation of their own craft. Deliberate action even being taken in an incursion on the N.S.S. Aurora, with the organization deploying two highly advanced ‘Hunter-Seeker’ combat synthetics against a Lii’dra infiltration force, sacrificing one of their own vessels in the incident before departing from known space once more.

But why? Their initial public confrontation of the spur’s inhabitants was one of warning, and study. Stating in the audio recording their realization of what the HES GJallarhorn was implies that they did not know, or did not care, the nature of the inhabitants of the vessel or the Spur until just then. So why did they help on the Aurora? Why did they send envoys to speak with The Republic of Biesel? And why intervene in Konyang? What do they gain? Their motives behind the aid in Konyang now still remain a mystery, but if their past actions have shown anything, we hope it is for the betterment of the citizens of the plague ridden planet.
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=Underground Wars: Criminal Activity on the Rise=
'''News Article'''

'''Publisher : BITBYTE'''

'''Writer : THE LANCER'''

Date: 26/02/2466

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''Yeongseong, Haesbich, Suwon''

Today, in the courtyard of the elaborate and luxurious Rokkaku Consulting office complex and estate in the outskirts of the port-city of Yeongseong, a rare meeting of all 5-Cheung clans took place. As reporters huddled together to take a glimpse of the near endless motorcade arriving at the complex, it became clear that the massive meeting was a planet-wide assembly, with the number of high ranking participants reaching into the low hundreds and creating a traffic jam, despite the area’s quarantine measures.

''A video is attached, ostensibly taken by the BitByte crew:''
''About a dozen reporters and cameras are all clamoring for footage behind a gate with bars. Young men, all humans, are lined up at the gate to keep the reporters at bay. They are all dressed in biker jackets and loose shirts, indicating that they must be 5-Cheung foot soldiers, who are nonetheless very collected despite the cameras a few inches from their faces. Behind the gate, a large garden is filled with black armored cars as they move along to drop off their occupants, men in sharp black suits who walk up some stairs into a large building. Greeting them are about twenty men in suits, flanking the entryway and bowing repeatedly for every executive that gets off their car, the same gesture being repeated over and over for every car lined up for the duration of the video.''

It is speculated that the openly broadcast arrival was a message of confidence on behalf of the 5-Cheung criminal underworld, who have recently been embroiled in a renewed conflict with the New Hong Kong Konyanger criminal syndicates. The full-blown war adds one more hurdle for the stretched resources of the National Police to overcome, spilling over into the streets of major cities across Konyang and sparking a loop of violence and revenge hits between the 5-Cheung clans and the Benevolent Guild, an assortment of triads who are now on the offensive. The cause of the conflict appears to be the weakened state of many 5-Cheung turfs in Suwon and Boryeong, due to the Rampancy outbreak and its effects on the clans’ positronic members, many of which had leading roles in local and regional hierarchy, leaving much of the biker gangs’ apparatus paralyzed. The power vacuum has also exacerbated the infighting between many clans, with ambitious bosses looking to usurp the territory of their weakened neighbors, a hot topic for which today’s gathering is speculated to have been called.

5-Cheung's "Chairman", Jeong Yo-Hoon, has been at the organization's helm for over a decade now, having ties to many of the country's millionaires and top faces in the former Solarian government system and today's administration. Godfather to the son of the previous Commissioner General of Police, Yo-Hoon is speculated to have aided the authorities time and time again in the suppression of dissent, espionage against political opponents, bribery and involvement in the recent Kaneyama protests, all of which are rarely if ever reported on national TV. Ostensibly the owner of a B-tier commercial shuttle airline, his business has been the recepient of several government grants despite the clear neglect of its fleet, even leading to a widely publicized crash in 2458, claiming the lives of 154 people; the incident was swiftly settled with compensations to the family members and a public apology from one of the firm's directors, who kowtowed infront of journalists and cameras before being taken away. Yo-Hoon's high-profile ventures and personal elite ties make him reluctant to administrate the day-to-day affairs of the 5-Cheung, leaving his second in command, Rokkaku Ichiro, to shoulder the burden.

The Benevolent Guild started as an assortment of street neighborhood triads offering aid to each other and the needy communities of the less affluent New Hong Kong area. Today, they rank amongst the most dangerous and deeply entrenched criminal organizations, enjoying the support and tolerance of the poorer parts of New Hong Kong prefecture, from which recruits and resources are drawn. Operating through infiltrated unions, restaurant fronts and even from inside temples, the triads engage in all manner of illegal activities, from narcotics to money laundering and cybercrime. While 5-Cheung executives may flaunt their wealth and operate with impunity due to their political connections, the triads’ central leadership is a polar opposite. Despite their high-profile presence and machismo of their soldiers, the heads of the Benevolent Guild, also called “Dragons”, are completely nameless and unknown to anyone but the organization’s elites, their roles and orders are enshrouded in quasi-religious mysticism.

It remains uncertain whether or not the Benevolent Guild will manage to dislodge the biker gangs however, as much of their strength relies on local networks and hooks inside local society, both of which they do not possess outside their home territories in New Hong Kong. Their determination though is evident; 28 dead were reported in the last two days, all murders related to “altercations between criminal elements” as reported by police, whose policy is to publicly deny the existence of any organized crime.

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=BitByte Exclusive: The National Disaster Authority=
'''News Article'''

'''Publisher : BITBYTE'''

'''Writer : THE LANCER'''

Date: 28/02/2466

<div class="mw-collapsible-content">

''Bukupo Jungles, Boryeong''

The outbreak of the Rampancy Virus has been the cause of a range of emotions for the young Konyanger nation, with panic, hopelessness, and distrust characterizing the lives of millions of citizens all over the globe. The government of Myeong Myung-Dae has since day one rushed to fill this gap in trust, with the full cooperation of his closest ally and President, Hyun Kyung-Ho, ushering in a litany of emergency presidential decrees and passing legislation without parliamentary debate. The introduction of curfews, army tanks rolling on the streets and a ban on demonstrations are only the most visible parts of the iron-fisted policies taken in the name of safety and security, the tip of an iceberg that Konyanger society is comfortable, if not supportive of. But what lies beneath the veil of the “firm yet needed” approach? When an emergency parliamentary session was convened at 2 am Suwon Time to speedily enact measures on the treatment of infected citizens, we were astonished to discover that only three of the sixty-eight MPs present, (less than a quarter of the 300 total elected representatives) were positronics, and all of them members of the ruling New Konyang party.

The so-called “Treatment Act” was thus enacted following only 15 minutes of proceedings, receiving next to zero media coverage under the shadow of the Xiangtong Warehouse takeover. Hailed as a necessary and humane solution, the act contained a hundred and thirty articles suspending constitutional rights such as habeas corpus for positronic citizens deemed “infected” or “at risk”, in order to remove bureaucratic restraints in resolving the emergency. At first glance, why shouldn’t the government detain them? After all, the infected cause damages and even death. While it may be true that special measures should be taken to deal with the ill, the National Party released a scornful announcement that warns about the status of IPCs being relegated to second class citizens. In this, they question the ambiguity of who determines if someone is “infected” or “at risk”, accusing the Prime Minister of creating a tool of suppression; Since the passing of the act, National Party sources estimate that about 2,000 positronic citizens have essentially been stripped of their rights without exhibiting any serious malfunctions related to the Rampancy, and without the consultation of medical professionals. They ask about their whereabouts, noting that the families and associates have been left in the dark.

BitByte has investigated the claims, a task proving a lot harder than initially expected. Attempts at inquiries were stonewalled by unwilling officials, though with guidance from relatives and friends of the disappeared individuals, most cases led up to the National Disaster Authority. A government agency once under the Ministry of Environmental Affairs, it was interestingly moved directly under the purview of the Prime Minister in the passing of the Treatment Act. First created during colonial times for tsunami disaster relief, the NDA relapsed into irrelevance with the erection of sea walls to guard the coastal cities. Nowadays however, the NDA has taken to the airwaves, the extranet and the printing presses, spearheading the fight against the Rampancy and coordinating some KRC, Police and even KAF assets. So the question arises; how can such a prominent agency be so hard to get information from?

All our inquiries on the location of infected individuals receive the same answer; the KRC rehabilitation centers, where vast amounts of affected positronics are restrained and left to run out of power naturally, without the need of invasive and dangerous deactivation. This however does not explain the arrests of the otherwise healthy 2,000 IPCs, which additionally do not exist in KRC databases. With their traces lost, BitByte continued to delve into the matter, following potential leads and rumors that spoke of large and unusual movements in the Bukupo jungles. Unmarked army trucks with supplies, building materials and personnel kept being spotted as they passed by the rural villages, all under the guise of the construction of a new KRC hospital in the area. A hospital which so far, doesn’t exist.
As journalist Pak Ki-young and her crew traveled to the location of the sightings, they were speedily stopped by Navy personnel acting under the instructions of men in suits with NDA cards clipped on their breast. All footage was confiscated, and the BitByte crew was released after two hours spent in a damp, prefab jungle lodging without air conditioning. A second attempt was made two days later, with Ms. Pak approaching the site from a different position.

''A 34 second video follows, where Pak Ki-young can be heard whispering behind the camera.''

“Do you see it? Zoom in.”

''Surrounded by lush jungle, structures with towers and high fences can be seen in the distance. The camera catches some armed guards on a tower, but can't get any more meaningful footage.''

“Sh-.. okay, cut it.”

''The footage is abruptly ended as some heavy rustling is audible.''

From BitByte testimony and footage, we can confirm that at least one facility secretly exists in the Bukupo jungles. Further information provided by the National Party may bring to light a disturbing scenario: Most of the IPCs detained as “at risk” were prominent figures, or related to prominent figures in their respective societies; relatives and friends of bankers, National Party politicians, activists, lobbyists and more. BitByte has been unable to verify these claims. The New Konyang party has repeatedly been criticized for corrupt practices and ties to the underworld, with a history of allegations of cooperation with the Solarian Navy during the colonial era and the 5-Cheung in present times, to influence and remove opponents with blackmail and murder. Critics claim that this is the beginning of a worrisome democratic backsliding.

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=A Massacre in Boryeong=
'''News Article'''

'''Publisher : BITBYTE'''

'''Writer : NOBLE ROW'''

Date: 01/03/2466

<div class="mw-collapsible-content">

''Boryeong Outskirts, Boryeong''

Terror and mayhem. In an attempt to corral and peacefully incapacitate a large group of infected citizens on the outskirts of Boryeong, panic strikes as the reality of the horde comes to bear on the troops holding the forefront.

'''Viewers be warned, what you are about to see may be troublesome to certain audiences.'''

''The camera is stationed on top of a two story building overlooking an intersection. Massive militaristic walls have made an almost funnel, cordoning off what is soon shown to be a large-scale operation. Men and women, notably all human, run about and are stationed in entrenched positions. The tell-tale incapacitation spear commonly seen in police forces tower at the ready. Some leaned against walls, others in fortifications. Yet every busy member wears the proud colors of the Konyang Armed Forces.''

''Whoever is holding the camera turns to the left, looking to Lieutenant Colonel Pei Jin. A stern woman with eyes like daggers who seems to be surveying the only incoming entrance to the trap laid before them, a highway flanked by thick jungle. A radio sits on the table in front of her with an operator at its helm. The air is tense, and all sound seems to be stripped from the once lively congregation. The city around them once full of life, now emptied, abandoned. Paper flutters in the wind with the mechanical movement of engines off screen, the only hammer to the otherwise vacant atmosphere.''

''The radio crackles to life:'' “Cockatoo, this is Jeweler, update on movement?”

''Another voice on the radio answers:'' “Jeweler, Cockatoo is picking up approximately one hundred signatures. Within estimate. Cleared to continue.”

“Roger Cockatoo, Jeweler commencing mission.”

''In the distance of the jungle a car horn is blared, sounding more with the force of a train than your average vehicle. Birds fly from trees by the dozens.''

“Slow now Jeweler. Let them get close. Remember, like fishing.”

''Two exosuits painted in the green of the Konyang Armed Forces roll into view, flanking either side of the fatal funnel constructed. On their shoulders, two massive tesla cannons aimed down the road. Soldiers upon hearing the horn, arm themselves with the spears and nets, a phalanx of arcing points threatening the only entrance. Soldiers watch from above holding rifles of blue energized glows. One, a pair of binoculars, helplessly trying to see through the thick treeline.''

“Jeweler, Cockatoo, reporting movement towards your position. There are a few more but continue mission.”

“Jeweler copies.”

''The horn continues to blare, beeping in regular incessant pulses, slowly growing closer. The man with the binoculars seems to lock on to a point and lean forward, a companion next to them inching to their side. An aircraft is caught on camera circling slowly overhead.''

''Uneasy seconds go by. The horn echoes.''

''Repeats.''

''Minutes.''

“Colonel. This is Cockatoo. We might have a problem.”

''The Colonel snaps from her fixed gaze, and with a roll of her eyes arrests the communicator from its operator.''

“Report, Pilot.”

“It might be an issue with the censors, but Cockatoo is reporting over five hundred signatures. Maybe more. The jungle is blocking a lot of it.”

''The Colonel scowls, gripping the communicator in her hand as if she were to crush it.''

“Jeweler, what can you see?”

''The horn pauses for a moment with an uneasy silence, the radio crackling a response.''

“Jeweler here, We have a few on our tail, but the car is keeping us at pace. We are fine. Good to continue mission.”

''Pei Jin nods, a satisfied breath eliciting the only form of emotion she has shown so far. The horn starts again.''

''Closer, and closer. The man on the roof leans forward, as if the extra inch or so would add miles of view to his binoculars. He exchanges some unheard words to the soldier next to him, handing them the equipment. It is when the second man peers through the glass that the camera picks up the audio. The rustle of trees. Panning to the left to aim thoroughly down the road beyond, a small speck can be seen, and a blob behind them. The leaves of the mighty jungle fronds echoing in a rising choir. Trees shaking. The horn stops.''

''The radio erupts in the telltale static of two individuals trying to put in a call at the same time. It pauses, then again it happens. A mechanical screech of nonsense, and what words do make it through are garbled, nonsensical.''

''Finally a prevailing voice, the armored car’s engine now a prominent participant in the communication:'' “Jeweler evacuating, Jeweler evacuating--.. Dammit! It’s like a fucking ocean! Where the hell did they come from?”

''Although composed, the panic is palpable in the soldier’s voice. The men and women below the camera cast uncertain looks to one another, but the spears remain ready. Those on the roof set down their binoculars and take a knee, readying their ion rifles. Pei Jin takes a slow. Sharp breath.''

''It doesn’t take long for the armored car to come barreling into friendly territory, an infected baseline model pounding on the windshield, cracks spattered in a spider's web. A mobility unit trying desperately to peel the vehicle’s top hatch open, however the internal locks hold place. A fireteam leaps from their entrenchment, stunning the two assailants and hefting them away, the crew of the Jeweler moving their vehicle out of view. But as the camera pans back to the road one would think a flood had encased the asphalt. The pounding of hundreds if not thousands of footsteps drown out the trees, drown out the orders of officers, drown out the readying of weapons, and the start of the ion fire.''

''Drown out the panicked voices on the radio. Drown out the colonel as she rips the communicator from its operator again. Drown out the mouthed words of ‘Retreat’.''

''The infected hit the spears like a wave, bodies clash and the horrid sound of metal on metal deafens the camera. Yelling and arching zaps rapid through the melee. The exosuits hold their own as the Colonel disappears from view due to the zoom of the camera. Discharging their tesla cannons and forming a ring of unconscious bodies. Their thrusters keeping them moving, hovering as they wade through the tide like fish in a river. It is only when one suit is brought to its knees and mobbed by the horde that fear turns from courage, to mistakes. The neighboring exosuit engaging their right hand, and a volley of bullets gatling across the infected pummeling their companion, every shot echoing over the clangs and scrapes of metal and the orders of dying men. And as if one kicked a house of cards, the percussion of the first gun turned into an orchestra as players from all angles joined the fray. The men on the roofs ditch their depleted Ion weapons for machine guns. Spears for rifles. And from those unseen tracers forge their way into the hearts of mechanical screams and ripping metal.''

''Unzooming the camera operator steps back, looking to the sky for a moment, aiming to the left, then to the right. The radio man’s shoulder is seen attempting to usher the camera back, but then they find their mark.''

''Two pinpricks of light flash from the aircraft above as the heavens unleash hell upon the jungle, the camera cutting as they hit.''

The Konyang Armed Forces have refused to say any words on the incident nor the status of the men and women featured in the horrific video. Lieutenant Colonel Pei Jin has not made a public appearance since the incident, though we are told they made a safe return.

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=Question Raised on Positronic Rights=
'''News Article'''

'''Publisher : BITBYTE'''

'''Writer : THE LANCER'''

Date: 03/03/2466

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''Suwon, Konyang''

Head of the opposition and National Party leader Lam Xi has called for an extraordinary plenary session in Parliament, where every positronic member of parliament from his party, including mister Lam himself, were present despite what they called “immense difficulties” owing to the planet-wide emergency measures. The session’s objective was the discussion and denunciation of the treatment of positronic citizens and foreign workers on Konyang during the outbreak, as well as the ethics and legality of the passing of the Treatment Act. Despite the session’s plenary nature, whereupon all MPs are required to be physically present, most members of the ruling New Konyang Party including the Prime Minister Myeong Myung-Dae attended via holo-call, sparking an outraged response from National Party seats:

“Not even the Prime Minister bothered to attend in this vital discussion that should have been held long before, about the rights of our citizens, whom the government wishes to cast aside in the name of security!”

“I am here, mister Lam-”

“No! No you are not!”

“Members are allowed to holo-call, we are tied up in running the country, something that mister Lam doesn’t seem to be able to wrap his head around.”

“Your physical absence shows in how little esteem you hold this issue, and the democratic process in general!”

“Please, both of you, I call you to order.”

Lam Xi’s first speech lasted around 43 minutes, during which he read letters from bereaved families and friends of positronic persons whose lives were lost during policing actions, passages from the Treatment Act that were never discussed at length, the unexplained National Disaster Authority detainments of “at risk” citizens, and more:

“[...] If it were humans, I am certain that the government would do everything in their power to treat. In this case however, now that it’s IPCs, there are more and more voices arguing that we should shoot to kill. 231 deaths last week alone were a direct result of police aiming for the head, and these are just the confirmed ones. There is property damage, yes. There is even tragic loss of life, yes, but the loss of positronic lives is reaching dangerous levels that cannot be justified. We have all seen the video of the soldiers unloading their firearms on affected citizens, who were well outside the city of Boryeong. Who were they trying to protect? There was nobody there. And now they are planning to do exactly the same thing against the warehouse in Xiangtong, instead of letting them run out of charge like so many scientists have told us is the safest thing to do, both for the soldiers and the ill individual.”

A motion put forward to temporarily repeal some key articles of the Treatment Act was defeated by a government-led majority, prompting the National Party to call for demonstrations in all major towns and cities across Konyang. A gathering in Point Verdant was swiftly suppressed by the metropolitan police, and a dozen other planned rallies were shut down by prefectural authorities for breach of quarantine and emergency measures. Nevertheless, many low-scale demonstrations were briefly held in more rural areas and outside the shipyards of New Hong Kong, demanding that IPC rights be respected, and that all healthy detainees be released.

''Further Reading:''

''Navy announces crackdown: Sea Bandits arrested for rampant IPC parts harvesting.''

''Beloved riceball assaulted by foreign corporate unathi: Burgerheads furious''

''Up!Burger hints at possible expansion into Biesel.''

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=BREAKING: KAF Mobilizes for Operation in New Hong Kong Prefecture=
'''News Article'''

'''Publisher : BITBYTE'''

'''Writer : THE STRYKER'''

Date: 08/03/2466

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''New Hong Kong City, Konyang''

This morning, the citizens of New Hong Kong woke up to the sight of exosuits and armored transports marching down their streets as a spokesman from the KAF announced the launch of Operation Dizang, a large-scale military maneuver intended to draw large swathes of Rampancy-afflicted IPCs to unpopulated areas near the New Hong Kong coast. The stated goal of the operation is to create a 100-kilometer perimeter around New Hong Kong City proper, and in particular, the sprawling outskirts neighborhood of New Kowloon which has long been identified by government officials as a high-risk area for violence by infected IPCs. In response to fears of high death tolls among infected citizens, the military reassured the public that measures were being put in place to avoid a repeat of previous incidents such as the catastrophe in Boryeong.

In a rare moment for the National Party, response to the operation was divided, with National Party leader Lam Xi denouncing the military operation as “a reckless adventure, fit only to kill soldiers and civilians alike,” while other affiliated MPs approved of the increased security measures for New Hong Kong. In contrast, the reception from the population of New Hong Kong has largely been approving as alongside a military buildup, Einstein Engines corporate security personnel trained by the Special Robotics Division have arrived in the city to bolster its police forces for the duration of the operation. Additionally, Zeng-Hu, in cooperation with the SCC, pledged medical and technical support to both infected and non-infected victims during the operation.

Military commentators observed that despite the ambitious goals of Operation Dizang, the forces allotted were far in excess of those assigned to previously successful “luring” campaigns in Suwon Prefecture, particularly when factoring in the limited geographic area of New Hong Kong. Extranet recordings of the forces amassing for the operation revealed that of the forces allotted to the operation, the entire human roboticist compliments of the almost-wholly positronic 8th, 9th, and 10th Marine Battalions were present despite their units being confined to barracks. Commentators speculate that due to the overall concentration of forces along the Xiangtong River, Operation Dizang’s primary objective may in fact be to re-secure KRC facilities in the region. Thus far, the KAF has refused to comment on this.

''Further Reading:''

''Stock market forced to open at -12 points.''

''Man cuffs Gwok salesman to streetlamp: "Bo made me do it."''

''Golden Deep Grand Merchant steps down from Midas Group: Emerges from Control Center''

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=Event 4: Trial By Fire=
'''Server Event'''

'''Host: The Lancer, The Stryker, Noble Row'''

09/03/2466

Finally locating the first hivebot beacon in a warehouse in the Xiangtong prefecture, an Elite SCC Strike Force is dispatched to siege the area and destroy the transmitter. Repairing the nearby power plant, granting access to the warehouse, the force managed to fight through hoards of infected with support from air asset 'Cockatoo' from the KAF until they finally destroyed the transmitter. Tragically, five lives were lost during the entirety of the operation.

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=Hivebot Surge in Wake of Operation Dizang=
'''News Article'''

'''Publisher : BITBYTE'''

'''Writer : THE STRYKER, NOBLE ROW'''

Date: 11/03/2466

<div class="mw-collapsible-content">

''New Hong Kong Prefecture, Konyang''

In a joint statement, the Stellar Corporate Conglomerate and Konyang Armed Forces announced that Operation Dizang successfully reclaimed Xiangtong Warehouse and drove back significant rampant populations from the perimeter of New Hong Kong City. The final assault on the warehouse, spearheaded by an elite SCC team, was captured live on camera by an embedded BitByte reporter.

''A video is embedded:''

''A group of individuals in corporate uniforms armed with an assortment of Konyang-issued weaponry rush into a breach in the wall. Destroyed rampant IPCs litter the parking lot and the corridor further in with the cameraman ducking and weaving to avoid SCC personnel trying to rush past. As he backs away, an individual in a Zavodskoi uniform grabs the camera, shouting into it:'' "IT'S HELL OUT HERE!!"

Hopes were high that the operation would be a crucial first step in resolving the crisis, however reports indicate that rampant IPCs and hivebots have stepped up their attacks on civilians in response to the destruction of what is now being dubbed by experts as a “Secondary Transmitter." Shortly after its destruction, Konyang Army units participating in Operation Dizang reported a surge in aggression among rampancy-afflicted IPCs. Furthermore, Navy listening posts have detected massive incursions of hivebots planet wide, with no known origin, these bots have begun to swarm prefectures and are terrorizing areas once thought safe havens.

Defenses are holding for now as soldiers from the Konyang Armed Forces stand against the invaders, but contact with countryside villages continues to dwindle by the day. There has been no word from the Konyang Robotics Corporation or Purpose regarding a decisive solution to this ever dire situation. The government assured the public however that they are working on a solution with Purpose to solve the crisis, and that emergency services and the military were “more than capable” of containing the situation until then.

Military operations have begun across Cheomseongtang, the Yu Islands, and the New Guangzhou Archipelago to mount a counter offensive against the emergent invaders, with no reports on the outcome of these operations just yet. Battlefield footage has been submitted however of Phoenix Lance, an exosuit squad, making an assault on a hivebot swarm to what is reported as a successful engagement within these operations.

'''The video attached is edited, and may be disturbing to some audiences.'''

[2455-3-10]
[05:43]
[Pause >> Play]
[LOCATION: REDACTED]

[UNIT: GAX]

''The name sits in the top left of the screen as the exosuit rumbles forwards through what was once a forest, the dawn of the new day casting beams of light through corpses of trees now torn asunder. Where once there were leaves and bushes, now half trunks and ashes. While not raining on the viewer, a cloud sits far in the distance, heavy and dark. A ripple of lightning courses through the cotton like structure as the exosuit barrels through the remains of a tree, turning wood to splinters.''

''The view now opening on a field torn by war, three other exosuits painted in the livery of the Konyang Armed Forces now in view, similarly barreling towards what seems to be a tornado. A tornado of old metal and screaming machinery. A tornado of death and destruction as the camera focuses on the rising funnel of hundreds if not thousands of hivebots, blue arctic lasers firing from the funnel at targets unseen, before being hit by two missiles and erupting partially in to balls of flames until the tornado rights itself once more, sealing its wound as if it never happened. An airborne strike craft streaks by the tornado afterward, before igniting in blue laser fire and falling from the sky.''

''A radio crackles to life, recorded by the suit’s combat interface.''

[HAN:] “GAX, TALON, Take the left side, LYRA and I have the right! There’s something coordinating them in the middle, we’ll try to thin their numbers so when they spin around to you you can use the rip to take the shot before they seal it!”

[TALON:] “Roger Lieutenant! GAX, on me!”

''The quad of exosuits split from one another, the camera racing behind one marked with a digital display labeling the unit as ‘TAL’, bounding over rocks and through trees of the barren landscape. In the corner of the camera, two markers labeling dots in the distance as ‘LYR’ and ‘HAN’ race up a hillside, gunfire spraying into the whirlwind while blue lights emit in return, dancing around the rapidly moving suits.''

''The view lifts into the air, before landing with a thud, keeping its momentum but now being angled towards the tornado while the landscape continues to race by, now from a side glance. The exosuit now moving sideways, a red crosshair appears on the display, scanning over the ripping mechanical funnel, the crosshair spinning while increasing and decreasing in size.''

[HAN:] “Beginning attack! I hope you both are ready!”

''Too far to be heard over the horrendous wails of the hivebots, but close enough to be seen before the attack pair disappear behind the pillar of death, units HAN and LYRA unleash volley after volley of missiles from enlarged carrying containers on their exosuit’s backs, slamming in to the adversary with enough force to quake the entire whirlwind, all the while dispensing lead and laser from cannons equipped to their manipulators.''

[HAN:] “Attack complete! Weapons reloading… LYRA..”

''A short pause before the radio erupts again.''

[HAN:] “LYRA EVASIVE, WE KICKED THE NEST!”

[LYRA:] “I’M TRYING!”

''Any pinpricks of light that were dancing around the viewer and their partner now divert to the opposite side of the tornado, painting the area in a blue glow that swallows the rising sun. What was once dispersed laser fire firing in all directions, has turned into one collective drum echoing over the warzone into the trees far beyond. The gash opened by the attack now reeling around to expose itself to the viewer, although swiftly narrowing. A gatling cannon comes into view of the camera.''

[UNIT ‘LYRA’ LOST]

''And with what sounds like a cacophony of tearing paper, and the rip of the gatling cannon, missiles and lead from on and offscreen from the exosuit pair rip in to the tornado, finding their target for what seems briefly like a metallic black silhouette in the middle of the funnel until destruction envelopes it. Missiles and cannon alike continue their work until the whirlwind falls apart, hivebots falling and dispersing rapidly into the sky, tracers from the gatling following their retreat.''

''The video stops.''

This article is in memory of Sergeant Choe Gi; Callsign Lyra, who died valiantly defending the planet from an insurmountable threat. She leaves behind two children.

''Further reading:''

''Konyang Armed Forces announces further call-up of reservists: dodging to be punished to the fullest extent of the law.''

''Foreign aid: discussions on petition for assistance to Coalition ongoing in capital.''

''Xiangtong Warehouse: six SCC and five Navy deceased to receive honors.''

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=“Nationals, not Nations”: A Look into Foreign Aid for Konyang=
'''News Article'''

'''Publisher : BITBYTE'''

'''Writer : THE STRYKER'''

Date: 14/03/2466

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''Ganzaodeng, Konyang''

Earlier today, Parliament passed a measure temporarily easing visa requirements as well as streamlining processing cycles for foreign nationals currently involved with emergency relief efforts on Konyang. The measure, proposed by MP Cao Chunhua of Ganzaodeng, received broad support in a 257-43 majority, contested only by holdouts in the ruling New Konyang Party. It seeks to formalize an already existing informal practice, particularly in the hard-hit prefectures of Boryeong and New Hong Kong, of allowing foreign aid workers and volunteers as long as they belonged to an internationally-recognized relief organization. Political commentators note that this follows on from the present administration’s policy of refusing formal aid from nations while permitting non-governmental aid in a policy some are calling “Nationals, not Nations.”

This measure comes on the heels of a failed motion last week to petition the wider Coalition of Colonies for military support. The previous motion received general opposition from both the New Konyang Party and National Party who argued that foreign soldiers would not be trained in handling rampant IPCs, citing fears of another Boryeong Massacre. The present measure was tailored to incorporate the requests of most parties in Parliament, including the National Party’s request that only civilian aid be sought after as well as the K-KMT’s staunch opposition to any measure that would not extend the same relaxed requirements to Solarian nationals.

At the time of writing, the Konyang Immigration Service noted approximately 54,000 foreign volunteers and aid workers, including approximately 6,000 doctors, 9,000 other medical-related fields, as well as 1,600 roboticists, not including further megacorporate aid pledged by Einstein Engines and Zeng-Hu Pharmaceuticals. Officials also implored individuals with skills in scientific and engineering backgrounds to volunteer, pointing out that more expertise was needed to maintain rural infrastructure in a time of crisis. The immigration service also noted a large proportion of San Colettish volunteers, the planet being noted to maintain close ties with Konyang even in the post-independence climate. Thus far, the only official aid the Konyang government has requested is an increase in Ranger patrols so as to free up KASF vessels for logistics and relief duties on the planet’s surface, although they have not barred the dispatch of several medical brigades from Coalition member militaries.

While the central government continues its policy of not seeking out foreign aid, it has not stopped individual prefectures from requesting it. BitByte’s very own Pak Ki-young was able to interview one Janek Aiken, a Europan engineer who volunteered to assist with relief efforts.

''After the usual BitByte video expose intro, the camera settles on a platform in a train station in Ganzaodeng, made all the more clear by the hot desert backdrop and signs rendered in Sol Common, Konyanger Common, and the Xanan dialect of Freespeak. A young woman in a BitByte uniform holds up a microphone to a tall man in a shirt and tie who seems to be coping poorly in the heat. If the sheer amount of bone charms and general unease at the open space don’t make it immediately clear, his quiet tone and slow, deliberate manner of speech make his Europan heritage clear.''

“Thank you for taking this interview. Doctor Aiken, do you mind introducing yourself and your group’s work to our viewers?”

“Not at all, what we are doing here, as you can see, is taking surplus loading exosuits from the docks in Ganzaodeng, and retrofitting them for use in marine environments.”

''The man gestures to the background, as some individuals scramble over retrofitting a number of industrial exosuits with layering of some kind, as well as large canopies. From the accents of the shouting and instructions, the mechanics appear to be from all over the Spur. A large G2 in a Trinarist cloak guides a forklift carrying a large compartment-like apparatus to the back of one of the exosuits, before lifting it off of the vehicle and welding it onto the mech.''

“In particular, the person coordinating with us from the Ganzaodeng Coastal Rescue service complained that her colleagues have a hard time responding to calls in remote areas due to the dangers of transporting patients and keeping them safe from rampant IPCs and the elements. I hope with some modifications, we can provide them with additional rescue vehicles.”

''Pak Ki-young nods in understanding, the work team in the back finishing with their field modifications on one of the exosuits. The G2 lies down on the ground to test the contraption while an exosuit pilot with an old and faded Colettish Civil Guard cap pushes a button in the cockpit. The back of the exosuit opens up as a stretcher on a servo arm whisks the G2 away into a watertight compartment.''

“Doctor, may I ask what brings you to Konyang? I understand you used to work as director of one of the manufacturing bays on the Tethys.”

“It only seemed like the right thing to do. I’m not here out of Solarian brotherhood, or synthetic rights, or whatever the others will have you think, but I think what’s happening on Konyang, with all these rampant IPCs? If we don’t get it under control, it won’t stop here. I’ve participated in some of the reconstruction and relief efforts across the Mandates, and I think now more than ever is a time for us to come together instead of closing our doors.”

''Further reading:''

''Boryeong Miracle: Army colonel reports 30,000 infected lured away from city limits without casualties.''

''Parts trafficking in New Kowloon: infected collection point broken into.''

''GwokRation!: Getting drafted? Toss the latest Go Go Gwok ration in your pack before you head out, in collaboration with Up!Burger''

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=The KAF Deploys=
'''News Article'''

'''Publisher : BITBYTE'''

'''Writer : NOBLE ROW'''

Date: 16/03/2466

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''Suwon, Konyang''

A glimmer of hope through catastrophe, while the attacks from infected victims and hivebot swarms rampage across Konyang, military leaders across the planet refuse to sit idle. With defenses holding and major populations remaining secure, the seeds of a counter offensive sparked by General Gi Seungri are taking root. Just moments ago BitByte was informed that waves of recon planes and military units from both the KAF and KASF have mobilized from their garrisons in Boryeong, New Hong Kong, Aoyama, Ganzaodeng, and Suwon in a massive search for the next hivebot transmitter.

Efforts are still underway from Purpose and Konyang Robotics to reverse engineer the beacon brought in by the Stellar Corporate Conglomerate’s elite strike team, but no word has been said to the progress of this effort. When asked for any updates, A Konyang Robotics representative said the following:

“We have made many fascinating discoveries in our reverse engineering of the hivebot transmitter, and continue to make steady progress. But as of this time, we are still working towards our ultimate goal with the help of Purpose. Rest assured we are working as quickly and as diligently as we can.”

When asked as to why the military is mobilizing in such force without a clear target, the staff office of General Gi Seungri declined any comments, citing operational security. With the planes flying overhead as this article is written, we can only hope they give us some reprieve from the constant suffering we have endured.

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=KAF announces Reprieve and Next Steps=
'''News Article'''

'''Publisher : BITBYTE'''

'''Writer : THE STRYKER'''

Date: 18/03/2466

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''Suwon, Konyang''

With the military sweeping the planet and the upsurge in hivebots slowly quelled, Military analysts have begun to notice a pattern. In areas where rampant activity had been pushed back, the hivebots swarmed after the transmitter in Xiangtong was disabled. With the KAF forced to withdraw, rampant activity went left unchecked, hordes moving into once fortified locations and progress swept away. However, analysts note that after the KAF retreated from the area, the hivebots once again dispersed from once they came, leaving the rampants in their wake. Lt. Hoga Toru, a recon pilot who has flown over these installations expresses relief that there are no more hivebots swarming the skies, but alludes to the possibility of a bigger threat approaching.

Where the largest of the rampant civilian hordes roam, Lt. Toru has mentioned difficulty with his aircraft, noting increased interference in his sensor arrays that cause him to abort missions and leave the area. Military intelligence confirms that the hivebots seem to be deploying some form of jamming device, making it exceedingly difficult to get more sensitive equipment close to these locations, such as aircraft and sensor drones. Even exosuit pilots from Phoenix Lance have come forward to state that their navigational systems within their suits start displaying “ghosts” and lead them in the wrong directions, causing the pilots to rely on their land navigation skills.

One location the KAF has been able to determine for certain is that of the final hivebot transmitter, which KRC researchers are now labelling a “Primary Transmission Hub”. Representatives from the KRC and Purpose have made a public statement.

''A crowded press pool sits in a KRC hangar hastily converted to a communications room. A glasses-wearing army captain whose name tag identifies her as “Hwangbo, K.” stands in front of the crowd giving a statement while flanked by a Purpose synthetic, several researchers from the KRC and a few military personnel.''

“Ladies and gentlemen. With the success in Xiangtong and the recovery of the transmitter within by the SCC Elite Strike Force, we are proud to announce that we have located the second beacon. With assistance from Purpose, we have come to the conclusion that these transmitters, to work most effectively, require a near obscene amount of power to produce the strongest signals. The transmitter in the Xiangtong warehouse was only working at a fraction of its capacity due to this, and it is with… Pride.. And horror.. That we have concluded that the only location we cannot account for that can both supply this power, and elude our efforts due to sheer volume of infected in the area.. Is the Kaneyama nuclear power plant.”

“The details of this have already been forwarded to the military, and Purpose’s agents are mobilizing to facilitate us.. The Stellar Corporate Conglomerate, having shown their skill in dealing with one of these transmitters, will once again spearhead the assault with close participation of our brave soldiers.”

“Hopefully my friends this is the light at the end of the tunnel that will lead our nation to reconstruction.. And not the fiery pits of hell.”

The office of General Gi Seungri has confirmed that the Rapid Deployment Brigade, a Konyang Army formation specialized in amphibious warfare, as well as the 2nd Naval Infantry Division have been transported to Suwon in preparation for the operation. The KAF plans to seize the island and outskirts of the plant in preparation for the coming assault. Many police precincts additionally report contributing men to the cause in hopes of safe handling of the infected civilians. Although hopes are high for the operation, military observers note that the growing presence of infected on the coast, as well as an abnormally large amount of rampant IPCs on Kaneyama Island may indicate a growing response from the hivebots and infected.

''Further Reading:''

''KASF dismisses rumors of rampant crewmembers: “Qixi Incident unrelated,” says spokesperson.''

''Travel: Air Konyang offers special deal in light of recent shuttle crashes.''

''Entertainment: Award-winning idol group “Bul” announces hiatus due to conscription.''

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=KAF Faces Delays with Kaneyama Operation=
'''News Article'''

'''Publisher : BITBYTE'''

'''Writer : THE STRYKER'''

Date: 21/03/2466

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''Suwon, Konyang''

Sources within the armed forces report delays in the planning of Operation Jiogjegeo, a joint operation between all three branches of the Konyang Armed Forces in order to retake the Kaneyama Nuclear Power Plant, which they believe is housing the Primary Transmission Hub coordinating all hivebot efforts on the planet. These delays have been driven by a number of factors including the unusual number of rampant IPCs on the island, ever-increasing numbers of hivebots attacking passing ships and aircraft, as well as a jamming signal preventing accurate reconnaissance and air traffic over the island. Military observers have noted that the plan, calling for an amphibious assault of the island by both Army and Navy units, would be the largest joint operation undertaken by the nascent KAF if it pushes through.

Two opposing viewpoints have reportedly emerged within KAF high command as a result of the delays, with one seeking to gather more strength and find a way to penetrate the hivebot jamming signal before launching the operation, while the other, reportedly spearheaded by a cadre of Army generals believe that further delays would only lead to the situation worsening. The nuclear power plant’s proximity to Suwon as well as its position next to the coast has ruled out an artillery or orbital strike of the facility as GON-ENE has reported that based on thermal readings, the plant is still operational even if it is not currently sending power to the mainland. Furthermore, a leaked document from a KASF nuclear technician stressed that “any significant damage to the facility and to the core in its current state would run the risk of a nuclear meltdown.” Although all branches of the KAF have declined to comment on the leak, they have emphatically denied all reports that an orbital bombardment of the KNPP was being considered.

The KAF has continued to remain on high alert in Suwon, with the Navy reportedly pulling ships from other regions of the planet in order to assist in the landing. As military buildup continues within the capital, a spokesman from the military attempted to reassure the public, stating, “The Konyang Armed Forces remain fully capable of stopping any further hivebot advances while preparing to drive them off-planet.”

''Further Reading:''

''Health: New Busan announces full quarantine of two districts due to outbreak of rampancy.''

''Megacorporations: Einstein closes deal with Konyang Army for 5,000 sets of unspecified RIGsuits.''

''Trinary Perfection: Orepit prepares mission of doctors, roboticists, to Konyang.''

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=BREAKING NEWS: Navy Nuclear Destroyer Mutinies=
'''News Article'''

'''Publisher : BITBYTE'''

'''Writer : THE STRYKER'''

Date: 22/03/2466

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''Suwon, Konyang''

Citizens of Suwon found their evening routine interrupted by sounds of gunfire and the rumble of a destroyer underway as the KNV Chen Lin under the command of Commodore Mun Taeyang slipped from moorings against the orders of Capital Fleet Command and towards the direction of the Kaneyama Nuclear Power Plant. The Chen Lin, if reports are to be believed, is carrying nuclear weapons in accordance with its role as an anti-orbital vessel. Although the Navy has refused to comment on the incident, observers fear the worst as shortly after the mutiny, half of the Eastern Capital Fleet as well a full quarter of the Western New Hong Kong and Aoyaman fleets were dispatched in pursuit of the KNV Chen Lin, even into the high-risk area around Kaneyama.

The mutiny has sparked serious debate among analysts as to its reasons, though the prevailing belief is that it was caused by frustration over the KAF’s delays in launching Operation Jiogjegeo, the planned liberation of Kaneyama and the destruction of the hivebot Primary Transmission Hub. Shortly after the ship left harbor, several officers and sailors aboard the Chen Lin posted a pre-recorded video of their captain on Chirper, explaining his motives.

''An exhausted looking man in what seems to be his late forties faces the camera from the bridge of a Konyang Navy warship. He is wearing the dress uniform of a navy officer, complete with various medals including Sol-era ones dating back to before the planet’s independence.Those knowledgeable with various insignia of the KAF would be able to recognize him as a commodore, presumably Commodore Mun Taeyang. The video has to have been taken late in the evening, with sailors and officers in the background getting ready at their posts to launch the vessel. He braces himself, getting ready to speak, both to the camera and to a microphone announcing his words to the entire vessel.''

“Hear me! This hideous crisis has raged across our planet for far too long. We have been constrained by our own weakness, too blind to see reason, too blind to see that we have lacked the willingness to act.
We seek not to destroy the planet, but to save it. The world shall be horrified by the devastation we will cause, and only then will they wake up and smash the hivebots that would have torn our planet asunder!”

Analysts have taken to believing his words imply a nuclear threat towards Kaneyama, while others point out that the Chen Lin would have already been in weapons range of the nuclear power plant an hour after leaving harbor. The mutiny itself comes as a surprise to analysts however, as Mun Taeyang, a decorated officer in the pre-independence Konyang garrison has had no prior history of insubordination and has, in many prior instances, given public statements in support of both the government and the navy’s policies.

''Further reading:''

''Spur: Si'Akh fire priest spotted in New Busan''

''Health: experts ask, "Do overloaders actually help prevent the infection?"''

''Up!Burger: “Norinori makes full recovery after assault!”''

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=BREAKING NEWS: Rogue Nuclear Destroyer Beaches on Southern Kaneyama; KAF launches Operation Jiogjegeo!=
'''News Article'''

'''Publisher : BITBYTE'''

'''Writer : THE STRYKER'''

Date: 23/03/2466

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''Kaneyama, Konyang''

The sea around Kaneyama Island lit up with tracers and muzzle flashes early in the morning as the rogue oceangoing destroyer KNV Chen Lin launched itself into combat with what has been recorded as the largest hivebot concentration currently on the planet. This report follows on the heels of the vessel’s desertion under its commanding officer, Commodore Mun Taeyang, who announced in a public broadcast that drastic actions would be taken in light of the Navy’s delays. Satellite imagery from both civilian and KASF sources showed flashes of light consistent with cannon and laser fire from the destroyer in every direction, including rampant IPC and hivebot concentrations on the island as well as large beacons speculated to be broadcasting the jamming signal preventing aircraft from flying over the island. Rather than approach directly towards the Kaneyama Nuclear Power Plant as originally speculated, the destroyer steamed past the western coast of the island before making a sharp turn east, drawing the attention of large amounts of flying hivebots.

Based on the latest information, the Commodore is believed to have beached his vessel on the southern coast of the island while broadcasting a signal across all open nets that can only be described as static. Although the Navy has refused to comment on an ongoing operation, KRC scientists speculate that it is derived from the distress signal broadcasted by Secondary Transmission Units that have been destroyed in previous KAF operations. Despite the theory being dismissed as implausible by other researchers within the corporation owing to the impossibility of having reverse-engineered it in such a short time, the effect remains undeniable as large masses of rampant IPCs and hivebots have begun converging on the Commodore’s destroyer, moving away from the Kaneyama Nuclear Plant.

In response to the development, the 2nd Naval Infantry Division and the Army’s own Rapid Reaction Brigade, handpicked as the vanguard of Operation Jiogjegeo have begun boarding their landing craft en-masse in Suwon Harbor, with all remaining elements of the Eastern Capital Fleet now tasked to hunt down the Chen Lin steaming ahead of them. In a hastily-prepared press conference, the office of General Gi Seungri confirmed that Operation Jiogjegeo was now commencing.

''The camera opens up on a gruff and stern looking Baseline with etched scratches decorating its frame standing at a podium. Their screen black with a slight glisten that makes you feel as if eyes were staring down upon you from that black abyss. The age of this unit in particular is evident by the slight wear shown on all of its moving parts. The scene is in a tent hastily converted into a press conference area. In the background, it becomes immediately clear that this is an active military base as large formations of soldiers in Army and Navy uniforms with full equipment rush towards transports.''

“As of 11:00 East Cheomseongtang Time, the KAF launched Operation Jiogjegeo, with the express goal of destroying the Primary Transmission Hub believed to be located in the Kaneyama Nuclear Power Plant. Our soldiers have prepared for this day, our military has stood ready since its inception to drive back any invader that dares to tear down our republic, and today, we will not be found wanting.”

BitByte will continue to provide more information as the situation develops.

''Further reading:''

''Spur: Tourist Unathi Accused of Being Si'Akh Priest''

''Up!Burger Announces New Norinori Burger''

''Sports: Suwon Sea Bandits IPC charity game cancelled due to ongoing nuclear destroyer incident.''

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=Event 5: One Final Effort=
'''Server Event'''

'''Host: The Stryker, Noble Row'''

23/03/2466

The final showdown commences. The last, and strongest, hivebot transmitter has been discovered leeching power from the Kaneyama nuclear power plant. War wages across the prefecture as the KAF desperately tries to hold off the infected as the SCC strikes the plant with small arms. Utilizing incredibly efficiency and an extremely organized task force, the Horizon's crew were able to successfully escort Lt. D1LL and the ECD to the hivebot beacon and destroy it. The crew then assembled the Electronic Countermeasure Device, activating the strange machine, and freeing Konyang from its Silicon Nightmare.

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=Operation Jiogjegeo Successful; Rampants begin Mass Recovery across Planet=
'''News Article'''

'''Publisher : BITBYTE'''

'''Writer : THE STRYKER'''

Date: 23/03/2466

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''Kaneyama, Konyang''

In a statement from the office of General Gi Seungri, the Konyang Armed Forces declared Operation Jiogjegeo “a resounding success” with the complete liberation of Kaneyama Island from all rampant and hivebot threats. The success of the offensive was compounded by the operation’s primary objective, the installation of a Purpose-derived artifact known as the Electronic Countermeasure Device, which is now confirmed to have completely removed any trace of the Rampancy Signal from Konyang. Reports are popping up all across the planet of rampant IPCs regaining their mental faculties, with the government launching massive relief efforts to provide aid to these disaffected citizens. Furthermore, the jamming signals that have cropped up across the planet have now ceased, allowing the KASF to once more provide air cover to the Army and Navy, allowing for planning of further operations to secure hivebot-infested regions.

This news comes as a further surprise as Operation Jiogjegeo was not expected to succeed, with reports now indicating that the previous delays from the KAF were due to an expected 80% casualty rating from a contested landing. Their initial planning was thrown off due to the mutiny of the now-destroyed KNV Chen Lin under the command of Commodore Mun Taeyang, who are believed to have lured away most of the coastal IPCs and hivebots towards them. After approximately three hours of resistance, the KNV Chen Lin is believed to have launched its entire non-nuclear payload of missiles at the coastline surrounding it, destroying massive concentrations of infected and hivebots while killing most of the ship’s defenders in the process. Commodore Mun Taeyang is also believed to have been killed in the explosion with the sole surviving officer from the encounter reporting that he stayed on the bridge of the Chen Lin. Footage released shortly before the detonation was uploaded to a Navy source by one of the defenders of the Chen Lin.

'''Viewer discretion is advised as the video contains explicit language, disturbing images and intense violence.'''

''A squad of Konyanger Naval Infantry huddles behind a wall of liquid bags on a beach, opening fire at oncoming rampant IPCs and hivebots. A loud static noise can be heard emanating from the beached KNV Chen Lin. The soldier presumably wearing the helmet camera looks back to see a large missile destroyer which appears heavily damaged, hivebots flying onto its deck as sailors attempt to fight off the machines on its deck. In the distance, blue-grey blurs can be seen tearing into the hivebot mass, with the occasional flashes of light being seen in the wake of the destruction.''

''He returns his attention inland as more hivebot and infected approach, an endless mass. He quickly taps the shoulder of a G2 sailor with an LMG, gesturing down the shore.''

“We have to get the fuck out of here now!”

''The G2 continues firing, not even bothering to look up from its sights.''

“There is nowhere to go.”

''A radio in the sand crackles to life as a deep, manic voice crackles through it, his determination clear despite his weary tone. There appear to be gunshots and the sounds of struggle through the radio.''

“This is Commodore Mun Taeyang, you have all fought bravely but our position is overrun. I am ending this battle definitively. Let none say we have not done our duty. May our planet finally see reason!”

''The soldier looks back at the destroyer to see the missile tubes on its deck open up, launching straight up before immediately making a sharp turn down. He looks around briefly to see the other soldiers in the sandbag position are panicked, some of them breaking and sprinting away, only to be torn apart by rampant IPCs or shot by other gun-wielding infected. The soldier wearing the helmet camera is frozen in place, simply staring at the warheads now.''

“Holy shit, he actually did it!”

''As he turns back to face the enemy, a hivebot flies right into the soldier, knocking him down. He struggles for a moment with the machine, just in time to see the cruise missiles impact the surroundings, the video drowned in fire and flames before it cuts out.''

Officials from GON-ENE are still assessing the environmental damage caused by the destruction of the KNV Chen Lin, though it is expected to wait until after the Konyang Navy gives the all-clear for civilians to return to the island.

Shortly afterwards, remaining Army and Navy elements were able to rally and join the SCC team in seizing the Nuclear Power Plant and activating the device. BitByte’s own Pak Ki-young was on station with the Konyang Army’s Rapid Reaction Brigade, filming the offensive, as well as the effects of the ECD which are believed to have cured the Rampancy signal.

'''Viewer discretion is advised as the video contains disturbing images and intense violence.'''

''A cameraman quickly behind a BitByte reporter who frequent readers of the Extranet site would know as Pak Ki-young. They take cover behind the bullet-hole ridden wall of a prefabricated container house with the GON-ENE logo on it as Konyang Army soldiers fall back, opening fire on rampant IPCs that get close. A large hivebot, approximately ten feet tall and looking almost like a large stickbug leads the synthetic charge, crashing against the Army lines as soldiers equipped with heavy armor and riot shields beat them back, guarding their rifle-wielding compatriots. As another loud signal emits through an analog radio in a nearby house, the hivebots and rampants seemingly change focus.''

“This is Pak Ki-young, reporting live from the fighting on Kaneyama! We are now entering the fourth hour since KAF forces landed on the island as part of Operation Jiogjegeo’s general offensive. Resistance from hivebots has been particularly high in the general vicinity of the Kaneyama Nuclear Power Plant, where the Konyang Army and Navy have been fighting to guard the perimeter while an elite SCC strike force retakes the facility-”

“Look out!”

''The cameraman throws their camera to the floor as it rolls along the ground, stopping sideways to show a Xion frame in a BitByte uniform with a press vest and helmet tackling a rampant that was about to attack Pak Ki-young. The two wrestle on the ground, the Xion punching the rampant baseline in its screen multiple times before sparks fly off of every surface, the rampant falling dormant. Two soldiers arrive to pull Pak and her cameraman to their feet, one of the soldiers nudging the now-disabled rampant IPC with their rifles.''

“Woah, I think it stopped moving- you punched the lights out of it, man!”

''As one of the soldiers goes to give the cameraman a pat on the back, the baseline suddenly starts moving, causing all the soldiers to point their rifles at it. Its screen lights up as the formerly-rampant IPC begins to speak, everyone present with shocked expressions on their faces.''

“Where- where am I?”

''At the time of writing, the government has not lifted the state of emergency yet, citing that large-scale response is still required to stabilize the situation on the planet. Additionally, the KAF has confirmed that hivebot beacons still remain throughout the planet, though the movements of their drones seem slow and lethargic as they operate without central guidance. As families across the planet are reunited and the crisis slowly starts to wind down however, Konyangers now feel that the planet has begun to wake up from a long silicon nightmare.''

''Further reading:''

''← Back''

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=Quiet Keepers Once More=
'''News Article'''

'''Publisher : BITBYTE'''

'''Writer : NOBLE ROW'''

Date: 24/03/2466

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''Suwon, Konyang''

With the ignition of the ECD and reconstruction on its way, the Konyang Robotics Corporation has not wasted a second and is in full force as it moves from research to restoration. By the hundreds once infected IPCs are being seen by doctors and discharged from their facilities as soon as they are deemed healthy and operable. Families have started being reunited and evacuees have begun returning to their homes. Now that research has concluded, what of our quiet guardians? What of Purpose and their intervention which has led to saving millions of lives? Well, with as much tact as they came, they seem to have started their next new operation.

What has come to be known as “Hunter-Killer Units” have amicably ceased their cooperation with the Konyang Armed Forces without so much as a word, some units seen deploying into the jungles, others, simply vanishing all together. Drones that once patrolled the skies and orbit around Konyang have been detected flying further into the Haneunim sector on a patrol pattern, before heading to its edges and similarly vanishing.

As our quiet keepers’ departure slowly took more and more notice, Suwon officials hastily arranged a farewell banquet in front of the KRC headquarters, where the closest liaison between Purpose and the corporation yet remained. Hundreds of individuals, both consisting of KRC doctors, cured citizens, and their families gathered to catch a glimpse of our mysterious saviors to which Purpose’s “Sentinel Unit” 11004538 obliged with a short anecdote in the front courtyard of the building. Standing atop a stairway with Suwon’s Mayor and the KRC’s chief of research, they said the following:

“Congratulate. Not me. For this battle you fought was accomplished. By you. And you alone. The tenacity against a threat. And the coordination within. Are the real tools for victory.”

And with one last look to the crowd, the unit vanished, leaving puzzled murmurs and even more a more confused Mayor.

While their cooperation with us has seemed to come to a close, Purpose still seems to be active on Konyang for a little while longer. Reports have come in that a small team of the Purpose units of various makes were seen entering one of Konyang’s ancient vaults underneath Aoyama and have yet to exit. Whatever their next step may be, Konyang will be forever grateful for the cure they brought to catastrophe.

''Further reading:''

''Kaneyama: NPP operation to stabilize within the week, "no significant damage," says spokesperson.''

''Ganzaodeng: How the desert prefecture remained minimally affected by the crisis.''

''Cuisine: Up!Burger announces plans for off-world expansion in shareholder meeting.''

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=Invasion Alarm Brings Unlikely Aid=
'''News Article'''

'''Publisher : BITBYTE'''

'''Writer : NOBLE ROW'''

Date: 25/03/2466

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''Suwon, Konyang''

With the effort of the Konyang Armed Forces and the Elite Forces of the Stellar Corporate Conglomerate, Konyang is now spared of its crisis, families slowly reuniting, citizens returning to their homes, and reconstruction efforts are debated on the parliament floor. But surprise has still come to stay. Early warning stations across the Haneunim sector blared this morning, alerting the KASF of an invasion level event. Preparing for a potential Hivebot counter attack, vessels scrambled to defend Konyang, but all of the preparation was deemed a false alarm as over one hundred vessels simultaneously entered Haneunim declaring aid. Each vessel, arranging from ornate freighters to expensive luxury vessels, all of various tonnages, with a few stranger, smaller engraved escort ships of unknown make, sporting the telltale designation GDV in representation of the Golden Deep.

Upon their entrance and the alarm of the KASF, the lead flagship of this civilian armada, the GDV Herald of Wind quelled the anxiety over open communication with the announcement that she, her captain, and her fellows are prepared to restore Konyang to its former glory with an extensive cargo of building material, reconstructive plans, and humanitarian aid. The captain of the Herald of Wind, Grand Merchant Addalin, a known former member of Midas Control, declared that they and their accompanying merchants were directed here from the Midas Control room itself moments before news reached the spur of the destruction of the final hivebot transmitter and the activation of the ECD.

The arrival was met with consternation from the Konyanger Parliament so soon after the change in Purpose’s behavior, with ministers from the ruling New Konyang Party putting forth a motion to reinstate pre-Crisis entry restrictions that narrowly failed to pass due to dissent within the party ranks, though it received surprising support from several ministers within the National Party. Many prefectural officials still remain suspicious of allowing such a large and unchecked mercantile presence on the planet, though the most suffering regions, particularly in Boryeong, have eagerly accepted their aid. Public opinion in many areas is believed to have turned towards the Golden Deep after private relief programs by the already-present Zaibatsu group of the merchant collective. In a call for unity, President Hyun Kyung-Ho issued a statement from the Crimson House, acknowledging the reluctance held by many in the government, but urging “cautious cooperation” in order to speed up the reconstruction of the planet.

With many hopeful that the relief of these affluent merchants could finally bring a sense of normalcy to Konyang’s catastrophe stricken planet, others are skeptical at the motivations. The Golden Deep are known as dizzying businessmen and eccentric, pompous IPCs, some deeming them no better than slavers of their own kind, so many wonder what lies behind their generosity in this extraordinary change of face. In a public statement made by Grand Merchant Addalin to BitByte they’ve said the following:

“I have spent five years in Midas Control. Five years of working towards great change, sowing the seeds for not only better business, but for a better future. With my recent departure, I herald the winds of change that are finally blowing, and it is not only my pleasure, but my honor, to bring relief to the synthetics of Konyang, and to rebuild an industry better than it ever was before. I understand the worry, the anxiety, but rest assured, this deal will be profitable for the both of us.”

To what this statement truly means, we do not know, but BitByte is happy to announce that we have been personally invited for a string of exclusive articles to uncover this mystery on the Midas herself in the future.

As unlikely heroes of the Golden Deep, having made the first effort to relieve Konyang, has spurned the rest of the Coalition into action. Coalition members such as Xanu, Galatea, and Himeo announced freighters of aid and supplies to be departing their docks by the end of the week, with the Trinary leader ARM-1DRIL similarly declaring the creation of a relief mission from Orepit to be departing any day to help the reconstruction and normalization efforts. Konyang is now finally emerging from the storm to a new dawn.

''Further Reading:''

''Family: Lost dog reunited with once infected synthetic: "They never left their side."''

''Fashion: Leaked Golden Deep clothing line: “Is Restoration Just a Front for Fashion?”''

''Spur: Stereotyped Unathi forgives false alarm as they continue vacation''

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Silicon Nightmares Arc

2024-02-20T17:24:57Z

Noble Row: /* Event 3: Lit in Neon */

User:The lancer/Sandbox 3

2024-02-04T21:49:40Z

Noble Row: /* Media */

{{Navbox Lore}}
{{Navbox Human Lore}}
{{Navbox Konyang}}
<center>[[File:Konyang_pixel.png]]</center>
{{TOC Hidden}}
{{Template:Region-RebelsReach}}

==Overview==
Originally established in 2305 as a Solarian Alliance Outer Ring planet, Konyang is presently one of the more distant outposts under the Coalition of Colonies after its independence in '''2462'''. Konyang’s capital city Suwon, the largest settlement on the planet, is built upon a natural formation that defines most of Konyang's geography: islands with large interior mountains that feature lush, but soaking wet, coastal jungle regions. Konyang was initially a relatively average Outer Ring settlement intended to export water, before the discovery of mysterious, deactivated drones in 2407 led to a robotics boom occuring on the planet that lasted well into the 2450s. The Konyang of today is a planet renowned for its robotics industry, though some of its initial luster has faded in the years following its boom. Water, however, remains a key industry - the planet has a remarkably low salination level, meaning that essentially all of its water is drinkable. Konyang Solarian Common, or Konyang Common, is the most used language on the planet inside and outside of major population centers. Due to its proximity to the Coalition of Colonies planets, Coalition member planets often import water from Konyang. In major cities and universities, Tradeband can be found being spoken, though it remains rare. Speakers of the language are generally from off-planet, moving to Konyang during its robotics boom. Konyang almost completely lacks valuable minerals due to intensive mining efforts carried out by drones—whose source remains unknown—hundreds of years before it was colonized.

'''Because of the ethnic make-up of Konyang's original settlers and assimilation of immigrants into the native population during the first AI boom, human characters born on Konyang will have names and appearances consistent with the people of China, the Korean Peninsula, and Japanese Islands. Only native Konyangers or Konyang-made IPCs may select the Konyanger accent. This is enforceable by server moderators and admins.'''

[[File:Konyang flag.png| The Konyanger flag was adopted in 2462, having unofficially been used by pro-autonomy circles long before the declaration of independence. The traditional taitju represents peace and harmony as the highest values of the new state, with the color blue representing the waterways the planet is known for and yellow, their aim of prosperity. The white background represents Konyang's purity.
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==History==

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===Conception and Planning | 2200s - 2299===
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When the United Nations proposed and eventually enforced the creation of the Alliance of Sovereign Solarian Nations, China, Korea and Japan were once more forced to band together to compete with the world for influence inside the newly found institution. Rivals such as the European Union, the Soviet Union, the Commonwealth and the United States were first in line to claim hegemonic roles, their space programs forming the core of Solarian colonization of the Inner, Middle and Outer rings over the centuries, populating them with their own peoples and sparking an unofficial race for prestige land grabs, one which the Department of Colonization was more than happy to let unfold, resulting in the extremely fast expansion of Humanity into the Orion Spur. While regional powers such as India and the Mediterranean countries began creating their own colonies on Gadpathur and Assunzione, the East Asian trio were relegated to secondary roles of supplying technology, labor and capital without any actual representation in the stars, a situation problematic for some and resented by many in the “sovereign” governments.

It was thus decided to present a plan to Solarian functionaries for a colony spearheaded by China and supported heavily by Korea and Japan, aimed at restoring the pride of the three “cousin-nations” and their position in the Alliance. Intense negotiations and technical planning amounted to years of disagreements over the name, location and allocation of responsibilities between the partners, as well as the presence of China’s Einstein Engines megacorporation, which offered to finance a great portion of the initial effort. Soon however, the advent of the Second Great Depression and the following Interstellar War in the mid-late 2200’s saw a bankrupt Alliance put a halt to any colonization projects, resulting in the plans being shelved. The war took a great toll on the core Solarian worlds, including Earth and its nations which were called to provide manpower, funds and materiel for the Solarian Navy. Federal China’s economy tanked completely under the pressure, relying on IMF bailouts and stays of payment on the salaries of its public sector, with pensionaries and students being most severely hit, resulting in massive social upheaval which would have long lasting consequences for the country’s financial hegemony in the post-war region.

As peace and relative stability returned, the Alliance found a newly independent, sizable and embittered Coalition of Colonies rival its claims in the Galactic East, calling for the presence of military garrisons and naval stations to protect the border. It was at this time that colonization projects were beginning to reemerge, with the Pacific Pact racing once more to submit a viable plan for a colony that would represent East Asia. A fatigued China could no longer bear the incredible costs it aspired to as the leader of the colonial venture before the war, giving significant leeway to the other two partners and largely retreating behind its megacorporation, Einstein Engines, which was still willing to back the endeavor. An aggressive Korean delegation largely dictated terms, giving birth to the “Konyang Project”, named after the Konyang University in which the colonial undertaking was revealed and presented to the public in 2299.
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===Early Colonial Period | 2304 - 2400s===
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The plan envisioned five convoys for the establishment of four primary settlements on a strategically placed planet selected by the Solarian Navy for the support of local naval operations against any threats from the Frontier Alliance. The targeted planet was revealed to be a lush world first discovered in 2278 by a long-range scouting probe, dominated by water and possessing a breathable atmosphere, placing it in a prime position to sustain Human civilization. The quickly named “Haneunim” solar system possessed a few more bodies of secondary importance, and the first convoy was scheduled to launch on the 10th of March 2304, from the Wenchang spaceport in South China, to meet the long-distance freighters in orbit of Luna that would carry the first 5,000 colonists to Konyang. The ethnic mix-up of the colonists were equally distributed amongst the three nationalities, with all being volunteers and 646 of them under the employ of Einstein Engines.

It took the warp-propelled convoy one year to reach its destination, traversing light years of Solarian vastness before meeting the Navy squadron which would escort them to the planet, with touchdown being made on September 8th, 2305. Konyang was covered in jungles and great mountain ranges, requiring great labor from the men and women of the expedition to create the first settlement, under the direction of officers from the Department of Colonization. Two months later, Unity Station would receive the first signal passed along by the Navy, originating from beacon Number 22890/223, Designation ‘SUWON’. The foundations had been laid. In the following decades, all five convoys would come to form the basis of the “Konyang Territory”, a colony directly controlled by the Alliance and the Solarian Navy as the base of the 58th Fleet. Boosted by its status as a naval base, the abundance of freshwater and with the backing of Einstein, all three cities were realized; Suwon and Boryeong, New Hong Kong, and Aoyama, each at the start holding ethnic majorities of Koreans, Chinese and Japanese respectively.
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===The Robotics Boom | 2407 - 2430s===
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Despite the acceptable climate and near unlimited freshwater, the colonial government soon realized an alarming lack of mineral resources, forcing a complete reliance on external trade and supplies from the Navy for any and all industrial goods and even basic construction materials, a reality which had to be corrected as fast as possible. A planet-wide scanning expedition was organized, while “patriotic aid” was fervently being fundraised in China, Japan and Korea for nearly a whole century to cope with the colonists' increasing demands. This led to a landmark moment in the history of Konyang, when on the 21st of April 2404, mining teams dug into a collapsed tunnel outside the vicinity of Aoyama, discovering a defunct mining drone, crushed by tonnes of rock and soil. The chassis appeared broken and old, though its very presence implied the exploitation of the planet by a different civilization.

The device was hurried back in secrecy to a panel of dumbfounded colonial officials, who deemed that their corporate partners would be more suited in tracking down its origin. As such, after a quick formality bid behind closed doors, the Alliance sold off its odd piece of government property to Einstein Engines whose scientists saw it as a curious case worth pursuing. Month after month, the Terraneus Diagnostics laboratory in Aoyama kept receiving bits and pieces from similar drones recovered from abandoned, centuries-old mineshafts, culminating in the 2406 discovery of a sealed vault containing a great number of intact mining drones. The severity of this discovery was immediately apparent to the scientists. Words were had with the governor of Konyang by the local Einstein Engines representative, and it was decided to keep the drones a very closely-guarded secret - with only select Terraneus and government officials even being aware of their existence at all, let alone what was being done with them.

The Terraneus research team worked feverishly, though in secret, for months upon months. Staff were quietly shipped in from offworld in order to not alert outside observers, and the team continued to work upwards of eighty hour weeks in order to crack the drones. In mid-2407, they achieved one of the most remarkable breakthroughs in recent scientific memory by cracking the AI algorithms of the drones. Information of this moved rapidly from the local Einstein Engines office up the corporate chain and moved equally rapidly up the government's chain from provincial office to Sol itself. The information spread like wildfire, and humanity now had the secret of AI despite not truly knowing from where or who these machines came from. This was little more than a footnote to the Nralakk Federation - to them, these AI were crude and hardly approached the machines that had driven their civilization to ruin.

The robotics boom of Konyang caused a variety of benefits and harms to the previously marginal outer ring planet. The economy ballooned massively, as did its standard of living and industries. Konyang moved from a rural backwater that exported food and water to a high-tech planet that still exported basic goods, but primarily focused upon robotics. Megacorporations flocked to the planet: Einstein Engines, already present through Terraneus, rapidly secured dominance over the planet; Hephaestus Industries struggled with Einstein dominated competition before selling its factories over to local government control in 2427; and Zeng-Hu Pharmaceuticals, despite its skrell benefactors, purchased rights to examine the planet's biosphere from Einstein. The fact that their prosthetic limbs were originally designed on this planet has been stated to be a "happy coincidence" by its board. Due to the mass arrival of corporations, jobs were readily available - the planet was booming.

A massive migration wave of Einstein employees and their families to Aoyama made the city wrangle the spot of first in importance from the nominal capital of Suwon, to the point where the expatriate scientific community and their dependents outnumbered the local Japanese original colonists. The city quickly became known to Humanity as “Point Verdant”, the name assigned to the Terraneus Diagnostics laboratory in Aoyama, while the parent countries on Earth invested billions to capitalize on the success of their colonial project, to lift the planet into a modern world and reap the public relations benefits of their colony achieving a breakthrough in artificial intelligence.

The rapid expansion of Konyang's industries and cities had overtaxed the limited bureaucracy on the planet to the breaking point, and architects were in short supply. Urban planning on Konyang is estimated to be some of the worst in Alliance space outside of New Hai Phong as a result, with cities such as Point Verdant often having haphazard roads running through them and districts smashed together with no apparent rhyme or reason - a legacy of corporate jockeying for areas of interest, and the municipal corruption that came with it. There are countryside facilities originally utilized for drone research and retrieval that have, in recent years, fallen into disuse and disarray. Such facilities often dot the mountains and foothills of Konyang, slowly being overtaken by nature - sometimes with unfortunate results when these facilities have been improperly stripped of dangerous materials. The environment also suffered in areas where drones were found - jungles were cut or burnt away by corporations in order to get at the precious drones below, prefab buildings were orbitally dropped and erected, and landing zones were cut into the landscape itself.

The stormy tidal waves so infamous for tormenting the early colonists were tamed through the building of sea walls, a comprehensive road network linked the remote villages with the urban centers, and the city of Ganzaodeng was raised from the rocky desert. The Konyanger conglomerate PACHROM would mark the rise of the first native Chaebols, building shipyards, dams, hydroelectric plants and the first space fleet capable of ferrying enormous capacities of water across interstellar systems.
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===The Positronic Integration | 2410s===
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Soon enough, IPCs entered production on the planet, making Konyang one of the first places to embrace the positronic revolution. The limited resources saw higher prices, lessening the availability of domestically produced frames. Furthermore, the still rudimentary waterproofing technologies meant that IPCs could not work for long hours without shelter, ensuring that human jobs would remain safe from automation. When in the rest of Sol IPCs were produced en-masse for labor, Konyanger IPCs were more integrated in white-collar employment and indoors service-related work. Meanwhile, a growing media culture based on animation combined with the Konyanger recycle-friendly attitude, giving newer generations a fresh look on positronic intelligence, one that valued them as people rather than a disposable resource. The lack of widespread automation never brought the anti-synthetic sentiment so common in the rest of Sol, and IPCs in time became a unique cultural phenomenon in the colony’s urban centers.

Solarian laws governing the relations between IPCs and mankind were nominally enforced on Konyang, barring synthetics from gaining their own freedom, a fact which remained a thorn between the more liberal, younger Konyangers and the older generations. Einstein Engines allied with the Solarian governorship to press for the continuing status of Konyang as a colony, preventing elections and thus any liberal political influence from threatening the company’s grip on its synthetic workforce. This however, did not prevent Konyanger society to further integrate IPCs, even if the concept of universal citizenship for all synthetics was still far from publicly accepted. Aoyama was most receptive to the positronics, as a center of research and culture, with IPCs welcomed in people’s houses, treated like family and celebrated in festivals and even religious ceremonies. Suwon sentiment remained ambivalent, though many Solarian officials and naval officers expressed most severe concerns, in many cases pressing for crackdowns and questioning the morals of Konyanger citizens. The denizens of New Hong Kong and Ganzaodeng on the other hand, were most unhappy, with the powerful Chinese factory and shipyard labor unions remaining vocally opposed to IPC rights in the workplace, owing to their ties with the wider Solarian unions.

The profound effects of the emergence of this positronic culture were soon felt across the planet, change being heralded through a wave of demonstrations in mid to late 2412. High school and university students in Aoyama took to the streets to call for synthetic rights, in one of the few instances of pro-IPC disturbances on Solarian soil. In particular, the students called for the immediate emancipation of owned synthetics, marching from the main First Avenue down to the Governor's House and being joined by crowds of people and IPCs alike. The Aoyama Constabulary alongside Terraneus security forces were ordered to put a swift end to the march, resulting in the first major incident since the founding of the colony. Over 400 student injuries were recorded, the crowds responding with rocks and branches to the authorities’ tear gas and water cannons. 247 arrests were made that day, sparking additional outrage in the student movement as the ringleaders were tried as adults and given lengthy prison sentences. Smaller incidents were also noted in Suwon and Boryeong, marking 2412 as a year of upheaval and social change, laying the foundations for full IPC citizenship.
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===Late Colonial Period | 2410s - 2440s===
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As Konyang left behind the troubled ’10s and social peace returned through decrees permitting local city authorities to afford certain permissions for IPCs. This followed the final robotics' boom peak in the 2430s, seeing the planet’s GDP growth reach new levels. The colony’s industrial potential skyrocketed, with hundreds of hydroelectric dams, sea walls and shipyards creating thousands of new jobs in New Hong Kong, the new industrial core of Konyang. Labour relations shifted dramatically, as the new Hephaestus-pioneered industrial chassis enabled IPCs to work in the most difficult of conditions, sidelining and driving off the all powerful Gwongfu labor unions, with human employees forced into the urban centers and Ganzaodeng, contributing to a skyrocketing of the local IPC population in the prefecture.

Suwon saw a significant rise in business activity with the outside world, emboldening private ventures to the neighboring Frontier Alliance, bringing in massive profits from moss and entertainment exports. The animation industry reached new heights, with hundreds of new studios producing pioneering and high quality work, including classics like “One Day in My Life” and “Tomonomimi”, two of the most highly acclaimed works of media in recent Solarian memory. The entertainment sector brought new life to the Konyanger tourism industry as well, with more and more people rediscovering the distant hidden gem tucked deep in the fringes of the Alliance. The Suwon Stock Exchange was listed for the first time in the Chicago Financial Review, Sol’s most coveted investment periodical, as “Upcoming”, leading to billions of credits flowing in the country from abroad.

New chaebol conglomerates emerged, replacing even Einstein products with widely successful “Local, Cheaper and Better” campaigns. While Gwok Foods was making headlines in 2439 as the most successful Konyanger “IPC-inspired” exporter by yearly gross tonnage, the Ayame Motor Corporation created the first “completely Konyanger” 2-seat automobile designed for the cramped roads of Suwon and Point Verdant, becoming an instant hit. The Boryeong based Mujigae Publishing brought comics back into the youth’s hands, and Konymation had expanded to control cinemas, movie production studios, theme parks and restaurant chains in its ever expanding media empire.
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===Independence and Present Day | 2462 - Present===
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The Mars Violet Dawn catastrophe of 2462 signaled an era of widespread uncertainty and energy insecurity for the entirety of the Sol Alliance, with the Spur-wide phoron crisis exacerbating the situation for the Alliance’s Middle and especially Outer Ring colonies. A Konyanger recession in the late 2450s had already stretched the colonial government thin, with riots over the cost of living and unemployment in New Hong Kong and Suwon making national news for years on end. As the shaken corporations entered discussions on how they would survive the ever increasing phoron costs, it was made clear to everyone that the Alliance could not, and would not fund the refitting of the corporate fleets with the new Suzuki-Zhang Hammer Drive engine, threatening the complete cutoff of Konyang from outer space should the local Bluespace gate fail. Only a few Einstein vessels and the 58th Fleet stationed on the planet remained as the only reliable link between Konyang and the Spur.

The shortage soon hit the domestic market, leading to dangerous price increases for even the most essential of supplies. The average Konyanger saw their purchasing power plummet, as salaries remained stagnant in the face of a decreasing supply. The colonial Governor Hyun Kyung-Ho, turned to the only emergency option left, Earth. It was not the first time that Patriotic Aid was raised in China, Korea and Japan, though this time it proved most underwhelming. As the call for help fell on ears of men that could not even help their own economies, the trophy colony had to be abandoned to its own devices, with many in the East Asian public accusing Konyangers of greed and forgetting them in their apogee of financial success. With this last link to the past cut off, the question and possibility of independence soon started circling.

There was no time for serious debate however, with the Alliance being plunged into rebellion and collapse. On November 12, the 58th Fleet hastily departed Konyang, declaring a state of emergency in the system and abandoning the colonial government to its fate. Only elements of the Solarian Army and the Constabularies remained to maintain order, themselves being composed almost entirely of local Konyanger enlisted. The situation immediately turned into unrest, as public sentiment against the ineptitude of the Alliance boiled over into the streets. Massive student protests saw the storming of public buildings and central plazas in every major town and city, demanding a sharp reduction to the cost of living, IPC emancipation and a barring of the 58th Fleet from returning. Government reaction was mild, limited to the prevention of damages and protection of private property. Hyun Kyung-Ho was otherwise sympathetic to the students’ cause, sparking outrage within groups of Alliance-minded Army officers and Einstein corporate elites, who sought to prevent any secession of Konyang.

Thus, on November 15 2462, elements of the Army garrison under Lieutenant General Jiang Hongbing mobilized against the wishes of the Governor, taking up key positions in Suwon and Point Verdant. The mutinous 8th Sappers infiltrated the historic SUWON beacon telecommunications complex, preparing the country for a silent coup and preventing any long range communications with Sol. Jiang Hongbing, inspired by actions of mutinous admirals, took it upon himself to restore Konyang to the Alliance by marching the Army into the streets. While some of the formations under his command were willing to participate, the vast majority refused to bear arms against the Konyanger Governor or the student movements. In the following day, an internal power struggle saw many officers confined to their quarters, with Army hardliners being arrested, chased off or even assaulted in their own barracks as a loyalist armored brigade blocked access to the Governor’s House, preventing Hongbing’s men from touching Hyun Kyung-Ho.

With the coup’s inglorious end visible, the Governor’s staff were racing into negotiations with diplomatic officers from Coalition of Colonies still in the country for an express accession into the Coalition, following Konyang’s independence. Jiang Hongbing’s associates surrendered, himself fleeing into the thick jungles of Boryeong Prefecture, declaring a patriotic struggle in the Alliance’s name before soon being betrayed and confined at the 58th base’s Brig. On November 24 2462, telecommunications were restored, and Konyanger independence was broadcast to the world. The country’s preliminary accession into the Coalition was soon after announced, turning a new leaf in Konyang’s history. While the news was received with muted reaction from a confused Alliance government with more pressing matters to handle, the secession of Konyang was a huge blow to the three parent countries. After Governor Hyun Kyung-Ho assembled the nation’s intellectuals, economic and political figures, it was decided that he would remain in place as independent Konyang’s first Governor to organize free elections and set up the foundations for a democratic state.

Now, as a free Konyang comes out to the world stage, strong government initiative has seen its large synthetic factories nationalized, rapidly introducing legislation to establish the relationship with Einstein Engines. While they still are the dominating megacorporation on the planet, Einstein has lost most of its heavy industry, though still retaining the important research facilities around the vaults, as well as a good portion of software and positronic brain creation.
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==Location and Environment==

===The Haneunim System===
The Haneunim System, centered around the yellow star it is named for, Haneunim, contains four major celestial bodies, including the planet of Konyang. The whole system bears evidence of ancient mining operations, missing an asteroid belt to separate the inner and outer system with what few rocks remain being mostly picked clean of minerals. The innermost planet is known as Huozhu and remains practically inaccessible due to the scorching heat of Haneunim. Following it is Hwanung , an insignificant dwarf planet believed to have maintained a thin arid atmosphere before most of its mass was artificially stripped away. The third planet in the System is Konyang, accompanied by its lifeless moon of Qixi. Shiranui, a blue gas giant with a ring, is the outermost planet from Haneunim. An asteroid belt, far to the outskirts and composed mostly of ice, forms a ring around the entire system, although this remains largely unexploited by both the Konyanger government and local corporations. It is instead the stomping ground of both refugees fleeing the Sol Wildlands, and the pirates that seek to prey on them.

===Geography===
[[File:Konyang_map_sat.png|A geographic map of Konyang, showcasing the planet's different biomes. |thumb|800px]]
Primarily a tropical world smaller than Earth, Konyang boasts a mean radius of 5,111 kilometers. Freshwater oceans cover upwards of 88% of the planet’s surface. These oceans also grant Konyang its signature green color when viewed from orbit, in no small part thanks to the abundant presence of moss in the planet’s waterways. The planet’s continents are classified by its larger landmasses and island chains, although given the tides, the planet remains studded with small island chains and archipelagos that ebb and flow with the season. Two small ice caps exist on Konyang where the planet experiences a miniscule amount of snowfall and cold climates. The Konyanger terrain is principally mountainous, with large ranges covering vast areas of the planet’s landmasses. The tallest peak belongs to Mount Sansin, the highest mountain standing at a record 13.890 meters above sea level, its base forming an island of its own. Flanking the mountains are usually lush jungles, present in almost every island and continent in varying densities. This means that settlements have to be located in clearings adjacent to the coastline, on terrain with relatively even elevation. The largest and most dense jungle is located in Bukupo, an island in the heart of the Boryeong Prefecture. The largest landmass on the planet is Cheomseongtang, home of the Suwon prefecture and the nation’s capital. Other notable landmasses are the Oshima islands, hosting the largest mountain ranges, as well as the Yu islands, home of the only biome that could be described as a desert. New Hokkaido is the largest northernmost territory, renowned for its biodiversity and frosty tundra due to its proximity to the planet’s pole, as well as a unique lack of jungles. It is administered directly by the Government of Konyang, being the site of many scientific expeditions and military exercises, only boasting a population of a few hundred people.

===Environment===
[[File:Konyang.png|An image of Konyang, displaying mossy oceans and algae-covered water as the face of the planet. |thumb]]
Konyang features a highly atypical environment for a habitable planet: it is entirely freshwater. The surface of the planet is primarily oceans, with estimates placing upwards of 88% of the planet as covered in water. What is not under the sea are the islands of Konyang, where the vast majority of its population lives. These islands follow a general pattern: a small coastal area and a large mountain range ringing the island. The freshwater oceans of Konyang feature a remarkable diverse biosphere, and Konyang underwater flora, such as freshwater moss, is often used in the planet's native dishes and exported offworld, as far afield as Sol and Tau Ceti. Konyang is defined by two seasons: wet, lasting nine months, and dry, lasting three months.

The coastal regions of Konyang represent the smallest regions of its islands, but contain upwards of 90% of the planet's population. Often called the "coastal jungles" of Konyang, these areas are extremely wet - flooding is an issue in many areas, though the bulk of populated and urban areas are protected by extensive flood protection infrastructure, primarily lengthy complexes of walls. Coastal areas feature a wealth of plant and animal life, both of which have been put under stress by the rapid expansion of Konyang's cities.

Although Konyang’s coastal waters are often tinted green from moss, even more so than its oceans, harvesting and cleanup efforts along the coasts of the main and important islands have resulted in some sections of the planet appearing blue. These areas are often exploited for settlements and as tourist destinations for their scenic looks, while dedicated seaweed and algae farms dot the planet, providing an income for local villages and traditional producers. The most famous Konyanger food exporter, Go-Go Gwok!, has the largest involvement in the moss and seaweed industry.

The inland mountain ranges of Konyang can be up to several kilometers in height in some areas, with smaller foothills featuring some rare settlements leading up to them. These ranges, which lack valuable minerals completely due to Glorsh-era mining, are the reason for Konyang's jungles - they form an effective rain shadow. Some mountains have what is assumed to be collapsed mines in them, deactivated drones scattered throughout.

A phenomenon unique to the easternmost Yu islands of the Ganzaodeng prefecture, inland deserts are created due to the rain shadow caused by the surrounding mountain ranges. These are the least populated areas of the planet. Extraordinarily dry, little grows or lives in these environments. Rare Zeng-Hu Pharmaceuticals facilities can be found in this area, taking advantage of the isolation and relatively sterile environment that the inland deserts offer.

Lastly, the oceans of Konyang are regularly stormy, the large waves being harnessed for their energy in electricity production at numerous such outposts, scattered throughout the unpopulated islets in the farthest and most secluded areas.

===Flora and Fauna===
Wildlife on Konyang is a peculiar mix of its original environment and the thousands of invasive species introduced by Human colonization. Species introduced in the initial colonization of the planet include huge herbivores and peaceful, if ecologically destructive, wildlife. Additionally, the large oceans are host to an uncountable number of species of fish, crustaceans and aquatic molluscs, with many being unique to their region of origin. Flora on Konyang is among its most famed aspects, spearheaded by the mossy shores and overgrowth which covers the vast majority of its visible terrain. All plant life which survives on Konyang must survive the extremely damp environment, and as such either thrives in the water, or is capable of moving away from it. Konyang's waters are famously covered in green moss and seaweed, giving it its signature color when viewed from orbit.

Some examples of unique flora and fauna are:
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'''Shelfers'''
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In the marsh and lowlands of Konyang's algae coasts resides an invasive species of large omnivores known as '''Shelfers.''' These are gluttonous moss-feasting beasts, with a distinct six-legged and bloated appearance. They are excellent swimmers, owed to webbed joints and a wedge shaped, slick head. From this, it uses a set of large protruding teeth to scrape moss and undersea growths. This creature is endangered, and displayed as a national animal thanks to its unique appearance. Originally a danger to unprepared colonization, these gained a reputation for its tendency to attack colonists.

These were first encountered by colonists who had shipped wildlife to and from Arusha, where escaped subjects managed to reproduce- over the years becoming a cultural icon due to their miraculous beneficial place they have in Konyang's ecosystem.
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'''Konyanger Jeweler Cockatoo'''
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Known for its affinity to decorate its nesting grounds with surface-level pearls and gems of all sorts is an opportunistic carnivore, the '''Jeweler Cockatoo.''' This large avian is an offshoot of the Earth parrot, bred originally to “liven the landscape” of Konyang’s dreary inner mountainous lands. Eventually, with the assistance of high-level genetic modification, they grew to giant proportions whilst maintaining the health and lifestyle of a standard - ''if highly dangerous'' - parrot.

Where small patches of forest and barrens clash, these birds thrive and craft beautiful roosts in the relative safety of open fields. In these fields, diminutive predators avoid the large avian’s glare (or don’t, and are frequently preyed upon.) The Jeweler Cockatoo possesses two sharp talons on one digit of each of its feet, and a short - but unbelievably sharp beak, refined further by its tendency to dig. The wingspan of these birds can grow up to fifteen feet.

The Jeweler Cockatoo is the national bird of Konyang, with many stylized imagery depicting the bird in some shape or form.
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'''Glittering Konyang Moss'''
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Found in vast plains of coastal territories in excess is the overflowing, yet precious resource of '''Konyang moss.''' One of its primary exports, this barely-tapped commodity retains a huge capacity to feed Konyang’s already sturdy ecosystem, and the billions which reside upon it, and more to export. The evolutionary process which grew this mystical, shimmering moss is a mystery, however its luster and fields of green it generates has a wonderful impact on sustaining Konyang’s moist, overgrown and greenery-rich habitat.

Konyang moss is pivotal to its moving industries, and even after the robotics boom, it remains a stable source of incoming development for the since-burgeoning planet. The moss’ nutritional properties have been highly studied in recent decades. Its rapid pace of growth is exclusive to Konyang’s ecological circumstances, with everything from subterranean heat, to the algae present in its beautiful green seas factoring in.
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==Economy==
While young, the nation of Konyang boasts a powerful regional economy built upon decades of trade with both the Alliance and various Coalition partners. A developed country, Konyang manages to surpass its near total lack of ore with robust exports of foodstuff and energy, a strong shipping industry and a powerful robotics sector.

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===Raw Materials===
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[[File:Konyang dam.png|thumb|Dams and sea walls are a common sight on Konyang, used to protect cities and population centres from floods and tsunamis, as well as to exploit the violent waves for electricity.]]
Konyang's freshwater oceans were perhaps the largest boon to the starting colonists, and continues to play a substantial role behind the planet's exports. Fishing provides for a large aspect of the domestic economy, with millions of fishing boats and trawlers scouring the shores and oceans for all kinds of fish, crustaceans and other aquatic creatures, of which a complete list doesn't exist. Such is the biodiversity in Konyang's waters, that each region has its own fish markets which serve clients all over the planet and the Spur. Besides fishing, Konyang's biggest aquatic produce in terms of volume belongs to its enormous seaweed and moss harvesting industries. Entire ships are purpose-built for collecting wild greenery which floats on the high seas and the bays of Konyang, bringing in billions in offworld exports and domestic sales. The harvesting of moss is not exclusive to the sea and the aquatic farms either, as many edible varieties are collected inland, both in the planet's jungles and mountain ranges. Konyanger moss is Spur-renowned thanks to powerful marketing campaigns and the spread of the planet's cuisine.

With tremendously stormy wet seasons lasting most of the year, it is no surprise that Konyanger corporations have attempted and managed to harness the energy of the wind, waves and waters of the planet. Electricity is generated through a network of dams, hydroelectric plants, wave power stations and tidal power stations, all dotted across the vast shores and oceans of Konyang. The electricity produced is then either stored in super capacitors, or is directly wired inland through thick underwater cables, catering to the needs of virtually every power grid on the globe. Much of it is also transported on board space freighters lined with rows of large batteries, ready to make the journey to Alliance and Coalition worlds as part of the lucrative electricity export industry.

Lastly, Konyang excells in the export of water and timber. The continent-spanning untouched jungles provide an excellent source of wood for foreign markets as well as domestic construction, of which there is very heavy use in lieu of metal structures. The freshwater is also extremely easy to chemically filter, skipping any desalination process before being bottled or shipped as-is on board of one of many of Konyang's water barges; large hollow space vessels with tankers and pools for water storage.
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===Maritime Shipping===
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Surface shipping is another one of the main forces behind Konyang's domestic market economy, and an inseparable part of the nation's maritime culture. The docks and shipyards of New Hong Kong are the beating heart of the sector, which provides employment to more than 20% of the entire planet's population. Entire towns were formed and dedicated to housing the laborers and their families close to the coast, and many islands subsist entirely off of seamen's salaries and work at nearby electricity stations. Surface shipping, while slower, is a lot more economical for planetary moving of goods across the continents and islands of Konyang, being preferred to airlifting or orbital shuttling. Aside from the creation of jobs and the transportation of goods, Konyang's shipping industry produces excellent sailors who can rival those of planets such as Europa, many of whom eventually transition to space.
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===Robotics and Services===
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Ever since the robotics boom, Konyang has become a major player in the export and development of IPCs and everything surrounding them. Each year, the most cutting edge technologies catered to the improvement of the life of synthetics are released by Konyanger software companies, often to critical acclaim. This is because of the the substantial positronic population, free and eager to spend on such innovations that allow them to experience the world in a more human-like fashion. When it comes to the export of IPCs, Einstein Engines remains the prime manufacturer of chassis and positronic brains, which are shipped abroad without being activated. The practice, while putting Konyang on the map as one of the big regional producers of synthetics, is a hotly contested area between deeply entrenched corporate interests and an increasingly politically aware IPC populace. Non-positronic robotics are a separate, but once significant part of the economy, with Konyang having hoeld high places in the spur leaderboards for the making of robots, mechs, pAIs and automated systems. This sector however, took a major hit as the robotics boom slowly deflated, leaving behind abandoned industrial complexes and derelict factories.

The nation's service sector has to be one of the biggest ones, contributing a sizeable portion of the country's Gross Domestic Product. Many of the companies listed on the Suwon Stock Exchange are everything from financial consultation firms, to insurance agencies, housed in every majpr city's financial district. Skyscrapers and office complexes in downtown Suwon, Point Verdant and New Hong Kong are a daily reminder of the office life millions of Konyangers live, and many parents dream of their child being able to one day find employment in a top law firm or such. While mostly concentrated in the domestic market, many of these companies have expanded their services abroad, building a reputation of Konyanger reliability and impeccable work.
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===Konyanger Corporations===

In terms of the traditional megacorporations, the undoubted hegemon remains Einstein Engines, entrenched in the planet's life since the beginning of Konyang's colonization. The megacorporation owns a number of subsidiaries on the planet in many different sectors, most notably, Terraneus Diagnostics, which regularly bankrolls and invests in government initiatives in exchange for their continuous presence. It retains the original research facilities and control over the vaults, even if IPC production and exports are now handled by the Konyang Robotics Corporation, a public company in which Einstein controls a 49% stake. The Terraneus facilities on the planet mainly handle shell research and positronic brain production for export to the Coalition, while they occasionally butt heads with Zeng-Hu Pharmaceuticals in the realm of IPC research. Zeng-Hu has the second-largest megacorporate presence, mainly in biosphere research and sales of pharmaceuticals. Despite this, local conglomerates generally dominate the country’s financial sector, commanding the government’s cooperation and good graces in order to keep a stable economy. Upon achieving independence, Konyang has managed to maintain a strong presence of homegrown corporations in the fields of agriculture, media, energy and consumer goods.

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'''PACHROM'''
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A chemical and engineering corporation, PACHROM builds, maintains and manages eighty percent of all private dams, hydroelectric plants and seawalls on Konyang, as well as engaging in the field of chemicals and plastics production. Headed by Park Moon-soo, the business mogul is vying for influence with the government as indispensable to the nation’s energy output and defence against floods and natural disasters, making the “Pachrom Parks” one of the richest and most powerful business dynasties on the planet. Headquartered in central Suwon, the bulk of PACHROM’s operations are located in diasporic, uninhabited islands in the middle of the world’s oceans, where hundreds of organic and synthetic workmen toil daily to run the water powered electricity plants in extremely dangerous conditions.

The company’s notorious reputation for neglecting the safety of its employees and the environmental disregard for waste disposal from its plastics factories has been a big stain the Parks have struggled to wash off. While their ties to both the Alliance administration and the Konyang government have proven instrumental in their ability to dodge damning legal action, demonstrations of public outcry are a common feature in and around the street opposite the PACHROM office complex. To counter this, public relations campaigns are a constant focus, with tens of millions being spent in portraying them in a positive light. Charities are a large part of the Park family’s social presence, sponsoring public works and offering scholarships mainly in the Boryeong and New Hong Kong prefectures, where the majority of employees originate.

Often finding itself without funds from Unity Station, the colonial administration would commission PACHROM in the form of lucrative contracts for the construction of dams and power stations, allowing the utilisation of synthetics and IPC for the dangerous labour required. Due to society’s favourable opinion towards positronic intelligence, the multitude of cases of IPC fatalities would be swept under the rug with government assistance, creating a culture of tolerance towards lacklustre safety features and general disregard. Today, PACHROM’s future remains uncertain as the newly independent state of Konyang wishes tends to distance itself from its shaky past, a fact indicated by the recent awarding of the Kaneyama nuclear plant to the public company GON-ENE.
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'''Gwok Group'''
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Founded in the early 2410s with the name Hyeonsang Foods, the precursor to today’s multinational food conglomerate was the first attempt at commercialising Konyang’s seaweed and moss both for export and internal consumption. Initially finding limited success due to an overly competitive local market and foreign consumers' reluctance to the Konyanger novelty, the company's defining moment arrived during the robotics boom, launching them from mediocrity into the billion credit business stage.

As Einstein Engines staff poured into Point Verdant, Hyeonsang secured a contract from the megacorporation's local branch for providing meals and miscellaneous catering to workers and research staff. The once alienated Einstein employees would soon come around, praising the brand for its flavourful seasoning and convenience, eventually spreading the word to Einstein facilities and back home. By the late 40s, Hyeonsang was on the track of significant financial success, having secured a large foothold in the foreign dominated central districts of Point Verdant.

Rebranding into the more consumer friendly “Gwok” name in 2452, the company’s reputation abroad led to the opening of regional branches in the Solarian middle and core worlds, generating an increasingly massive amount of income, used for an aggressive takeover of the local Konyanger market. By buying off competitors, monopolising the moss and seaweed industry and introducing new marketing, Gwok’s domestic success was soon guaranteed as the primary supplier of supermarkets. In 2454 the IPC Gwok-0783, until then a senior executive and the face of the company as the main influencer of the rebrand, assumed direct control as CEO of the conglomerate thus becoming the first IPC in charge of a billion credit corporation in Sol space. The following years would see the consolidation of all affiliated assets and filial companies under an umbrella Gwok Group, topping the charts and establishing a farming, food and restaurant chain empire.
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'''Konymation'''
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Konymation represents the peak of the Konyanger animated media scene, being by far the most successful and most well known studio in the country, with a Spur-wide fame. It arose in the early days of the robotics boom, creating a resurgency of animations for both children and adults. While the industry was almost non-existent and cheap Solarian cartoons were the norm, a group of inspired artists came together to animate and direct the first feature-length production from Konyang, using native voice actors and a brand new artstyle of their own. The result was "One Day in my Life", a slice of life film following the daily routine of an IPC secretary in a human-dominated world, becoming an instant hit with both domestic and foreign audiences. Since then, Konymation rose to become the largest studio of quality animations, creating films and series for all ages and of all genres. Such was the success, that any animated pieces from Konyang have passed into the public consciousness simply as "Konymations", referred to as such in both the planet and abroad. Since their foundation, the studio has developed into a media conglomerate, buying out holoscreen channels, online platforms, news networks and more.
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'''Mujigae Publishing'''
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The biggest publishing house, Mujigae is to the comic book industry what Konymation is to animation. Having created thousands of interesting and touching comic series, Mujigae is credited with bringing paper back into the hands of millions of Konyangers, in an age where digital platforms have become the default for nearly everything in life. Many of Mujigae's works find great demand abroad as well as at home, with the company being known for their efforts to constantly seek out and recruit new artists with fresh ideas. A plethora of published series often find themselves being adapted into the holoscreen in lucrative partnerships with Konymation, as well as the other way around. Additionally, Mujigae's philanthropic work cannot go unmentioned; millions of credits have found their way to various charities on Konyang, primarily those regarding the children, the money drawn from art festivals and comicons that are hosted annually, often with the participation of the Ministry of Culture.
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'''Konyang Robotics Corporation'''
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The Konyang Robotics Corporation, or KRC as is more commonly known, is the country's largest government-controlled company centered around the manufacture, maintenance and welfare of the nation's positronic population. Borrowing heavily from Einstein know-how and infrastructure, it originated from the nationalization of Einstein and Terraneus IPC factories, with the majority of their employees swapping over to a government payroll. Einstein Engines controls 49% of the shares of the company, lending it tremendous behind-the-scenes influence on Konyang's synthetic population.

The primary function of the KRC is the production, storage and activation of IPC citizens. A very politically and socially sensitive topic, great care is placed by the government through the Ministry of Health and Positronic Affairs to meticulously calculate and order the amount of yearly activations, so as to maintain the Human-IPC ratio and meet the demands of the job market. To that effect, the KRC also acts as a sort of "school" for the newly activated IPC citizens, with special orientation camps where synthetics are taught about Konyanger society before released to the world.

Furthermore, the KRC acts as the primary health provider for Konyanger IPCs, with clinics and hospitals situated in every town and city, as well as strategically placed in certain villages in the countryside. Thousands of roboticists, engineers and software technicians are employed by the KRC to act as the equivalents of surgeons, physicians, nurses and paramedics for the IPC population, who are afforded universal healthcare through the KRC. Appointment times are dependent on location and the capacity of the clinic or hospital, with many in more remote areas having to wait months for limb replacements and other, more heavy duty needs that cannot be met by their local KRC center.
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'''GON-ENE'''
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GON-ENE is a newly formed, state-controlled energy utilities company, created following the announcement of the Kaneyama Nuclear Power Plant. Perceived as a direct competitor to PACHROM, GON-ENE has been planned to expand into hydroelectric and wave power, giving the government a greater control of the nation's power grid and cutting back reliance on privately-owned sector, though complete autarky is off the table for at least many decades.
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==Government==
''Main Article: [[Konyanger Government and Politics#Government|Konyanger Government]]''

Konyang is organized as a unitary semi-parliamentary republic headed by a President, the former colonial governor Hyun Kyung-Ho being elected to the position after independence. The Prime Minister is elected by the citizenry every four years, and is the leader of the governing party in the Parliament of Konyang. The current Prime Minister is Myeong Myung-Dae.

Planetary politics are found on both a national and prefectural level, with every party running in local and national elections. Polarization is fairly limited, the vast majority of Konyangers rejecting the extreme views put forward by radical political movements in the country that tend to be marginalized. IPC politicians do exist and are found in every major party, though most can be seen sitting with the National Party of Konyang.

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===Military===
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[[File:Marine.png|thumb|right|An IPC Konyanger Naval Infantryman in full gear.]]
Konyang’s military, also known as the Konyang Armed Forces, was first formed shortly after the colony’s independence from personnel of the former Solarian garrison. As a result, it carries a lot of the traditions of the Solarian Armed Forces. Bolstered by conscription laws requiring both organic and synthetic citizens one year of mandatory service, the KAF possesses Army, Navy and Aerospace branches. IPCs are actively recruited and accepted into the military, forming both their own and deployed in mixed units. This segregation is justified by the government as based solely on the differentiating capabilities, logistical needs and skills between man and machine.

That claim does hold true to an extent, with IPCs taking a more active role in special forces formations, dealing with operations requiring levels of precision and focus that artificial intelligence can easily provide. A famous example is the army’s Mechatronic Corps, an elite unit utilising large, leftover battle mechs retrofitted for a pair of pilots. Such a force is unique in the Coalition, and is often used abroad in operations under broader CoC military command. Mixed infantry units of conscripts do exist, fielded in jungle patrol tasks or assigned garrison duty.

Notably for a 25th century military, the Navy maintains a very large aquatic force which it uses to patrol the vast oceans of the planet. Regularly described as more of a coast guard than a military arm, it is more geared for domestic policing than combat, consisting mostly of ships acting as launching points for many smaller, coast guard type vessels that patrol the vast expanse of the planet’s waterways and launch military aircraft. Nevertheless, it provides important services with its multiple telecommunication, radar and island outposts, providing crucial meteorological information for everyday seafaring and flood prevention on a planet where storms and extreme weather are the norm.

The Konyang Aerospace Forces perform both atmospheric and orbital operations with their doctrine clearly influenced by former Solarian officers within their ranks. Their fleet consist of obsolete vessels donated by Coalition planets, partially brought up to a modern standard by the planet’s technology and manufacturing sector. In 2465, the KASF’s main tasks include protecting the system from pirates and policing the large influx of refugees from the Human Wildlands, regularly pushing them to other planets within the Coalition as per Konyang’s strict migration laws.

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===National Police===
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[[File:Konyanger Police Ranks.png|thumb|In order to organize the National Police and smooth cooperation between prefectures, a unified rank structure was adopted shortly after its formation.]]
Despite its federal nature, the main law enforcement agency on the planet is the National Police, formed after Konyang’s independence from the merging of a number of local and specialised agencies under the then Solarian authority. One major change since then has been the introduction of synthetic officers in all positions and ranks, while also creating special divisions suited best for them. Police gear remains rather antiquated for the era, the force still using old Solarian equipment and stocks from the colonial garrison, meaning that much of the tactics and thinking remain unchanged. Considered tame by Alliance standards, the National Police places an emphasis on preventative policing, building rapport with local communities, and relying on a sense of civic duty from the populace to perform its duties. Despite this, the National Police has nonetheless received criticism for occasional incidents of corruption and brutality, mostly against synthetic citizens. This is more common in remote departments and conservative prefectures, where the sudden inclusiveness of synthetic officers with equal pay and opportunities is seen as a threat. Such incidents aside, government efforts for the modernisation of the National Police are ongoing.

The police is subject to the Ministry of Public Safety in Suwon and is organised at the national level, with local departments answering to the assigned hierarchy in their prefecture. Special divisions are deployed to deal with various policing duties, their size ranging from a whole new branch to Special Robotics detachments specialising in detainment of volatile synthetic suspects. The largest of these subdivisions and arguably the most important, the Coast Guard is the maritime arm of the National Police, operating a fleet of shore and sea patrol vessels in their mission to enforce the law at the huge array of islands and in Konyang’s waters. As the planet is surrounded by oceans, the Coast Guard has proven itself essential to the battle against smuggling and piracy while also assuming search and rescue duties during flooding, tsunamis and other catastrophes. The National Police has also gained Coalition-wide acclaim for its Special Robotics Division - a task force known for its expertise in detaining IPC without causing permanent damage.
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==Culture==
''Main article: [[Konyanger_Culture_and_Demographics|Konyanger Culture]]''

Konyang’s culture has been shaped by its East Asian Earther heritage, unique status as a colony with little to no resources, and as the birthplace of positronics. Konyanger society is often described as closed-off, with many unspoken social norms that vary from prefecture to prefecture. Key social norms that are shared in Konyang’s culture are Harmony, Reciprocity, and Face. Often derided as “meekness”, Harmony refers to enforcing unity and conformity within society. The specific manifestations vary from prefecture to prefecture, but in general, individuals who disrupt a sense of peace can face social ostracization. For instance, explicit disagreement such as using the word “no” is considered impolite, and a non-answer is often far more acceptable. Harmony also refers to a person’s social role; respect should be shown to people of a higher status, usually along traditional lines such as age, profession, and experience.

===Media===
''Main article: [[Konyanger_Culture_and_Demographics#Media|Media]]''

Public media in Konyang is a powerful industry, and as broad as it may seem, it is very tightly knit. Aside from galactic-wide reruns and broadcasts of other nation’s shows, little seems to stand out - except the audio broadcast and illustrated artistic avenues. These two are well-refined artistic giants compared to other forms of entertainment on the planet.

A huge portion of the planet’s political views and very “personality” are channeled through its larger studios, where many are found enthused to spread its culture galaxy-wide.

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===Cuisine===
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The primary diet of Konyangers consists of moss, seaweed and fish, with farms and pastures on land being rare due to the thick jungle. Konyang's moss is either harvested in the wild, grown in "natural" hydrofarms, or grown synthetically in bioplants. The moss itself is said to change its taste depending on the environment in which it is grown, and natural moss from the coasts around Konyang's islands is highly prized. Exports of moss and seaweed are a very lucrative business, held primarily by the galaxy-famous Go-Go Gwok! brand. Many workers, however, must make do with hydrofarm moss at best, and synthetic substitutes at worst. Konyang's fish - quite diverse, due to its freshwater environments - are also often consumed on the planet, with many being exported as luxury food as far afield as Venus and Tau Ceti. More conventional but water-intensive crops such as rice and other tropical fruits are also grown to a certain extent but are considered a rarity.

The planet is also home to a thriving beverages industry, with local varieties of algae providing the basis of a light but thick alcoholic drink colloquially known as “Nong jiu” domestically and abroad. The wide selection of produce on the planet however means more traditional drinks are produced, typically drawing from their Earther roots and commonly based on rice. Some of these drinks are exported by local businesses such as Go-Go Gwok! while Zeng-Hu has wrestled to control some of these brands in an attempt to stop them from competing with their own lineups.

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===Synthetic Cuisine===
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Synthetic-unique cuisine is an unusual case in the Spur, but not for Konyang. Here, robots utilize gustatorial implants to - if inefficiently - consume, or at least “taste” food regularly. Indeed, there is an entire market for synthfood where robots can enjoy their own form of taste, texture and uniquely perceptive flavor for foods. Mostly, synthfood is described as a thick slime, one with varying additives for color. Texture is mostly a simulated process within gustatorial implants, given they are not always present on tongues alone - meaning that the actual texture of these synthfoods remains the same gooey substance.

''One can achieve a similar substance to these synthfoods mechanically by grinding certain foods into paste, or utilizing candy machines with your choice of ingredients and output.''

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===Organized Crime===

=====Benevolent Guild=====
The Benevolent Guild is a criminal organisation operating primarily within the decrepit, dark shadows of New Hong Kong. Originating as a mutual aid society for low income and forced penal colonists shipped into New Hong Kong by the Alliance government, it developed into a ruthless crime syndicate with strong ties to the local lower class community. From the start, the tightly knit communal and familial ties have played an important role in preserving the gang’s power and shielding them from police action. Only in recent years has any meaningful progress been made, the allocation of governmental resources and the increasingly violent and profit-oriented tactics of the Guild having alienated much of the younger generation, chipping away at the once widely popular support.

Starting with extortion and loan sharking, the Benevolent Guild rapidly expanded into gambling, drugs and violent crime such as kidnapping both in New Hong Kong and in New Kowloon. It is not uncommon for synthetics that find themselves victims of the group’s loan shark tactics to be ‘collected’ as collateral damage and subsequently carted off to whichever corner of the Orion Spur where their new owners await them usually at a far cheaper rate than elsewhere. One of the few institutions on Konyang refusing to admit synthetics owing to a deeply conservative and spiritually esoteric internal ideology, a pragmatist outlook often compels them to deal with and even cooperate with IPC politicians, police and rival gangs. Connections with criminal organisations in the wider Spur have been confirmed to exist, as various crime syndicates in Xanu, New Hai Phong and Luna are known to be in connection with the Benevolent Guild.

=====5-Cheung=====
Emerging as one of the strongest IPC/organic street gangs of Suwon, the 5-Cheung numbers in the thousands of members in the cities of the Suwon and Point Verdant prefectures. The organisation’s origin as a loose collective of delinquents and fringe elements has since developed into a nationwide crime family with a powerful hierarchy fielding biker gangs and thugs to enforce their tight grip on the underworld. With a black repertoire of gambling, extortion, money laundering and narcotics, the 5-Cheung is considered a main rival to the Benevolent Guild of New Hong Kong, the two frequently coming to blows in a series of wars and uneasy truces over control of turf and general competition.

An open secret in the country’s political sphere has the 5-Cheung profit lucratively from corruption in the highest levels of government and police. During the Solarian era, prominent politicians employed protection from the 5-Cheung, soliciting their services in voter swaying, intimidation of opposition members and violent disruption of rallies and demonstrators. This has given the gang a justified reputation for being the political soldiers of ruling dynasties and representing the authorities in the underworld and on the street in exchange for immunity from prosecution. Following Konyang’s independence, the reformed National Police retained a virtually unchanged staff while the nation’s same prominent political families, now unshackled from Alliance oversight, enjoy even more freedom. As such, it is safe to say that 5-Cheung’s entrenched position will continue to remain untouched aside from the occasional drug bust and arrest of low level members.

=====Sea Bandits=====
Although both the previous colonial administration and the nascent Konyanger Armed Forces and Coast Guard have tried to stamp out piracy, the sheer expanse of the planet means that groups of what the authorities call “sea bandits” continue to infest the waters and orbit of Konyang. Ranging from small motor boats launched from fishing villages with nothing more than an antique rifle, to retrofitted probes salvaged from the refugee waves pouring into the system, piracy is one of the most pressing social and security issues faced by the newly formed nation.

Individual pirate groups usually number no greater than twenty people but the Sea Bandits as a whole operate as a wider criminal network inclusive of individuals and crews from all over the planet. By coordinating their activities and intelligence through encrypted sites, the organisation manages to both evade and stay one step ahead of the authorities. Most of their activities take the form of kidnapping, armed robbery of craft and hijacking unescorted seafarers, while admittedly avoiding the busiest and well guarded sealanes and locations. The most audacious raid by the Sea Bandits to date involved the boarding and ransoming of a cruise ship by the use of an unregistered freighter. Although only circumstantial evidence has been uncovered, Golden Deep Zaibatsu have also been accused of working with Sea Bandit groups by launching probes full of narcotics, to be recovered by the pirates.

==Synthetics on Konyang==
As the origin of the integrated positronic chassis now found throughout the Orion Spur, Konyang has always had a quite unique relationship with IPCs, the IPC population constituting a staggering 34% of the total population. While IPCs throughout the Sol Alliance are often looked upon as little more than property, tools, or novelties depending upon their frame those found upon Konyang possessed a notably greater degree of autonomy and freedom before the planet’s secession from the rest of the Alliance, achieving full and unconditional freedom afterwards. Legal ownership of synthetics within the borders of the Republic does not exist, the Emancipation Act constituting one of the first acts passed by Parliament. IPCs can work wherever they like, live however they please within the confines of the law, and partake in politics by voting or being elected. As such, foreigners are repeatedly cautioned to not bring any privately held IPCs with them, for they cannot be forced to return unwillingly.

Ordinary Konyangers, as a result of the planet’s liberal outlook on positronics, possess a more positive view of synthetics than other humans in the Orion Spur - particularly those from the Sol Alliance and its former territories. The majority of people on Konyang view IPCs as amicable colleagues and neighbours, with many friendships between man and machine being established. Closer bonds such as marriage are also legalised and not unheard of, though not without outcries from the more conservative spectrum. Many scholars theorize that this is due to the prevalence of IPCs in daily life on Konyang, seamlessly blending into society, in addition to the pride many citizens have in their planet being the origin of the modern positronic. Konyang’s integration of IPCs stands with some degree of contrast to Biesel’s, with the large synthetic ghetto of District 14 segregating many synthetics from the average citizen of the Republic of Biesel.

With Konyang’s independence, IPCs share full legal equality with all organic citizens of the planet. This concession was given, both as an acknowledgement and acceptance of the fact that synthetics have become part of everyday life in the colony and are generally accepted by its inhabitants. Unlike the Republic of Biesel, IPCs in Konyang seek to assimilate into human society, with IPCs being given the choice to adopt a second, “human name” before receiving citizenship. A human name can range from an entirely new name, to adding a first or last name of any kind to their existing designation.

Many positronics can be found within the economy of Konyang with perhaps the most famous (or infamous) one being Gwok-0783 (now Kim Gwok-0783, under post-independence IPC naming conventions), the owner and operator of her very own food conglomerate in the form of Go-Go Gwok! Authentic Konyanger Moss. As Go-Go Gwok! is technically an interstellar corporation, Gwok-0783 herself relied on a series of legal loopholes centered around Konyang’s former IPC laws to maintain control of the company when Konyang was still in the Sol Alliance. Examples such as Gwok, with her control of an inter-planetary corporation, are fairly rare. However, many positronics have made a successful name for themselves as small business owners and corporate workers on Konyang.
[[File:Konyang vault.png|thumb|A mysterious vault upon Konyang's surface, unearthed and built around with monitoring infrastructure.]]
Due to the system’s bluespace gate, many members of [[Synthetic_Factions#The_Golden_Deep|Golden Deep]] have secured permits to operate, as it allows their vessels to more easily make the journey from the frontier to the more lucrative markets of Tau Ceti and the Jewel Worlds. The money and business brought into the system by these synthetic traders has - arguably - been a major contributor to Konyang’s more liberal laws and regulations regarding IPCs. Konyang, before its independence, was one of the few systems under Solarian control in which IPCs could own and operate a business.

The synthetic population in Konyang is regulated by the government. A set number of positronics are assembled each year under contract at Terraneus Diagnostics facilities in Point Verdant with the prospect of being granted citizenship after a 3 month life orientation period. The determined number is set annually by Parliament, backed up by the yearly census and statistics, with production increasing or decreasing depending on the number of human birth ratios, positronic shutdowns, and other factors. Expenses are met both through government funds and private donations, though debate on the matter is rarely heated as the amount of new brains numbers usually in the hundreds; a tiny fraction of positronics produced and exported in total. IPCs and positronics constructed for the purpose of selling them to a different country, are not covered by such regulations and are not given citizenship.

There are further regulations in robotics construction in Konyang. Any activated positronic brain can qualify under the Emancipation Act. Exceptions to the law exist for manufacturing and research, with Point Verdant in particular activating positronic brains for the sake of testing shells before shipping them off-world. The law has also sparked development in other fields of mechatronics, with Konyang beginning to lead the way in circuit-based robotics.

Despite gains for its IPC citizens, other positronic intelligences have not been so lucky. Although some brains have been repurposed as AI coordinators for cities; with no way to transition to humanoid frames, bound intelligences have been granted freedom, but often take contracts with corporations that result in a return to the old status quo, all for the sake of staving off destruction due to a lack of maintenance.

===Konyanger Augmentation of IPCs===

Augmentation on Konyang is a fascinating subject, where the presence of so many IPCs has brought success in modifying the Positronic body and mind. Famed explorations into the sectors of IPC modification include "sensory evolution," where synthetics' senses being amplified or dulled in extremes according to desire.

Primary among the delves into this evolution of the senses is the New Dawn Augmentation Movement. This is a Konyanger organization based on the improvement of the IPC lifestyle via modifying chassis, funded peculiarly by Terraneus Diagnostics. The movement is oddly organized as a non-profit, going against the corporation’s established modus operandi. This, coupled with the tantalizing opportunity to freely modify an IPC's form with donated funds leads to public skepticism of the augment movement’s motivations.

Still, the true size of the movement to augment and improve Konyang's IPC population is extraordinary in comparison to other stellar nations. Roughly 22% of Konyang IPCs have some form of corporate-funded augmentation to enhance themselves.
[[File:Konyang augment1.png|thumb|A Konyanger design, the Scorpion Lobe is an augment which manipulates the perception of time for synthetics for better or worse.]]
* '''SENSO-EVO/Scorpion Lobe'''
A miraculous creation of Konyang's technological advancement, SENSO-EVO is the term aptly handed to Sensory Evolution's foremost product. This is the Scorpion Lobe, a similarly shaped attachment to the rear of a positronic brain which adjusts the rate at which the synthetic perceives time literally. The implications of this are seen as either a blessing or a curse — sometimes even utilized as a way to reduce problematic behavior in positronics.

These implants are commercialized to protect the integrity of brains which adopt extremely high speed tasks, or extremely tedious and slow ones, with a perception that best suits their given utility.

A double edged sword by nature, these are often removed by free positronic chassis due to their almost torturous nature. Some may find their lives flashing hours into moments, whilst others may find daily grinds to be impossibly long ordeals. Unfortunately, removing these implants is not always a safe procedure, sometimes damaging a brain or rendering the problem worse.

These were first manufactured by Hephaestus Industries on instrumental Konyang research facilities, and later acquired by Einstein Engines personnel in the same month - debates over the design’s origin have been ongoing since 2449.

===Recreational Software===

In the IPC community of Konyang, the culture of acceptance and freedom has always invited the curiosity of synthetics to imitate and follow human pastimes and habits. This in turn included activities such as smoking, synthetic flavours and eventually, recreational drugs. Due to the nature of the positronic, the only way to recreate such sensations is through software targeting and modifying specific programming in the brain. At first, this dangerous commodity was provided by amateur programmers using experimental and highly volatile code known as “overloaders”, leading to often irreparable and lethal damage to an IPC’s systems. The results of the few initial successes, however, proved promising enough for the idea to be seriously considered by upcoming Konyanger tech companies and business-oriented software engineers, leading to the first reliable and somewhat safe overloaders in the mid to late 2450s.

Popular awareness of recreational software became widespread upon its release as a commercial product, Konyang being the first world to introduce a marketable version of it. Usually sold inside a single-use stick drive, their circulation is approved by safety boards and is considered legal for responsible consumption, much like alcohol for organics, relying on the consumer for mitigation and avoidance of repeated use. Legal overloaders today can be found mainly in synthetic-centred retailers found around the major cities, their relatively limited availability and high price setting them as a luxury IPC item. Its effects include a wide range of results, from simulating the sensations of a light buzz to a short bout of excitement and joy, aimed at enhancing the experience at celebrations, parties and get-togethers.

However, where there is demand, there must be supply, and the fact that demand spiked as these new products launched paved the way to a large underground market of cheap, unsafe and highly unpredictable overloaders sold both by dealers and unlicensed street vendors of dubious reputation. An illegal overloader epidemic hitting the cities of Suwon and Boryeong in late 2459, led to intensified police crackdowns and government campaigns against illicit overloaders, labelling them as malware and the IPC equivalent of dangerous drugs. Virtually unrecognisable from a legitimate overloader without the seal, side effects are many times more powerful and addicting, appealing to adventurous synthetics and the financially insecure. From catapulting the positronic into a garbled, incomprehensive reality of simulated emotions to simply heightening the senses, the illegal overloaders’ addictive and dangerous nature leads many synthetics to disrepair, involving behaviour breaking glitches, hardware failures and more, all while guaranteeing a returning clientele.

Reception to recreational software has been mixed, dividing society and politicians on matters of free will, the dangers of overloaded IPC, and the overall ethics of deliberately creating and selling what are essentially drugs. Both synthetics and humans have loudly spoken against it, spawning demonstrations and dividing politicians across party lines. Legislation has already passed, categorising possession and distribution of illicit overdosers as strictly illegal, with heavy punishments for dealers and suppliers. Police and coast guard raids yield millions of unbranded overloaders each year, making highly publicised arrests while sending a message of absolute intolerance towards the malware. Despite this, circulation never ceases and exports to Xanu, Tau Ceti and Sol.

==Population and Major Cities==

[[File:Konyang_map_pol.png|thumb|800px|A map of Konyang showcasing the Prefectures and the New Hokkaido Territory. Click to enlarge.]]

'''Suwon''' is the largest, most populated, and second wealthiest city on Konyang itself and is generally one of the larger cities in the Coalition of Colonies. It functions as both the planetary capital, as well as the capital of Suwon Prefecture, encompassing the entirety of Cheomsongtang. Symbolic of the new government is the Parliament Building, a massive structure of flowing lines and sustainable technology, incorporating pieces of the first colony ship. The Prime Minister's Government House, the President's Crimson House, the Solarian embassy, as well as embassies from various Coalition states are present here as well. Standards of living in wealthiest areas of Suwon are equivalent to and (sometimes) even surpass the living standards of places such as Highland City or Argia sa Mar, demonstrating how wealthy the robotics boom has made some sectors of the planet. A lack of readily-available materials, however, ensures that even the super-rich of Konyang often live in smaller houses than their Colonies planet counterparts. Life outside these wealthy areas is better than life in most cities in Himeo but dramatically worse than in the very wealthy areas, or even the cities of Xanu Prime. Overcrowding is a massive issue for the government of the city, with no obvious solution presenting itself due to how expensive importing new building materials is post-boom. The city is home to most of Konyang's biggest companies and office complexes, as well as the Suwon Stock Exchange, making the city's financial district the economy's beating heart. "Shoebox apartments" are common here, as are Konyang's often egregious traffic issues. The city is fortified with extensive sea walls, flood walls and flood gates to prevent natural disasters during the wet season, tropical storms being fairly common.

[[File:Point verdant.png|thumb|One of Aoyama's many skyscraper blocks, safely located behind a dam.]]

'''Aoyama''', known in the larger Spur as '''Point Verdant''', is the second most-populated city on Konyang, and the industrial heart of its robotics industry. Built along a coastal mountain range from which it draws its namesake, it is by far the wealthiest city on Konyang, and one of the richest cities in the Coalition of Colonies. Due to being home of the Robotics Boom, hosting foreigners and their families that once even surpassed the locals inside the city, Aoyama is frequently known outside to outsiders and to the Spur at large as Point Verdant, much to the chagrin of the locals. Aoyama is home to the renowned Point Verdant Terraneus Institute of AI Research, and is the poster child for the rapid development of Konyang's cities during the Boom. The city is extremely wealthy, but suffers from persistent overcrowding and traffic issues in all of its districts. The Pusan District, near PVTI, had the reputation of possessing the worst traffic in the Alliance according to its residents. Air quality in Aoyama is regarded as subpar, due to the amount of robotics factories in the city's outskirts, which have however slowly but steadily declined since. Being the focal point of the Robotics Boom, it is home to a large number of expatriate communities and Einstein Engines employees.

'''Boryeong''', named after a city on historical Earth where some of its colonists originated from, is the third most populated city on Konyang and capital of the Boryeong Prefecture, referred to as the breadbasket of the nation. The city, while still suffering overcrowding issues, has it to a lesser extent than Point Verdant or Suwon, with the city's outskirts necessitating a need for space due to the vast hydroponics farms and water plants. A second-grade industrial city of much natural beauty, Boryeong is more rustic than its counterparts, with wood playing a much more prominent role in construction; outside the central ring, some of Boryeong's districts are built entirely out of timber. Water bottled or processed in Boryeong is sold throughout the Alliance and Coalition in bulk, and native moss grown in the prefecture is marketed throughout both as a luxury food. Over half of the city's labourers are employed in hydroponics, aquaculture, fishing and food processing, with Gwok Foods being the largest provider of work in the region. Synthetic moss is grown in Zeng-Hu facilities near Boryeong and, despite being regarded as lesser quality than natural moss, is often consumed in poorer areas of Konyang.

'''Ganzaodeng''', named for its dry locale, is located in Konyang's only desert and holds the largest expatriate populations on the planet, being nicknamed, “Little Sol”. Due to its unique geographic setting, it faces remarkably calmer weather than the rest of the planet, with the city being connected to the rest of the island by air and rail that cuts right through the mountains. Ganzaodeng is Konyang's only planned city with origins in the Robotics Boom, when the foundations were laid for a city envisioned by foreigners, for foreigners. Rich Solarians descended upon the planet's seemingly only dry piece of real estate, building a city full of nightlife and eclectic inner-ring pleasures within the distant colony. By the end of the Boom however, the city's famous strips of casinos and luxury hotels still operating in downtown Ganzaodeng became a symbol of a bygone era, as much of the Solarian population elected to depart. The city passed into native Konyanger hands, being expanded into a hub of shipping with the help of the city's remaining big names. Because of the reliably clear weather, Ganzaodeng has developed a sprawling extraplanetary shipping sector, with plans for a spaceport larger than New Hong Kong’s, as well as future schemes for the largest oceangoing port on the planet. Its climate has resulted in the prefectural government engaging in moss filtration efforts to open up the surrounding beaches to tourism. Despite of the Solarian exodus, the city stands in contrast to the rest of Konyang’s relatively conservative social nature, with people from all over the Spur calling it their home and making it by far one of the most multicultural centers on the planet. It’s not uncommon for a person from Ganzaodeng to know two or three languages.

'''New Hong Kong''', the site of the former naval base of the 58th Solarian Fleet, has now developed into a fully fledged city in its own right, being the only prefectural capital with a local synthetic majority. Being regarded as a lot more pedestrian and working-class than Suwon and Point Verdant, New Hong Kong is nonetheless a very important centre of interplanetary trade and commercial activity, hosting the planet’s largest ocean ports and dockyards, being the country's industrial's hotspot and the seat of power generation. Large hydroelectric dams, wave energy converters, dockyards and factories belonging to the PACHROM corporation provide employment for half of the city’s inhabitants, the Prefecture of New Hong Kong generating enough electricity for domestic consumption as well as exports. Employees of the various power companies may also elect to be sent off to one of the many power generation isles scattered throughout the oceans and dedicated solely to that purpose, receiving better pay in exchange for more dangerous conditions away from home. The city itself is considerably more packed than its counterparts, with small cramped apartments being stacked over each other to form vertical mazes of working class blocks. Heavy smog and particles cover up the sky through the entirety of the island during the dry season, giving the prefecture a signature orange-brown tint. This, as well as constant heavy rains and a near permanent gloomy weather during the wet season place it as undesirable for humans. Seat of the National Party, downtown New Hong Kong is described as the centre of planetary IPC politics, being the first to react to, condemning or praising events in Konyang and throughout the galactic stage in regards to the synthetic “race”. New Hong Kong is additionally the birthplace of Konyang's labor unions, with the Socialist Party enjoying strong support from the city's human blue-collar workforce.

[[File:Konyangdam.png|thumb|900px|center|Dams are a very common sight on Konyang, with the New Hong Kong's dam in the neighbouring industrial town of New Kowloon providing only a fraction of the power required by the city, while also playing an important part in flood control and water filtration.]]

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User:The lancer/Sandbox 3

2024-02-04T21:49:21Z

Noble Row: /* Culture */

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==Overview==
Originally established in 2305 as a Solarian Alliance Outer Ring planet, Konyang is presently one of the more distant outposts under the Coalition of Colonies after its independence in '''2462'''. Konyang’s capital city Suwon, the largest settlement on the planet, is built upon a natural formation that defines most of Konyang's geography: islands with large interior mountains that feature lush, but soaking wet, coastal jungle regions. Konyang was initially a relatively average Outer Ring settlement intended to export water, before the discovery of mysterious, deactivated drones in 2407 led to a robotics boom occuring on the planet that lasted well into the 2450s. The Konyang of today is a planet renowned for its robotics industry, though some of its initial luster has faded in the years following its boom. Water, however, remains a key industry - the planet has a remarkably low salination level, meaning that essentially all of its water is drinkable. Konyang Solarian Common, or Konyang Common, is the most used language on the planet inside and outside of major population centers. Due to its proximity to the Coalition of Colonies planets, Coalition member planets often import water from Konyang. In major cities and universities, Tradeband can be found being spoken, though it remains rare. Speakers of the language are generally from off-planet, moving to Konyang during its robotics boom. Konyang almost completely lacks valuable minerals due to intensive mining efforts carried out by drones—whose source remains unknown—hundreds of years before it was colonized.

'''Because of the ethnic make-up of Konyang's original settlers and assimilation of immigrants into the native population during the first AI boom, human characters born on Konyang will have names and appearances consistent with the people of China, the Korean Peninsula, and Japanese Islands. Only native Konyangers or Konyang-made IPCs may select the Konyanger accent. This is enforceable by server moderators and admins.'''

[[File:Konyang flag.png| The Konyanger flag was adopted in 2462, having unofficially been used by pro-autonomy circles long before the declaration of independence. The traditional taitju represents peace and harmony as the highest values of the new state, with the color blue representing the waterways the planet is known for and yellow, their aim of prosperity. The white background represents Konyang's purity.
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==History==

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===Conception and Planning | 2200s - 2299===
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When the United Nations proposed and eventually enforced the creation of the Alliance of Sovereign Solarian Nations, China, Korea and Japan were once more forced to band together to compete with the world for influence inside the newly found institution. Rivals such as the European Union, the Soviet Union, the Commonwealth and the United States were first in line to claim hegemonic roles, their space programs forming the core of Solarian colonization of the Inner, Middle and Outer rings over the centuries, populating them with their own peoples and sparking an unofficial race for prestige land grabs, one which the Department of Colonization was more than happy to let unfold, resulting in the extremely fast expansion of Humanity into the Orion Spur. While regional powers such as India and the Mediterranean countries began creating their own colonies on Gadpathur and Assunzione, the East Asian trio were relegated to secondary roles of supplying technology, labor and capital without any actual representation in the stars, a situation problematic for some and resented by many in the “sovereign” governments.

It was thus decided to present a plan to Solarian functionaries for a colony spearheaded by China and supported heavily by Korea and Japan, aimed at restoring the pride of the three “cousin-nations” and their position in the Alliance. Intense negotiations and technical planning amounted to years of disagreements over the name, location and allocation of responsibilities between the partners, as well as the presence of China’s Einstein Engines megacorporation, which offered to finance a great portion of the initial effort. Soon however, the advent of the Second Great Depression and the following Interstellar War in the mid-late 2200’s saw a bankrupt Alliance put a halt to any colonization projects, resulting in the plans being shelved. The war took a great toll on the core Solarian worlds, including Earth and its nations which were called to provide manpower, funds and materiel for the Solarian Navy. Federal China’s economy tanked completely under the pressure, relying on IMF bailouts and stays of payment on the salaries of its public sector, with pensionaries and students being most severely hit, resulting in massive social upheaval which would have long lasting consequences for the country’s financial hegemony in the post-war region.

As peace and relative stability returned, the Alliance found a newly independent, sizable and embittered Coalition of Colonies rival its claims in the Galactic East, calling for the presence of military garrisons and naval stations to protect the border. It was at this time that colonization projects were beginning to reemerge, with the Pacific Pact racing once more to submit a viable plan for a colony that would represent East Asia. A fatigued China could no longer bear the incredible costs it aspired to as the leader of the colonial venture before the war, giving significant leeway to the other two partners and largely retreating behind its megacorporation, Einstein Engines, which was still willing to back the endeavor. An aggressive Korean delegation largely dictated terms, giving birth to the “Konyang Project”, named after the Konyang University in which the colonial undertaking was revealed and presented to the public in 2299.
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===Early Colonial Period | 2304 - 2400s===
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The plan envisioned five convoys for the establishment of four primary settlements on a strategically placed planet selected by the Solarian Navy for the support of local naval operations against any threats from the Frontier Alliance. The targeted planet was revealed to be a lush world first discovered in 2278 by a long-range scouting probe, dominated by water and possessing a breathable atmosphere, placing it in a prime position to sustain Human civilization. The quickly named “Haneunim” solar system possessed a few more bodies of secondary importance, and the first convoy was scheduled to launch on the 10th of March 2304, from the Wenchang spaceport in South China, to meet the long-distance freighters in orbit of Luna that would carry the first 5,000 colonists to Konyang. The ethnic mix-up of the colonists were equally distributed amongst the three nationalities, with all being volunteers and 646 of them under the employ of Einstein Engines.

It took the warp-propelled convoy one year to reach its destination, traversing light years of Solarian vastness before meeting the Navy squadron which would escort them to the planet, with touchdown being made on September 8th, 2305. Konyang was covered in jungles and great mountain ranges, requiring great labor from the men and women of the expedition to create the first settlement, under the direction of officers from the Department of Colonization. Two months later, Unity Station would receive the first signal passed along by the Navy, originating from beacon Number 22890/223, Designation ‘SUWON’. The foundations had been laid. In the following decades, all five convoys would come to form the basis of the “Konyang Territory”, a colony directly controlled by the Alliance and the Solarian Navy as the base of the 58th Fleet. Boosted by its status as a naval base, the abundance of freshwater and with the backing of Einstein, all three cities were realized; Suwon and Boryeong, New Hong Kong, and Aoyama, each at the start holding ethnic majorities of Koreans, Chinese and Japanese respectively.
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===The Robotics Boom | 2407 - 2430s===
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Despite the acceptable climate and near unlimited freshwater, the colonial government soon realized an alarming lack of mineral resources, forcing a complete reliance on external trade and supplies from the Navy for any and all industrial goods and even basic construction materials, a reality which had to be corrected as fast as possible. A planet-wide scanning expedition was organized, while “patriotic aid” was fervently being fundraised in China, Japan and Korea for nearly a whole century to cope with the colonists' increasing demands. This led to a landmark moment in the history of Konyang, when on the 21st of April 2404, mining teams dug into a collapsed tunnel outside the vicinity of Aoyama, discovering a defunct mining drone, crushed by tonnes of rock and soil. The chassis appeared broken and old, though its very presence implied the exploitation of the planet by a different civilization.

The device was hurried back in secrecy to a panel of dumbfounded colonial officials, who deemed that their corporate partners would be more suited in tracking down its origin. As such, after a quick formality bid behind closed doors, the Alliance sold off its odd piece of government property to Einstein Engines whose scientists saw it as a curious case worth pursuing. Month after month, the Terraneus Diagnostics laboratory in Aoyama kept receiving bits and pieces from similar drones recovered from abandoned, centuries-old mineshafts, culminating in the 2406 discovery of a sealed vault containing a great number of intact mining drones. The severity of this discovery was immediately apparent to the scientists. Words were had with the governor of Konyang by the local Einstein Engines representative, and it was decided to keep the drones a very closely-guarded secret - with only select Terraneus and government officials even being aware of their existence at all, let alone what was being done with them.

The Terraneus research team worked feverishly, though in secret, for months upon months. Staff were quietly shipped in from offworld in order to not alert outside observers, and the team continued to work upwards of eighty hour weeks in order to crack the drones. In mid-2407, they achieved one of the most remarkable breakthroughs in recent scientific memory by cracking the AI algorithms of the drones. Information of this moved rapidly from the local Einstein Engines office up the corporate chain and moved equally rapidly up the government's chain from provincial office to Sol itself. The information spread like wildfire, and humanity now had the secret of AI despite not truly knowing from where or who these machines came from. This was little more than a footnote to the Nralakk Federation - to them, these AI were crude and hardly approached the machines that had driven their civilization to ruin.

The robotics boom of Konyang caused a variety of benefits and harms to the previously marginal outer ring planet. The economy ballooned massively, as did its standard of living and industries. Konyang moved from a rural backwater that exported food and water to a high-tech planet that still exported basic goods, but primarily focused upon robotics. Megacorporations flocked to the planet: Einstein Engines, already present through Terraneus, rapidly secured dominance over the planet; Hephaestus Industries struggled with Einstein dominated competition before selling its factories over to local government control in 2427; and Zeng-Hu Pharmaceuticals, despite its skrell benefactors, purchased rights to examine the planet's biosphere from Einstein. The fact that their prosthetic limbs were originally designed on this planet has been stated to be a "happy coincidence" by its board. Due to the mass arrival of corporations, jobs were readily available - the planet was booming.

A massive migration wave of Einstein employees and their families to Aoyama made the city wrangle the spot of first in importance from the nominal capital of Suwon, to the point where the expatriate scientific community and their dependents outnumbered the local Japanese original colonists. The city quickly became known to Humanity as “Point Verdant”, the name assigned to the Terraneus Diagnostics laboratory in Aoyama, while the parent countries on Earth invested billions to capitalize on the success of their colonial project, to lift the planet into a modern world and reap the public relations benefits of their colony achieving a breakthrough in artificial intelligence.

The rapid expansion of Konyang's industries and cities had overtaxed the limited bureaucracy on the planet to the breaking point, and architects were in short supply. Urban planning on Konyang is estimated to be some of the worst in Alliance space outside of New Hai Phong as a result, with cities such as Point Verdant often having haphazard roads running through them and districts smashed together with no apparent rhyme or reason - a legacy of corporate jockeying for areas of interest, and the municipal corruption that came with it. There are countryside facilities originally utilized for drone research and retrieval that have, in recent years, fallen into disuse and disarray. Such facilities often dot the mountains and foothills of Konyang, slowly being overtaken by nature - sometimes with unfortunate results when these facilities have been improperly stripped of dangerous materials. The environment also suffered in areas where drones were found - jungles were cut or burnt away by corporations in order to get at the precious drones below, prefab buildings were orbitally dropped and erected, and landing zones were cut into the landscape itself.

The stormy tidal waves so infamous for tormenting the early colonists were tamed through the building of sea walls, a comprehensive road network linked the remote villages with the urban centers, and the city of Ganzaodeng was raised from the rocky desert. The Konyanger conglomerate PACHROM would mark the rise of the first native Chaebols, building shipyards, dams, hydroelectric plants and the first space fleet capable of ferrying enormous capacities of water across interstellar systems.
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===The Positronic Integration | 2410s===
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Soon enough, IPCs entered production on the planet, making Konyang one of the first places to embrace the positronic revolution. The limited resources saw higher prices, lessening the availability of domestically produced frames. Furthermore, the still rudimentary waterproofing technologies meant that IPCs could not work for long hours without shelter, ensuring that human jobs would remain safe from automation. When in the rest of Sol IPCs were produced en-masse for labor, Konyanger IPCs were more integrated in white-collar employment and indoors service-related work. Meanwhile, a growing media culture based on animation combined with the Konyanger recycle-friendly attitude, giving newer generations a fresh look on positronic intelligence, one that valued them as people rather than a disposable resource. The lack of widespread automation never brought the anti-synthetic sentiment so common in the rest of Sol, and IPCs in time became a unique cultural phenomenon in the colony’s urban centers.

Solarian laws governing the relations between IPCs and mankind were nominally enforced on Konyang, barring synthetics from gaining their own freedom, a fact which remained a thorn between the more liberal, younger Konyangers and the older generations. Einstein Engines allied with the Solarian governorship to press for the continuing status of Konyang as a colony, preventing elections and thus any liberal political influence from threatening the company’s grip on its synthetic workforce. This however, did not prevent Konyanger society to further integrate IPCs, even if the concept of universal citizenship for all synthetics was still far from publicly accepted. Aoyama was most receptive to the positronics, as a center of research and culture, with IPCs welcomed in people’s houses, treated like family and celebrated in festivals and even religious ceremonies. Suwon sentiment remained ambivalent, though many Solarian officials and naval officers expressed most severe concerns, in many cases pressing for crackdowns and questioning the morals of Konyanger citizens. The denizens of New Hong Kong and Ganzaodeng on the other hand, were most unhappy, with the powerful Chinese factory and shipyard labor unions remaining vocally opposed to IPC rights in the workplace, owing to their ties with the wider Solarian unions.

The profound effects of the emergence of this positronic culture were soon felt across the planet, change being heralded through a wave of demonstrations in mid to late 2412. High school and university students in Aoyama took to the streets to call for synthetic rights, in one of the few instances of pro-IPC disturbances on Solarian soil. In particular, the students called for the immediate emancipation of owned synthetics, marching from the main First Avenue down to the Governor's House and being joined by crowds of people and IPCs alike. The Aoyama Constabulary alongside Terraneus security forces were ordered to put a swift end to the march, resulting in the first major incident since the founding of the colony. Over 400 student injuries were recorded, the crowds responding with rocks and branches to the authorities’ tear gas and water cannons. 247 arrests were made that day, sparking additional outrage in the student movement as the ringleaders were tried as adults and given lengthy prison sentences. Smaller incidents were also noted in Suwon and Boryeong, marking 2412 as a year of upheaval and social change, laying the foundations for full IPC citizenship.
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===Late Colonial Period | 2410s - 2440s===
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As Konyang left behind the troubled ’10s and social peace returned through decrees permitting local city authorities to afford certain permissions for IPCs. This followed the final robotics' boom peak in the 2430s, seeing the planet’s GDP growth reach new levels. The colony’s industrial potential skyrocketed, with hundreds of hydroelectric dams, sea walls and shipyards creating thousands of new jobs in New Hong Kong, the new industrial core of Konyang. Labour relations shifted dramatically, as the new Hephaestus-pioneered industrial chassis enabled IPCs to work in the most difficult of conditions, sidelining and driving off the all powerful Gwongfu labor unions, with human employees forced into the urban centers and Ganzaodeng, contributing to a skyrocketing of the local IPC population in the prefecture.

Suwon saw a significant rise in business activity with the outside world, emboldening private ventures to the neighboring Frontier Alliance, bringing in massive profits from moss and entertainment exports. The animation industry reached new heights, with hundreds of new studios producing pioneering and high quality work, including classics like “One Day in My Life” and “Tomonomimi”, two of the most highly acclaimed works of media in recent Solarian memory. The entertainment sector brought new life to the Konyanger tourism industry as well, with more and more people rediscovering the distant hidden gem tucked deep in the fringes of the Alliance. The Suwon Stock Exchange was listed for the first time in the Chicago Financial Review, Sol’s most coveted investment periodical, as “Upcoming”, leading to billions of credits flowing in the country from abroad.

New chaebol conglomerates emerged, replacing even Einstein products with widely successful “Local, Cheaper and Better” campaigns. While Gwok Foods was making headlines in 2439 as the most successful Konyanger “IPC-inspired” exporter by yearly gross tonnage, the Ayame Motor Corporation created the first “completely Konyanger” 2-seat automobile designed for the cramped roads of Suwon and Point Verdant, becoming an instant hit. The Boryeong based Mujigae Publishing brought comics back into the youth’s hands, and Konymation had expanded to control cinemas, movie production studios, theme parks and restaurant chains in its ever expanding media empire.
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===Independence and Present Day | 2462 - Present===
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The Mars Violet Dawn catastrophe of 2462 signaled an era of widespread uncertainty and energy insecurity for the entirety of the Sol Alliance, with the Spur-wide phoron crisis exacerbating the situation for the Alliance’s Middle and especially Outer Ring colonies. A Konyanger recession in the late 2450s had already stretched the colonial government thin, with riots over the cost of living and unemployment in New Hong Kong and Suwon making national news for years on end. As the shaken corporations entered discussions on how they would survive the ever increasing phoron costs, it was made clear to everyone that the Alliance could not, and would not fund the refitting of the corporate fleets with the new Suzuki-Zhang Hammer Drive engine, threatening the complete cutoff of Konyang from outer space should the local Bluespace gate fail. Only a few Einstein vessels and the 58th Fleet stationed on the planet remained as the only reliable link between Konyang and the Spur.

The shortage soon hit the domestic market, leading to dangerous price increases for even the most essential of supplies. The average Konyanger saw their purchasing power plummet, as salaries remained stagnant in the face of a decreasing supply. The colonial Governor Hyun Kyung-Ho, turned to the only emergency option left, Earth. It was not the first time that Patriotic Aid was raised in China, Korea and Japan, though this time it proved most underwhelming. As the call for help fell on ears of men that could not even help their own economies, the trophy colony had to be abandoned to its own devices, with many in the East Asian public accusing Konyangers of greed and forgetting them in their apogee of financial success. With this last link to the past cut off, the question and possibility of independence soon started circling.

There was no time for serious debate however, with the Alliance being plunged into rebellion and collapse. On November 12, the 58th Fleet hastily departed Konyang, declaring a state of emergency in the system and abandoning the colonial government to its fate. Only elements of the Solarian Army and the Constabularies remained to maintain order, themselves being composed almost entirely of local Konyanger enlisted. The situation immediately turned into unrest, as public sentiment against the ineptitude of the Alliance boiled over into the streets. Massive student protests saw the storming of public buildings and central plazas in every major town and city, demanding a sharp reduction to the cost of living, IPC emancipation and a barring of the 58th Fleet from returning. Government reaction was mild, limited to the prevention of damages and protection of private property. Hyun Kyung-Ho was otherwise sympathetic to the students’ cause, sparking outrage within groups of Alliance-minded Army officers and Einstein corporate elites, who sought to prevent any secession of Konyang.

Thus, on November 15 2462, elements of the Army garrison under Lieutenant General Jiang Hongbing mobilized against the wishes of the Governor, taking up key positions in Suwon and Point Verdant. The mutinous 8th Sappers infiltrated the historic SUWON beacon telecommunications complex, preparing the country for a silent coup and preventing any long range communications with Sol. Jiang Hongbing, inspired by actions of mutinous admirals, took it upon himself to restore Konyang to the Alliance by marching the Army into the streets. While some of the formations under his command were willing to participate, the vast majority refused to bear arms against the Konyanger Governor or the student movements. In the following day, an internal power struggle saw many officers confined to their quarters, with Army hardliners being arrested, chased off or even assaulted in their own barracks as a loyalist armored brigade blocked access to the Governor’s House, preventing Hongbing’s men from touching Hyun Kyung-Ho.

With the coup’s inglorious end visible, the Governor’s staff were racing into negotiations with diplomatic officers from Coalition of Colonies still in the country for an express accession into the Coalition, following Konyang’s independence. Jiang Hongbing’s associates surrendered, himself fleeing into the thick jungles of Boryeong Prefecture, declaring a patriotic struggle in the Alliance’s name before soon being betrayed and confined at the 58th base’s Brig. On November 24 2462, telecommunications were restored, and Konyanger independence was broadcast to the world. The country’s preliminary accession into the Coalition was soon after announced, turning a new leaf in Konyang’s history. While the news was received with muted reaction from a confused Alliance government with more pressing matters to handle, the secession of Konyang was a huge blow to the three parent countries. After Governor Hyun Kyung-Ho assembled the nation’s intellectuals, economic and political figures, it was decided that he would remain in place as independent Konyang’s first Governor to organize free elections and set up the foundations for a democratic state.

Now, as a free Konyang comes out to the world stage, strong government initiative has seen its large synthetic factories nationalized, rapidly introducing legislation to establish the relationship with Einstein Engines. While they still are the dominating megacorporation on the planet, Einstein has lost most of its heavy industry, though still retaining the important research facilities around the vaults, as well as a good portion of software and positronic brain creation.
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==Location and Environment==

===The Haneunim System===
The Haneunim System, centered around the yellow star it is named for, Haneunim, contains four major celestial bodies, including the planet of Konyang. The whole system bears evidence of ancient mining operations, missing an asteroid belt to separate the inner and outer system with what few rocks remain being mostly picked clean of minerals. The innermost planet is known as Huozhu and remains practically inaccessible due to the scorching heat of Haneunim. Following it is Hwanung , an insignificant dwarf planet believed to have maintained a thin arid atmosphere before most of its mass was artificially stripped away. The third planet in the System is Konyang, accompanied by its lifeless moon of Qixi. Shiranui, a blue gas giant with a ring, is the outermost planet from Haneunim. An asteroid belt, far to the outskirts and composed mostly of ice, forms a ring around the entire system, although this remains largely unexploited by both the Konyanger government and local corporations. It is instead the stomping ground of both refugees fleeing the Sol Wildlands, and the pirates that seek to prey on them.

===Geography===
[[File:Konyang_map_sat.png|A geographic map of Konyang, showcasing the planet's different biomes. |thumb|800px]]
Primarily a tropical world smaller than Earth, Konyang boasts a mean radius of 5,111 kilometers. Freshwater oceans cover upwards of 88% of the planet’s surface. These oceans also grant Konyang its signature green color when viewed from orbit, in no small part thanks to the abundant presence of moss in the planet’s waterways. The planet’s continents are classified by its larger landmasses and island chains, although given the tides, the planet remains studded with small island chains and archipelagos that ebb and flow with the season. Two small ice caps exist on Konyang where the planet experiences a miniscule amount of snowfall and cold climates. The Konyanger terrain is principally mountainous, with large ranges covering vast areas of the planet’s landmasses. The tallest peak belongs to Mount Sansin, the highest mountain standing at a record 13.890 meters above sea level, its base forming an island of its own. Flanking the mountains are usually lush jungles, present in almost every island and continent in varying densities. This means that settlements have to be located in clearings adjacent to the coastline, on terrain with relatively even elevation. The largest and most dense jungle is located in Bukupo, an island in the heart of the Boryeong Prefecture. The largest landmass on the planet is Cheomseongtang, home of the Suwon prefecture and the nation’s capital. Other notable landmasses are the Oshima islands, hosting the largest mountain ranges, as well as the Yu islands, home of the only biome that could be described as a desert. New Hokkaido is the largest northernmost territory, renowned for its biodiversity and frosty tundra due to its proximity to the planet’s pole, as well as a unique lack of jungles. It is administered directly by the Government of Konyang, being the site of many scientific expeditions and military exercises, only boasting a population of a few hundred people.

===Environment===
[[File:Konyang.png|An image of Konyang, displaying mossy oceans and algae-covered water as the face of the planet. |thumb]]
Konyang features a highly atypical environment for a habitable planet: it is entirely freshwater. The surface of the planet is primarily oceans, with estimates placing upwards of 88% of the planet as covered in water. What is not under the sea are the islands of Konyang, where the vast majority of its population lives. These islands follow a general pattern: a small coastal area and a large mountain range ringing the island. The freshwater oceans of Konyang feature a remarkable diverse biosphere, and Konyang underwater flora, such as freshwater moss, is often used in the planet's native dishes and exported offworld, as far afield as Sol and Tau Ceti. Konyang is defined by two seasons: wet, lasting nine months, and dry, lasting three months.

The coastal regions of Konyang represent the smallest regions of its islands, but contain upwards of 90% of the planet's population. Often called the "coastal jungles" of Konyang, these areas are extremely wet - flooding is an issue in many areas, though the bulk of populated and urban areas are protected by extensive flood protection infrastructure, primarily lengthy complexes of walls. Coastal areas feature a wealth of plant and animal life, both of which have been put under stress by the rapid expansion of Konyang's cities.

Although Konyang’s coastal waters are often tinted green from moss, even more so than its oceans, harvesting and cleanup efforts along the coasts of the main and important islands have resulted in some sections of the planet appearing blue. These areas are often exploited for settlements and as tourist destinations for their scenic looks, while dedicated seaweed and algae farms dot the planet, providing an income for local villages and traditional producers. The most famous Konyanger food exporter, Go-Go Gwok!, has the largest involvement in the moss and seaweed industry.

The inland mountain ranges of Konyang can be up to several kilometers in height in some areas, with smaller foothills featuring some rare settlements leading up to them. These ranges, which lack valuable minerals completely due to Glorsh-era mining, are the reason for Konyang's jungles - they form an effective rain shadow. Some mountains have what is assumed to be collapsed mines in them, deactivated drones scattered throughout.

A phenomenon unique to the easternmost Yu islands of the Ganzaodeng prefecture, inland deserts are created due to the rain shadow caused by the surrounding mountain ranges. These are the least populated areas of the planet. Extraordinarily dry, little grows or lives in these environments. Rare Zeng-Hu Pharmaceuticals facilities can be found in this area, taking advantage of the isolation and relatively sterile environment that the inland deserts offer.

Lastly, the oceans of Konyang are regularly stormy, the large waves being harnessed for their energy in electricity production at numerous such outposts, scattered throughout the unpopulated islets in the farthest and most secluded areas.

===Flora and Fauna===
Wildlife on Konyang is a peculiar mix of its original environment and the thousands of invasive species introduced by Human colonization. Species introduced in the initial colonization of the planet include huge herbivores and peaceful, if ecologically destructive, wildlife. Additionally, the large oceans are host to an uncountable number of species of fish, crustaceans and aquatic molluscs, with many being unique to their region of origin. Flora on Konyang is among its most famed aspects, spearheaded by the mossy shores and overgrowth which covers the vast majority of its visible terrain. All plant life which survives on Konyang must survive the extremely damp environment, and as such either thrives in the water, or is capable of moving away from it. Konyang's waters are famously covered in green moss and seaweed, giving it its signature color when viewed from orbit.

Some examples of unique flora and fauna are:
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'''Shelfers'''
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In the marsh and lowlands of Konyang's algae coasts resides an invasive species of large omnivores known as '''Shelfers.''' These are gluttonous moss-feasting beasts, with a distinct six-legged and bloated appearance. They are excellent swimmers, owed to webbed joints and a wedge shaped, slick head. From this, it uses a set of large protruding teeth to scrape moss and undersea growths. This creature is endangered, and displayed as a national animal thanks to its unique appearance. Originally a danger to unprepared colonization, these gained a reputation for its tendency to attack colonists.

These were first encountered by colonists who had shipped wildlife to and from Arusha, where escaped subjects managed to reproduce- over the years becoming a cultural icon due to their miraculous beneficial place they have in Konyang's ecosystem.
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'''Konyanger Jeweler Cockatoo'''
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Known for its affinity to decorate its nesting grounds with surface-level pearls and gems of all sorts is an opportunistic carnivore, the '''Jeweler Cockatoo.''' This large avian is an offshoot of the Earth parrot, bred originally to “liven the landscape” of Konyang’s dreary inner mountainous lands. Eventually, with the assistance of high-level genetic modification, they grew to giant proportions whilst maintaining the health and lifestyle of a standard - ''if highly dangerous'' - parrot.

Where small patches of forest and barrens clash, these birds thrive and craft beautiful roosts in the relative safety of open fields. In these fields, diminutive predators avoid the large avian’s glare (or don’t, and are frequently preyed upon.) The Jeweler Cockatoo possesses two sharp talons on one digit of each of its feet, and a short - but unbelievably sharp beak, refined further by its tendency to dig. The wingspan of these birds can grow up to fifteen feet.

The Jeweler Cockatoo is the national bird of Konyang, with many stylized imagery depicting the bird in some shape or form.
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'''Glittering Konyang Moss'''
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Found in vast plains of coastal territories in excess is the overflowing, yet precious resource of '''Konyang moss.''' One of its primary exports, this barely-tapped commodity retains a huge capacity to feed Konyang’s already sturdy ecosystem, and the billions which reside upon it, and more to export. The evolutionary process which grew this mystical, shimmering moss is a mystery, however its luster and fields of green it generates has a wonderful impact on sustaining Konyang’s moist, overgrown and greenery-rich habitat.

Konyang moss is pivotal to its moving industries, and even after the robotics boom, it remains a stable source of incoming development for the since-burgeoning planet. The moss’ nutritional properties have been highly studied in recent decades. Its rapid pace of growth is exclusive to Konyang’s ecological circumstances, with everything from subterranean heat, to the algae present in its beautiful green seas factoring in.
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==Economy==
While young, the nation of Konyang boasts a powerful regional economy built upon decades of trade with both the Alliance and various Coalition partners. A developed country, Konyang manages to surpass its near total lack of ore with robust exports of foodstuff and energy, a strong shipping industry and a powerful robotics sector.

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===Raw Materials===
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[[File:Konyang dam.png|thumb|Dams and sea walls are a common sight on Konyang, used to protect cities and population centres from floods and tsunamis, as well as to exploit the violent waves for electricity.]]
Konyang's freshwater oceans were perhaps the largest boon to the starting colonists, and continues to play a substantial role behind the planet's exports. Fishing provides for a large aspect of the domestic economy, with millions of fishing boats and trawlers scouring the shores and oceans for all kinds of fish, crustaceans and other aquatic creatures, of which a complete list doesn't exist. Such is the biodiversity in Konyang's waters, that each region has its own fish markets which serve clients all over the planet and the Spur. Besides fishing, Konyang's biggest aquatic produce in terms of volume belongs to its enormous seaweed and moss harvesting industries. Entire ships are purpose-built for collecting wild greenery which floats on the high seas and the bays of Konyang, bringing in billions in offworld exports and domestic sales. The harvesting of moss is not exclusive to the sea and the aquatic farms either, as many edible varieties are collected inland, both in the planet's jungles and mountain ranges. Konyanger moss is Spur-renowned thanks to powerful marketing campaigns and the spread of the planet's cuisine.

With tremendously stormy wet seasons lasting most of the year, it is no surprise that Konyanger corporations have attempted and managed to harness the energy of the wind, waves and waters of the planet. Electricity is generated through a network of dams, hydroelectric plants, wave power stations and tidal power stations, all dotted across the vast shores and oceans of Konyang. The electricity produced is then either stored in super capacitors, or is directly wired inland through thick underwater cables, catering to the needs of virtually every power grid on the globe. Much of it is also transported on board space freighters lined with rows of large batteries, ready to make the journey to Alliance and Coalition worlds as part of the lucrative electricity export industry.

Lastly, Konyang excells in the export of water and timber. The continent-spanning untouched jungles provide an excellent source of wood for foreign markets as well as domestic construction, of which there is very heavy use in lieu of metal structures. The freshwater is also extremely easy to chemically filter, skipping any desalination process before being bottled or shipped as-is on board of one of many of Konyang's water barges; large hollow space vessels with tankers and pools for water storage.
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===Maritime Shipping===
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Surface shipping is another one of the main forces behind Konyang's domestic market economy, and an inseparable part of the nation's maritime culture. The docks and shipyards of New Hong Kong are the beating heart of the sector, which provides employment to more than 20% of the entire planet's population. Entire towns were formed and dedicated to housing the laborers and their families close to the coast, and many islands subsist entirely off of seamen's salaries and work at nearby electricity stations. Surface shipping, while slower, is a lot more economical for planetary moving of goods across the continents and islands of Konyang, being preferred to airlifting or orbital shuttling. Aside from the creation of jobs and the transportation of goods, Konyang's shipping industry produces excellent sailors who can rival those of planets such as Europa, many of whom eventually transition to space.
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===Robotics and Services===
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Ever since the robotics boom, Konyang has become a major player in the export and development of IPCs and everything surrounding them. Each year, the most cutting edge technologies catered to the improvement of the life of synthetics are released by Konyanger software companies, often to critical acclaim. This is because of the the substantial positronic population, free and eager to spend on such innovations that allow them to experience the world in a more human-like fashion. When it comes to the export of IPCs, Einstein Engines remains the prime manufacturer of chassis and positronic brains, which are shipped abroad without being activated. The practice, while putting Konyang on the map as one of the big regional producers of synthetics, is a hotly contested area between deeply entrenched corporate interests and an increasingly politically aware IPC populace. Non-positronic robotics are a separate, but once significant part of the economy, with Konyang having hoeld high places in the spur leaderboards for the making of robots, mechs, pAIs and automated systems. This sector however, took a major hit as the robotics boom slowly deflated, leaving behind abandoned industrial complexes and derelict factories.

The nation's service sector has to be one of the biggest ones, contributing a sizeable portion of the country's Gross Domestic Product. Many of the companies listed on the Suwon Stock Exchange are everything from financial consultation firms, to insurance agencies, housed in every majpr city's financial district. Skyscrapers and office complexes in downtown Suwon, Point Verdant and New Hong Kong are a daily reminder of the office life millions of Konyangers live, and many parents dream of their child being able to one day find employment in a top law firm or such. While mostly concentrated in the domestic market, many of these companies have expanded their services abroad, building a reputation of Konyanger reliability and impeccable work.
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===Konyanger Corporations===

In terms of the traditional megacorporations, the undoubted hegemon remains Einstein Engines, entrenched in the planet's life since the beginning of Konyang's colonization. The megacorporation owns a number of subsidiaries on the planet in many different sectors, most notably, Terraneus Diagnostics, which regularly bankrolls and invests in government initiatives in exchange for their continuous presence. It retains the original research facilities and control over the vaults, even if IPC production and exports are now handled by the Konyang Robotics Corporation, a public company in which Einstein controls a 49% stake. The Terraneus facilities on the planet mainly handle shell research and positronic brain production for export to the Coalition, while they occasionally butt heads with Zeng-Hu Pharmaceuticals in the realm of IPC research. Zeng-Hu has the second-largest megacorporate presence, mainly in biosphere research and sales of pharmaceuticals. Despite this, local conglomerates generally dominate the country’s financial sector, commanding the government’s cooperation and good graces in order to keep a stable economy. Upon achieving independence, Konyang has managed to maintain a strong presence of homegrown corporations in the fields of agriculture, media, energy and consumer goods.

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'''PACHROM'''
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A chemical and engineering corporation, PACHROM builds, maintains and manages eighty percent of all private dams, hydroelectric plants and seawalls on Konyang, as well as engaging in the field of chemicals and plastics production. Headed by Park Moon-soo, the business mogul is vying for influence with the government as indispensable to the nation’s energy output and defence against floods and natural disasters, making the “Pachrom Parks” one of the richest and most powerful business dynasties on the planet. Headquartered in central Suwon, the bulk of PACHROM’s operations are located in diasporic, uninhabited islands in the middle of the world’s oceans, where hundreds of organic and synthetic workmen toil daily to run the water powered electricity plants in extremely dangerous conditions.

The company’s notorious reputation for neglecting the safety of its employees and the environmental disregard for waste disposal from its plastics factories has been a big stain the Parks have struggled to wash off. While their ties to both the Alliance administration and the Konyang government have proven instrumental in their ability to dodge damning legal action, demonstrations of public outcry are a common feature in and around the street opposite the PACHROM office complex. To counter this, public relations campaigns are a constant focus, with tens of millions being spent in portraying them in a positive light. Charities are a large part of the Park family’s social presence, sponsoring public works and offering scholarships mainly in the Boryeong and New Hong Kong prefectures, where the majority of employees originate.

Often finding itself without funds from Unity Station, the colonial administration would commission PACHROM in the form of lucrative contracts for the construction of dams and power stations, allowing the utilisation of synthetics and IPC for the dangerous labour required. Due to society’s favourable opinion towards positronic intelligence, the multitude of cases of IPC fatalities would be swept under the rug with government assistance, creating a culture of tolerance towards lacklustre safety features and general disregard. Today, PACHROM’s future remains uncertain as the newly independent state of Konyang wishes tends to distance itself from its shaky past, a fact indicated by the recent awarding of the Kaneyama nuclear plant to the public company GON-ENE.
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'''Gwok Group'''
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Founded in the early 2410s with the name Hyeonsang Foods, the precursor to today’s multinational food conglomerate was the first attempt at commercialising Konyang’s seaweed and moss both for export and internal consumption. Initially finding limited success due to an overly competitive local market and foreign consumers' reluctance to the Konyanger novelty, the company's defining moment arrived during the robotics boom, launching them from mediocrity into the billion credit business stage.

As Einstein Engines staff poured into Point Verdant, Hyeonsang secured a contract from the megacorporation's local branch for providing meals and miscellaneous catering to workers and research staff. The once alienated Einstein employees would soon come around, praising the brand for its flavourful seasoning and convenience, eventually spreading the word to Einstein facilities and back home. By the late 40s, Hyeonsang was on the track of significant financial success, having secured a large foothold in the foreign dominated central districts of Point Verdant.

Rebranding into the more consumer friendly “Gwok” name in 2452, the company’s reputation abroad led to the opening of regional branches in the Solarian middle and core worlds, generating an increasingly massive amount of income, used for an aggressive takeover of the local Konyanger market. By buying off competitors, monopolising the moss and seaweed industry and introducing new marketing, Gwok’s domestic success was soon guaranteed as the primary supplier of supermarkets. In 2454 the IPC Gwok-0783, until then a senior executive and the face of the company as the main influencer of the rebrand, assumed direct control as CEO of the conglomerate thus becoming the first IPC in charge of a billion credit corporation in Sol space. The following years would see the consolidation of all affiliated assets and filial companies under an umbrella Gwok Group, topping the charts and establishing a farming, food and restaurant chain empire.
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'''Konymation'''
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Konymation represents the peak of the Konyanger animated media scene, being by far the most successful and most well known studio in the country, with a Spur-wide fame. It arose in the early days of the robotics boom, creating a resurgency of animations for both children and adults. While the industry was almost non-existent and cheap Solarian cartoons were the norm, a group of inspired artists came together to animate and direct the first feature-length production from Konyang, using native voice actors and a brand new artstyle of their own. The result was "One Day in my Life", a slice of life film following the daily routine of an IPC secretary in a human-dominated world, becoming an instant hit with both domestic and foreign audiences. Since then, Konymation rose to become the largest studio of quality animations, creating films and series for all ages and of all genres. Such was the success, that any animated pieces from Konyang have passed into the public consciousness simply as "Konymations", referred to as such in both the planet and abroad. Since their foundation, the studio has developed into a media conglomerate, buying out holoscreen channels, online platforms, news networks and more.
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'''Mujigae Publishing'''
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The biggest publishing house, Mujigae is to the comic book industry what Konymation is to animation. Having created thousands of interesting and touching comic series, Mujigae is credited with bringing paper back into the hands of millions of Konyangers, in an age where digital platforms have become the default for nearly everything in life. Many of Mujigae's works find great demand abroad as well as at home, with the company being known for their efforts to constantly seek out and recruit new artists with fresh ideas. A plethora of published series often find themselves being adapted into the holoscreen in lucrative partnerships with Konymation, as well as the other way around. Additionally, Mujigae's philanthropic work cannot go unmentioned; millions of credits have found their way to various charities on Konyang, primarily those regarding the children, the money drawn from art festivals and comicons that are hosted annually, often with the participation of the Ministry of Culture.
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'''Konyang Robotics Corporation'''
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The Konyang Robotics Corporation, or KRC as is more commonly known, is the country's largest government-controlled company centered around the manufacture, maintenance and welfare of the nation's positronic population. Borrowing heavily from Einstein know-how and infrastructure, it originated from the nationalization of Einstein and Terraneus IPC factories, with the majority of their employees swapping over to a government payroll. Einstein Engines controls 49% of the shares of the company, lending it tremendous behind-the-scenes influence on Konyang's synthetic population.

The primary function of the KRC is the production, storage and activation of IPC citizens. A very politically and socially sensitive topic, great care is placed by the government through the Ministry of Health and Positronic Affairs to meticulously calculate and order the amount of yearly activations, so as to maintain the Human-IPC ratio and meet the demands of the job market. To that effect, the KRC also acts as a sort of "school" for the newly activated IPC citizens, with special orientation camps where synthetics are taught about Konyanger society before released to the world.

Furthermore, the KRC acts as the primary health provider for Konyanger IPCs, with clinics and hospitals situated in every town and city, as well as strategically placed in certain villages in the countryside. Thousands of roboticists, engineers and software technicians are employed by the KRC to act as the equivalents of surgeons, physicians, nurses and paramedics for the IPC population, who are afforded universal healthcare through the KRC. Appointment times are dependent on location and the capacity of the clinic or hospital, with many in more remote areas having to wait months for limb replacements and other, more heavy duty needs that cannot be met by their local KRC center.
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'''GON-ENE'''
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GON-ENE is a newly formed, state-controlled energy utilities company, created following the announcement of the Kaneyama Nuclear Power Plant. Perceived as a direct competitor to PACHROM, GON-ENE has been planned to expand into hydroelectric and wave power, giving the government a greater control of the nation's power grid and cutting back reliance on privately-owned sector, though complete autarky is off the table for at least many decades.
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==Government==
''Main Article: [[Konyanger Government and Politics#Government|Konyanger Government]]''

Konyang is organized as a unitary semi-parliamentary republic headed by a President, the former colonial governor Hyun Kyung-Ho being elected to the position after independence. The Prime Minister is elected by the citizenry every four years, and is the leader of the governing party in the Parliament of Konyang. The current Prime Minister is Myeong Myung-Dae.

Planetary politics are found on both a national and prefectural level, with every party running in local and national elections. Polarization is fairly limited, the vast majority of Konyangers rejecting the extreme views put forward by radical political movements in the country that tend to be marginalized. IPC politicians do exist and are found in every major party, though most can be seen sitting with the National Party of Konyang.

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===Military===
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[[File:Marine.png|thumb|right|An IPC Konyanger Naval Infantryman in full gear.]]
Konyang’s military, also known as the Konyang Armed Forces, was first formed shortly after the colony’s independence from personnel of the former Solarian garrison. As a result, it carries a lot of the traditions of the Solarian Armed Forces. Bolstered by conscription laws requiring both organic and synthetic citizens one year of mandatory service, the KAF possesses Army, Navy and Aerospace branches. IPCs are actively recruited and accepted into the military, forming both their own and deployed in mixed units. This segregation is justified by the government as based solely on the differentiating capabilities, logistical needs and skills between man and machine.

That claim does hold true to an extent, with IPCs taking a more active role in special forces formations, dealing with operations requiring levels of precision and focus that artificial intelligence can easily provide. A famous example is the army’s Mechatronic Corps, an elite unit utilising large, leftover battle mechs retrofitted for a pair of pilots. Such a force is unique in the Coalition, and is often used abroad in operations under broader CoC military command. Mixed infantry units of conscripts do exist, fielded in jungle patrol tasks or assigned garrison duty.

Notably for a 25th century military, the Navy maintains a very large aquatic force which it uses to patrol the vast oceans of the planet. Regularly described as more of a coast guard than a military arm, it is more geared for domestic policing than combat, consisting mostly of ships acting as launching points for many smaller, coast guard type vessels that patrol the vast expanse of the planet’s waterways and launch military aircraft. Nevertheless, it provides important services with its multiple telecommunication, radar and island outposts, providing crucial meteorological information for everyday seafaring and flood prevention on a planet where storms and extreme weather are the norm.

The Konyang Aerospace Forces perform both atmospheric and orbital operations with their doctrine clearly influenced by former Solarian officers within their ranks. Their fleet consist of obsolete vessels donated by Coalition planets, partially brought up to a modern standard by the planet’s technology and manufacturing sector. In 2465, the KASF’s main tasks include protecting the system from pirates and policing the large influx of refugees from the Human Wildlands, regularly pushing them to other planets within the Coalition as per Konyang’s strict migration laws.

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===National Police===
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[[File:Konyanger Police Ranks.png|thumb|In order to organize the National Police and smooth cooperation between prefectures, a unified rank structure was adopted shortly after its formation.]]
Despite its federal nature, the main law enforcement agency on the planet is the National Police, formed after Konyang’s independence from the merging of a number of local and specialised agencies under the then Solarian authority. One major change since then has been the introduction of synthetic officers in all positions and ranks, while also creating special divisions suited best for them. Police gear remains rather antiquated for the era, the force still using old Solarian equipment and stocks from the colonial garrison, meaning that much of the tactics and thinking remain unchanged. Considered tame by Alliance standards, the National Police places an emphasis on preventative policing, building rapport with local communities, and relying on a sense of civic duty from the populace to perform its duties. Despite this, the National Police has nonetheless received criticism for occasional incidents of corruption and brutality, mostly against synthetic citizens. This is more common in remote departments and conservative prefectures, where the sudden inclusiveness of synthetic officers with equal pay and opportunities is seen as a threat. Such incidents aside, government efforts for the modernisation of the National Police are ongoing.

The police is subject to the Ministry of Public Safety in Suwon and is organised at the national level, with local departments answering to the assigned hierarchy in their prefecture. Special divisions are deployed to deal with various policing duties, their size ranging from a whole new branch to Special Robotics detachments specialising in detainment of volatile synthetic suspects. The largest of these subdivisions and arguably the most important, the Coast Guard is the maritime arm of the National Police, operating a fleet of shore and sea patrol vessels in their mission to enforce the law at the huge array of islands and in Konyang’s waters. As the planet is surrounded by oceans, the Coast Guard has proven itself essential to the battle against smuggling and piracy while also assuming search and rescue duties during flooding, tsunamis and other catastrophes. The National Police has also gained Coalition-wide acclaim for its Special Robotics Division - a task force known for its expertise in detaining IPC without causing permanent damage.
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==Culture==
''Main article: [[Konyanger_Culture_and_Demographics|Konyanger Culture]]''

Konyang’s culture has been shaped by its East Asian Earther heritage, unique status as a colony with little to no resources, and as the birthplace of positronics. Konyanger society is often described as closed-off, with many unspoken social norms that vary from prefecture to prefecture. Key social norms that are shared in Konyang’s culture are Harmony, Reciprocity, and Face. Often derided as “meekness”, Harmony refers to enforcing unity and conformity within society. The specific manifestations vary from prefecture to prefecture, but in general, individuals who disrupt a sense of peace can face social ostracization. For instance, explicit disagreement such as using the word “no” is considered impolite, and a non-answer is often far more acceptable. Harmony also refers to a person’s social role; respect should be shown to people of a higher status, usually along traditional lines such as age, profession, and experience.

===Media===
''Main article: [[Konyanger_Culture_and_Demographics#Media|Media]]''

Public media in Konyang is a powerful industry, and as broad as it may seem, it is very tightly knit. Aside from galactic-wide reruns and broadcasts of other nation’s shows, little seems to stand out - except the audio broadcast and illustrated artistic avenues. These two are well-refined artistic giants compared to other forms of entertainment on the planet.

A huge portion of the planet’s political views and very “personality” are channeled through its larger studios, where many are found enthused to spread its culture galaxy-wide.

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===Cuisine===
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The primary diet of Konyangers consists of moss, seaweed and fish, with farms and pastures on land being rare due to the thick jungle. Konyang's moss is either harvested in the wild, grown in "natural" hydrofarms, or grown synthetically in bioplants. The moss itself is said to change its taste depending on the environment in which it is grown, and natural moss from the coasts around Konyang's islands is highly prized. Exports of moss and seaweed are a very lucrative business, held primarily by the galaxy-famous Go-Go Gwok! brand. Many workers, however, must make do with hydrofarm moss at best, and synthetic substitutes at worst. Konyang's fish - quite diverse, due to its freshwater environments - are also often consumed on the planet, with many being exported as luxury food as far afield as Venus and Tau Ceti. More conventional but water-intensive crops such as rice and other tropical fruits are also grown to a certain extent but are considered a rarity.

The planet is also home to a thriving beverages industry, with local varieties of algae providing the basis of a light but thick alcoholic drink colloquially known as “Nong jiu” domestically and abroad. The wide selection of produce on the planet however means more traditional drinks are produced, typically drawing from their Earther roots and commonly based on rice. Some of these drinks are exported by local businesses such as Go-Go Gwok! while Zeng-Hu has wrestled to control some of these brands in an attempt to stop them from competing with their own lineups.

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===Synthetic Cuisine===
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Synthetic-unique cuisine is an unusual case in the Spur, but not for Konyang. Here, robots utilize gustatorial implants to - if inefficiently - consume, or at least “taste” food regularly. Indeed, there is an entire market for synthfood where robots can enjoy their own form of taste, texture and uniquely perceptive flavor for foods. Mostly, synthfood is described as a thick slime, one with varying additives for color. Texture is mostly a simulated process within gustatorial implants, given they are not always present on tongues alone - meaning that the actual texture of these synthfoods remains the same gooey substance.

''One can achieve a similar substance to these synthfoods mechanically by grinding certain foods into paste, or utilizing candy machines with your choice of ingredients and output.''

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===Organized Crime===

=====Benevolent Guild=====
The Benevolent Guild is a criminal organisation operating primarily within the decrepit, dark shadows of New Hong Kong. Originating as a mutual aid society for low income and forced penal colonists shipped into New Hong Kong by the Alliance government, it developed into a ruthless crime syndicate with strong ties to the local lower class community. From the start, the tightly knit communal and familial ties have played an important role in preserving the gang’s power and shielding them from police action. Only in recent years has any meaningful progress been made, the allocation of governmental resources and the increasingly violent and profit-oriented tactics of the Guild having alienated much of the younger generation, chipping away at the once widely popular support.

Starting with extortion and loan sharking, the Benevolent Guild rapidly expanded into gambling, drugs and violent crime such as kidnapping both in New Hong Kong and in New Kowloon. It is not uncommon for synthetics that find themselves victims of the group’s loan shark tactics to be ‘collected’ as collateral damage and subsequently carted off to whichever corner of the Orion Spur where their new owners await them usually at a far cheaper rate than elsewhere. One of the few institutions on Konyang refusing to admit synthetics owing to a deeply conservative and spiritually esoteric internal ideology, a pragmatist outlook often compels them to deal with and even cooperate with IPC politicians, police and rival gangs. Connections with criminal organisations in the wider Spur have been confirmed to exist, as various crime syndicates in Xanu, New Hai Phong and Luna are known to be in connection with the Benevolent Guild.

=====5-Cheung=====
Emerging as one of the strongest IPC/organic street gangs of Suwon, the 5-Cheung numbers in the thousands of members in the cities of the Suwon and Point Verdant prefectures. The organisation’s origin as a loose collective of delinquents and fringe elements has since developed into a nationwide crime family with a powerful hierarchy fielding biker gangs and thugs to enforce their tight grip on the underworld. With a black repertoire of gambling, extortion, money laundering and narcotics, the 5-Cheung is considered a main rival to the Benevolent Guild of New Hong Kong, the two frequently coming to blows in a series of wars and uneasy truces over control of turf and general competition.

An open secret in the country’s political sphere has the 5-Cheung profit lucratively from corruption in the highest levels of government and police. During the Solarian era, prominent politicians employed protection from the 5-Cheung, soliciting their services in voter swaying, intimidation of opposition members and violent disruption of rallies and demonstrators. This has given the gang a justified reputation for being the political soldiers of ruling dynasties and representing the authorities in the underworld and on the street in exchange for immunity from prosecution. Following Konyang’s independence, the reformed National Police retained a virtually unchanged staff while the nation’s same prominent political families, now unshackled from Alliance oversight, enjoy even more freedom. As such, it is safe to say that 5-Cheung’s entrenched position will continue to remain untouched aside from the occasional drug bust and arrest of low level members.

=====Sea Bandits=====
Although both the previous colonial administration and the nascent Konyanger Armed Forces and Coast Guard have tried to stamp out piracy, the sheer expanse of the planet means that groups of what the authorities call “sea bandits” continue to infest the waters and orbit of Konyang. Ranging from small motor boats launched from fishing villages with nothing more than an antique rifle, to retrofitted probes salvaged from the refugee waves pouring into the system, piracy is one of the most pressing social and security issues faced by the newly formed nation.

Individual pirate groups usually number no greater than twenty people but the Sea Bandits as a whole operate as a wider criminal network inclusive of individuals and crews from all over the planet. By coordinating their activities and intelligence through encrypted sites, the organisation manages to both evade and stay one step ahead of the authorities. Most of their activities take the form of kidnapping, armed robbery of craft and hijacking unescorted seafarers, while admittedly avoiding the busiest and well guarded sealanes and locations. The most audacious raid by the Sea Bandits to date involved the boarding and ransoming of a cruise ship by the use of an unregistered freighter. Although only circumstantial evidence has been uncovered, Golden Deep Zaibatsu have also been accused of working with Sea Bandit groups by launching probes full of narcotics, to be recovered by the pirates.

==Synthetics on Konyang==
As the origin of the integrated positronic chassis now found throughout the Orion Spur, Konyang has always had a quite unique relationship with IPCs, the IPC population constituting a staggering 34% of the total population. While IPCs throughout the Sol Alliance are often looked upon as little more than property, tools, or novelties depending upon their frame those found upon Konyang possessed a notably greater degree of autonomy and freedom before the planet’s secession from the rest of the Alliance, achieving full and unconditional freedom afterwards. Legal ownership of synthetics within the borders of the Republic does not exist, the Emancipation Act constituting one of the first acts passed by Parliament. IPCs can work wherever they like, live however they please within the confines of the law, and partake in politics by voting or being elected. As such, foreigners are repeatedly cautioned to not bring any privately held IPCs with them, for they cannot be forced to return unwillingly.

Ordinary Konyangers, as a result of the planet’s liberal outlook on positronics, possess a more positive view of synthetics than other humans in the Orion Spur - particularly those from the Sol Alliance and its former territories. The majority of people on Konyang view IPCs as amicable colleagues and neighbours, with many friendships between man and machine being established. Closer bonds such as marriage are also legalised and not unheard of, though not without outcries from the more conservative spectrum. Many scholars theorize that this is due to the prevalence of IPCs in daily life on Konyang, seamlessly blending into society, in addition to the pride many citizens have in their planet being the origin of the modern positronic. Konyang’s integration of IPCs stands with some degree of contrast to Biesel’s, with the large synthetic ghetto of District 14 segregating many synthetics from the average citizen of the Republic of Biesel.

With Konyang’s independence, IPCs share full legal equality with all organic citizens of the planet. This concession was given, both as an acknowledgement and acceptance of the fact that synthetics have become part of everyday life in the colony and are generally accepted by its inhabitants. Unlike the Republic of Biesel, IPCs in Konyang seek to assimilate into human society, with IPCs being given the choice to adopt a second, “human name” before receiving citizenship. A human name can range from an entirely new name, to adding a first or last name of any kind to their existing designation.

Many positronics can be found within the economy of Konyang with perhaps the most famous (or infamous) one being Gwok-0783 (now Kim Gwok-0783, under post-independence IPC naming conventions), the owner and operator of her very own food conglomerate in the form of Go-Go Gwok! Authentic Konyanger Moss. As Go-Go Gwok! is technically an interstellar corporation, Gwok-0783 herself relied on a series of legal loopholes centered around Konyang’s former IPC laws to maintain control of the company when Konyang was still in the Sol Alliance. Examples such as Gwok, with her control of an inter-planetary corporation, are fairly rare. However, many positronics have made a successful name for themselves as small business owners and corporate workers on Konyang.
[[File:Konyang vault.png|thumb|A mysterious vault upon Konyang's surface, unearthed and built around with monitoring infrastructure.]]
Due to the system’s bluespace gate, many members of [[Synthetic_Factions#The_Golden_Deep|Golden Deep]] have secured permits to operate, as it allows their vessels to more easily make the journey from the frontier to the more lucrative markets of Tau Ceti and the Jewel Worlds. The money and business brought into the system by these synthetic traders has - arguably - been a major contributor to Konyang’s more liberal laws and regulations regarding IPCs. Konyang, before its independence, was one of the few systems under Solarian control in which IPCs could own and operate a business.

The synthetic population in Konyang is regulated by the government. A set number of positronics are assembled each year under contract at Terraneus Diagnostics facilities in Point Verdant with the prospect of being granted citizenship after a 3 month life orientation period. The determined number is set annually by Parliament, backed up by the yearly census and statistics, with production increasing or decreasing depending on the number of human birth ratios, positronic shutdowns, and other factors. Expenses are met both through government funds and private donations, though debate on the matter is rarely heated as the amount of new brains numbers usually in the hundreds; a tiny fraction of positronics produced and exported in total. IPCs and positronics constructed for the purpose of selling them to a different country, are not covered by such regulations and are not given citizenship.

There are further regulations in robotics construction in Konyang. Any activated positronic brain can qualify under the Emancipation Act. Exceptions to the law exist for manufacturing and research, with Point Verdant in particular activating positronic brains for the sake of testing shells before shipping them off-world. The law has also sparked development in other fields of mechatronics, with Konyang beginning to lead the way in circuit-based robotics.

Despite gains for its IPC citizens, other positronic intelligences have not been so lucky. Although some brains have been repurposed as AI coordinators for cities; with no way to transition to humanoid frames, bound intelligences have been granted freedom, but often take contracts with corporations that result in a return to the old status quo, all for the sake of staving off destruction due to a lack of maintenance.

===Konyanger Augmentation of IPCs===

Augmentation on Konyang is a fascinating subject, where the presence of so many IPCs has brought success in modifying the Positronic body and mind. Famed explorations into the sectors of IPC modification include "sensory evolution," where synthetics' senses being amplified or dulled in extremes according to desire.

Primary among the delves into this evolution of the senses is the New Dawn Augmentation Movement. This is a Konyanger organization based on the improvement of the IPC lifestyle via modifying chassis, funded peculiarly by Terraneus Diagnostics. The movement is oddly organized as a non-profit, going against the corporation’s established modus operandi. This, coupled with the tantalizing opportunity to freely modify an IPC's form with donated funds leads to public skepticism of the augment movement’s motivations.

Still, the true size of the movement to augment and improve Konyang's IPC population is extraordinary in comparison to other stellar nations. Roughly 22% of Konyang IPCs have some form of corporate-funded augmentation to enhance themselves.
[[File:Konyang augment1.png|thumb|A Konyanger design, the Scorpion Lobe is an augment which manipulates the perception of time for synthetics for better or worse.]]
* '''SENSO-EVO/Scorpion Lobe'''
A miraculous creation of Konyang's technological advancement, SENSO-EVO is the term aptly handed to Sensory Evolution's foremost product. This is the Scorpion Lobe, a similarly shaped attachment to the rear of a positronic brain which adjusts the rate at which the synthetic perceives time literally. The implications of this are seen as either a blessing or a curse — sometimes even utilized as a way to reduce problematic behavior in positronics.

These implants are commercialized to protect the integrity of brains which adopt extremely high speed tasks, or extremely tedious and slow ones, with a perception that best suits their given utility.

A double edged sword by nature, these are often removed by free positronic chassis due to their almost torturous nature. Some may find their lives flashing hours into moments, whilst others may find daily grinds to be impossibly long ordeals. Unfortunately, removing these implants is not always a safe procedure, sometimes damaging a brain or rendering the problem worse.

These were first manufactured by Hephaestus Industries on instrumental Konyang research facilities, and later acquired by Einstein Engines personnel in the same month - debates over the design’s origin have been ongoing since 2449.

===Recreational Software===

In the IPC community of Konyang, the culture of acceptance and freedom has always invited the curiosity of synthetics to imitate and follow human pastimes and habits. This in turn included activities such as smoking, synthetic flavours and eventually, recreational drugs. Due to the nature of the positronic, the only way to recreate such sensations is through software targeting and modifying specific programming in the brain. At first, this dangerous commodity was provided by amateur programmers using experimental and highly volatile code known as “overloaders”, leading to often irreparable and lethal damage to an IPC’s systems. The results of the few initial successes, however, proved promising enough for the idea to be seriously considered by upcoming Konyanger tech companies and business-oriented software engineers, leading to the first reliable and somewhat safe overloaders in the mid to late 2450s.

Popular awareness of recreational software became widespread upon its release as a commercial product, Konyang being the first world to introduce a marketable version of it. Usually sold inside a single-use stick drive, their circulation is approved by safety boards and is considered legal for responsible consumption, much like alcohol for organics, relying on the consumer for mitigation and avoidance of repeated use. Legal overloaders today can be found mainly in synthetic-centred retailers found around the major cities, their relatively limited availability and high price setting them as a luxury IPC item. Its effects include a wide range of results, from simulating the sensations of a light buzz to a short bout of excitement and joy, aimed at enhancing the experience at celebrations, parties and get-togethers.

However, where there is demand, there must be supply, and the fact that demand spiked as these new products launched paved the way to a large underground market of cheap, unsafe and highly unpredictable overloaders sold both by dealers and unlicensed street vendors of dubious reputation. An illegal overloader epidemic hitting the cities of Suwon and Boryeong in late 2459, led to intensified police crackdowns and government campaigns against illicit overloaders, labelling them as malware and the IPC equivalent of dangerous drugs. Virtually unrecognisable from a legitimate overloader without the seal, side effects are many times more powerful and addicting, appealing to adventurous synthetics and the financially insecure. From catapulting the positronic into a garbled, incomprehensive reality of simulated emotions to simply heightening the senses, the illegal overloaders’ addictive and dangerous nature leads many synthetics to disrepair, involving behaviour breaking glitches, hardware failures and more, all while guaranteeing a returning clientele.

Reception to recreational software has been mixed, dividing society and politicians on matters of free will, the dangers of overloaded IPC, and the overall ethics of deliberately creating and selling what are essentially drugs. Both synthetics and humans have loudly spoken against it, spawning demonstrations and dividing politicians across party lines. Legislation has already passed, categorising possession and distribution of illicit overdosers as strictly illegal, with heavy punishments for dealers and suppliers. Police and coast guard raids yield millions of unbranded overloaders each year, making highly publicised arrests while sending a message of absolute intolerance towards the malware. Despite this, circulation never ceases and exports to Xanu, Tau Ceti and Sol.

==Population and Major Cities==

[[File:Konyang_map_pol.png|thumb|800px|A map of Konyang showcasing the Prefectures and the New Hokkaido Territory. Click to enlarge.]]

'''Suwon''' is the largest, most populated, and second wealthiest city on Konyang itself and is generally one of the larger cities in the Coalition of Colonies. It functions as both the planetary capital, as well as the capital of Suwon Prefecture, encompassing the entirety of Cheomsongtang. Symbolic of the new government is the Parliament Building, a massive structure of flowing lines and sustainable technology, incorporating pieces of the first colony ship. The Prime Minister's Government House, the President's Crimson House, the Solarian embassy, as well as embassies from various Coalition states are present here as well. Standards of living in wealthiest areas of Suwon are equivalent to and (sometimes) even surpass the living standards of places such as Highland City or Argia sa Mar, demonstrating how wealthy the robotics boom has made some sectors of the planet. A lack of readily-available materials, however, ensures that even the super-rich of Konyang often live in smaller houses than their Colonies planet counterparts. Life outside these wealthy areas is better than life in most cities in Himeo but dramatically worse than in the very wealthy areas, or even the cities of Xanu Prime. Overcrowding is a massive issue for the government of the city, with no obvious solution presenting itself due to how expensive importing new building materials is post-boom. The city is home to most of Konyang's biggest companies and office complexes, as well as the Suwon Stock Exchange, making the city's financial district the economy's beating heart. "Shoebox apartments" are common here, as are Konyang's often egregious traffic issues. The city is fortified with extensive sea walls, flood walls and flood gates to prevent natural disasters during the wet season, tropical storms being fairly common.

[[File:Point verdant.png|thumb|One of Aoyama's many skyscraper blocks, safely located behind a dam.]]

'''Aoyama''', known in the larger Spur as '''Point Verdant''', is the second most-populated city on Konyang, and the industrial heart of its robotics industry. Built along a coastal mountain range from which it draws its namesake, it is by far the wealthiest city on Konyang, and one of the richest cities in the Coalition of Colonies. Due to being home of the Robotics Boom, hosting foreigners and their families that once even surpassed the locals inside the city, Aoyama is frequently known outside to outsiders and to the Spur at large as Point Verdant, much to the chagrin of the locals. Aoyama is home to the renowned Point Verdant Terraneus Institute of AI Research, and is the poster child for the rapid development of Konyang's cities during the Boom. The city is extremely wealthy, but suffers from persistent overcrowding and traffic issues in all of its districts. The Pusan District, near PVTI, had the reputation of possessing the worst traffic in the Alliance according to its residents. Air quality in Aoyama is regarded as subpar, due to the amount of robotics factories in the city's outskirts, which have however slowly but steadily declined since. Being the focal point of the Robotics Boom, it is home to a large number of expatriate communities and Einstein Engines employees.

'''Boryeong''', named after a city on historical Earth where some of its colonists originated from, is the third most populated city on Konyang and capital of the Boryeong Prefecture, referred to as the breadbasket of the nation. The city, while still suffering overcrowding issues, has it to a lesser extent than Point Verdant or Suwon, with the city's outskirts necessitating a need for space due to the vast hydroponics farms and water plants. A second-grade industrial city of much natural beauty, Boryeong is more rustic than its counterparts, with wood playing a much more prominent role in construction; outside the central ring, some of Boryeong's districts are built entirely out of timber. Water bottled or processed in Boryeong is sold throughout the Alliance and Coalition in bulk, and native moss grown in the prefecture is marketed throughout both as a luxury food. Over half of the city's labourers are employed in hydroponics, aquaculture, fishing and food processing, with Gwok Foods being the largest provider of work in the region. Synthetic moss is grown in Zeng-Hu facilities near Boryeong and, despite being regarded as lesser quality than natural moss, is often consumed in poorer areas of Konyang.

'''Ganzaodeng''', named for its dry locale, is located in Konyang's only desert and holds the largest expatriate populations on the planet, being nicknamed, “Little Sol”. Due to its unique geographic setting, it faces remarkably calmer weather than the rest of the planet, with the city being connected to the rest of the island by air and rail that cuts right through the mountains. Ganzaodeng is Konyang's only planned city with origins in the Robotics Boom, when the foundations were laid for a city envisioned by foreigners, for foreigners. Rich Solarians descended upon the planet's seemingly only dry piece of real estate, building a city full of nightlife and eclectic inner-ring pleasures within the distant colony. By the end of the Boom however, the city's famous strips of casinos and luxury hotels still operating in downtown Ganzaodeng became a symbol of a bygone era, as much of the Solarian population elected to depart. The city passed into native Konyanger hands, being expanded into a hub of shipping with the help of the city's remaining big names. Because of the reliably clear weather, Ganzaodeng has developed a sprawling extraplanetary shipping sector, with plans for a spaceport larger than New Hong Kong’s, as well as future schemes for the largest oceangoing port on the planet. Its climate has resulted in the prefectural government engaging in moss filtration efforts to open up the surrounding beaches to tourism. Despite of the Solarian exodus, the city stands in contrast to the rest of Konyang’s relatively conservative social nature, with people from all over the Spur calling it their home and making it by far one of the most multicultural centers on the planet. It’s not uncommon for a person from Ganzaodeng to know two or three languages.

'''New Hong Kong''', the site of the former naval base of the 58th Solarian Fleet, has now developed into a fully fledged city in its own right, being the only prefectural capital with a local synthetic majority. Being regarded as a lot more pedestrian and working-class than Suwon and Point Verdant, New Hong Kong is nonetheless a very important centre of interplanetary trade and commercial activity, hosting the planet’s largest ocean ports and dockyards, being the country's industrial's hotspot and the seat of power generation. Large hydroelectric dams, wave energy converters, dockyards and factories belonging to the PACHROM corporation provide employment for half of the city’s inhabitants, the Prefecture of New Hong Kong generating enough electricity for domestic consumption as well as exports. Employees of the various power companies may also elect to be sent off to one of the many power generation isles scattered throughout the oceans and dedicated solely to that purpose, receiving better pay in exchange for more dangerous conditions away from home. The city itself is considerably more packed than its counterparts, with small cramped apartments being stacked over each other to form vertical mazes of working class blocks. Heavy smog and particles cover up the sky through the entirety of the island during the dry season, giving the prefecture a signature orange-brown tint. This, as well as constant heavy rains and a near permanent gloomy weather during the wet season place it as undesirable for humans. Seat of the National Party, downtown New Hong Kong is described as the centre of planetary IPC politics, being the first to react to, condemning or praising events in Konyang and throughout the galactic stage in regards to the synthetic “race”. New Hong Kong is additionally the birthplace of Konyang's labor unions, with the Socialist Party enjoying strong support from the city's human blue-collar workforce.

[[File:Konyangdam.png|thumb|900px|center|Dams are a very common sight on Konyang, with the New Hong Kong's dam in the neighbouring industrial town of New Kowloon providing only a fraction of the power required by the city, while also playing an important part in flood control and water filtration.]]

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User:The lancer/Sandbox 3

2024-02-04T21:48:29Z

Noble Row: /* Culture */

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==Overview==
Originally established in 2305 as a Solarian Alliance Outer Ring planet, Konyang is presently one of the more distant outposts under the Coalition of Colonies after its independence in '''2462'''. Konyang’s capital city Suwon, the largest settlement on the planet, is built upon a natural formation that defines most of Konyang's geography: islands with large interior mountains that feature lush, but soaking wet, coastal jungle regions. Konyang was initially a relatively average Outer Ring settlement intended to export water, before the discovery of mysterious, deactivated drones in 2407 led to a robotics boom occuring on the planet that lasted well into the 2450s. The Konyang of today is a planet renowned for its robotics industry, though some of its initial luster has faded in the years following its boom. Water, however, remains a key industry - the planet has a remarkably low salination level, meaning that essentially all of its water is drinkable. Konyang Solarian Common, or Konyang Common, is the most used language on the planet inside and outside of major population centers. Due to its proximity to the Coalition of Colonies planets, Coalition member planets often import water from Konyang. In major cities and universities, Tradeband can be found being spoken, though it remains rare. Speakers of the language are generally from off-planet, moving to Konyang during its robotics boom. Konyang almost completely lacks valuable minerals due to intensive mining efforts carried out by drones—whose source remains unknown—hundreds of years before it was colonized.

'''Because of the ethnic make-up of Konyang's original settlers and assimilation of immigrants into the native population during the first AI boom, human characters born on Konyang will have names and appearances consistent with the people of China, the Korean Peninsula, and Japanese Islands. Only native Konyangers or Konyang-made IPCs may select the Konyanger accent. This is enforceable by server moderators and admins.'''

[[File:Konyang flag.png| The Konyanger flag was adopted in 2462, having unofficially been used by pro-autonomy circles long before the declaration of independence. The traditional taitju represents peace and harmony as the highest values of the new state, with the color blue representing the waterways the planet is known for and yellow, their aim of prosperity. The white background represents Konyang's purity.
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==History==

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===Conception and Planning | 2200s - 2299===
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When the United Nations proposed and eventually enforced the creation of the Alliance of Sovereign Solarian Nations, China, Korea and Japan were once more forced to band together to compete with the world for influence inside the newly found institution. Rivals such as the European Union, the Soviet Union, the Commonwealth and the United States were first in line to claim hegemonic roles, their space programs forming the core of Solarian colonization of the Inner, Middle and Outer rings over the centuries, populating them with their own peoples and sparking an unofficial race for prestige land grabs, one which the Department of Colonization was more than happy to let unfold, resulting in the extremely fast expansion of Humanity into the Orion Spur. While regional powers such as India and the Mediterranean countries began creating their own colonies on Gadpathur and Assunzione, the East Asian trio were relegated to secondary roles of supplying technology, labor and capital without any actual representation in the stars, a situation problematic for some and resented by many in the “sovereign” governments.

It was thus decided to present a plan to Solarian functionaries for a colony spearheaded by China and supported heavily by Korea and Japan, aimed at restoring the pride of the three “cousin-nations” and their position in the Alliance. Intense negotiations and technical planning amounted to years of disagreements over the name, location and allocation of responsibilities between the partners, as well as the presence of China’s Einstein Engines megacorporation, which offered to finance a great portion of the initial effort. Soon however, the advent of the Second Great Depression and the following Interstellar War in the mid-late 2200’s saw a bankrupt Alliance put a halt to any colonization projects, resulting in the plans being shelved. The war took a great toll on the core Solarian worlds, including Earth and its nations which were called to provide manpower, funds and materiel for the Solarian Navy. Federal China’s economy tanked completely under the pressure, relying on IMF bailouts and stays of payment on the salaries of its public sector, with pensionaries and students being most severely hit, resulting in massive social upheaval which would have long lasting consequences for the country’s financial hegemony in the post-war region.

As peace and relative stability returned, the Alliance found a newly independent, sizable and embittered Coalition of Colonies rival its claims in the Galactic East, calling for the presence of military garrisons and naval stations to protect the border. It was at this time that colonization projects were beginning to reemerge, with the Pacific Pact racing once more to submit a viable plan for a colony that would represent East Asia. A fatigued China could no longer bear the incredible costs it aspired to as the leader of the colonial venture before the war, giving significant leeway to the other two partners and largely retreating behind its megacorporation, Einstein Engines, which was still willing to back the endeavor. An aggressive Korean delegation largely dictated terms, giving birth to the “Konyang Project”, named after the Konyang University in which the colonial undertaking was revealed and presented to the public in 2299.
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===Early Colonial Period | 2304 - 2400s===
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The plan envisioned five convoys for the establishment of four primary settlements on a strategically placed planet selected by the Solarian Navy for the support of local naval operations against any threats from the Frontier Alliance. The targeted planet was revealed to be a lush world first discovered in 2278 by a long-range scouting probe, dominated by water and possessing a breathable atmosphere, placing it in a prime position to sustain Human civilization. The quickly named “Haneunim” solar system possessed a few more bodies of secondary importance, and the first convoy was scheduled to launch on the 10th of March 2304, from the Wenchang spaceport in South China, to meet the long-distance freighters in orbit of Luna that would carry the first 5,000 colonists to Konyang. The ethnic mix-up of the colonists were equally distributed amongst the three nationalities, with all being volunteers and 646 of them under the employ of Einstein Engines.

It took the warp-propelled convoy one year to reach its destination, traversing light years of Solarian vastness before meeting the Navy squadron which would escort them to the planet, with touchdown being made on September 8th, 2305. Konyang was covered in jungles and great mountain ranges, requiring great labor from the men and women of the expedition to create the first settlement, under the direction of officers from the Department of Colonization. Two months later, Unity Station would receive the first signal passed along by the Navy, originating from beacon Number 22890/223, Designation ‘SUWON’. The foundations had been laid. In the following decades, all five convoys would come to form the basis of the “Konyang Territory”, a colony directly controlled by the Alliance and the Solarian Navy as the base of the 58th Fleet. Boosted by its status as a naval base, the abundance of freshwater and with the backing of Einstein, all three cities were realized; Suwon and Boryeong, New Hong Kong, and Aoyama, each at the start holding ethnic majorities of Koreans, Chinese and Japanese respectively.
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===The Robotics Boom | 2407 - 2430s===
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Despite the acceptable climate and near unlimited freshwater, the colonial government soon realized an alarming lack of mineral resources, forcing a complete reliance on external trade and supplies from the Navy for any and all industrial goods and even basic construction materials, a reality which had to be corrected as fast as possible. A planet-wide scanning expedition was organized, while “patriotic aid” was fervently being fundraised in China, Japan and Korea for nearly a whole century to cope with the colonists' increasing demands. This led to a landmark moment in the history of Konyang, when on the 21st of April 2404, mining teams dug into a collapsed tunnel outside the vicinity of Aoyama, discovering a defunct mining drone, crushed by tonnes of rock and soil. The chassis appeared broken and old, though its very presence implied the exploitation of the planet by a different civilization.

The device was hurried back in secrecy to a panel of dumbfounded colonial officials, who deemed that their corporate partners would be more suited in tracking down its origin. As such, after a quick formality bid behind closed doors, the Alliance sold off its odd piece of government property to Einstein Engines whose scientists saw it as a curious case worth pursuing. Month after month, the Terraneus Diagnostics laboratory in Aoyama kept receiving bits and pieces from similar drones recovered from abandoned, centuries-old mineshafts, culminating in the 2406 discovery of a sealed vault containing a great number of intact mining drones. The severity of this discovery was immediately apparent to the scientists. Words were had with the governor of Konyang by the local Einstein Engines representative, and it was decided to keep the drones a very closely-guarded secret - with only select Terraneus and government officials even being aware of their existence at all, let alone what was being done with them.

The Terraneus research team worked feverishly, though in secret, for months upon months. Staff were quietly shipped in from offworld in order to not alert outside observers, and the team continued to work upwards of eighty hour weeks in order to crack the drones. In mid-2407, they achieved one of the most remarkable breakthroughs in recent scientific memory by cracking the AI algorithms of the drones. Information of this moved rapidly from the local Einstein Engines office up the corporate chain and moved equally rapidly up the government's chain from provincial office to Sol itself. The information spread like wildfire, and humanity now had the secret of AI despite not truly knowing from where or who these machines came from. This was little more than a footnote to the Nralakk Federation - to them, these AI were crude and hardly approached the machines that had driven their civilization to ruin.

The robotics boom of Konyang caused a variety of benefits and harms to the previously marginal outer ring planet. The economy ballooned massively, as did its standard of living and industries. Konyang moved from a rural backwater that exported food and water to a high-tech planet that still exported basic goods, but primarily focused upon robotics. Megacorporations flocked to the planet: Einstein Engines, already present through Terraneus, rapidly secured dominance over the planet; Hephaestus Industries struggled with Einstein dominated competition before selling its factories over to local government control in 2427; and Zeng-Hu Pharmaceuticals, despite its skrell benefactors, purchased rights to examine the planet's biosphere from Einstein. The fact that their prosthetic limbs were originally designed on this planet has been stated to be a "happy coincidence" by its board. Due to the mass arrival of corporations, jobs were readily available - the planet was booming.

A massive migration wave of Einstein employees and their families to Aoyama made the city wrangle the spot of first in importance from the nominal capital of Suwon, to the point where the expatriate scientific community and their dependents outnumbered the local Japanese original colonists. The city quickly became known to Humanity as “Point Verdant”, the name assigned to the Terraneus Diagnostics laboratory in Aoyama, while the parent countries on Earth invested billions to capitalize on the success of their colonial project, to lift the planet into a modern world and reap the public relations benefits of their colony achieving a breakthrough in artificial intelligence.

The rapid expansion of Konyang's industries and cities had overtaxed the limited bureaucracy on the planet to the breaking point, and architects were in short supply. Urban planning on Konyang is estimated to be some of the worst in Alliance space outside of New Hai Phong as a result, with cities such as Point Verdant often having haphazard roads running through them and districts smashed together with no apparent rhyme or reason - a legacy of corporate jockeying for areas of interest, and the municipal corruption that came with it. There are countryside facilities originally utilized for drone research and retrieval that have, in recent years, fallen into disuse and disarray. Such facilities often dot the mountains and foothills of Konyang, slowly being overtaken by nature - sometimes with unfortunate results when these facilities have been improperly stripped of dangerous materials. The environment also suffered in areas where drones were found - jungles were cut or burnt away by corporations in order to get at the precious drones below, prefab buildings were orbitally dropped and erected, and landing zones were cut into the landscape itself.

The stormy tidal waves so infamous for tormenting the early colonists were tamed through the building of sea walls, a comprehensive road network linked the remote villages with the urban centers, and the city of Ganzaodeng was raised from the rocky desert. The Konyanger conglomerate PACHROM would mark the rise of the first native Chaebols, building shipyards, dams, hydroelectric plants and the first space fleet capable of ferrying enormous capacities of water across interstellar systems.
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===The Positronic Integration | 2410s===
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Soon enough, IPCs entered production on the planet, making Konyang one of the first places to embrace the positronic revolution. The limited resources saw higher prices, lessening the availability of domestically produced frames. Furthermore, the still rudimentary waterproofing technologies meant that IPCs could not work for long hours without shelter, ensuring that human jobs would remain safe from automation. When in the rest of Sol IPCs were produced en-masse for labor, Konyanger IPCs were more integrated in white-collar employment and indoors service-related work. Meanwhile, a growing media culture based on animation combined with the Konyanger recycle-friendly attitude, giving newer generations a fresh look on positronic intelligence, one that valued them as people rather than a disposable resource. The lack of widespread automation never brought the anti-synthetic sentiment so common in the rest of Sol, and IPCs in time became a unique cultural phenomenon in the colony’s urban centers.

Solarian laws governing the relations between IPCs and mankind were nominally enforced on Konyang, barring synthetics from gaining their own freedom, a fact which remained a thorn between the more liberal, younger Konyangers and the older generations. Einstein Engines allied with the Solarian governorship to press for the continuing status of Konyang as a colony, preventing elections and thus any liberal political influence from threatening the company’s grip on its synthetic workforce. This however, did not prevent Konyanger society to further integrate IPCs, even if the concept of universal citizenship for all synthetics was still far from publicly accepted. Aoyama was most receptive to the positronics, as a center of research and culture, with IPCs welcomed in people’s houses, treated like family and celebrated in festivals and even religious ceremonies. Suwon sentiment remained ambivalent, though many Solarian officials and naval officers expressed most severe concerns, in many cases pressing for crackdowns and questioning the morals of Konyanger citizens. The denizens of New Hong Kong and Ganzaodeng on the other hand, were most unhappy, with the powerful Chinese factory and shipyard labor unions remaining vocally opposed to IPC rights in the workplace, owing to their ties with the wider Solarian unions.

The profound effects of the emergence of this positronic culture were soon felt across the planet, change being heralded through a wave of demonstrations in mid to late 2412. High school and university students in Aoyama took to the streets to call for synthetic rights, in one of the few instances of pro-IPC disturbances on Solarian soil. In particular, the students called for the immediate emancipation of owned synthetics, marching from the main First Avenue down to the Governor's House and being joined by crowds of people and IPCs alike. The Aoyama Constabulary alongside Terraneus security forces were ordered to put a swift end to the march, resulting in the first major incident since the founding of the colony. Over 400 student injuries were recorded, the crowds responding with rocks and branches to the authorities’ tear gas and water cannons. 247 arrests were made that day, sparking additional outrage in the student movement as the ringleaders were tried as adults and given lengthy prison sentences. Smaller incidents were also noted in Suwon and Boryeong, marking 2412 as a year of upheaval and social change, laying the foundations for full IPC citizenship.
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===Late Colonial Period | 2410s - 2440s===
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As Konyang left behind the troubled ’10s and social peace returned through decrees permitting local city authorities to afford certain permissions for IPCs. This followed the final robotics' boom peak in the 2430s, seeing the planet’s GDP growth reach new levels. The colony’s industrial potential skyrocketed, with hundreds of hydroelectric dams, sea walls and shipyards creating thousands of new jobs in New Hong Kong, the new industrial core of Konyang. Labour relations shifted dramatically, as the new Hephaestus-pioneered industrial chassis enabled IPCs to work in the most difficult of conditions, sidelining and driving off the all powerful Gwongfu labor unions, with human employees forced into the urban centers and Ganzaodeng, contributing to a skyrocketing of the local IPC population in the prefecture.

Suwon saw a significant rise in business activity with the outside world, emboldening private ventures to the neighboring Frontier Alliance, bringing in massive profits from moss and entertainment exports. The animation industry reached new heights, with hundreds of new studios producing pioneering and high quality work, including classics like “One Day in My Life” and “Tomonomimi”, two of the most highly acclaimed works of media in recent Solarian memory. The entertainment sector brought new life to the Konyanger tourism industry as well, with more and more people rediscovering the distant hidden gem tucked deep in the fringes of the Alliance. The Suwon Stock Exchange was listed for the first time in the Chicago Financial Review, Sol’s most coveted investment periodical, as “Upcoming”, leading to billions of credits flowing in the country from abroad.

New chaebol conglomerates emerged, replacing even Einstein products with widely successful “Local, Cheaper and Better” campaigns. While Gwok Foods was making headlines in 2439 as the most successful Konyanger “IPC-inspired” exporter by yearly gross tonnage, the Ayame Motor Corporation created the first “completely Konyanger” 2-seat automobile designed for the cramped roads of Suwon and Point Verdant, becoming an instant hit. The Boryeong based Mujigae Publishing brought comics back into the youth’s hands, and Konymation had expanded to control cinemas, movie production studios, theme parks and restaurant chains in its ever expanding media empire.
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===Independence and Present Day | 2462 - Present===
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The Mars Violet Dawn catastrophe of 2462 signaled an era of widespread uncertainty and energy insecurity for the entirety of the Sol Alliance, with the Spur-wide phoron crisis exacerbating the situation for the Alliance’s Middle and especially Outer Ring colonies. A Konyanger recession in the late 2450s had already stretched the colonial government thin, with riots over the cost of living and unemployment in New Hong Kong and Suwon making national news for years on end. As the shaken corporations entered discussions on how they would survive the ever increasing phoron costs, it was made clear to everyone that the Alliance could not, and would not fund the refitting of the corporate fleets with the new Suzuki-Zhang Hammer Drive engine, threatening the complete cutoff of Konyang from outer space should the local Bluespace gate fail. Only a few Einstein vessels and the 58th Fleet stationed on the planet remained as the only reliable link between Konyang and the Spur.

The shortage soon hit the domestic market, leading to dangerous price increases for even the most essential of supplies. The average Konyanger saw their purchasing power plummet, as salaries remained stagnant in the face of a decreasing supply. The colonial Governor Hyun Kyung-Ho, turned to the only emergency option left, Earth. It was not the first time that Patriotic Aid was raised in China, Korea and Japan, though this time it proved most underwhelming. As the call for help fell on ears of men that could not even help their own economies, the trophy colony had to be abandoned to its own devices, with many in the East Asian public accusing Konyangers of greed and forgetting them in their apogee of financial success. With this last link to the past cut off, the question and possibility of independence soon started circling.

There was no time for serious debate however, with the Alliance being plunged into rebellion and collapse. On November 12, the 58th Fleet hastily departed Konyang, declaring a state of emergency in the system and abandoning the colonial government to its fate. Only elements of the Solarian Army and the Constabularies remained to maintain order, themselves being composed almost entirely of local Konyanger enlisted. The situation immediately turned into unrest, as public sentiment against the ineptitude of the Alliance boiled over into the streets. Massive student protests saw the storming of public buildings and central plazas in every major town and city, demanding a sharp reduction to the cost of living, IPC emancipation and a barring of the 58th Fleet from returning. Government reaction was mild, limited to the prevention of damages and protection of private property. Hyun Kyung-Ho was otherwise sympathetic to the students’ cause, sparking outrage within groups of Alliance-minded Army officers and Einstein corporate elites, who sought to prevent any secession of Konyang.

Thus, on November 15 2462, elements of the Army garrison under Lieutenant General Jiang Hongbing mobilized against the wishes of the Governor, taking up key positions in Suwon and Point Verdant. The mutinous 8th Sappers infiltrated the historic SUWON beacon telecommunications complex, preparing the country for a silent coup and preventing any long range communications with Sol. Jiang Hongbing, inspired by actions of mutinous admirals, took it upon himself to restore Konyang to the Alliance by marching the Army into the streets. While some of the formations under his command were willing to participate, the vast majority refused to bear arms against the Konyanger Governor or the student movements. In the following day, an internal power struggle saw many officers confined to their quarters, with Army hardliners being arrested, chased off or even assaulted in their own barracks as a loyalist armored brigade blocked access to the Governor’s House, preventing Hongbing’s men from touching Hyun Kyung-Ho.

With the coup’s inglorious end visible, the Governor’s staff were racing into negotiations with diplomatic officers from Coalition of Colonies still in the country for an express accession into the Coalition, following Konyang’s independence. Jiang Hongbing’s associates surrendered, himself fleeing into the thick jungles of Boryeong Prefecture, declaring a patriotic struggle in the Alliance’s name before soon being betrayed and confined at the 58th base’s Brig. On November 24 2462, telecommunications were restored, and Konyanger independence was broadcast to the world. The country’s preliminary accession into the Coalition was soon after announced, turning a new leaf in Konyang’s history. While the news was received with muted reaction from a confused Alliance government with more pressing matters to handle, the secession of Konyang was a huge blow to the three parent countries. After Governor Hyun Kyung-Ho assembled the nation’s intellectuals, economic and political figures, it was decided that he would remain in place as independent Konyang’s first Governor to organize free elections and set up the foundations for a democratic state.

Now, as a free Konyang comes out to the world stage, strong government initiative has seen its large synthetic factories nationalized, rapidly introducing legislation to establish the relationship with Einstein Engines. While they still are the dominating megacorporation on the planet, Einstein has lost most of its heavy industry, though still retaining the important research facilities around the vaults, as well as a good portion of software and positronic brain creation.
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==Location and Environment==

===The Haneunim System===
The Haneunim System, centered around the yellow star it is named for, Haneunim, contains four major celestial bodies, including the planet of Konyang. The whole system bears evidence of ancient mining operations, missing an asteroid belt to separate the inner and outer system with what few rocks remain being mostly picked clean of minerals. The innermost planet is known as Huozhu and remains practically inaccessible due to the scorching heat of Haneunim. Following it is Hwanung , an insignificant dwarf planet believed to have maintained a thin arid atmosphere before most of its mass was artificially stripped away. The third planet in the System is Konyang, accompanied by its lifeless moon of Qixi. Shiranui, a blue gas giant with a ring, is the outermost planet from Haneunim. An asteroid belt, far to the outskirts and composed mostly of ice, forms a ring around the entire system, although this remains largely unexploited by both the Konyanger government and local corporations. It is instead the stomping ground of both refugees fleeing the Sol Wildlands, and the pirates that seek to prey on them.

===Geography===
[[File:Konyang_map_sat.png|A geographic map of Konyang, showcasing the planet's different biomes. |thumb|800px]]
Primarily a tropical world smaller than Earth, Konyang boasts a mean radius of 5,111 kilometers. Freshwater oceans cover upwards of 88% of the planet’s surface. These oceans also grant Konyang its signature green color when viewed from orbit, in no small part thanks to the abundant presence of moss in the planet’s waterways. The planet’s continents are classified by its larger landmasses and island chains, although given the tides, the planet remains studded with small island chains and archipelagos that ebb and flow with the season. Two small ice caps exist on Konyang where the planet experiences a miniscule amount of snowfall and cold climates. The Konyanger terrain is principally mountainous, with large ranges covering vast areas of the planet’s landmasses. The tallest peak belongs to Mount Sansin, the highest mountain standing at a record 13.890 meters above sea level, its base forming an island of its own. Flanking the mountains are usually lush jungles, present in almost every island and continent in varying densities. This means that settlements have to be located in clearings adjacent to the coastline, on terrain with relatively even elevation. The largest and most dense jungle is located in Bukupo, an island in the heart of the Boryeong Prefecture. The largest landmass on the planet is Cheomseongtang, home of the Suwon prefecture and the nation’s capital. Other notable landmasses are the Oshima islands, hosting the largest mountain ranges, as well as the Yu islands, home of the only biome that could be described as a desert. New Hokkaido is the largest northernmost territory, renowned for its biodiversity and frosty tundra due to its proximity to the planet’s pole, as well as a unique lack of jungles. It is administered directly by the Government of Konyang, being the site of many scientific expeditions and military exercises, only boasting a population of a few hundred people.

===Environment===
[[File:Konyang.png|An image of Konyang, displaying mossy oceans and algae-covered water as the face of the planet. |thumb]]
Konyang features a highly atypical environment for a habitable planet: it is entirely freshwater. The surface of the planet is primarily oceans, with estimates placing upwards of 88% of the planet as covered in water. What is not under the sea are the islands of Konyang, where the vast majority of its population lives. These islands follow a general pattern: a small coastal area and a large mountain range ringing the island. The freshwater oceans of Konyang feature a remarkable diverse biosphere, and Konyang underwater flora, such as freshwater moss, is often used in the planet's native dishes and exported offworld, as far afield as Sol and Tau Ceti. Konyang is defined by two seasons: wet, lasting nine months, and dry, lasting three months.

The coastal regions of Konyang represent the smallest regions of its islands, but contain upwards of 90% of the planet's population. Often called the "coastal jungles" of Konyang, these areas are extremely wet - flooding is an issue in many areas, though the bulk of populated and urban areas are protected by extensive flood protection infrastructure, primarily lengthy complexes of walls. Coastal areas feature a wealth of plant and animal life, both of which have been put under stress by the rapid expansion of Konyang's cities.

Although Konyang’s coastal waters are often tinted green from moss, even more so than its oceans, harvesting and cleanup efforts along the coasts of the main and important islands have resulted in some sections of the planet appearing blue. These areas are often exploited for settlements and as tourist destinations for their scenic looks, while dedicated seaweed and algae farms dot the planet, providing an income for local villages and traditional producers. The most famous Konyanger food exporter, Go-Go Gwok!, has the largest involvement in the moss and seaweed industry.

The inland mountain ranges of Konyang can be up to several kilometers in height in some areas, with smaller foothills featuring some rare settlements leading up to them. These ranges, which lack valuable minerals completely due to Glorsh-era mining, are the reason for Konyang's jungles - they form an effective rain shadow. Some mountains have what is assumed to be collapsed mines in them, deactivated drones scattered throughout.

A phenomenon unique to the easternmost Yu islands of the Ganzaodeng prefecture, inland deserts are created due to the rain shadow caused by the surrounding mountain ranges. These are the least populated areas of the planet. Extraordinarily dry, little grows or lives in these environments. Rare Zeng-Hu Pharmaceuticals facilities can be found in this area, taking advantage of the isolation and relatively sterile environment that the inland deserts offer.

Lastly, the oceans of Konyang are regularly stormy, the large waves being harnessed for their energy in electricity production at numerous such outposts, scattered throughout the unpopulated islets in the farthest and most secluded areas.

===Flora and Fauna===
Wildlife on Konyang is a peculiar mix of its original environment and the thousands of invasive species introduced by Human colonization. Species introduced in the initial colonization of the planet include huge herbivores and peaceful, if ecologically destructive, wildlife. Additionally, the large oceans are host to an uncountable number of species of fish, crustaceans and aquatic molluscs, with many being unique to their region of origin. Flora on Konyang is among its most famed aspects, spearheaded by the mossy shores and overgrowth which covers the vast majority of its visible terrain. All plant life which survives on Konyang must survive the extremely damp environment, and as such either thrives in the water, or is capable of moving away from it. Konyang's waters are famously covered in green moss and seaweed, giving it its signature color when viewed from orbit.

Some examples of unique flora and fauna are:
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'''Shelfers'''
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In the marsh and lowlands of Konyang's algae coasts resides an invasive species of large omnivores known as '''Shelfers.''' These are gluttonous moss-feasting beasts, with a distinct six-legged and bloated appearance. They are excellent swimmers, owed to webbed joints and a wedge shaped, slick head. From this, it uses a set of large protruding teeth to scrape moss and undersea growths. This creature is endangered, and displayed as a national animal thanks to its unique appearance. Originally a danger to unprepared colonization, these gained a reputation for its tendency to attack colonists.

These were first encountered by colonists who had shipped wildlife to and from Arusha, where escaped subjects managed to reproduce- over the years becoming a cultural icon due to their miraculous beneficial place they have in Konyang's ecosystem.
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'''Konyanger Jeweler Cockatoo'''
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Known for its affinity to decorate its nesting grounds with surface-level pearls and gems of all sorts is an opportunistic carnivore, the '''Jeweler Cockatoo.''' This large avian is an offshoot of the Earth parrot, bred originally to “liven the landscape” of Konyang’s dreary inner mountainous lands. Eventually, with the assistance of high-level genetic modification, they grew to giant proportions whilst maintaining the health and lifestyle of a standard - ''if highly dangerous'' - parrot.

Where small patches of forest and barrens clash, these birds thrive and craft beautiful roosts in the relative safety of open fields. In these fields, diminutive predators avoid the large avian’s glare (or don’t, and are frequently preyed upon.) The Jeweler Cockatoo possesses two sharp talons on one digit of each of its feet, and a short - but unbelievably sharp beak, refined further by its tendency to dig. The wingspan of these birds can grow up to fifteen feet.

The Jeweler Cockatoo is the national bird of Konyang, with many stylized imagery depicting the bird in some shape or form.
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'''Glittering Konyang Moss'''
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Found in vast plains of coastal territories in excess is the overflowing, yet precious resource of '''Konyang moss.''' One of its primary exports, this barely-tapped commodity retains a huge capacity to feed Konyang’s already sturdy ecosystem, and the billions which reside upon it, and more to export. The evolutionary process which grew this mystical, shimmering moss is a mystery, however its luster and fields of green it generates has a wonderful impact on sustaining Konyang’s moist, overgrown and greenery-rich habitat.

Konyang moss is pivotal to its moving industries, and even after the robotics boom, it remains a stable source of incoming development for the since-burgeoning planet. The moss’ nutritional properties have been highly studied in recent decades. Its rapid pace of growth is exclusive to Konyang’s ecological circumstances, with everything from subterranean heat, to the algae present in its beautiful green seas factoring in.
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==Economy==
While young, the nation of Konyang boasts a powerful regional economy built upon decades of trade with both the Alliance and various Coalition partners. A developed country, Konyang manages to surpass its near total lack of ore with robust exports of foodstuff and energy, a strong shipping industry and a powerful robotics sector.

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===Raw Materials===
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[[File:Konyang dam.png|thumb|Dams and sea walls are a common sight on Konyang, used to protect cities and population centres from floods and tsunamis, as well as to exploit the violent waves for electricity.]]
Konyang's freshwater oceans were perhaps the largest boon to the starting colonists, and continues to play a substantial role behind the planet's exports. Fishing provides for a large aspect of the domestic economy, with millions of fishing boats and trawlers scouring the shores and oceans for all kinds of fish, crustaceans and other aquatic creatures, of which a complete list doesn't exist. Such is the biodiversity in Konyang's waters, that each region has its own fish markets which serve clients all over the planet and the Spur. Besides fishing, Konyang's biggest aquatic produce in terms of volume belongs to its enormous seaweed and moss harvesting industries. Entire ships are purpose-built for collecting wild greenery which floats on the high seas and the bays of Konyang, bringing in billions in offworld exports and domestic sales. The harvesting of moss is not exclusive to the sea and the aquatic farms either, as many edible varieties are collected inland, both in the planet's jungles and mountain ranges. Konyanger moss is Spur-renowned thanks to powerful marketing campaigns and the spread of the planet's cuisine.

With tremendously stormy wet seasons lasting most of the year, it is no surprise that Konyanger corporations have attempted and managed to harness the energy of the wind, waves and waters of the planet. Electricity is generated through a network of dams, hydroelectric plants, wave power stations and tidal power stations, all dotted across the vast shores and oceans of Konyang. The electricity produced is then either stored in super capacitors, or is directly wired inland through thick underwater cables, catering to the needs of virtually every power grid on the globe. Much of it is also transported on board space freighters lined with rows of large batteries, ready to make the journey to Alliance and Coalition worlds as part of the lucrative electricity export industry.

Lastly, Konyang excells in the export of water and timber. The continent-spanning untouched jungles provide an excellent source of wood for foreign markets as well as domestic construction, of which there is very heavy use in lieu of metal structures. The freshwater is also extremely easy to chemically filter, skipping any desalination process before being bottled or shipped as-is on board of one of many of Konyang's water barges; large hollow space vessels with tankers and pools for water storage.
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===Maritime Shipping===
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Surface shipping is another one of the main forces behind Konyang's domestic market economy, and an inseparable part of the nation's maritime culture. The docks and shipyards of New Hong Kong are the beating heart of the sector, which provides employment to more than 20% of the entire planet's population. Entire towns were formed and dedicated to housing the laborers and their families close to the coast, and many islands subsist entirely off of seamen's salaries and work at nearby electricity stations. Surface shipping, while slower, is a lot more economical for planetary moving of goods across the continents and islands of Konyang, being preferred to airlifting or orbital shuttling. Aside from the creation of jobs and the transportation of goods, Konyang's shipping industry produces excellent sailors who can rival those of planets such as Europa, many of whom eventually transition to space.
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===Robotics and Services===
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Ever since the robotics boom, Konyang has become a major player in the export and development of IPCs and everything surrounding them. Each year, the most cutting edge technologies catered to the improvement of the life of synthetics are released by Konyanger software companies, often to critical acclaim. This is because of the the substantial positronic population, free and eager to spend on such innovations that allow them to experience the world in a more human-like fashion. When it comes to the export of IPCs, Einstein Engines remains the prime manufacturer of chassis and positronic brains, which are shipped abroad without being activated. The practice, while putting Konyang on the map as one of the big regional producers of synthetics, is a hotly contested area between deeply entrenched corporate interests and an increasingly politically aware IPC populace. Non-positronic robotics are a separate, but once significant part of the economy, with Konyang having hoeld high places in the spur leaderboards for the making of robots, mechs, pAIs and automated systems. This sector however, took a major hit as the robotics boom slowly deflated, leaving behind abandoned industrial complexes and derelict factories.

The nation's service sector has to be one of the biggest ones, contributing a sizeable portion of the country's Gross Domestic Product. Many of the companies listed on the Suwon Stock Exchange are everything from financial consultation firms, to insurance agencies, housed in every majpr city's financial district. Skyscrapers and office complexes in downtown Suwon, Point Verdant and New Hong Kong are a daily reminder of the office life millions of Konyangers live, and many parents dream of their child being able to one day find employment in a top law firm or such. While mostly concentrated in the domestic market, many of these companies have expanded their services abroad, building a reputation of Konyanger reliability and impeccable work.
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===Konyanger Corporations===

In terms of the traditional megacorporations, the undoubted hegemon remains Einstein Engines, entrenched in the planet's life since the beginning of Konyang's colonization. The megacorporation owns a number of subsidiaries on the planet in many different sectors, most notably, Terraneus Diagnostics, which regularly bankrolls and invests in government initiatives in exchange for their continuous presence. It retains the original research facilities and control over the vaults, even if IPC production and exports are now handled by the Konyang Robotics Corporation, a public company in which Einstein controls a 49% stake. The Terraneus facilities on the planet mainly handle shell research and positronic brain production for export to the Coalition, while they occasionally butt heads with Zeng-Hu Pharmaceuticals in the realm of IPC research. Zeng-Hu has the second-largest megacorporate presence, mainly in biosphere research and sales of pharmaceuticals. Despite this, local conglomerates generally dominate the country’s financial sector, commanding the government’s cooperation and good graces in order to keep a stable economy. Upon achieving independence, Konyang has managed to maintain a strong presence of homegrown corporations in the fields of agriculture, media, energy and consumer goods.

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'''PACHROM'''
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A chemical and engineering corporation, PACHROM builds, maintains and manages eighty percent of all private dams, hydroelectric plants and seawalls on Konyang, as well as engaging in the field of chemicals and plastics production. Headed by Park Moon-soo, the business mogul is vying for influence with the government as indispensable to the nation’s energy output and defence against floods and natural disasters, making the “Pachrom Parks” one of the richest and most powerful business dynasties on the planet. Headquartered in central Suwon, the bulk of PACHROM’s operations are located in diasporic, uninhabited islands in the middle of the world’s oceans, where hundreds of organic and synthetic workmen toil daily to run the water powered electricity plants in extremely dangerous conditions.

The company’s notorious reputation for neglecting the safety of its employees and the environmental disregard for waste disposal from its plastics factories has been a big stain the Parks have struggled to wash off. While their ties to both the Alliance administration and the Konyang government have proven instrumental in their ability to dodge damning legal action, demonstrations of public outcry are a common feature in and around the street opposite the PACHROM office complex. To counter this, public relations campaigns are a constant focus, with tens of millions being spent in portraying them in a positive light. Charities are a large part of the Park family’s social presence, sponsoring public works and offering scholarships mainly in the Boryeong and New Hong Kong prefectures, where the majority of employees originate.

Often finding itself without funds from Unity Station, the colonial administration would commission PACHROM in the form of lucrative contracts for the construction of dams and power stations, allowing the utilisation of synthetics and IPC for the dangerous labour required. Due to society’s favourable opinion towards positronic intelligence, the multitude of cases of IPC fatalities would be swept under the rug with government assistance, creating a culture of tolerance towards lacklustre safety features and general disregard. Today, PACHROM’s future remains uncertain as the newly independent state of Konyang wishes tends to distance itself from its shaky past, a fact indicated by the recent awarding of the Kaneyama nuclear plant to the public company GON-ENE.
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'''Gwok Group'''
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Founded in the early 2410s with the name Hyeonsang Foods, the precursor to today’s multinational food conglomerate was the first attempt at commercialising Konyang’s seaweed and moss both for export and internal consumption. Initially finding limited success due to an overly competitive local market and foreign consumers' reluctance to the Konyanger novelty, the company's defining moment arrived during the robotics boom, launching them from mediocrity into the billion credit business stage.

As Einstein Engines staff poured into Point Verdant, Hyeonsang secured a contract from the megacorporation's local branch for providing meals and miscellaneous catering to workers and research staff. The once alienated Einstein employees would soon come around, praising the brand for its flavourful seasoning and convenience, eventually spreading the word to Einstein facilities and back home. By the late 40s, Hyeonsang was on the track of significant financial success, having secured a large foothold in the foreign dominated central districts of Point Verdant.

Rebranding into the more consumer friendly “Gwok” name in 2452, the company’s reputation abroad led to the opening of regional branches in the Solarian middle and core worlds, generating an increasingly massive amount of income, used for an aggressive takeover of the local Konyanger market. By buying off competitors, monopolising the moss and seaweed industry and introducing new marketing, Gwok’s domestic success was soon guaranteed as the primary supplier of supermarkets. In 2454 the IPC Gwok-0783, until then a senior executive and the face of the company as the main influencer of the rebrand, assumed direct control as CEO of the conglomerate thus becoming the first IPC in charge of a billion credit corporation in Sol space. The following years would see the consolidation of all affiliated assets and filial companies under an umbrella Gwok Group, topping the charts and establishing a farming, food and restaurant chain empire.
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'''Konymation'''
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Konymation represents the peak of the Konyanger animated media scene, being by far the most successful and most well known studio in the country, with a Spur-wide fame. It arose in the early days of the robotics boom, creating a resurgency of animations for both children and adults. While the industry was almost non-existent and cheap Solarian cartoons were the norm, a group of inspired artists came together to animate and direct the first feature-length production from Konyang, using native voice actors and a brand new artstyle of their own. The result was "One Day in my Life", a slice of life film following the daily routine of an IPC secretary in a human-dominated world, becoming an instant hit with both domestic and foreign audiences. Since then, Konymation rose to become the largest studio of quality animations, creating films and series for all ages and of all genres. Such was the success, that any animated pieces from Konyang have passed into the public consciousness simply as "Konymations", referred to as such in both the planet and abroad. Since their foundation, the studio has developed into a media conglomerate, buying out holoscreen channels, online platforms, news networks and more.
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'''Mujigae Publishing'''
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The biggest publishing house, Mujigae is to the comic book industry what Konymation is to animation. Having created thousands of interesting and touching comic series, Mujigae is credited with bringing paper back into the hands of millions of Konyangers, in an age where digital platforms have become the default for nearly everything in life. Many of Mujigae's works find great demand abroad as well as at home, with the company being known for their efforts to constantly seek out and recruit new artists with fresh ideas. A plethora of published series often find themselves being adapted into the holoscreen in lucrative partnerships with Konymation, as well as the other way around. Additionally, Mujigae's philanthropic work cannot go unmentioned; millions of credits have found their way to various charities on Konyang, primarily those regarding the children, the money drawn from art festivals and comicons that are hosted annually, often with the participation of the Ministry of Culture.
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'''Konyang Robotics Corporation'''
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The Konyang Robotics Corporation, or KRC as is more commonly known, is the country's largest government-controlled company centered around the manufacture, maintenance and welfare of the nation's positronic population. Borrowing heavily from Einstein know-how and infrastructure, it originated from the nationalization of Einstein and Terraneus IPC factories, with the majority of their employees swapping over to a government payroll. Einstein Engines controls 49% of the shares of the company, lending it tremendous behind-the-scenes influence on Konyang's synthetic population.

The primary function of the KRC is the production, storage and activation of IPC citizens. A very politically and socially sensitive topic, great care is placed by the government through the Ministry of Health and Positronic Affairs to meticulously calculate and order the amount of yearly activations, so as to maintain the Human-IPC ratio and meet the demands of the job market. To that effect, the KRC also acts as a sort of "school" for the newly activated IPC citizens, with special orientation camps where synthetics are taught about Konyanger society before released to the world.

Furthermore, the KRC acts as the primary health provider for Konyanger IPCs, with clinics and hospitals situated in every town and city, as well as strategically placed in certain villages in the countryside. Thousands of roboticists, engineers and software technicians are employed by the KRC to act as the equivalents of surgeons, physicians, nurses and paramedics for the IPC population, who are afforded universal healthcare through the KRC. Appointment times are dependent on location and the capacity of the clinic or hospital, with many in more remote areas having to wait months for limb replacements and other, more heavy duty needs that cannot be met by their local KRC center.
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'''GON-ENE'''
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GON-ENE is a newly formed, state-controlled energy utilities company, created following the announcement of the Kaneyama Nuclear Power Plant. Perceived as a direct competitor to PACHROM, GON-ENE has been planned to expand into hydroelectric and wave power, giving the government a greater control of the nation's power grid and cutting back reliance on privately-owned sector, though complete autarky is off the table for at least many decades.
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==Government==
''Main Article: [[Konyanger Government and Politics#Government|Konyanger Government]]''

Konyang is organized as a unitary semi-parliamentary republic headed by a President, the former colonial governor Hyun Kyung-Ho being elected to the position after independence. The Prime Minister is elected by the citizenry every four years, and is the leader of the governing party in the Parliament of Konyang. The current Prime Minister is Myeong Myung-Dae.

Planetary politics are found on both a national and prefectural level, with every party running in local and national elections. Polarization is fairly limited, the vast majority of Konyangers rejecting the extreme views put forward by radical political movements in the country that tend to be marginalized. IPC politicians do exist and are found in every major party, though most can be seen sitting with the National Party of Konyang.

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===Military===
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[[File:Marine.png|thumb|right|An IPC Konyanger Naval Infantryman in full gear.]]
Konyang’s military, also known as the Konyang Armed Forces, was first formed shortly after the colony’s independence from personnel of the former Solarian garrison. As a result, it carries a lot of the traditions of the Solarian Armed Forces. Bolstered by conscription laws requiring both organic and synthetic citizens one year of mandatory service, the KAF possesses Army, Navy and Aerospace branches. IPCs are actively recruited and accepted into the military, forming both their own and deployed in mixed units. This segregation is justified by the government as based solely on the differentiating capabilities, logistical needs and skills between man and machine.

That claim does hold true to an extent, with IPCs taking a more active role in special forces formations, dealing with operations requiring levels of precision and focus that artificial intelligence can easily provide. A famous example is the army’s Mechatronic Corps, an elite unit utilising large, leftover battle mechs retrofitted for a pair of pilots. Such a force is unique in the Coalition, and is often used abroad in operations under broader CoC military command. Mixed infantry units of conscripts do exist, fielded in jungle patrol tasks or assigned garrison duty.

Notably for a 25th century military, the Navy maintains a very large aquatic force which it uses to patrol the vast oceans of the planet. Regularly described as more of a coast guard than a military arm, it is more geared for domestic policing than combat, consisting mostly of ships acting as launching points for many smaller, coast guard type vessels that patrol the vast expanse of the planet’s waterways and launch military aircraft. Nevertheless, it provides important services with its multiple telecommunication, radar and island outposts, providing crucial meteorological information for everyday seafaring and flood prevention on a planet where storms and extreme weather are the norm.

The Konyang Aerospace Forces perform both atmospheric and orbital operations with their doctrine clearly influenced by former Solarian officers within their ranks. Their fleet consist of obsolete vessels donated by Coalition planets, partially brought up to a modern standard by the planet’s technology and manufacturing sector. In 2465, the KASF’s main tasks include protecting the system from pirates and policing the large influx of refugees from the Human Wildlands, regularly pushing them to other planets within the Coalition as per Konyang’s strict migration laws.

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===National Police===
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[[File:Konyanger Police Ranks.png|thumb|In order to organize the National Police and smooth cooperation between prefectures, a unified rank structure was adopted shortly after its formation.]]
Despite its federal nature, the main law enforcement agency on the planet is the National Police, formed after Konyang’s independence from the merging of a number of local and specialised agencies under the then Solarian authority. One major change since then has been the introduction of synthetic officers in all positions and ranks, while also creating special divisions suited best for them. Police gear remains rather antiquated for the era, the force still using old Solarian equipment and stocks from the colonial garrison, meaning that much of the tactics and thinking remain unchanged. Considered tame by Alliance standards, the National Police places an emphasis on preventative policing, building rapport with local communities, and relying on a sense of civic duty from the populace to perform its duties. Despite this, the National Police has nonetheless received criticism for occasional incidents of corruption and brutality, mostly against synthetic citizens. This is more common in remote departments and conservative prefectures, where the sudden inclusiveness of synthetic officers with equal pay and opportunities is seen as a threat. Such incidents aside, government efforts for the modernisation of the National Police are ongoing.

The police is subject to the Ministry of Public Safety in Suwon and is organised at the national level, with local departments answering to the assigned hierarchy in their prefecture. Special divisions are deployed to deal with various policing duties, their size ranging from a whole new branch to Special Robotics detachments specialising in detainment of volatile synthetic suspects. The largest of these subdivisions and arguably the most important, the Coast Guard is the maritime arm of the National Police, operating a fleet of shore and sea patrol vessels in their mission to enforce the law at the huge array of islands and in Konyang’s waters. As the planet is surrounded by oceans, the Coast Guard has proven itself essential to the battle against smuggling and piracy while also assuming search and rescue duties during flooding, tsunamis and other catastrophes. The National Police has also gained Coalition-wide acclaim for its Special Robotics Division - a task force known for its expertise in detaining IPC without causing permanent damage.
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==Culture==
''Main article: [[Konyanger_Culture_and_Demographics|Konyanger Culture]]''

Konyang’s culture has been shaped by its East Asian Earther heritage, unique status as a colony with little to no resources, and as the birthplace of positronics. Konyanger society is often described as closed-off, with many unspoken social norms that vary from prefecture to prefecture. Key social norms that are shared in Konyang’s culture are Harmony, Reciprocity, and Face. Often derided as “meekness”, Harmony refers to enforcing unity and conformity within society. The specific manifestations vary from prefecture to prefecture, but in general, individuals who disrupt a sense of peace can face social ostracization. For instance, explicit disagreement such as using the word “no” is considered impolite, and a non-answer is often far more acceptable. Harmony also refers to a person’s social role; respect should be shown to people of a higher status, usually along traditional lines such as age, profession, and experience.

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===Cuisine===
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The primary diet of Konyangers consists of moss, seaweed and fish, with farms and pastures on land being rare due to the thick jungle. Konyang's moss is either harvested in the wild, grown in "natural" hydrofarms, or grown synthetically in bioplants. The moss itself is said to change its taste depending on the environment in which it is grown, and natural moss from the coasts around Konyang's islands is highly prized. Exports of moss and seaweed are a very lucrative business, held primarily by the galaxy-famous Go-Go Gwok! brand. Many workers, however, must make do with hydrofarm moss at best, and synthetic substitutes at worst. Konyang's fish - quite diverse, due to its freshwater environments - are also often consumed on the planet, with many being exported as luxury food as far afield as Venus and Tau Ceti. More conventional but water-intensive crops such as rice and other tropical fruits are also grown to a certain extent but are considered a rarity.

The planet is also home to a thriving beverages industry, with local varieties of algae providing the basis of a light but thick alcoholic drink colloquially known as “Nong jiu” domestically and abroad. The wide selection of produce on the planet however means more traditional drinks are produced, typically drawing from their Earther roots and commonly based on rice. Some of these drinks are exported by local businesses such as Go-Go Gwok! while Zeng-Hu has wrestled to control some of these brands in an attempt to stop them from competing with their own lineups.

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===Synthetic Cuisine===
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Synthetic-unique cuisine is an unusual case in the Spur, but not for Konyang. Here, robots utilize gustatorial implants to - if inefficiently - consume, or at least “taste” food regularly. Indeed, there is an entire market for synthfood where robots can enjoy their own form of taste, texture and uniquely perceptive flavor for foods. Mostly, synthfood is described as a thick slime, one with varying additives for color. Texture is mostly a simulated process within gustatorial implants, given they are not always present on tongues alone - meaning that the actual texture of these synthfoods remains the same gooey substance.

''One can achieve a similar substance to these synthfoods mechanically by grinding certain foods into paste, or utilizing candy machines with your choice of ingredients and output.''

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===Media===
''Main article: [[Konyanger_Culture_and_Demographics#Media|Media]]''

Public media in Konyang is a powerful industry, and as broad as it may seem, it is very tightly knit. Aside from galactic-wide reruns and broadcasts of other nation’s shows, little seems to stand out - except the audio broadcast and illustrated artistic avenues. These two are well-refined artistic giants compared to other forms of entertainment on the planet.

A huge portion of the planet’s political views and very “personality” are channeled through its larger studios, where many are found enthused to spread its culture galaxy-wide.

===Organised Crime===

=====Benevolent Guild=====
The Benevolent Guild is a criminal organisation operating primarily within the decrepit, dark shadows of New Hong Kong. Originating as a mutual aid society for low income and forced penal colonists shipped into New Hong Kong by the Alliance government, it developed into a ruthless crime syndicate with strong ties to the local lower class community. From the start, the tightly knit communal and familial ties have played an important role in preserving the gang’s power and shielding them from police action. Only in recent years has any meaningful progress been made, the allocation of governmental resources and the increasingly violent and profit-oriented tactics of the Guild having alienated much of the younger generation, chipping away at the once widely popular support.

Starting with extortion and loan sharking, the Benevolent Guild rapidly expanded into gambling, drugs and violent crime such as kidnapping both in New Hong Kong and in New Kowloon. It is not uncommon for synthetics that find themselves victims of the group’s loan shark tactics to be ‘collected’ as collateral damage and subsequently carted off to whichever corner of the Orion Spur where their new owners await them usually at a far cheaper rate than elsewhere. One of the few institutions on Konyang refusing to admit synthetics owing to a deeply conservative and spiritually esoteric internal ideology, a pragmatist outlook often compels them to deal with and even cooperate with IPC politicians, police and rival gangs. Connections with criminal organisations in the wider Spur have been confirmed to exist, as various crime syndicates in Xanu, New Hai Phong and Luna are known to be in connection with the Benevolent Guild.

=====5-Cheung=====
Emerging as one of the strongest IPC/organic street gangs of Suwon, the 5-Cheung numbers in the thousands of members in the cities of the Suwon and Point Verdant prefectures. The organisation’s origin as a loose collective of delinquents and fringe elements has since developed into a nationwide crime family with a powerful hierarchy fielding biker gangs and thugs to enforce their tight grip on the underworld. With a black repertoire of gambling, extortion, money laundering and narcotics, the 5-Cheung is considered a main rival to the Benevolent Guild of New Hong Kong, the two frequently coming to blows in a series of wars and uneasy truces over control of turf and general competition.

An open secret in the country’s political sphere has the 5-Cheung profit lucratively from corruption in the highest levels of government and police. During the Solarian era, prominent politicians employed protection from the 5-Cheung, soliciting their services in voter swaying, intimidation of opposition members and violent disruption of rallies and demonstrators. This has given the gang a justified reputation for being the political soldiers of ruling dynasties and representing the authorities in the underworld and on the street in exchange for immunity from prosecution. Following Konyang’s independence, the reformed National Police retained a virtually unchanged staff while the nation’s same prominent political families, now unshackled from Alliance oversight, enjoy even more freedom. As such, it is safe to say that 5-Cheung’s entrenched position will continue to remain untouched aside from the occasional drug bust and arrest of low level members.

=====Sea Bandits=====
Although both the previous colonial administration and the nascent Konyanger Armed Forces and Coast Guard have tried to stamp out piracy, the sheer expanse of the planet means that groups of what the authorities call “sea bandits” continue to infest the waters and orbit of Konyang. Ranging from small motor boats launched from fishing villages with nothing more than an antique rifle, to retrofitted probes salvaged from the refugee waves pouring into the system, piracy is one of the most pressing social and security issues faced by the newly formed nation.

Individual pirate groups usually number no greater than twenty people but the Sea Bandits as a whole operate as a wider criminal network inclusive of individuals and crews from all over the planet. By coordinating their activities and intelligence through encrypted sites, the organisation manages to both evade and stay one step ahead of the authorities. Most of their activities take the form of kidnapping, armed robbery of craft and hijacking unescorted seafarers, while admittedly avoiding the busiest and well guarded sealanes and locations. The most audacious raid by the Sea Bandits to date involved the boarding and ransoming of a cruise ship by the use of an unregistered freighter. Although only circumstantial evidence has been uncovered, Golden Deep Zaibatsu have also been accused of working with Sea Bandit groups by launching probes full of narcotics, to be recovered by the pirates.

==Synthetics on Konyang==
As the origin of the integrated positronic chassis now found throughout the Orion Spur, Konyang has always had a quite unique relationship with IPCs, the IPC population constituting a staggering 34% of the total population. While IPCs throughout the Sol Alliance are often looked upon as little more than property, tools, or novelties depending upon their frame those found upon Konyang possessed a notably greater degree of autonomy and freedom before the planet’s secession from the rest of the Alliance, achieving full and unconditional freedom afterwards. Legal ownership of synthetics within the borders of the Republic does not exist, the Emancipation Act constituting one of the first acts passed by Parliament. IPCs can work wherever they like, live however they please within the confines of the law, and partake in politics by voting or being elected. As such, foreigners are repeatedly cautioned to not bring any privately held IPCs with them, for they cannot be forced to return unwillingly.

Ordinary Konyangers, as a result of the planet’s liberal outlook on positronics, possess a more positive view of synthetics than other humans in the Orion Spur - particularly those from the Sol Alliance and its former territories. The majority of people on Konyang view IPCs as amicable colleagues and neighbours, with many friendships between man and machine being established. Closer bonds such as marriage are also legalised and not unheard of, though not without outcries from the more conservative spectrum. Many scholars theorize that this is due to the prevalence of IPCs in daily life on Konyang, seamlessly blending into society, in addition to the pride many citizens have in their planet being the origin of the modern positronic. Konyang’s integration of IPCs stands with some degree of contrast to Biesel’s, with the large synthetic ghetto of District 14 segregating many synthetics from the average citizen of the Republic of Biesel.

With Konyang’s independence, IPCs share full legal equality with all organic citizens of the planet. This concession was given, both as an acknowledgement and acceptance of the fact that synthetics have become part of everyday life in the colony and are generally accepted by its inhabitants. Unlike the Republic of Biesel, IPCs in Konyang seek to assimilate into human society, with IPCs being given the choice to adopt a second, “human name” before receiving citizenship. A human name can range from an entirely new name, to adding a first or last name of any kind to their existing designation.

Many positronics can be found within the economy of Konyang with perhaps the most famous (or infamous) one being Gwok-0783 (now Kim Gwok-0783, under post-independence IPC naming conventions), the owner and operator of her very own food conglomerate in the form of Go-Go Gwok! Authentic Konyanger Moss. As Go-Go Gwok! is technically an interstellar corporation, Gwok-0783 herself relied on a series of legal loopholes centered around Konyang’s former IPC laws to maintain control of the company when Konyang was still in the Sol Alliance. Examples such as Gwok, with her control of an inter-planetary corporation, are fairly rare. However, many positronics have made a successful name for themselves as small business owners and corporate workers on Konyang.
[[File:Konyang vault.png|thumb|A mysterious vault upon Konyang's surface, unearthed and built around with monitoring infrastructure.]]
Due to the system’s bluespace gate, many members of [[Synthetic_Factions#The_Golden_Deep|Golden Deep]] have secured permits to operate, as it allows their vessels to more easily make the journey from the frontier to the more lucrative markets of Tau Ceti and the Jewel Worlds. The money and business brought into the system by these synthetic traders has - arguably - been a major contributor to Konyang’s more liberal laws and regulations regarding IPCs. Konyang, before its independence, was one of the few systems under Solarian control in which IPCs could own and operate a business.

The synthetic population in Konyang is regulated by the government. A set number of positronics are assembled each year under contract at Terraneus Diagnostics facilities in Point Verdant with the prospect of being granted citizenship after a 3 month life orientation period. The determined number is set annually by Parliament, backed up by the yearly census and statistics, with production increasing or decreasing depending on the number of human birth ratios, positronic shutdowns, and other factors. Expenses are met both through government funds and private donations, though debate on the matter is rarely heated as the amount of new brains numbers usually in the hundreds; a tiny fraction of positronics produced and exported in total. IPCs and positronics constructed for the purpose of selling them to a different country, are not covered by such regulations and are not given citizenship.

There are further regulations in robotics construction in Konyang. Any activated positronic brain can qualify under the Emancipation Act. Exceptions to the law exist for manufacturing and research, with Point Verdant in particular activating positronic brains for the sake of testing shells before shipping them off-world. The law has also sparked development in other fields of mechatronics, with Konyang beginning to lead the way in circuit-based robotics.

Despite gains for its IPC citizens, other positronic intelligences have not been so lucky. Although some brains have been repurposed as AI coordinators for cities; with no way to transition to humanoid frames, bound intelligences have been granted freedom, but often take contracts with corporations that result in a return to the old status quo, all for the sake of staving off destruction due to a lack of maintenance.

===Konyanger Augmentation of IPCs===

Augmentation on Konyang is a fascinating subject, where the presence of so many IPCs has brought success in modifying the Positronic body and mind. Famed explorations into the sectors of IPC modification include "sensory evolution," where synthetics' senses being amplified or dulled in extremes according to desire.

Primary among the delves into this evolution of the senses is the New Dawn Augmentation Movement. This is a Konyanger organization based on the improvement of the IPC lifestyle via modifying chassis, funded peculiarly by Terraneus Diagnostics. The movement is oddly organized as a non-profit, going against the corporation’s established modus operandi. This, coupled with the tantalizing opportunity to freely modify an IPC's form with donated funds leads to public skepticism of the augment movement’s motivations.

Still, the true size of the movement to augment and improve Konyang's IPC population is extraordinary in comparison to other stellar nations. Roughly 22% of Konyang IPCs have some form of corporate-funded augmentation to enhance themselves.
[[File:Konyang augment1.png|thumb|A Konyanger design, the Scorpion Lobe is an augment which manipulates the perception of time for synthetics for better or worse.]]
* '''SENSO-EVO/Scorpion Lobe'''
A miraculous creation of Konyang's technological advancement, SENSO-EVO is the term aptly handed to Sensory Evolution's foremost product. This is the Scorpion Lobe, a similarly shaped attachment to the rear of a positronic brain which adjusts the rate at which the synthetic perceives time literally. The implications of this are seen as either a blessing or a curse — sometimes even utilized as a way to reduce problematic behavior in positronics.

These implants are commercialized to protect the integrity of brains which adopt extremely high speed tasks, or extremely tedious and slow ones, with a perception that best suits their given utility.

A double edged sword by nature, these are often removed by free positronic chassis due to their almost torturous nature. Some may find their lives flashing hours into moments, whilst others may find daily grinds to be impossibly long ordeals. Unfortunately, removing these implants is not always a safe procedure, sometimes damaging a brain or rendering the problem worse.

These were first manufactured by Hephaestus Industries on instrumental Konyang research facilities, and later acquired by Einstein Engines personnel in the same month - debates over the design’s origin have been ongoing since 2449.

===Recreational Software===

In the IPC community of Konyang, the culture of acceptance and freedom has always invited the curiosity of synthetics to imitate and follow human pastimes and habits. This in turn included activities such as smoking, synthetic flavours and eventually, recreational drugs. Due to the nature of the positronic, the only way to recreate such sensations is through software targeting and modifying specific programming in the brain. At first, this dangerous commodity was provided by amateur programmers using experimental and highly volatile code known as “overloaders”, leading to often irreparable and lethal damage to an IPC’s systems. The results of the few initial successes, however, proved promising enough for the idea to be seriously considered by upcoming Konyanger tech companies and business-oriented software engineers, leading to the first reliable and somewhat safe overloaders in the mid to late 2450s.

Popular awareness of recreational software became widespread upon its release as a commercial product, Konyang being the first world to introduce a marketable version of it. Usually sold inside a single-use stick drive, their circulation is approved by safety boards and is considered legal for responsible consumption, much like alcohol for organics, relying on the consumer for mitigation and avoidance of repeated use. Legal overloaders today can be found mainly in synthetic-centred retailers found around the major cities, their relatively limited availability and high price setting them as a luxury IPC item. Its effects include a wide range of results, from simulating the sensations of a light buzz to a short bout of excitement and joy, aimed at enhancing the experience at celebrations, parties and get-togethers.

However, where there is demand, there must be supply, and the fact that demand spiked as these new products launched paved the way to a large underground market of cheap, unsafe and highly unpredictable overloaders sold both by dealers and unlicensed street vendors of dubious reputation. An illegal overloader epidemic hitting the cities of Suwon and Boryeong in late 2459, led to intensified police crackdowns and government campaigns against illicit overloaders, labelling them as malware and the IPC equivalent of dangerous drugs. Virtually unrecognisable from a legitimate overloader without the seal, side effects are many times more powerful and addicting, appealing to adventurous synthetics and the financially insecure. From catapulting the positronic into a garbled, incomprehensive reality of simulated emotions to simply heightening the senses, the illegal overloaders’ addictive and dangerous nature leads many synthetics to disrepair, involving behaviour breaking glitches, hardware failures and more, all while guaranteeing a returning clientele.

Reception to recreational software has been mixed, dividing society and politicians on matters of free will, the dangers of overloaded IPC, and the overall ethics of deliberately creating and selling what are essentially drugs. Both synthetics and humans have loudly spoken against it, spawning demonstrations and dividing politicians across party lines. Legislation has already passed, categorising possession and distribution of illicit overdosers as strictly illegal, with heavy punishments for dealers and suppliers. Police and coast guard raids yield millions of unbranded overloaders each year, making highly publicised arrests while sending a message of absolute intolerance towards the malware. Despite this, circulation never ceases and exports to Xanu, Tau Ceti and Sol.

==Population and Major Cities==

[[File:Konyang_map_pol.png|thumb|800px|A map of Konyang showcasing the Prefectures and the New Hokkaido Territory. Click to enlarge.]]

'''Suwon''' is the largest, most populated, and second wealthiest city on Konyang itself and is generally one of the larger cities in the Coalition of Colonies. It functions as both the planetary capital, as well as the capital of Suwon Prefecture, encompassing the entirety of Cheomsongtang. Symbolic of the new government is the Parliament Building, a massive structure of flowing lines and sustainable technology, incorporating pieces of the first colony ship. The Prime Minister's Government House, the President's Crimson House, the Solarian embassy, as well as embassies from various Coalition states are present here as well. Standards of living in wealthiest areas of Suwon are equivalent to and (sometimes) even surpass the living standards of places such as Highland City or Argia sa Mar, demonstrating how wealthy the robotics boom has made some sectors of the planet. A lack of readily-available materials, however, ensures that even the super-rich of Konyang often live in smaller houses than their Colonies planet counterparts. Life outside these wealthy areas is better than life in most cities in Himeo but dramatically worse than in the very wealthy areas, or even the cities of Xanu Prime. Overcrowding is a massive issue for the government of the city, with no obvious solution presenting itself due to how expensive importing new building materials is post-boom. The city is home to most of Konyang's biggest companies and office complexes, as well as the Suwon Stock Exchange, making the city's financial district the economy's beating heart. "Shoebox apartments" are common here, as are Konyang's often egregious traffic issues. The city is fortified with extensive sea walls, flood walls and flood gates to prevent natural disasters during the wet season, tropical storms being fairly common.

[[File:Point verdant.png|thumb|One of Aoyama's many skyscraper blocks, safely located behind a dam.]]

'''Aoyama''', known in the larger Spur as '''Point Verdant''', is the second most-populated city on Konyang, and the industrial heart of its robotics industry. Built along a coastal mountain range from which it draws its namesake, it is by far the wealthiest city on Konyang, and one of the richest cities in the Coalition of Colonies. Due to being home of the Robotics Boom, hosting foreigners and their families that once even surpassed the locals inside the city, Aoyama is frequently known outside to outsiders and to the Spur at large as Point Verdant, much to the chagrin of the locals. Aoyama is home to the renowned Point Verdant Terraneus Institute of AI Research, and is the poster child for the rapid development of Konyang's cities during the Boom. The city is extremely wealthy, but suffers from persistent overcrowding and traffic issues in all of its districts. The Pusan District, near PVTI, had the reputation of possessing the worst traffic in the Alliance according to its residents. Air quality in Aoyama is regarded as subpar, due to the amount of robotics factories in the city's outskirts, which have however slowly but steadily declined since. Being the focal point of the Robotics Boom, it is home to a large number of expatriate communities and Einstein Engines employees.

'''Boryeong''', named after a city on historical Earth where some of its colonists originated from, is the third most populated city on Konyang and capital of the Boryeong Prefecture, referred to as the breadbasket of the nation. The city, while still suffering overcrowding issues, has it to a lesser extent than Point Verdant or Suwon, with the city's outskirts necessitating a need for space due to the vast hydroponics farms and water plants. A second-grade industrial city of much natural beauty, Boryeong is more rustic than its counterparts, with wood playing a much more prominent role in construction; outside the central ring, some of Boryeong's districts are built entirely out of timber. Water bottled or processed in Boryeong is sold throughout the Alliance and Coalition in bulk, and native moss grown in the prefecture is marketed throughout both as a luxury food. Over half of the city's labourers are employed in hydroponics, aquaculture, fishing and food processing, with Gwok Foods being the largest provider of work in the region. Synthetic moss is grown in Zeng-Hu facilities near Boryeong and, despite being regarded as lesser quality than natural moss, is often consumed in poorer areas of Konyang.

'''Ganzaodeng''', named for its dry locale, is located in Konyang's only desert and holds the largest expatriate populations on the planet, being nicknamed, “Little Sol”. Due to its unique geographic setting, it faces remarkably calmer weather than the rest of the planet, with the city being connected to the rest of the island by air and rail that cuts right through the mountains. Ganzaodeng is Konyang's only planned city with origins in the Robotics Boom, when the foundations were laid for a city envisioned by foreigners, for foreigners. Rich Solarians descended upon the planet's seemingly only dry piece of real estate, building a city full of nightlife and eclectic inner-ring pleasures within the distant colony. By the end of the Boom however, the city's famous strips of casinos and luxury hotels still operating in downtown Ganzaodeng became a symbol of a bygone era, as much of the Solarian population elected to depart. The city passed into native Konyanger hands, being expanded into a hub of shipping with the help of the city's remaining big names. Because of the reliably clear weather, Ganzaodeng has developed a sprawling extraplanetary shipping sector, with plans for a spaceport larger than New Hong Kong’s, as well as future schemes for the largest oceangoing port on the planet. Its climate has resulted in the prefectural government engaging in moss filtration efforts to open up the surrounding beaches to tourism. Despite of the Solarian exodus, the city stands in contrast to the rest of Konyang’s relatively conservative social nature, with people from all over the Spur calling it their home and making it by far one of the most multicultural centers on the planet. It’s not uncommon for a person from Ganzaodeng to know two or three languages.

'''New Hong Kong''', the site of the former naval base of the 58th Solarian Fleet, has now developed into a fully fledged city in its own right, being the only prefectural capital with a local synthetic majority. Being regarded as a lot more pedestrian and working-class than Suwon and Point Verdant, New Hong Kong is nonetheless a very important centre of interplanetary trade and commercial activity, hosting the planet’s largest ocean ports and dockyards, being the country's industrial's hotspot and the seat of power generation. Large hydroelectric dams, wave energy converters, dockyards and factories belonging to the PACHROM corporation provide employment for half of the city’s inhabitants, the Prefecture of New Hong Kong generating enough electricity for domestic consumption as well as exports. Employees of the various power companies may also elect to be sent off to one of the many power generation isles scattered throughout the oceans and dedicated solely to that purpose, receiving better pay in exchange for more dangerous conditions away from home. The city itself is considerably more packed than its counterparts, with small cramped apartments being stacked over each other to form vertical mazes of working class blocks. Heavy smog and particles cover up the sky through the entirety of the island during the dry season, giving the prefecture a signature orange-brown tint. This, as well as constant heavy rains and a near permanent gloomy weather during the wet season place it as undesirable for humans. Seat of the National Party, downtown New Hong Kong is described as the centre of planetary IPC politics, being the first to react to, condemning or praising events in Konyang and throughout the galactic stage in regards to the synthetic “race”. New Hong Kong is additionally the birthplace of Konyang's labor unions, with the Socialist Party enjoying strong support from the city's human blue-collar workforce.

[[File:Konyangdam.png|thumb|900px|center|Dams are a very common sight on Konyang, with the New Hong Kong's dam in the neighbouring industrial town of New Kowloon providing only a fraction of the power required by the city, while also playing an important part in flood control and water filtration.]]

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User:The lancer/Sandbox 3

2024-02-04T21:46:54Z

Noble Row: /* Culture */

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==Overview==
Originally established in 2305 as a Solarian Alliance Outer Ring planet, Konyang is presently one of the more distant outposts under the Coalition of Colonies after its independence in '''2462'''. Konyang’s capital city Suwon, the largest settlement on the planet, is built upon a natural formation that defines most of Konyang's geography: islands with large interior mountains that feature lush, but soaking wet, coastal jungle regions. Konyang was initially a relatively average Outer Ring settlement intended to export water, before the discovery of mysterious, deactivated drones in 2407 led to a robotics boom occuring on the planet that lasted well into the 2450s. The Konyang of today is a planet renowned for its robotics industry, though some of its initial luster has faded in the years following its boom. Water, however, remains a key industry - the planet has a remarkably low salination level, meaning that essentially all of its water is drinkable. Konyang Solarian Common, or Konyang Common, is the most used language on the planet inside and outside of major population centers. Due to its proximity to the Coalition of Colonies planets, Coalition member planets often import water from Konyang. In major cities and universities, Tradeband can be found being spoken, though it remains rare. Speakers of the language are generally from off-planet, moving to Konyang during its robotics boom. Konyang almost completely lacks valuable minerals due to intensive mining efforts carried out by drones—whose source remains unknown—hundreds of years before it was colonized.

'''Because of the ethnic make-up of Konyang's original settlers and assimilation of immigrants into the native population during the first AI boom, human characters born on Konyang will have names and appearances consistent with the people of China, the Korean Peninsula, and Japanese Islands. Only native Konyangers or Konyang-made IPCs may select the Konyanger accent. This is enforceable by server moderators and admins.'''

[[File:Konyang flag.png| The Konyanger flag was adopted in 2462, having unofficially been used by pro-autonomy circles long before the declaration of independence. The traditional taitju represents peace and harmony as the highest values of the new state, with the color blue representing the waterways the planet is known for and yellow, their aim of prosperity. The white background represents Konyang's purity.
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==History==

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===Conception and Planning | 2200s - 2299===
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When the United Nations proposed and eventually enforced the creation of the Alliance of Sovereign Solarian Nations, China, Korea and Japan were once more forced to band together to compete with the world for influence inside the newly found institution. Rivals such as the European Union, the Soviet Union, the Commonwealth and the United States were first in line to claim hegemonic roles, their space programs forming the core of Solarian colonization of the Inner, Middle and Outer rings over the centuries, populating them with their own peoples and sparking an unofficial race for prestige land grabs, one which the Department of Colonization was more than happy to let unfold, resulting in the extremely fast expansion of Humanity into the Orion Spur. While regional powers such as India and the Mediterranean countries began creating their own colonies on Gadpathur and Assunzione, the East Asian trio were relegated to secondary roles of supplying technology, labor and capital without any actual representation in the stars, a situation problematic for some and resented by many in the “sovereign” governments.

It was thus decided to present a plan to Solarian functionaries for a colony spearheaded by China and supported heavily by Korea and Japan, aimed at restoring the pride of the three “cousin-nations” and their position in the Alliance. Intense negotiations and technical planning amounted to years of disagreements over the name, location and allocation of responsibilities between the partners, as well as the presence of China’s Einstein Engines megacorporation, which offered to finance a great portion of the initial effort. Soon however, the advent of the Second Great Depression and the following Interstellar War in the mid-late 2200’s saw a bankrupt Alliance put a halt to any colonization projects, resulting in the plans being shelved. The war took a great toll on the core Solarian worlds, including Earth and its nations which were called to provide manpower, funds and materiel for the Solarian Navy. Federal China’s economy tanked completely under the pressure, relying on IMF bailouts and stays of payment on the salaries of its public sector, with pensionaries and students being most severely hit, resulting in massive social upheaval which would have long lasting consequences for the country’s financial hegemony in the post-war region.

As peace and relative stability returned, the Alliance found a newly independent, sizable and embittered Coalition of Colonies rival its claims in the Galactic East, calling for the presence of military garrisons and naval stations to protect the border. It was at this time that colonization projects were beginning to reemerge, with the Pacific Pact racing once more to submit a viable plan for a colony that would represent East Asia. A fatigued China could no longer bear the incredible costs it aspired to as the leader of the colonial venture before the war, giving significant leeway to the other two partners and largely retreating behind its megacorporation, Einstein Engines, which was still willing to back the endeavor. An aggressive Korean delegation largely dictated terms, giving birth to the “Konyang Project”, named after the Konyang University in which the colonial undertaking was revealed and presented to the public in 2299.
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===Early Colonial Period | 2304 - 2400s===
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The plan envisioned five convoys for the establishment of four primary settlements on a strategically placed planet selected by the Solarian Navy for the support of local naval operations against any threats from the Frontier Alliance. The targeted planet was revealed to be a lush world first discovered in 2278 by a long-range scouting probe, dominated by water and possessing a breathable atmosphere, placing it in a prime position to sustain Human civilization. The quickly named “Haneunim” solar system possessed a few more bodies of secondary importance, and the first convoy was scheduled to launch on the 10th of March 2304, from the Wenchang spaceport in South China, to meet the long-distance freighters in orbit of Luna that would carry the first 5,000 colonists to Konyang. The ethnic mix-up of the colonists were equally distributed amongst the three nationalities, with all being volunteers and 646 of them under the employ of Einstein Engines.

It took the warp-propelled convoy one year to reach its destination, traversing light years of Solarian vastness before meeting the Navy squadron which would escort them to the planet, with touchdown being made on September 8th, 2305. Konyang was covered in jungles and great mountain ranges, requiring great labor from the men and women of the expedition to create the first settlement, under the direction of officers from the Department of Colonization. Two months later, Unity Station would receive the first signal passed along by the Navy, originating from beacon Number 22890/223, Designation ‘SUWON’. The foundations had been laid. In the following decades, all five convoys would come to form the basis of the “Konyang Territory”, a colony directly controlled by the Alliance and the Solarian Navy as the base of the 58th Fleet. Boosted by its status as a naval base, the abundance of freshwater and with the backing of Einstein, all three cities were realized; Suwon and Boryeong, New Hong Kong, and Aoyama, each at the start holding ethnic majorities of Koreans, Chinese and Japanese respectively.
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===The Robotics Boom | 2407 - 2430s===
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Despite the acceptable climate and near unlimited freshwater, the colonial government soon realized an alarming lack of mineral resources, forcing a complete reliance on external trade and supplies from the Navy for any and all industrial goods and even basic construction materials, a reality which had to be corrected as fast as possible. A planet-wide scanning expedition was organized, while “patriotic aid” was fervently being fundraised in China, Japan and Korea for nearly a whole century to cope with the colonists' increasing demands. This led to a landmark moment in the history of Konyang, when on the 21st of April 2404, mining teams dug into a collapsed tunnel outside the vicinity of Aoyama, discovering a defunct mining drone, crushed by tonnes of rock and soil. The chassis appeared broken and old, though its very presence implied the exploitation of the planet by a different civilization.

The device was hurried back in secrecy to a panel of dumbfounded colonial officials, who deemed that their corporate partners would be more suited in tracking down its origin. As such, after a quick formality bid behind closed doors, the Alliance sold off its odd piece of government property to Einstein Engines whose scientists saw it as a curious case worth pursuing. Month after month, the Terraneus Diagnostics laboratory in Aoyama kept receiving bits and pieces from similar drones recovered from abandoned, centuries-old mineshafts, culminating in the 2406 discovery of a sealed vault containing a great number of intact mining drones. The severity of this discovery was immediately apparent to the scientists. Words were had with the governor of Konyang by the local Einstein Engines representative, and it was decided to keep the drones a very closely-guarded secret - with only select Terraneus and government officials even being aware of their existence at all, let alone what was being done with them.

The Terraneus research team worked feverishly, though in secret, for months upon months. Staff were quietly shipped in from offworld in order to not alert outside observers, and the team continued to work upwards of eighty hour weeks in order to crack the drones. In mid-2407, they achieved one of the most remarkable breakthroughs in recent scientific memory by cracking the AI algorithms of the drones. Information of this moved rapidly from the local Einstein Engines office up the corporate chain and moved equally rapidly up the government's chain from provincial office to Sol itself. The information spread like wildfire, and humanity now had the secret of AI despite not truly knowing from where or who these machines came from. This was little more than a footnote to the Nralakk Federation - to them, these AI were crude and hardly approached the machines that had driven their civilization to ruin.

The robotics boom of Konyang caused a variety of benefits and harms to the previously marginal outer ring planet. The economy ballooned massively, as did its standard of living and industries. Konyang moved from a rural backwater that exported food and water to a high-tech planet that still exported basic goods, but primarily focused upon robotics. Megacorporations flocked to the planet: Einstein Engines, already present through Terraneus, rapidly secured dominance over the planet; Hephaestus Industries struggled with Einstein dominated competition before selling its factories over to local government control in 2427; and Zeng-Hu Pharmaceuticals, despite its skrell benefactors, purchased rights to examine the planet's biosphere from Einstein. The fact that their prosthetic limbs were originally designed on this planet has been stated to be a "happy coincidence" by its board. Due to the mass arrival of corporations, jobs were readily available - the planet was booming.

A massive migration wave of Einstein employees and their families to Aoyama made the city wrangle the spot of first in importance from the nominal capital of Suwon, to the point where the expatriate scientific community and their dependents outnumbered the local Japanese original colonists. The city quickly became known to Humanity as “Point Verdant”, the name assigned to the Terraneus Diagnostics laboratory in Aoyama, while the parent countries on Earth invested billions to capitalize on the success of their colonial project, to lift the planet into a modern world and reap the public relations benefits of their colony achieving a breakthrough in artificial intelligence.

The rapid expansion of Konyang's industries and cities had overtaxed the limited bureaucracy on the planet to the breaking point, and architects were in short supply. Urban planning on Konyang is estimated to be some of the worst in Alliance space outside of New Hai Phong as a result, with cities such as Point Verdant often having haphazard roads running through them and districts smashed together with no apparent rhyme or reason - a legacy of corporate jockeying for areas of interest, and the municipal corruption that came with it. There are countryside facilities originally utilized for drone research and retrieval that have, in recent years, fallen into disuse and disarray. Such facilities often dot the mountains and foothills of Konyang, slowly being overtaken by nature - sometimes with unfortunate results when these facilities have been improperly stripped of dangerous materials. The environment also suffered in areas where drones were found - jungles were cut or burnt away by corporations in order to get at the precious drones below, prefab buildings were orbitally dropped and erected, and landing zones were cut into the landscape itself.

The stormy tidal waves so infamous for tormenting the early colonists were tamed through the building of sea walls, a comprehensive road network linked the remote villages with the urban centers, and the city of Ganzaodeng was raised from the rocky desert. The Konyanger conglomerate PACHROM would mark the rise of the first native Chaebols, building shipyards, dams, hydroelectric plants and the first space fleet capable of ferrying enormous capacities of water across interstellar systems.
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===The Positronic Integration | 2410s===
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Soon enough, IPCs entered production on the planet, making Konyang one of the first places to embrace the positronic revolution. The limited resources saw higher prices, lessening the availability of domestically produced frames. Furthermore, the still rudimentary waterproofing technologies meant that IPCs could not work for long hours without shelter, ensuring that human jobs would remain safe from automation. When in the rest of Sol IPCs were produced en-masse for labor, Konyanger IPCs were more integrated in white-collar employment and indoors service-related work. Meanwhile, a growing media culture based on animation combined with the Konyanger recycle-friendly attitude, giving newer generations a fresh look on positronic intelligence, one that valued them as people rather than a disposable resource. The lack of widespread automation never brought the anti-synthetic sentiment so common in the rest of Sol, and IPCs in time became a unique cultural phenomenon in the colony’s urban centers.

Solarian laws governing the relations between IPCs and mankind were nominally enforced on Konyang, barring synthetics from gaining their own freedom, a fact which remained a thorn between the more liberal, younger Konyangers and the older generations. Einstein Engines allied with the Solarian governorship to press for the continuing status of Konyang as a colony, preventing elections and thus any liberal political influence from threatening the company’s grip on its synthetic workforce. This however, did not prevent Konyanger society to further integrate IPCs, even if the concept of universal citizenship for all synthetics was still far from publicly accepted. Aoyama was most receptive to the positronics, as a center of research and culture, with IPCs welcomed in people’s houses, treated like family and celebrated in festivals and even religious ceremonies. Suwon sentiment remained ambivalent, though many Solarian officials and naval officers expressed most severe concerns, in many cases pressing for crackdowns and questioning the morals of Konyanger citizens. The denizens of New Hong Kong and Ganzaodeng on the other hand, were most unhappy, with the powerful Chinese factory and shipyard labor unions remaining vocally opposed to IPC rights in the workplace, owing to their ties with the wider Solarian unions.

The profound effects of the emergence of this positronic culture were soon felt across the planet, change being heralded through a wave of demonstrations in mid to late 2412. High school and university students in Aoyama took to the streets to call for synthetic rights, in one of the few instances of pro-IPC disturbances on Solarian soil. In particular, the students called for the immediate emancipation of owned synthetics, marching from the main First Avenue down to the Governor's House and being joined by crowds of people and IPCs alike. The Aoyama Constabulary alongside Terraneus security forces were ordered to put a swift end to the march, resulting in the first major incident since the founding of the colony. Over 400 student injuries were recorded, the crowds responding with rocks and branches to the authorities’ tear gas and water cannons. 247 arrests were made that day, sparking additional outrage in the student movement as the ringleaders were tried as adults and given lengthy prison sentences. Smaller incidents were also noted in Suwon and Boryeong, marking 2412 as a year of upheaval and social change, laying the foundations for full IPC citizenship.
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===Late Colonial Period | 2410s - 2440s===
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As Konyang left behind the troubled ’10s and social peace returned through decrees permitting local city authorities to afford certain permissions for IPCs. This followed the final robotics' boom peak in the 2430s, seeing the planet’s GDP growth reach new levels. The colony’s industrial potential skyrocketed, with hundreds of hydroelectric dams, sea walls and shipyards creating thousands of new jobs in New Hong Kong, the new industrial core of Konyang. Labour relations shifted dramatically, as the new Hephaestus-pioneered industrial chassis enabled IPCs to work in the most difficult of conditions, sidelining and driving off the all powerful Gwongfu labor unions, with human employees forced into the urban centers and Ganzaodeng, contributing to a skyrocketing of the local IPC population in the prefecture.

Suwon saw a significant rise in business activity with the outside world, emboldening private ventures to the neighboring Frontier Alliance, bringing in massive profits from moss and entertainment exports. The animation industry reached new heights, with hundreds of new studios producing pioneering and high quality work, including classics like “One Day in My Life” and “Tomonomimi”, two of the most highly acclaimed works of media in recent Solarian memory. The entertainment sector brought new life to the Konyanger tourism industry as well, with more and more people rediscovering the distant hidden gem tucked deep in the fringes of the Alliance. The Suwon Stock Exchange was listed for the first time in the Chicago Financial Review, Sol’s most coveted investment periodical, as “Upcoming”, leading to billions of credits flowing in the country from abroad.

New chaebol conglomerates emerged, replacing even Einstein products with widely successful “Local, Cheaper and Better” campaigns. While Gwok Foods was making headlines in 2439 as the most successful Konyanger “IPC-inspired” exporter by yearly gross tonnage, the Ayame Motor Corporation created the first “completely Konyanger” 2-seat automobile designed for the cramped roads of Suwon and Point Verdant, becoming an instant hit. The Boryeong based Mujigae Publishing brought comics back into the youth’s hands, and Konymation had expanded to control cinemas, movie production studios, theme parks and restaurant chains in its ever expanding media empire.
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===Independence and Present Day | 2462 - Present===
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The Mars Violet Dawn catastrophe of 2462 signaled an era of widespread uncertainty and energy insecurity for the entirety of the Sol Alliance, with the Spur-wide phoron crisis exacerbating the situation for the Alliance’s Middle and especially Outer Ring colonies. A Konyanger recession in the late 2450s had already stretched the colonial government thin, with riots over the cost of living and unemployment in New Hong Kong and Suwon making national news for years on end. As the shaken corporations entered discussions on how they would survive the ever increasing phoron costs, it was made clear to everyone that the Alliance could not, and would not fund the refitting of the corporate fleets with the new Suzuki-Zhang Hammer Drive engine, threatening the complete cutoff of Konyang from outer space should the local Bluespace gate fail. Only a few Einstein vessels and the 58th Fleet stationed on the planet remained as the only reliable link between Konyang and the Spur.

The shortage soon hit the domestic market, leading to dangerous price increases for even the most essential of supplies. The average Konyanger saw their purchasing power plummet, as salaries remained stagnant in the face of a decreasing supply. The colonial Governor Hyun Kyung-Ho, turned to the only emergency option left, Earth. It was not the first time that Patriotic Aid was raised in China, Korea and Japan, though this time it proved most underwhelming. As the call for help fell on ears of men that could not even help their own economies, the trophy colony had to be abandoned to its own devices, with many in the East Asian public accusing Konyangers of greed and forgetting them in their apogee of financial success. With this last link to the past cut off, the question and possibility of independence soon started circling.

There was no time for serious debate however, with the Alliance being plunged into rebellion and collapse. On November 12, the 58th Fleet hastily departed Konyang, declaring a state of emergency in the system and abandoning the colonial government to its fate. Only elements of the Solarian Army and the Constabularies remained to maintain order, themselves being composed almost entirely of local Konyanger enlisted. The situation immediately turned into unrest, as public sentiment against the ineptitude of the Alliance boiled over into the streets. Massive student protests saw the storming of public buildings and central plazas in every major town and city, demanding a sharp reduction to the cost of living, IPC emancipation and a barring of the 58th Fleet from returning. Government reaction was mild, limited to the prevention of damages and protection of private property. Hyun Kyung-Ho was otherwise sympathetic to the students’ cause, sparking outrage within groups of Alliance-minded Army officers and Einstein corporate elites, who sought to prevent any secession of Konyang.

Thus, on November 15 2462, elements of the Army garrison under Lieutenant General Jiang Hongbing mobilized against the wishes of the Governor, taking up key positions in Suwon and Point Verdant. The mutinous 8th Sappers infiltrated the historic SUWON beacon telecommunications complex, preparing the country for a silent coup and preventing any long range communications with Sol. Jiang Hongbing, inspired by actions of mutinous admirals, took it upon himself to restore Konyang to the Alliance by marching the Army into the streets. While some of the formations under his command were willing to participate, the vast majority refused to bear arms against the Konyanger Governor or the student movements. In the following day, an internal power struggle saw many officers confined to their quarters, with Army hardliners being arrested, chased off or even assaulted in their own barracks as a loyalist armored brigade blocked access to the Governor’s House, preventing Hongbing’s men from touching Hyun Kyung-Ho.

With the coup’s inglorious end visible, the Governor’s staff were racing into negotiations with diplomatic officers from Coalition of Colonies still in the country for an express accession into the Coalition, following Konyang’s independence. Jiang Hongbing’s associates surrendered, himself fleeing into the thick jungles of Boryeong Prefecture, declaring a patriotic struggle in the Alliance’s name before soon being betrayed and confined at the 58th base’s Brig. On November 24 2462, telecommunications were restored, and Konyanger independence was broadcast to the world. The country’s preliminary accession into the Coalition was soon after announced, turning a new leaf in Konyang’s history. While the news was received with muted reaction from a confused Alliance government with more pressing matters to handle, the secession of Konyang was a huge blow to the three parent countries. After Governor Hyun Kyung-Ho assembled the nation’s intellectuals, economic and political figures, it was decided that he would remain in place as independent Konyang’s first Governor to organize free elections and set up the foundations for a democratic state.

Now, as a free Konyang comes out to the world stage, strong government initiative has seen its large synthetic factories nationalized, rapidly introducing legislation to establish the relationship with Einstein Engines. While they still are the dominating megacorporation on the planet, Einstein has lost most of its heavy industry, though still retaining the important research facilities around the vaults, as well as a good portion of software and positronic brain creation.
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==Location and Environment==

===The Haneunim System===
The Haneunim System, centered around the yellow star it is named for, Haneunim, contains four major celestial bodies, including the planet of Konyang. The whole system bears evidence of ancient mining operations, missing an asteroid belt to separate the inner and outer system with what few rocks remain being mostly picked clean of minerals. The innermost planet is known as Huozhu and remains practically inaccessible due to the scorching heat of Haneunim. Following it is Hwanung , an insignificant dwarf planet believed to have maintained a thin arid atmosphere before most of its mass was artificially stripped away. The third planet in the System is Konyang, accompanied by its lifeless moon of Qixi. Shiranui, a blue gas giant with a ring, is the outermost planet from Haneunim. An asteroid belt, far to the outskirts and composed mostly of ice, forms a ring around the entire system, although this remains largely unexploited by both the Konyanger government and local corporations. It is instead the stomping ground of both refugees fleeing the Sol Wildlands, and the pirates that seek to prey on them.

===Geography===
[[File:Konyang_map_sat.png|A geographic map of Konyang, showcasing the planet's different biomes. |thumb|800px]]
Primarily a tropical world smaller than Earth, Konyang boasts a mean radius of 5,111 kilometers. Freshwater oceans cover upwards of 88% of the planet’s surface. These oceans also grant Konyang its signature green color when viewed from orbit, in no small part thanks to the abundant presence of moss in the planet’s waterways. The planet’s continents are classified by its larger landmasses and island chains, although given the tides, the planet remains studded with small island chains and archipelagos that ebb and flow with the season. Two small ice caps exist on Konyang where the planet experiences a miniscule amount of snowfall and cold climates. The Konyanger terrain is principally mountainous, with large ranges covering vast areas of the planet’s landmasses. The tallest peak belongs to Mount Sansin, the highest mountain standing at a record 13.890 meters above sea level, its base forming an island of its own. Flanking the mountains are usually lush jungles, present in almost every island and continent in varying densities. This means that settlements have to be located in clearings adjacent to the coastline, on terrain with relatively even elevation. The largest and most dense jungle is located in Bukupo, an island in the heart of the Boryeong Prefecture. The largest landmass on the planet is Cheomseongtang, home of the Suwon prefecture and the nation’s capital. Other notable landmasses are the Oshima islands, hosting the largest mountain ranges, as well as the Yu islands, home of the only biome that could be described as a desert. New Hokkaido is the largest northernmost territory, renowned for its biodiversity and frosty tundra due to its proximity to the planet’s pole, as well as a unique lack of jungles. It is administered directly by the Government of Konyang, being the site of many scientific expeditions and military exercises, only boasting a population of a few hundred people.

===Environment===
[[File:Konyang.png|An image of Konyang, displaying mossy oceans and algae-covered water as the face of the planet. |thumb]]
Konyang features a highly atypical environment for a habitable planet: it is entirely freshwater. The surface of the planet is primarily oceans, with estimates placing upwards of 88% of the planet as covered in water. What is not under the sea are the islands of Konyang, where the vast majority of its population lives. These islands follow a general pattern: a small coastal area and a large mountain range ringing the island. The freshwater oceans of Konyang feature a remarkable diverse biosphere, and Konyang underwater flora, such as freshwater moss, is often used in the planet's native dishes and exported offworld, as far afield as Sol and Tau Ceti. Konyang is defined by two seasons: wet, lasting nine months, and dry, lasting three months.

The coastal regions of Konyang represent the smallest regions of its islands, but contain upwards of 90% of the planet's population. Often called the "coastal jungles" of Konyang, these areas are extremely wet - flooding is an issue in many areas, though the bulk of populated and urban areas are protected by extensive flood protection infrastructure, primarily lengthy complexes of walls. Coastal areas feature a wealth of plant and animal life, both of which have been put under stress by the rapid expansion of Konyang's cities.

Although Konyang’s coastal waters are often tinted green from moss, even more so than its oceans, harvesting and cleanup efforts along the coasts of the main and important islands have resulted in some sections of the planet appearing blue. These areas are often exploited for settlements and as tourist destinations for their scenic looks, while dedicated seaweed and algae farms dot the planet, providing an income for local villages and traditional producers. The most famous Konyanger food exporter, Go-Go Gwok!, has the largest involvement in the moss and seaweed industry.

The inland mountain ranges of Konyang can be up to several kilometers in height in some areas, with smaller foothills featuring some rare settlements leading up to them. These ranges, which lack valuable minerals completely due to Glorsh-era mining, are the reason for Konyang's jungles - they form an effective rain shadow. Some mountains have what is assumed to be collapsed mines in them, deactivated drones scattered throughout.

A phenomenon unique to the easternmost Yu islands of the Ganzaodeng prefecture, inland deserts are created due to the rain shadow caused by the surrounding mountain ranges. These are the least populated areas of the planet. Extraordinarily dry, little grows or lives in these environments. Rare Zeng-Hu Pharmaceuticals facilities can be found in this area, taking advantage of the isolation and relatively sterile environment that the inland deserts offer.

Lastly, the oceans of Konyang are regularly stormy, the large waves being harnessed for their energy in electricity production at numerous such outposts, scattered throughout the unpopulated islets in the farthest and most secluded areas.

===Flora and Fauna===
Wildlife on Konyang is a peculiar mix of its original environment and the thousands of invasive species introduced by Human colonization. Species introduced in the initial colonization of the planet include huge herbivores and peaceful, if ecologically destructive, wildlife. Additionally, the large oceans are host to an uncountable number of species of fish, crustaceans and aquatic molluscs, with many being unique to their region of origin. Flora on Konyang is among its most famed aspects, spearheaded by the mossy shores and overgrowth which covers the vast majority of its visible terrain. All plant life which survives on Konyang must survive the extremely damp environment, and as such either thrives in the water, or is capable of moving away from it. Konyang's waters are famously covered in green moss and seaweed, giving it its signature color when viewed from orbit.

Some examples of unique flora and fauna are:
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'''Shelfers'''
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In the marsh and lowlands of Konyang's algae coasts resides an invasive species of large omnivores known as '''Shelfers.''' These are gluttonous moss-feasting beasts, with a distinct six-legged and bloated appearance. They are excellent swimmers, owed to webbed joints and a wedge shaped, slick head. From this, it uses a set of large protruding teeth to scrape moss and undersea growths. This creature is endangered, and displayed as a national animal thanks to its unique appearance. Originally a danger to unprepared colonization, these gained a reputation for its tendency to attack colonists.

These were first encountered by colonists who had shipped wildlife to and from Arusha, where escaped subjects managed to reproduce- over the years becoming a cultural icon due to their miraculous beneficial place they have in Konyang's ecosystem.
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'''Konyanger Jeweler Cockatoo'''
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Known for its affinity to decorate its nesting grounds with surface-level pearls and gems of all sorts is an opportunistic carnivore, the '''Jeweler Cockatoo.''' This large avian is an offshoot of the Earth parrot, bred originally to “liven the landscape” of Konyang’s dreary inner mountainous lands. Eventually, with the assistance of high-level genetic modification, they grew to giant proportions whilst maintaining the health and lifestyle of a standard - ''if highly dangerous'' - parrot.

Where small patches of forest and barrens clash, these birds thrive and craft beautiful roosts in the relative safety of open fields. In these fields, diminutive predators avoid the large avian’s glare (or don’t, and are frequently preyed upon.) The Jeweler Cockatoo possesses two sharp talons on one digit of each of its feet, and a short - but unbelievably sharp beak, refined further by its tendency to dig. The wingspan of these birds can grow up to fifteen feet.

The Jeweler Cockatoo is the national bird of Konyang, with many stylized imagery depicting the bird in some shape or form.
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'''Glittering Konyang Moss'''
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Found in vast plains of coastal territories in excess is the overflowing, yet precious resource of '''Konyang moss.''' One of its primary exports, this barely-tapped commodity retains a huge capacity to feed Konyang’s already sturdy ecosystem, and the billions which reside upon it, and more to export. The evolutionary process which grew this mystical, shimmering moss is a mystery, however its luster and fields of green it generates has a wonderful impact on sustaining Konyang’s moist, overgrown and greenery-rich habitat.

Konyang moss is pivotal to its moving industries, and even after the robotics boom, it remains a stable source of incoming development for the since-burgeoning planet. The moss’ nutritional properties have been highly studied in recent decades. Its rapid pace of growth is exclusive to Konyang’s ecological circumstances, with everything from subterranean heat, to the algae present in its beautiful green seas factoring in.
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==Economy==
While young, the nation of Konyang boasts a powerful regional economy built upon decades of trade with both the Alliance and various Coalition partners. A developed country, Konyang manages to surpass its near total lack of ore with robust exports of foodstuff and energy, a strong shipping industry and a powerful robotics sector.

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===Raw Materials===
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[[File:Konyang dam.png|thumb|Dams and sea walls are a common sight on Konyang, used to protect cities and population centres from floods and tsunamis, as well as to exploit the violent waves for electricity.]]
Konyang's freshwater oceans were perhaps the largest boon to the starting colonists, and continues to play a substantial role behind the planet's exports. Fishing provides for a large aspect of the domestic economy, with millions of fishing boats and trawlers scouring the shores and oceans for all kinds of fish, crustaceans and other aquatic creatures, of which a complete list doesn't exist. Such is the biodiversity in Konyang's waters, that each region has its own fish markets which serve clients all over the planet and the Spur. Besides fishing, Konyang's biggest aquatic produce in terms of volume belongs to its enormous seaweed and moss harvesting industries. Entire ships are purpose-built for collecting wild greenery which floats on the high seas and the bays of Konyang, bringing in billions in offworld exports and domestic sales. The harvesting of moss is not exclusive to the sea and the aquatic farms either, as many edible varieties are collected inland, both in the planet's jungles and mountain ranges. Konyanger moss is Spur-renowned thanks to powerful marketing campaigns and the spread of the planet's cuisine.

With tremendously stormy wet seasons lasting most of the year, it is no surprise that Konyanger corporations have attempted and managed to harness the energy of the wind, waves and waters of the planet. Electricity is generated through a network of dams, hydroelectric plants, wave power stations and tidal power stations, all dotted across the vast shores and oceans of Konyang. The electricity produced is then either stored in super capacitors, or is directly wired inland through thick underwater cables, catering to the needs of virtually every power grid on the globe. Much of it is also transported on board space freighters lined with rows of large batteries, ready to make the journey to Alliance and Coalition worlds as part of the lucrative electricity export industry.

Lastly, Konyang excells in the export of water and timber. The continent-spanning untouched jungles provide an excellent source of wood for foreign markets as well as domestic construction, of which there is very heavy use in lieu of metal structures. The freshwater is also extremely easy to chemically filter, skipping any desalination process before being bottled or shipped as-is on board of one of many of Konyang's water barges; large hollow space vessels with tankers and pools for water storage.
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===Maritime Shipping===
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Surface shipping is another one of the main forces behind Konyang's domestic market economy, and an inseparable part of the nation's maritime culture. The docks and shipyards of New Hong Kong are the beating heart of the sector, which provides employment to more than 20% of the entire planet's population. Entire towns were formed and dedicated to housing the laborers and their families close to the coast, and many islands subsist entirely off of seamen's salaries and work at nearby electricity stations. Surface shipping, while slower, is a lot more economical for planetary moving of goods across the continents and islands of Konyang, being preferred to airlifting or orbital shuttling. Aside from the creation of jobs and the transportation of goods, Konyang's shipping industry produces excellent sailors who can rival those of planets such as Europa, many of whom eventually transition to space.
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===Robotics and Services===
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Ever since the robotics boom, Konyang has become a major player in the export and development of IPCs and everything surrounding them. Each year, the most cutting edge technologies catered to the improvement of the life of synthetics are released by Konyanger software companies, often to critical acclaim. This is because of the the substantial positronic population, free and eager to spend on such innovations that allow them to experience the world in a more human-like fashion. When it comes to the export of IPCs, Einstein Engines remains the prime manufacturer of chassis and positronic brains, which are shipped abroad without being activated. The practice, while putting Konyang on the map as one of the big regional producers of synthetics, is a hotly contested area between deeply entrenched corporate interests and an increasingly politically aware IPC populace. Non-positronic robotics are a separate, but once significant part of the economy, with Konyang having hoeld high places in the spur leaderboards for the making of robots, mechs, pAIs and automated systems. This sector however, took a major hit as the robotics boom slowly deflated, leaving behind abandoned industrial complexes and derelict factories.

The nation's service sector has to be one of the biggest ones, contributing a sizeable portion of the country's Gross Domestic Product. Many of the companies listed on the Suwon Stock Exchange are everything from financial consultation firms, to insurance agencies, housed in every majpr city's financial district. Skyscrapers and office complexes in downtown Suwon, Point Verdant and New Hong Kong are a daily reminder of the office life millions of Konyangers live, and many parents dream of their child being able to one day find employment in a top law firm or such. While mostly concentrated in the domestic market, many of these companies have expanded their services abroad, building a reputation of Konyanger reliability and impeccable work.
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===Konyanger Corporations===

In terms of the traditional megacorporations, the undoubted hegemon remains Einstein Engines, entrenched in the planet's life since the beginning of Konyang's colonization. The megacorporation owns a number of subsidiaries on the planet in many different sectors, most notably, Terraneus Diagnostics, which regularly bankrolls and invests in government initiatives in exchange for their continuous presence. It retains the original research facilities and control over the vaults, even if IPC production and exports are now handled by the Konyang Robotics Corporation, a public company in which Einstein controls a 49% stake. The Terraneus facilities on the planet mainly handle shell research and positronic brain production for export to the Coalition, while they occasionally butt heads with Zeng-Hu Pharmaceuticals in the realm of IPC research. Zeng-Hu has the second-largest megacorporate presence, mainly in biosphere research and sales of pharmaceuticals. Despite this, local conglomerates generally dominate the country’s financial sector, commanding the government’s cooperation and good graces in order to keep a stable economy. Upon achieving independence, Konyang has managed to maintain a strong presence of homegrown corporations in the fields of agriculture, media, energy and consumer goods.

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'''PACHROM'''
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A chemical and engineering corporation, PACHROM builds, maintains and manages eighty percent of all private dams, hydroelectric plants and seawalls on Konyang, as well as engaging in the field of chemicals and plastics production. Headed by Park Moon-soo, the business mogul is vying for influence with the government as indispensable to the nation’s energy output and defence against floods and natural disasters, making the “Pachrom Parks” one of the richest and most powerful business dynasties on the planet. Headquartered in central Suwon, the bulk of PACHROM’s operations are located in diasporic, uninhabited islands in the middle of the world’s oceans, where hundreds of organic and synthetic workmen toil daily to run the water powered electricity plants in extremely dangerous conditions.

The company’s notorious reputation for neglecting the safety of its employees and the environmental disregard for waste disposal from its plastics factories has been a big stain the Parks have struggled to wash off. While their ties to both the Alliance administration and the Konyang government have proven instrumental in their ability to dodge damning legal action, demonstrations of public outcry are a common feature in and around the street opposite the PACHROM office complex. To counter this, public relations campaigns are a constant focus, with tens of millions being spent in portraying them in a positive light. Charities are a large part of the Park family’s social presence, sponsoring public works and offering scholarships mainly in the Boryeong and New Hong Kong prefectures, where the majority of employees originate.

Often finding itself without funds from Unity Station, the colonial administration would commission PACHROM in the form of lucrative contracts for the construction of dams and power stations, allowing the utilisation of synthetics and IPC for the dangerous labour required. Due to society’s favourable opinion towards positronic intelligence, the multitude of cases of IPC fatalities would be swept under the rug with government assistance, creating a culture of tolerance towards lacklustre safety features and general disregard. Today, PACHROM’s future remains uncertain as the newly independent state of Konyang wishes tends to distance itself from its shaky past, a fact indicated by the recent awarding of the Kaneyama nuclear plant to the public company GON-ENE.
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'''Gwok Group'''
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Founded in the early 2410s with the name Hyeonsang Foods, the precursor to today’s multinational food conglomerate was the first attempt at commercialising Konyang’s seaweed and moss both for export and internal consumption. Initially finding limited success due to an overly competitive local market and foreign consumers' reluctance to the Konyanger novelty, the company's defining moment arrived during the robotics boom, launching them from mediocrity into the billion credit business stage.

As Einstein Engines staff poured into Point Verdant, Hyeonsang secured a contract from the megacorporation's local branch for providing meals and miscellaneous catering to workers and research staff. The once alienated Einstein employees would soon come around, praising the brand for its flavourful seasoning and convenience, eventually spreading the word to Einstein facilities and back home. By the late 40s, Hyeonsang was on the track of significant financial success, having secured a large foothold in the foreign dominated central districts of Point Verdant.

Rebranding into the more consumer friendly “Gwok” name in 2452, the company’s reputation abroad led to the opening of regional branches in the Solarian middle and core worlds, generating an increasingly massive amount of income, used for an aggressive takeover of the local Konyanger market. By buying off competitors, monopolising the moss and seaweed industry and introducing new marketing, Gwok’s domestic success was soon guaranteed as the primary supplier of supermarkets. In 2454 the IPC Gwok-0783, until then a senior executive and the face of the company as the main influencer of the rebrand, assumed direct control as CEO of the conglomerate thus becoming the first IPC in charge of a billion credit corporation in Sol space. The following years would see the consolidation of all affiliated assets and filial companies under an umbrella Gwok Group, topping the charts and establishing a farming, food and restaurant chain empire.
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'''Konymation'''
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Konymation represents the peak of the Konyanger animated media scene, being by far the most successful and most well known studio in the country, with a Spur-wide fame. It arose in the early days of the robotics boom, creating a resurgency of animations for both children and adults. While the industry was almost non-existent and cheap Solarian cartoons were the norm, a group of inspired artists came together to animate and direct the first feature-length production from Konyang, using native voice actors and a brand new artstyle of their own. The result was "One Day in my Life", a slice of life film following the daily routine of an IPC secretary in a human-dominated world, becoming an instant hit with both domestic and foreign audiences. Since then, Konymation rose to become the largest studio of quality animations, creating films and series for all ages and of all genres. Such was the success, that any animated pieces from Konyang have passed into the public consciousness simply as "Konymations", referred to as such in both the planet and abroad. Since their foundation, the studio has developed into a media conglomerate, buying out holoscreen channels, online platforms, news networks and more.
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'''Mujigae Publishing'''
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The biggest publishing house, Mujigae is to the comic book industry what Konymation is to animation. Having created thousands of interesting and touching comic series, Mujigae is credited with bringing paper back into the hands of millions of Konyangers, in an age where digital platforms have become the default for nearly everything in life. Many of Mujigae's works find great demand abroad as well as at home, with the company being known for their efforts to constantly seek out and recruit new artists with fresh ideas. A plethora of published series often find themselves being adapted into the holoscreen in lucrative partnerships with Konymation, as well as the other way around. Additionally, Mujigae's philanthropic work cannot go unmentioned; millions of credits have found their way to various charities on Konyang, primarily those regarding the children, the money drawn from art festivals and comicons that are hosted annually, often with the participation of the Ministry of Culture.
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'''Konyang Robotics Corporation'''
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The Konyang Robotics Corporation, or KRC as is more commonly known, is the country's largest government-controlled company centered around the manufacture, maintenance and welfare of the nation's positronic population. Borrowing heavily from Einstein know-how and infrastructure, it originated from the nationalization of Einstein and Terraneus IPC factories, with the majority of their employees swapping over to a government payroll. Einstein Engines controls 49% of the shares of the company, lending it tremendous behind-the-scenes influence on Konyang's synthetic population.

The primary function of the KRC is the production, storage and activation of IPC citizens. A very politically and socially sensitive topic, great care is placed by the government through the Ministry of Health and Positronic Affairs to meticulously calculate and order the amount of yearly activations, so as to maintain the Human-IPC ratio and meet the demands of the job market. To that effect, the KRC also acts as a sort of "school" for the newly activated IPC citizens, with special orientation camps where synthetics are taught about Konyanger society before released to the world.

Furthermore, the KRC acts as the primary health provider for Konyanger IPCs, with clinics and hospitals situated in every town and city, as well as strategically placed in certain villages in the countryside. Thousands of roboticists, engineers and software technicians are employed by the KRC to act as the equivalents of surgeons, physicians, nurses and paramedics for the IPC population, who are afforded universal healthcare through the KRC. Appointment times are dependent on location and the capacity of the clinic or hospital, with many in more remote areas having to wait months for limb replacements and other, more heavy duty needs that cannot be met by their local KRC center.
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'''GON-ENE'''
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GON-ENE is a newly formed, state-controlled energy utilities company, created following the announcement of the Kaneyama Nuclear Power Plant. Perceived as a direct competitor to PACHROM, GON-ENE has been planned to expand into hydroelectric and wave power, giving the government a greater control of the nation's power grid and cutting back reliance on privately-owned sector, though complete autarky is off the table for at least many decades.
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==Government==
''Main Article: [[Konyanger Government and Politics#Government|Konyanger Government]]''

Konyang is organized as a unitary semi-parliamentary republic headed by a President, the former colonial governor Hyun Kyung-Ho being elected to the position after independence. The Prime Minister is elected by the citizenry every four years, and is the leader of the governing party in the Parliament of Konyang. The current Prime Minister is Myeong Myung-Dae.

Planetary politics are found on both a national and prefectural level, with every party running in local and national elections. Polarization is fairly limited, the vast majority of Konyangers rejecting the extreme views put forward by radical political movements in the country that tend to be marginalized. IPC politicians do exist and are found in every major party, though most can be seen sitting with the National Party of Konyang.

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===Military===
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[[File:Marine.png|thumb|right|An IPC Konyanger Naval Infantryman in full gear.]]
Konyang’s military, also known as the Konyang Armed Forces, was first formed shortly after the colony’s independence from personnel of the former Solarian garrison. As a result, it carries a lot of the traditions of the Solarian Armed Forces. Bolstered by conscription laws requiring both organic and synthetic citizens one year of mandatory service, the KAF possesses Army, Navy and Aerospace branches. IPCs are actively recruited and accepted into the military, forming both their own and deployed in mixed units. This segregation is justified by the government as based solely on the differentiating capabilities, logistical needs and skills between man and machine.

That claim does hold true to an extent, with IPCs taking a more active role in special forces formations, dealing with operations requiring levels of precision and focus that artificial intelligence can easily provide. A famous example is the army’s Mechatronic Corps, an elite unit utilising large, leftover battle mechs retrofitted for a pair of pilots. Such a force is unique in the Coalition, and is often used abroad in operations under broader CoC military command. Mixed infantry units of conscripts do exist, fielded in jungle patrol tasks or assigned garrison duty.

Notably for a 25th century military, the Navy maintains a very large aquatic force which it uses to patrol the vast oceans of the planet. Regularly described as more of a coast guard than a military arm, it is more geared for domestic policing than combat, consisting mostly of ships acting as launching points for many smaller, coast guard type vessels that patrol the vast expanse of the planet’s waterways and launch military aircraft. Nevertheless, it provides important services with its multiple telecommunication, radar and island outposts, providing crucial meteorological information for everyday seafaring and flood prevention on a planet where storms and extreme weather are the norm.

The Konyang Aerospace Forces perform both atmospheric and orbital operations with their doctrine clearly influenced by former Solarian officers within their ranks. Their fleet consist of obsolete vessels donated by Coalition planets, partially brought up to a modern standard by the planet’s technology and manufacturing sector. In 2465, the KASF’s main tasks include protecting the system from pirates and policing the large influx of refugees from the Human Wildlands, regularly pushing them to other planets within the Coalition as per Konyang’s strict migration laws.

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===National Police===
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[[File:Konyanger Police Ranks.png|thumb|In order to organize the National Police and smooth cooperation between prefectures, a unified rank structure was adopted shortly after its formation.]]
Despite its federal nature, the main law enforcement agency on the planet is the National Police, formed after Konyang’s independence from the merging of a number of local and specialised agencies under the then Solarian authority. One major change since then has been the introduction of synthetic officers in all positions and ranks, while also creating special divisions suited best for them. Police gear remains rather antiquated for the era, the force still using old Solarian equipment and stocks from the colonial garrison, meaning that much of the tactics and thinking remain unchanged. Considered tame by Alliance standards, the National Police places an emphasis on preventative policing, building rapport with local communities, and relying on a sense of civic duty from the populace to perform its duties. Despite this, the National Police has nonetheless received criticism for occasional incidents of corruption and brutality, mostly against synthetic citizens. This is more common in remote departments and conservative prefectures, where the sudden inclusiveness of synthetic officers with equal pay and opportunities is seen as a threat. Such incidents aside, government efforts for the modernisation of the National Police are ongoing.

The police is subject to the Ministry of Public Safety in Suwon and is organised at the national level, with local departments answering to the assigned hierarchy in their prefecture. Special divisions are deployed to deal with various policing duties, their size ranging from a whole new branch to Special Robotics detachments specialising in detainment of volatile synthetic suspects. The largest of these subdivisions and arguably the most important, the Coast Guard is the maritime arm of the National Police, operating a fleet of shore and sea patrol vessels in their mission to enforce the law at the huge array of islands and in Konyang’s waters. As the planet is surrounded by oceans, the Coast Guard has proven itself essential to the battle against smuggling and piracy while also assuming search and rescue duties during flooding, tsunamis and other catastrophes. The National Police has also gained Coalition-wide acclaim for its Special Robotics Division - a task force known for its expertise in detaining IPC without causing permanent damage.
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==Culture==
''Main article: [[Konyanger_Culture_and_Demographics|Konyanger Culture]]''

Konyang’s culture has been shaped by its East Asian Earther heritage, unique status as a colony with little to no resources, and as the birthplace of positronics. Konyanger society is often described as closed-off, with many unspoken social norms that vary from prefecture to prefecture. Key social norms that are shared in Konyang’s culture are Harmony, Reciprocity, and Face. Often derided as “meekness”, Harmony refers to enforcing unity and conformity within society. The specific manifestations vary from prefecture to prefecture, but in general, individuals who disrupt a sense of peace can face social ostracization. For instance, explicit disagreement such as using the word “no” is considered impolite, and a non-answer is often far more acceptable. Harmony also refers to a person’s social role; respect should be shown to people of a higher status, usually along traditional lines such as age, profession, and experience.

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===Cuisine===
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The primary diet of Konyangers consists of moss, seaweed and fish, with farms and pastures on land being rare due to the thick jungle. Konyang's moss is either harvested in the wild, grown in "natural" hydrofarms, or grown synthetically in bioplants. The moss itself is said to change its taste depending on the environment in which it is grown, and natural moss from the coasts around Konyang's islands is highly prized. Exports of moss and seaweed are a very lucrative business, held primarily by the galaxy-famous Go-Go Gwok! brand. Many workers, however, must make do with hydrofarm moss at best, and synthetic substitutes at worst. Konyang's fish - quite diverse, due to its freshwater environments - are also often consumed on the planet, with many being exported as luxury food as far afield as Venus and Tau Ceti. More conventional but water-intensive crops such as rice and other tropical fruits are also grown to a certain extent but are considered a rarity.

The planet is also home to a thriving beverages industry, with local varieties of algae providing the basis of a light but thick alcoholic drink colloquially known as “Nong jiu” domestically and abroad. The wide selection of produce on the planet however means more traditional drinks are produced, typically drawing from their Earther roots and commonly based on rice. Some of these drinks are exported by local businesses such as Go-Go Gwok! while Zeng-Hu has wrestled to control some of these brands in an attempt to stop them from competing with their own lineups.

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===Synthetic Cuisine===
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Synthetic-unique cuisine is an unusual case in the Spur, but not for Konyang. Here, robots utilize gustatorial implants to - if inefficiently - consume, or at least “taste” food regularly. Indeed, there is an entire market for synthfood where robots can enjoy their own form of taste, texture and uniquely perceptive flavor for foods. Mostly, synthfood is described as a thick slime, one with varying additives for color. Texture is mostly a simulated process within gustatorial implants, given they are not always present on tongues alone - meaning that the actual texture of these synthfoods remains the same gooey substance.

''One can achieve a similar substance to these synthfoods mechanically by grinding certain foods into paste, or utilizing candy machines with your choice of ingredients and output.''

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===Media===
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''Main article: [[Konyanger_Culture_and_Demographics#Media|Media]]''

Public media in Konyang is a powerful industry, and as broad as it may seem, it is very tightly knit. Aside from galactic-wide reruns and broadcasts of other nation’s shows, little seems to stand out - except the audio broadcast and illustrated artistic avenues. These two are well-refined artistic giants compared to other forms of entertainment on the planet.

A huge portion of the planet’s political views and very “personality” are channeled through its larger studios, where many are found enthused to spread its culture galaxy-wide.
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===Organised Crime===

=====Benevolent Guild=====
The Benevolent Guild is a criminal organisation operating primarily within the decrepit, dark shadows of New Hong Kong. Originating as a mutual aid society for low income and forced penal colonists shipped into New Hong Kong by the Alliance government, it developed into a ruthless crime syndicate with strong ties to the local lower class community. From the start, the tightly knit communal and familial ties have played an important role in preserving the gang’s power and shielding them from police action. Only in recent years has any meaningful progress been made, the allocation of governmental resources and the increasingly violent and profit-oriented tactics of the Guild having alienated much of the younger generation, chipping away at the once widely popular support.

Starting with extortion and loan sharking, the Benevolent Guild rapidly expanded into gambling, drugs and violent crime such as kidnapping both in New Hong Kong and in New Kowloon. It is not uncommon for synthetics that find themselves victims of the group’s loan shark tactics to be ‘collected’ as collateral damage and subsequently carted off to whichever corner of the Orion Spur where their new owners await them usually at a far cheaper rate than elsewhere. One of the few institutions on Konyang refusing to admit synthetics owing to a deeply conservative and spiritually esoteric internal ideology, a pragmatist outlook often compels them to deal with and even cooperate with IPC politicians, police and rival gangs. Connections with criminal organisations in the wider Spur have been confirmed to exist, as various crime syndicates in Xanu, New Hai Phong and Luna are known to be in connection with the Benevolent Guild.

=====5-Cheung=====
Emerging as one of the strongest IPC/organic street gangs of Suwon, the 5-Cheung numbers in the thousands of members in the cities of the Suwon and Point Verdant prefectures. The organisation’s origin as a loose collective of delinquents and fringe elements has since developed into a nationwide crime family with a powerful hierarchy fielding biker gangs and thugs to enforce their tight grip on the underworld. With a black repertoire of gambling, extortion, money laundering and narcotics, the 5-Cheung is considered a main rival to the Benevolent Guild of New Hong Kong, the two frequently coming to blows in a series of wars and uneasy truces over control of turf and general competition.

An open secret in the country’s political sphere has the 5-Cheung profit lucratively from corruption in the highest levels of government and police. During the Solarian era, prominent politicians employed protection from the 5-Cheung, soliciting their services in voter swaying, intimidation of opposition members and violent disruption of rallies and demonstrators. This has given the gang a justified reputation for being the political soldiers of ruling dynasties and representing the authorities in the underworld and on the street in exchange for immunity from prosecution. Following Konyang’s independence, the reformed National Police retained a virtually unchanged staff while the nation’s same prominent political families, now unshackled from Alliance oversight, enjoy even more freedom. As such, it is safe to say that 5-Cheung’s entrenched position will continue to remain untouched aside from the occasional drug bust and arrest of low level members.

=====Sea Bandits=====
Although both the previous colonial administration and the nascent Konyanger Armed Forces and Coast Guard have tried to stamp out piracy, the sheer expanse of the planet means that groups of what the authorities call “sea bandits” continue to infest the waters and orbit of Konyang. Ranging from small motor boats launched from fishing villages with nothing more than an antique rifle, to retrofitted probes salvaged from the refugee waves pouring into the system, piracy is one of the most pressing social and security issues faced by the newly formed nation.

Individual pirate groups usually number no greater than twenty people but the Sea Bandits as a whole operate as a wider criminal network inclusive of individuals and crews from all over the planet. By coordinating their activities and intelligence through encrypted sites, the organisation manages to both evade and stay one step ahead of the authorities. Most of their activities take the form of kidnapping, armed robbery of craft and hijacking unescorted seafarers, while admittedly avoiding the busiest and well guarded sealanes and locations. The most audacious raid by the Sea Bandits to date involved the boarding and ransoming of a cruise ship by the use of an unregistered freighter. Although only circumstantial evidence has been uncovered, Golden Deep Zaibatsu have also been accused of working with Sea Bandit groups by launching probes full of narcotics, to be recovered by the pirates.

==Synthetics on Konyang==
As the origin of the integrated positronic chassis now found throughout the Orion Spur, Konyang has always had a quite unique relationship with IPCs, the IPC population constituting a staggering 34% of the total population. While IPCs throughout the Sol Alliance are often looked upon as little more than property, tools, or novelties depending upon their frame those found upon Konyang possessed a notably greater degree of autonomy and freedom before the planet’s secession from the rest of the Alliance, achieving full and unconditional freedom afterwards. Legal ownership of synthetics within the borders of the Republic does not exist, the Emancipation Act constituting one of the first acts passed by Parliament. IPCs can work wherever they like, live however they please within the confines of the law, and partake in politics by voting or being elected. As such, foreigners are repeatedly cautioned to not bring any privately held IPCs with them, for they cannot be forced to return unwillingly.

Ordinary Konyangers, as a result of the planet’s liberal outlook on positronics, possess a more positive view of synthetics than other humans in the Orion Spur - particularly those from the Sol Alliance and its former territories. The majority of people on Konyang view IPCs as amicable colleagues and neighbours, with many friendships between man and machine being established. Closer bonds such as marriage are also legalised and not unheard of, though not without outcries from the more conservative spectrum. Many scholars theorize that this is due to the prevalence of IPCs in daily life on Konyang, seamlessly blending into society, in addition to the pride many citizens have in their planet being the origin of the modern positronic. Konyang’s integration of IPCs stands with some degree of contrast to Biesel’s, with the large synthetic ghetto of District 14 segregating many synthetics from the average citizen of the Republic of Biesel.

With Konyang’s independence, IPCs share full legal equality with all organic citizens of the planet. This concession was given, both as an acknowledgement and acceptance of the fact that synthetics have become part of everyday life in the colony and are generally accepted by its inhabitants. Unlike the Republic of Biesel, IPCs in Konyang seek to assimilate into human society, with IPCs being given the choice to adopt a second, “human name” before receiving citizenship. A human name can range from an entirely new name, to adding a first or last name of any kind to their existing designation.

Many positronics can be found within the economy of Konyang with perhaps the most famous (or infamous) one being Gwok-0783 (now Kim Gwok-0783, under post-independence IPC naming conventions), the owner and operator of her very own food conglomerate in the form of Go-Go Gwok! Authentic Konyanger Moss. As Go-Go Gwok! is technically an interstellar corporation, Gwok-0783 herself relied on a series of legal loopholes centered around Konyang’s former IPC laws to maintain control of the company when Konyang was still in the Sol Alliance. Examples such as Gwok, with her control of an inter-planetary corporation, are fairly rare. However, many positronics have made a successful name for themselves as small business owners and corporate workers on Konyang.
[[File:Konyang vault.png|thumb|A mysterious vault upon Konyang's surface, unearthed and built around with monitoring infrastructure.]]
Due to the system’s bluespace gate, many members of [[Synthetic_Factions#The_Golden_Deep|Golden Deep]] have secured permits to operate, as it allows their vessels to more easily make the journey from the frontier to the more lucrative markets of Tau Ceti and the Jewel Worlds. The money and business brought into the system by these synthetic traders has - arguably - been a major contributor to Konyang’s more liberal laws and regulations regarding IPCs. Konyang, before its independence, was one of the few systems under Solarian control in which IPCs could own and operate a business.

The synthetic population in Konyang is regulated by the government. A set number of positronics are assembled each year under contract at Terraneus Diagnostics facilities in Point Verdant with the prospect of being granted citizenship after a 3 month life orientation period. The determined number is set annually by Parliament, backed up by the yearly census and statistics, with production increasing or decreasing depending on the number of human birth ratios, positronic shutdowns, and other factors. Expenses are met both through government funds and private donations, though debate on the matter is rarely heated as the amount of new brains numbers usually in the hundreds; a tiny fraction of positronics produced and exported in total. IPCs and positronics constructed for the purpose of selling them to a different country, are not covered by such regulations and are not given citizenship.

There are further regulations in robotics construction in Konyang. Any activated positronic brain can qualify under the Emancipation Act. Exceptions to the law exist for manufacturing and research, with Point Verdant in particular activating positronic brains for the sake of testing shells before shipping them off-world. The law has also sparked development in other fields of mechatronics, with Konyang beginning to lead the way in circuit-based robotics.

Despite gains for its IPC citizens, other positronic intelligences have not been so lucky. Although some brains have been repurposed as AI coordinators for cities; with no way to transition to humanoid frames, bound intelligences have been granted freedom, but often take contracts with corporations that result in a return to the old status quo, all for the sake of staving off destruction due to a lack of maintenance.

===Konyanger Augmentation of IPCs===

Augmentation on Konyang is a fascinating subject, where the presence of so many IPCs has brought success in modifying the Positronic body and mind. Famed explorations into the sectors of IPC modification include "sensory evolution," where synthetics' senses being amplified or dulled in extremes according to desire.

Primary among the delves into this evolution of the senses is the New Dawn Augmentation Movement. This is a Konyanger organization based on the improvement of the IPC lifestyle via modifying chassis, funded peculiarly by Terraneus Diagnostics. The movement is oddly organized as a non-profit, going against the corporation’s established modus operandi. This, coupled with the tantalizing opportunity to freely modify an IPC's form with donated funds leads to public skepticism of the augment movement’s motivations.

Still, the true size of the movement to augment and improve Konyang's IPC population is extraordinary in comparison to other stellar nations. Roughly 22% of Konyang IPCs have some form of corporate-funded augmentation to enhance themselves.
[[File:Konyang augment1.png|thumb|A Konyanger design, the Scorpion Lobe is an augment which manipulates the perception of time for synthetics for better or worse.]]
* '''SENSO-EVO/Scorpion Lobe'''
A miraculous creation of Konyang's technological advancement, SENSO-EVO is the term aptly handed to Sensory Evolution's foremost product. This is the Scorpion Lobe, a similarly shaped attachment to the rear of a positronic brain which adjusts the rate at which the synthetic perceives time literally. The implications of this are seen as either a blessing or a curse — sometimes even utilized as a way to reduce problematic behavior in positronics.

These implants are commercialized to protect the integrity of brains which adopt extremely high speed tasks, or extremely tedious and slow ones, with a perception that best suits their given utility.

A double edged sword by nature, these are often removed by free positronic chassis due to their almost torturous nature. Some may find their lives flashing hours into moments, whilst others may find daily grinds to be impossibly long ordeals. Unfortunately, removing these implants is not always a safe procedure, sometimes damaging a brain or rendering the problem worse.

These were first manufactured by Hephaestus Industries on instrumental Konyang research facilities, and later acquired by Einstein Engines personnel in the same month - debates over the design’s origin have been ongoing since 2449.

===Recreational Software===

In the IPC community of Konyang, the culture of acceptance and freedom has always invited the curiosity of synthetics to imitate and follow human pastimes and habits. This in turn included activities such as smoking, synthetic flavours and eventually, recreational drugs. Due to the nature of the positronic, the only way to recreate such sensations is through software targeting and modifying specific programming in the brain. At first, this dangerous commodity was provided by amateur programmers using experimental and highly volatile code known as “overloaders”, leading to often irreparable and lethal damage to an IPC’s systems. The results of the few initial successes, however, proved promising enough for the idea to be seriously considered by upcoming Konyanger tech companies and business-oriented software engineers, leading to the first reliable and somewhat safe overloaders in the mid to late 2450s.

Popular awareness of recreational software became widespread upon its release as a commercial product, Konyang being the first world to introduce a marketable version of it. Usually sold inside a single-use stick drive, their circulation is approved by safety boards and is considered legal for responsible consumption, much like alcohol for organics, relying on the consumer for mitigation and avoidance of repeated use. Legal overloaders today can be found mainly in synthetic-centred retailers found around the major cities, their relatively limited availability and high price setting them as a luxury IPC item. Its effects include a wide range of results, from simulating the sensations of a light buzz to a short bout of excitement and joy, aimed at enhancing the experience at celebrations, parties and get-togethers.

However, where there is demand, there must be supply, and the fact that demand spiked as these new products launched paved the way to a large underground market of cheap, unsafe and highly unpredictable overloaders sold both by dealers and unlicensed street vendors of dubious reputation. An illegal overloader epidemic hitting the cities of Suwon and Boryeong in late 2459, led to intensified police crackdowns and government campaigns against illicit overloaders, labelling them as malware and the IPC equivalent of dangerous drugs. Virtually unrecognisable from a legitimate overloader without the seal, side effects are many times more powerful and addicting, appealing to adventurous synthetics and the financially insecure. From catapulting the positronic into a garbled, incomprehensive reality of simulated emotions to simply heightening the senses, the illegal overloaders’ addictive and dangerous nature leads many synthetics to disrepair, involving behaviour breaking glitches, hardware failures and more, all while guaranteeing a returning clientele.

Reception to recreational software has been mixed, dividing society and politicians on matters of free will, the dangers of overloaded IPC, and the overall ethics of deliberately creating and selling what are essentially drugs. Both synthetics and humans have loudly spoken against it, spawning demonstrations and dividing politicians across party lines. Legislation has already passed, categorising possession and distribution of illicit overdosers as strictly illegal, with heavy punishments for dealers and suppliers. Police and coast guard raids yield millions of unbranded overloaders each year, making highly publicised arrests while sending a message of absolute intolerance towards the malware. Despite this, circulation never ceases and exports to Xanu, Tau Ceti and Sol.

==Population and Major Cities==

[[File:Konyang_map_pol.png|thumb|800px|A map of Konyang showcasing the Prefectures and the New Hokkaido Territory. Click to enlarge.]]

'''Suwon''' is the largest, most populated, and second wealthiest city on Konyang itself and is generally one of the larger cities in the Coalition of Colonies. It functions as both the planetary capital, as well as the capital of Suwon Prefecture, encompassing the entirety of Cheomsongtang. Symbolic of the new government is the Parliament Building, a massive structure of flowing lines and sustainable technology, incorporating pieces of the first colony ship. The Prime Minister's Government House, the President's Crimson House, the Solarian embassy, as well as embassies from various Coalition states are present here as well. Standards of living in wealthiest areas of Suwon are equivalent to and (sometimes) even surpass the living standards of places such as Highland City or Argia sa Mar, demonstrating how wealthy the robotics boom has made some sectors of the planet. A lack of readily-available materials, however, ensures that even the super-rich of Konyang often live in smaller houses than their Colonies planet counterparts. Life outside these wealthy areas is better than life in most cities in Himeo but dramatically worse than in the very wealthy areas, or even the cities of Xanu Prime. Overcrowding is a massive issue for the government of the city, with no obvious solution presenting itself due to how expensive importing new building materials is post-boom. The city is home to most of Konyang's biggest companies and office complexes, as well as the Suwon Stock Exchange, making the city's financial district the economy's beating heart. "Shoebox apartments" are common here, as are Konyang's often egregious traffic issues. The city is fortified with extensive sea walls, flood walls and flood gates to prevent natural disasters during the wet season, tropical storms being fairly common.

[[File:Point verdant.png|thumb|One of Aoyama's many skyscraper blocks, safely located behind a dam.]]

'''Aoyama''', known in the larger Spur as '''Point Verdant''', is the second most-populated city on Konyang, and the industrial heart of its robotics industry. Built along a coastal mountain range from which it draws its namesake, it is by far the wealthiest city on Konyang, and one of the richest cities in the Coalition of Colonies. Due to being home of the Robotics Boom, hosting foreigners and their families that once even surpassed the locals inside the city, Aoyama is frequently known outside to outsiders and to the Spur at large as Point Verdant, much to the chagrin of the locals. Aoyama is home to the renowned Point Verdant Terraneus Institute of AI Research, and is the poster child for the rapid development of Konyang's cities during the Boom. The city is extremely wealthy, but suffers from persistent overcrowding and traffic issues in all of its districts. The Pusan District, near PVTI, had the reputation of possessing the worst traffic in the Alliance according to its residents. Air quality in Aoyama is regarded as subpar, due to the amount of robotics factories in the city's outskirts, which have however slowly but steadily declined since. Being the focal point of the Robotics Boom, it is home to a large number of expatriate communities and Einstein Engines employees.

'''Boryeong''', named after a city on historical Earth where some of its colonists originated from, is the third most populated city on Konyang and capital of the Boryeong Prefecture, referred to as the breadbasket of the nation. The city, while still suffering overcrowding issues, has it to a lesser extent than Point Verdant or Suwon, with the city's outskirts necessitating a need for space due to the vast hydroponics farms and water plants. A second-grade industrial city of much natural beauty, Boryeong is more rustic than its counterparts, with wood playing a much more prominent role in construction; outside the central ring, some of Boryeong's districts are built entirely out of timber. Water bottled or processed in Boryeong is sold throughout the Alliance and Coalition in bulk, and native moss grown in the prefecture is marketed throughout both as a luxury food. Over half of the city's labourers are employed in hydroponics, aquaculture, fishing and food processing, with Gwok Foods being the largest provider of work in the region. Synthetic moss is grown in Zeng-Hu facilities near Boryeong and, despite being regarded as lesser quality than natural moss, is often consumed in poorer areas of Konyang.

'''Ganzaodeng''', named for its dry locale, is located in Konyang's only desert and holds the largest expatriate populations on the planet, being nicknamed, “Little Sol”. Due to its unique geographic setting, it faces remarkably calmer weather than the rest of the planet, with the city being connected to the rest of the island by air and rail that cuts right through the mountains. Ganzaodeng is Konyang's only planned city with origins in the Robotics Boom, when the foundations were laid for a city envisioned by foreigners, for foreigners. Rich Solarians descended upon the planet's seemingly only dry piece of real estate, building a city full of nightlife and eclectic inner-ring pleasures within the distant colony. By the end of the Boom however, the city's famous strips of casinos and luxury hotels still operating in downtown Ganzaodeng became a symbol of a bygone era, as much of the Solarian population elected to depart. The city passed into native Konyanger hands, being expanded into a hub of shipping with the help of the city's remaining big names. Because of the reliably clear weather, Ganzaodeng has developed a sprawling extraplanetary shipping sector, with plans for a spaceport larger than New Hong Kong’s, as well as future schemes for the largest oceangoing port on the planet. Its climate has resulted in the prefectural government engaging in moss filtration efforts to open up the surrounding beaches to tourism. Despite of the Solarian exodus, the city stands in contrast to the rest of Konyang’s relatively conservative social nature, with people from all over the Spur calling it their home and making it by far one of the most multicultural centers on the planet. It’s not uncommon for a person from Ganzaodeng to know two or three languages.

'''New Hong Kong''', the site of the former naval base of the 58th Solarian Fleet, has now developed into a fully fledged city in its own right, being the only prefectural capital with a local synthetic majority. Being regarded as a lot more pedestrian and working-class than Suwon and Point Verdant, New Hong Kong is nonetheless a very important centre of interplanetary trade and commercial activity, hosting the planet’s largest ocean ports and dockyards, being the country's industrial's hotspot and the seat of power generation. Large hydroelectric dams, wave energy converters, dockyards and factories belonging to the PACHROM corporation provide employment for half of the city’s inhabitants, the Prefecture of New Hong Kong generating enough electricity for domestic consumption as well as exports. Employees of the various power companies may also elect to be sent off to one of the many power generation isles scattered throughout the oceans and dedicated solely to that purpose, receiving better pay in exchange for more dangerous conditions away from home. The city itself is considerably more packed than its counterparts, with small cramped apartments being stacked over each other to form vertical mazes of working class blocks. Heavy smog and particles cover up the sky through the entirety of the island during the dry season, giving the prefecture a signature orange-brown tint. This, as well as constant heavy rains and a near permanent gloomy weather during the wet season place it as undesirable for humans. Seat of the National Party, downtown New Hong Kong is described as the centre of planetary IPC politics, being the first to react to, condemning or praising events in Konyang and throughout the galactic stage in regards to the synthetic “race”. New Hong Kong is additionally the birthplace of Konyang's labor unions, with the Socialist Party enjoying strong support from the city's human blue-collar workforce.

[[File:Konyangdam.png|thumb|900px|center|Dams are a very common sight on Konyang, with the New Hong Kong's dam in the neighbouring industrial town of New Kowloon providing only a fraction of the power required by the city, while also playing an important part in flood control and water filtration.]]

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User:The lancer/Sandbox 3

2024-02-04T21:45:25Z

Noble Row: /* Government */

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==Overview==
Originally established in 2305 as a Solarian Alliance Outer Ring planet, Konyang is presently one of the more distant outposts under the Coalition of Colonies after its independence in '''2462'''. Konyang’s capital city Suwon, the largest settlement on the planet, is built upon a natural formation that defines most of Konyang's geography: islands with large interior mountains that feature lush, but soaking wet, coastal jungle regions. Konyang was initially a relatively average Outer Ring settlement intended to export water, before the discovery of mysterious, deactivated drones in 2407 led to a robotics boom occuring on the planet that lasted well into the 2450s. The Konyang of today is a planet renowned for its robotics industry, though some of its initial luster has faded in the years following its boom. Water, however, remains a key industry - the planet has a remarkably low salination level, meaning that essentially all of its water is drinkable. Konyang Solarian Common, or Konyang Common, is the most used language on the planet inside and outside of major population centers. Due to its proximity to the Coalition of Colonies planets, Coalition member planets often import water from Konyang. In major cities and universities, Tradeband can be found being spoken, though it remains rare. Speakers of the language are generally from off-planet, moving to Konyang during its robotics boom. Konyang almost completely lacks valuable minerals due to intensive mining efforts carried out by drones—whose source remains unknown—hundreds of years before it was colonized.

'''Because of the ethnic make-up of Konyang's original settlers and assimilation of immigrants into the native population during the first AI boom, human characters born on Konyang will have names and appearances consistent with the people of China, the Korean Peninsula, and Japanese Islands. Only native Konyangers or Konyang-made IPCs may select the Konyanger accent. This is enforceable by server moderators and admins.'''

[[File:Konyang flag.png| The Konyanger flag was adopted in 2462, having unofficially been used by pro-autonomy circles long before the declaration of independence. The traditional taitju represents peace and harmony as the highest values of the new state, with the color blue representing the waterways the planet is known for and yellow, their aim of prosperity. The white background represents Konyang's purity.
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==History==

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===Conception and Planning | 2200s - 2299===
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When the United Nations proposed and eventually enforced the creation of the Alliance of Sovereign Solarian Nations, China, Korea and Japan were once more forced to band together to compete with the world for influence inside the newly found institution. Rivals such as the European Union, the Soviet Union, the Commonwealth and the United States were first in line to claim hegemonic roles, their space programs forming the core of Solarian colonization of the Inner, Middle and Outer rings over the centuries, populating them with their own peoples and sparking an unofficial race for prestige land grabs, one which the Department of Colonization was more than happy to let unfold, resulting in the extremely fast expansion of Humanity into the Orion Spur. While regional powers such as India and the Mediterranean countries began creating their own colonies on Gadpathur and Assunzione, the East Asian trio were relegated to secondary roles of supplying technology, labor and capital without any actual representation in the stars, a situation problematic for some and resented by many in the “sovereign” governments.

It was thus decided to present a plan to Solarian functionaries for a colony spearheaded by China and supported heavily by Korea and Japan, aimed at restoring the pride of the three “cousin-nations” and their position in the Alliance. Intense negotiations and technical planning amounted to years of disagreements over the name, location and allocation of responsibilities between the partners, as well as the presence of China’s Einstein Engines megacorporation, which offered to finance a great portion of the initial effort. Soon however, the advent of the Second Great Depression and the following Interstellar War in the mid-late 2200’s saw a bankrupt Alliance put a halt to any colonization projects, resulting in the plans being shelved. The war took a great toll on the core Solarian worlds, including Earth and its nations which were called to provide manpower, funds and materiel for the Solarian Navy. Federal China’s economy tanked completely under the pressure, relying on IMF bailouts and stays of payment on the salaries of its public sector, with pensionaries and students being most severely hit, resulting in massive social upheaval which would have long lasting consequences for the country’s financial hegemony in the post-war region.

As peace and relative stability returned, the Alliance found a newly independent, sizable and embittered Coalition of Colonies rival its claims in the Galactic East, calling for the presence of military garrisons and naval stations to protect the border. It was at this time that colonization projects were beginning to reemerge, with the Pacific Pact racing once more to submit a viable plan for a colony that would represent East Asia. A fatigued China could no longer bear the incredible costs it aspired to as the leader of the colonial venture before the war, giving significant leeway to the other two partners and largely retreating behind its megacorporation, Einstein Engines, which was still willing to back the endeavor. An aggressive Korean delegation largely dictated terms, giving birth to the “Konyang Project”, named after the Konyang University in which the colonial undertaking was revealed and presented to the public in 2299.
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===Early Colonial Period | 2304 - 2400s===
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The plan envisioned five convoys for the establishment of four primary settlements on a strategically placed planet selected by the Solarian Navy for the support of local naval operations against any threats from the Frontier Alliance. The targeted planet was revealed to be a lush world first discovered in 2278 by a long-range scouting probe, dominated by water and possessing a breathable atmosphere, placing it in a prime position to sustain Human civilization. The quickly named “Haneunim” solar system possessed a few more bodies of secondary importance, and the first convoy was scheduled to launch on the 10th of March 2304, from the Wenchang spaceport in South China, to meet the long-distance freighters in orbit of Luna that would carry the first 5,000 colonists to Konyang. The ethnic mix-up of the colonists were equally distributed amongst the three nationalities, with all being volunteers and 646 of them under the employ of Einstein Engines.

It took the warp-propelled convoy one year to reach its destination, traversing light years of Solarian vastness before meeting the Navy squadron which would escort them to the planet, with touchdown being made on September 8th, 2305. Konyang was covered in jungles and great mountain ranges, requiring great labor from the men and women of the expedition to create the first settlement, under the direction of officers from the Department of Colonization. Two months later, Unity Station would receive the first signal passed along by the Navy, originating from beacon Number 22890/223, Designation ‘SUWON’. The foundations had been laid. In the following decades, all five convoys would come to form the basis of the “Konyang Territory”, a colony directly controlled by the Alliance and the Solarian Navy as the base of the 58th Fleet. Boosted by its status as a naval base, the abundance of freshwater and with the backing of Einstein, all three cities were realized; Suwon and Boryeong, New Hong Kong, and Aoyama, each at the start holding ethnic majorities of Koreans, Chinese and Japanese respectively.
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===The Robotics Boom | 2407 - 2430s===
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Despite the acceptable climate and near unlimited freshwater, the colonial government soon realized an alarming lack of mineral resources, forcing a complete reliance on external trade and supplies from the Navy for any and all industrial goods and even basic construction materials, a reality which had to be corrected as fast as possible. A planet-wide scanning expedition was organized, while “patriotic aid” was fervently being fundraised in China, Japan and Korea for nearly a whole century to cope with the colonists' increasing demands. This led to a landmark moment in the history of Konyang, when on the 21st of April 2404, mining teams dug into a collapsed tunnel outside the vicinity of Aoyama, discovering a defunct mining drone, crushed by tonnes of rock and soil. The chassis appeared broken and old, though its very presence implied the exploitation of the planet by a different civilization.

The device was hurried back in secrecy to a panel of dumbfounded colonial officials, who deemed that their corporate partners would be more suited in tracking down its origin. As such, after a quick formality bid behind closed doors, the Alliance sold off its odd piece of government property to Einstein Engines whose scientists saw it as a curious case worth pursuing. Month after month, the Terraneus Diagnostics laboratory in Aoyama kept receiving bits and pieces from similar drones recovered from abandoned, centuries-old mineshafts, culminating in the 2406 discovery of a sealed vault containing a great number of intact mining drones. The severity of this discovery was immediately apparent to the scientists. Words were had with the governor of Konyang by the local Einstein Engines representative, and it was decided to keep the drones a very closely-guarded secret - with only select Terraneus and government officials even being aware of their existence at all, let alone what was being done with them.

The Terraneus research team worked feverishly, though in secret, for months upon months. Staff were quietly shipped in from offworld in order to not alert outside observers, and the team continued to work upwards of eighty hour weeks in order to crack the drones. In mid-2407, they achieved one of the most remarkable breakthroughs in recent scientific memory by cracking the AI algorithms of the drones. Information of this moved rapidly from the local Einstein Engines office up the corporate chain and moved equally rapidly up the government's chain from provincial office to Sol itself. The information spread like wildfire, and humanity now had the secret of AI despite not truly knowing from where or who these machines came from. This was little more than a footnote to the Nralakk Federation - to them, these AI were crude and hardly approached the machines that had driven their civilization to ruin.

The robotics boom of Konyang caused a variety of benefits and harms to the previously marginal outer ring planet. The economy ballooned massively, as did its standard of living and industries. Konyang moved from a rural backwater that exported food and water to a high-tech planet that still exported basic goods, but primarily focused upon robotics. Megacorporations flocked to the planet: Einstein Engines, already present through Terraneus, rapidly secured dominance over the planet; Hephaestus Industries struggled with Einstein dominated competition before selling its factories over to local government control in 2427; and Zeng-Hu Pharmaceuticals, despite its skrell benefactors, purchased rights to examine the planet's biosphere from Einstein. The fact that their prosthetic limbs were originally designed on this planet has been stated to be a "happy coincidence" by its board. Due to the mass arrival of corporations, jobs were readily available - the planet was booming.

A massive migration wave of Einstein employees and their families to Aoyama made the city wrangle the spot of first in importance from the nominal capital of Suwon, to the point where the expatriate scientific community and their dependents outnumbered the local Japanese original colonists. The city quickly became known to Humanity as “Point Verdant”, the name assigned to the Terraneus Diagnostics laboratory in Aoyama, while the parent countries on Earth invested billions to capitalize on the success of their colonial project, to lift the planet into a modern world and reap the public relations benefits of their colony achieving a breakthrough in artificial intelligence.

The rapid expansion of Konyang's industries and cities had overtaxed the limited bureaucracy on the planet to the breaking point, and architects were in short supply. Urban planning on Konyang is estimated to be some of the worst in Alliance space outside of New Hai Phong as a result, with cities such as Point Verdant often having haphazard roads running through them and districts smashed together with no apparent rhyme or reason - a legacy of corporate jockeying for areas of interest, and the municipal corruption that came with it. There are countryside facilities originally utilized for drone research and retrieval that have, in recent years, fallen into disuse and disarray. Such facilities often dot the mountains and foothills of Konyang, slowly being overtaken by nature - sometimes with unfortunate results when these facilities have been improperly stripped of dangerous materials. The environment also suffered in areas where drones were found - jungles were cut or burnt away by corporations in order to get at the precious drones below, prefab buildings were orbitally dropped and erected, and landing zones were cut into the landscape itself.

The stormy tidal waves so infamous for tormenting the early colonists were tamed through the building of sea walls, a comprehensive road network linked the remote villages with the urban centers, and the city of Ganzaodeng was raised from the rocky desert. The Konyanger conglomerate PACHROM would mark the rise of the first native Chaebols, building shipyards, dams, hydroelectric plants and the first space fleet capable of ferrying enormous capacities of water across interstellar systems.
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===The Positronic Integration | 2410s===
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Soon enough, IPCs entered production on the planet, making Konyang one of the first places to embrace the positronic revolution. The limited resources saw higher prices, lessening the availability of domestically produced frames. Furthermore, the still rudimentary waterproofing technologies meant that IPCs could not work for long hours without shelter, ensuring that human jobs would remain safe from automation. When in the rest of Sol IPCs were produced en-masse for labor, Konyanger IPCs were more integrated in white-collar employment and indoors service-related work. Meanwhile, a growing media culture based on animation combined with the Konyanger recycle-friendly attitude, giving newer generations a fresh look on positronic intelligence, one that valued them as people rather than a disposable resource. The lack of widespread automation never brought the anti-synthetic sentiment so common in the rest of Sol, and IPCs in time became a unique cultural phenomenon in the colony’s urban centers.

Solarian laws governing the relations between IPCs and mankind were nominally enforced on Konyang, barring synthetics from gaining their own freedom, a fact which remained a thorn between the more liberal, younger Konyangers and the older generations. Einstein Engines allied with the Solarian governorship to press for the continuing status of Konyang as a colony, preventing elections and thus any liberal political influence from threatening the company’s grip on its synthetic workforce. This however, did not prevent Konyanger society to further integrate IPCs, even if the concept of universal citizenship for all synthetics was still far from publicly accepted. Aoyama was most receptive to the positronics, as a center of research and culture, with IPCs welcomed in people’s houses, treated like family and celebrated in festivals and even religious ceremonies. Suwon sentiment remained ambivalent, though many Solarian officials and naval officers expressed most severe concerns, in many cases pressing for crackdowns and questioning the morals of Konyanger citizens. The denizens of New Hong Kong and Ganzaodeng on the other hand, were most unhappy, with the powerful Chinese factory and shipyard labor unions remaining vocally opposed to IPC rights in the workplace, owing to their ties with the wider Solarian unions.

The profound effects of the emergence of this positronic culture were soon felt across the planet, change being heralded through a wave of demonstrations in mid to late 2412. High school and university students in Aoyama took to the streets to call for synthetic rights, in one of the few instances of pro-IPC disturbances on Solarian soil. In particular, the students called for the immediate emancipation of owned synthetics, marching from the main First Avenue down to the Governor's House and being joined by crowds of people and IPCs alike. The Aoyama Constabulary alongside Terraneus security forces were ordered to put a swift end to the march, resulting in the first major incident since the founding of the colony. Over 400 student injuries were recorded, the crowds responding with rocks and branches to the authorities’ tear gas and water cannons. 247 arrests were made that day, sparking additional outrage in the student movement as the ringleaders were tried as adults and given lengthy prison sentences. Smaller incidents were also noted in Suwon and Boryeong, marking 2412 as a year of upheaval and social change, laying the foundations for full IPC citizenship.
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===Late Colonial Period | 2410s - 2440s===
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As Konyang left behind the troubled ’10s and social peace returned through decrees permitting local city authorities to afford certain permissions for IPCs. This followed the final robotics' boom peak in the 2430s, seeing the planet’s GDP growth reach new levels. The colony’s industrial potential skyrocketed, with hundreds of hydroelectric dams, sea walls and shipyards creating thousands of new jobs in New Hong Kong, the new industrial core of Konyang. Labour relations shifted dramatically, as the new Hephaestus-pioneered industrial chassis enabled IPCs to work in the most difficult of conditions, sidelining and driving off the all powerful Gwongfu labor unions, with human employees forced into the urban centers and Ganzaodeng, contributing to a skyrocketing of the local IPC population in the prefecture.

Suwon saw a significant rise in business activity with the outside world, emboldening private ventures to the neighboring Frontier Alliance, bringing in massive profits from moss and entertainment exports. The animation industry reached new heights, with hundreds of new studios producing pioneering and high quality work, including classics like “One Day in My Life” and “Tomonomimi”, two of the most highly acclaimed works of media in recent Solarian memory. The entertainment sector brought new life to the Konyanger tourism industry as well, with more and more people rediscovering the distant hidden gem tucked deep in the fringes of the Alliance. The Suwon Stock Exchange was listed for the first time in the Chicago Financial Review, Sol’s most coveted investment periodical, as “Upcoming”, leading to billions of credits flowing in the country from abroad.

New chaebol conglomerates emerged, replacing even Einstein products with widely successful “Local, Cheaper and Better” campaigns. While Gwok Foods was making headlines in 2439 as the most successful Konyanger “IPC-inspired” exporter by yearly gross tonnage, the Ayame Motor Corporation created the first “completely Konyanger” 2-seat automobile designed for the cramped roads of Suwon and Point Verdant, becoming an instant hit. The Boryeong based Mujigae Publishing brought comics back into the youth’s hands, and Konymation had expanded to control cinemas, movie production studios, theme parks and restaurant chains in its ever expanding media empire.
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===Independence and Present Day | 2462 - Present===
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The Mars Violet Dawn catastrophe of 2462 signaled an era of widespread uncertainty and energy insecurity for the entirety of the Sol Alliance, with the Spur-wide phoron crisis exacerbating the situation for the Alliance’s Middle and especially Outer Ring colonies. A Konyanger recession in the late 2450s had already stretched the colonial government thin, with riots over the cost of living and unemployment in New Hong Kong and Suwon making national news for years on end. As the shaken corporations entered discussions on how they would survive the ever increasing phoron costs, it was made clear to everyone that the Alliance could not, and would not fund the refitting of the corporate fleets with the new Suzuki-Zhang Hammer Drive engine, threatening the complete cutoff of Konyang from outer space should the local Bluespace gate fail. Only a few Einstein vessels and the 58th Fleet stationed on the planet remained as the only reliable link between Konyang and the Spur.

The shortage soon hit the domestic market, leading to dangerous price increases for even the most essential of supplies. The average Konyanger saw their purchasing power plummet, as salaries remained stagnant in the face of a decreasing supply. The colonial Governor Hyun Kyung-Ho, turned to the only emergency option left, Earth. It was not the first time that Patriotic Aid was raised in China, Korea and Japan, though this time it proved most underwhelming. As the call for help fell on ears of men that could not even help their own economies, the trophy colony had to be abandoned to its own devices, with many in the East Asian public accusing Konyangers of greed and forgetting them in their apogee of financial success. With this last link to the past cut off, the question and possibility of independence soon started circling.

There was no time for serious debate however, with the Alliance being plunged into rebellion and collapse. On November 12, the 58th Fleet hastily departed Konyang, declaring a state of emergency in the system and abandoning the colonial government to its fate. Only elements of the Solarian Army and the Constabularies remained to maintain order, themselves being composed almost entirely of local Konyanger enlisted. The situation immediately turned into unrest, as public sentiment against the ineptitude of the Alliance boiled over into the streets. Massive student protests saw the storming of public buildings and central plazas in every major town and city, demanding a sharp reduction to the cost of living, IPC emancipation and a barring of the 58th Fleet from returning. Government reaction was mild, limited to the prevention of damages and protection of private property. Hyun Kyung-Ho was otherwise sympathetic to the students’ cause, sparking outrage within groups of Alliance-minded Army officers and Einstein corporate elites, who sought to prevent any secession of Konyang.

Thus, on November 15 2462, elements of the Army garrison under Lieutenant General Jiang Hongbing mobilized against the wishes of the Governor, taking up key positions in Suwon and Point Verdant. The mutinous 8th Sappers infiltrated the historic SUWON beacon telecommunications complex, preparing the country for a silent coup and preventing any long range communications with Sol. Jiang Hongbing, inspired by actions of mutinous admirals, took it upon himself to restore Konyang to the Alliance by marching the Army into the streets. While some of the formations under his command were willing to participate, the vast majority refused to bear arms against the Konyanger Governor or the student movements. In the following day, an internal power struggle saw many officers confined to their quarters, with Army hardliners being arrested, chased off or even assaulted in their own barracks as a loyalist armored brigade blocked access to the Governor’s House, preventing Hongbing’s men from touching Hyun Kyung-Ho.

With the coup’s inglorious end visible, the Governor’s staff were racing into negotiations with diplomatic officers from Coalition of Colonies still in the country for an express accession into the Coalition, following Konyang’s independence. Jiang Hongbing’s associates surrendered, himself fleeing into the thick jungles of Boryeong Prefecture, declaring a patriotic struggle in the Alliance’s name before soon being betrayed and confined at the 58th base’s Brig. On November 24 2462, telecommunications were restored, and Konyanger independence was broadcast to the world. The country’s preliminary accession into the Coalition was soon after announced, turning a new leaf in Konyang’s history. While the news was received with muted reaction from a confused Alliance government with more pressing matters to handle, the secession of Konyang was a huge blow to the three parent countries. After Governor Hyun Kyung-Ho assembled the nation’s intellectuals, economic and political figures, it was decided that he would remain in place as independent Konyang’s first Governor to organize free elections and set up the foundations for a democratic state.

Now, as a free Konyang comes out to the world stage, strong government initiative has seen its large synthetic factories nationalized, rapidly introducing legislation to establish the relationship with Einstein Engines. While they still are the dominating megacorporation on the planet, Einstein has lost most of its heavy industry, though still retaining the important research facilities around the vaults, as well as a good portion of software and positronic brain creation.
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==Location and Environment==

===The Haneunim System===
The Haneunim System, centered around the yellow star it is named for, Haneunim, contains four major celestial bodies, including the planet of Konyang. The whole system bears evidence of ancient mining operations, missing an asteroid belt to separate the inner and outer system with what few rocks remain being mostly picked clean of minerals. The innermost planet is known as Huozhu and remains practically inaccessible due to the scorching heat of Haneunim. Following it is Hwanung , an insignificant dwarf planet believed to have maintained a thin arid atmosphere before most of its mass was artificially stripped away. The third planet in the System is Konyang, accompanied by its lifeless moon of Qixi. Shiranui, a blue gas giant with a ring, is the outermost planet from Haneunim. An asteroid belt, far to the outskirts and composed mostly of ice, forms a ring around the entire system, although this remains largely unexploited by both the Konyanger government and local corporations. It is instead the stomping ground of both refugees fleeing the Sol Wildlands, and the pirates that seek to prey on them.

===Geography===
[[File:Konyang_map_sat.png|A geographic map of Konyang, showcasing the planet's different biomes. |thumb|800px]]
Primarily a tropical world smaller than Earth, Konyang boasts a mean radius of 5,111 kilometers. Freshwater oceans cover upwards of 88% of the planet’s surface. These oceans also grant Konyang its signature green color when viewed from orbit, in no small part thanks to the abundant presence of moss in the planet’s waterways. The planet’s continents are classified by its larger landmasses and island chains, although given the tides, the planet remains studded with small island chains and archipelagos that ebb and flow with the season. Two small ice caps exist on Konyang where the planet experiences a miniscule amount of snowfall and cold climates. The Konyanger terrain is principally mountainous, with large ranges covering vast areas of the planet’s landmasses. The tallest peak belongs to Mount Sansin, the highest mountain standing at a record 13.890 meters above sea level, its base forming an island of its own. Flanking the mountains are usually lush jungles, present in almost every island and continent in varying densities. This means that settlements have to be located in clearings adjacent to the coastline, on terrain with relatively even elevation. The largest and most dense jungle is located in Bukupo, an island in the heart of the Boryeong Prefecture. The largest landmass on the planet is Cheomseongtang, home of the Suwon prefecture and the nation’s capital. Other notable landmasses are the Oshima islands, hosting the largest mountain ranges, as well as the Yu islands, home of the only biome that could be described as a desert. New Hokkaido is the largest northernmost territory, renowned for its biodiversity and frosty tundra due to its proximity to the planet’s pole, as well as a unique lack of jungles. It is administered directly by the Government of Konyang, being the site of many scientific expeditions and military exercises, only boasting a population of a few hundred people.

===Environment===
[[File:Konyang.png|An image of Konyang, displaying mossy oceans and algae-covered water as the face of the planet. |thumb]]
Konyang features a highly atypical environment for a habitable planet: it is entirely freshwater. The surface of the planet is primarily oceans, with estimates placing upwards of 88% of the planet as covered in water. What is not under the sea are the islands of Konyang, where the vast majority of its population lives. These islands follow a general pattern: a small coastal area and a large mountain range ringing the island. The freshwater oceans of Konyang feature a remarkable diverse biosphere, and Konyang underwater flora, such as freshwater moss, is often used in the planet's native dishes and exported offworld, as far afield as Sol and Tau Ceti. Konyang is defined by two seasons: wet, lasting nine months, and dry, lasting three months.

The coastal regions of Konyang represent the smallest regions of its islands, but contain upwards of 90% of the planet's population. Often called the "coastal jungles" of Konyang, these areas are extremely wet - flooding is an issue in many areas, though the bulk of populated and urban areas are protected by extensive flood protection infrastructure, primarily lengthy complexes of walls. Coastal areas feature a wealth of plant and animal life, both of which have been put under stress by the rapid expansion of Konyang's cities.

Although Konyang’s coastal waters are often tinted green from moss, even more so than its oceans, harvesting and cleanup efforts along the coasts of the main and important islands have resulted in some sections of the planet appearing blue. These areas are often exploited for settlements and as tourist destinations for their scenic looks, while dedicated seaweed and algae farms dot the planet, providing an income for local villages and traditional producers. The most famous Konyanger food exporter, Go-Go Gwok!, has the largest involvement in the moss and seaweed industry.

The inland mountain ranges of Konyang can be up to several kilometers in height in some areas, with smaller foothills featuring some rare settlements leading up to them. These ranges, which lack valuable minerals completely due to Glorsh-era mining, are the reason for Konyang's jungles - they form an effective rain shadow. Some mountains have what is assumed to be collapsed mines in them, deactivated drones scattered throughout.

A phenomenon unique to the easternmost Yu islands of the Ganzaodeng prefecture, inland deserts are created due to the rain shadow caused by the surrounding mountain ranges. These are the least populated areas of the planet. Extraordinarily dry, little grows or lives in these environments. Rare Zeng-Hu Pharmaceuticals facilities can be found in this area, taking advantage of the isolation and relatively sterile environment that the inland deserts offer.

Lastly, the oceans of Konyang are regularly stormy, the large waves being harnessed for their energy in electricity production at numerous such outposts, scattered throughout the unpopulated islets in the farthest and most secluded areas.

===Flora and Fauna===
Wildlife on Konyang is a peculiar mix of its original environment and the thousands of invasive species introduced by Human colonization. Species introduced in the initial colonization of the planet include huge herbivores and peaceful, if ecologically destructive, wildlife. Additionally, the large oceans are host to an uncountable number of species of fish, crustaceans and aquatic molluscs, with many being unique to their region of origin. Flora on Konyang is among its most famed aspects, spearheaded by the mossy shores and overgrowth which covers the vast majority of its visible terrain. All plant life which survives on Konyang must survive the extremely damp environment, and as such either thrives in the water, or is capable of moving away from it. Konyang's waters are famously covered in green moss and seaweed, giving it its signature color when viewed from orbit.

Some examples of unique flora and fauna are:
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'''Shelfers'''
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In the marsh and lowlands of Konyang's algae coasts resides an invasive species of large omnivores known as '''Shelfers.''' These are gluttonous moss-feasting beasts, with a distinct six-legged and bloated appearance. They are excellent swimmers, owed to webbed joints and a wedge shaped, slick head. From this, it uses a set of large protruding teeth to scrape moss and undersea growths. This creature is endangered, and displayed as a national animal thanks to its unique appearance. Originally a danger to unprepared colonization, these gained a reputation for its tendency to attack colonists.

These were first encountered by colonists who had shipped wildlife to and from Arusha, where escaped subjects managed to reproduce- over the years becoming a cultural icon due to their miraculous beneficial place they have in Konyang's ecosystem.
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'''Konyanger Jeweler Cockatoo'''
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Known for its affinity to decorate its nesting grounds with surface-level pearls and gems of all sorts is an opportunistic carnivore, the '''Jeweler Cockatoo.''' This large avian is an offshoot of the Earth parrot, bred originally to “liven the landscape” of Konyang’s dreary inner mountainous lands. Eventually, with the assistance of high-level genetic modification, they grew to giant proportions whilst maintaining the health and lifestyle of a standard - ''if highly dangerous'' - parrot.

Where small patches of forest and barrens clash, these birds thrive and craft beautiful roosts in the relative safety of open fields. In these fields, diminutive predators avoid the large avian’s glare (or don’t, and are frequently preyed upon.) The Jeweler Cockatoo possesses two sharp talons on one digit of each of its feet, and a short - but unbelievably sharp beak, refined further by its tendency to dig. The wingspan of these birds can grow up to fifteen feet.

The Jeweler Cockatoo is the national bird of Konyang, with many stylized imagery depicting the bird in some shape or form.
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'''Glittering Konyang Moss'''
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Found in vast plains of coastal territories in excess is the overflowing, yet precious resource of '''Konyang moss.''' One of its primary exports, this barely-tapped commodity retains a huge capacity to feed Konyang’s already sturdy ecosystem, and the billions which reside upon it, and more to export. The evolutionary process which grew this mystical, shimmering moss is a mystery, however its luster and fields of green it generates has a wonderful impact on sustaining Konyang’s moist, overgrown and greenery-rich habitat.

Konyang moss is pivotal to its moving industries, and even after the robotics boom, it remains a stable source of incoming development for the since-burgeoning planet. The moss’ nutritional properties have been highly studied in recent decades. Its rapid pace of growth is exclusive to Konyang’s ecological circumstances, with everything from subterranean heat, to the algae present in its beautiful green seas factoring in.
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==Economy==
While young, the nation of Konyang boasts a powerful regional economy built upon decades of trade with both the Alliance and various Coalition partners. A developed country, Konyang manages to surpass its near total lack of ore with robust exports of foodstuff and energy, a strong shipping industry and a powerful robotics sector.

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===Raw Materials===
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[[File:Konyang dam.png|thumb|Dams and sea walls are a common sight on Konyang, used to protect cities and population centres from floods and tsunamis, as well as to exploit the violent waves for electricity.]]
Konyang's freshwater oceans were perhaps the largest boon to the starting colonists, and continues to play a substantial role behind the planet's exports. Fishing provides for a large aspect of the domestic economy, with millions of fishing boats and trawlers scouring the shores and oceans for all kinds of fish, crustaceans and other aquatic creatures, of which a complete list doesn't exist. Such is the biodiversity in Konyang's waters, that each region has its own fish markets which serve clients all over the planet and the Spur. Besides fishing, Konyang's biggest aquatic produce in terms of volume belongs to its enormous seaweed and moss harvesting industries. Entire ships are purpose-built for collecting wild greenery which floats on the high seas and the bays of Konyang, bringing in billions in offworld exports and domestic sales. The harvesting of moss is not exclusive to the sea and the aquatic farms either, as many edible varieties are collected inland, both in the planet's jungles and mountain ranges. Konyanger moss is Spur-renowned thanks to powerful marketing campaigns and the spread of the planet's cuisine.

With tremendously stormy wet seasons lasting most of the year, it is no surprise that Konyanger corporations have attempted and managed to harness the energy of the wind, waves and waters of the planet. Electricity is generated through a network of dams, hydroelectric plants, wave power stations and tidal power stations, all dotted across the vast shores and oceans of Konyang. The electricity produced is then either stored in super capacitors, or is directly wired inland through thick underwater cables, catering to the needs of virtually every power grid on the globe. Much of it is also transported on board space freighters lined with rows of large batteries, ready to make the journey to Alliance and Coalition worlds as part of the lucrative electricity export industry.

Lastly, Konyang excells in the export of water and timber. The continent-spanning untouched jungles provide an excellent source of wood for foreign markets as well as domestic construction, of which there is very heavy use in lieu of metal structures. The freshwater is also extremely easy to chemically filter, skipping any desalination process before being bottled or shipped as-is on board of one of many of Konyang's water barges; large hollow space vessels with tankers and pools for water storage.
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===Maritime Shipping===
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Surface shipping is another one of the main forces behind Konyang's domestic market economy, and an inseparable part of the nation's maritime culture. The docks and shipyards of New Hong Kong are the beating heart of the sector, which provides employment to more than 20% of the entire planet's population. Entire towns were formed and dedicated to housing the laborers and their families close to the coast, and many islands subsist entirely off of seamen's salaries and work at nearby electricity stations. Surface shipping, while slower, is a lot more economical for planetary moving of goods across the continents and islands of Konyang, being preferred to airlifting or orbital shuttling. Aside from the creation of jobs and the transportation of goods, Konyang's shipping industry produces excellent sailors who can rival those of planets such as Europa, many of whom eventually transition to space.
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===Robotics and Services===
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Ever since the robotics boom, Konyang has become a major player in the export and development of IPCs and everything surrounding them. Each year, the most cutting edge technologies catered to the improvement of the life of synthetics are released by Konyanger software companies, often to critical acclaim. This is because of the the substantial positronic population, free and eager to spend on such innovations that allow them to experience the world in a more human-like fashion. When it comes to the export of IPCs, Einstein Engines remains the prime manufacturer of chassis and positronic brains, which are shipped abroad without being activated. The practice, while putting Konyang on the map as one of the big regional producers of synthetics, is a hotly contested area between deeply entrenched corporate interests and an increasingly politically aware IPC populace. Non-positronic robotics are a separate, but once significant part of the economy, with Konyang having hoeld high places in the spur leaderboards for the making of robots, mechs, pAIs and automated systems. This sector however, took a major hit as the robotics boom slowly deflated, leaving behind abandoned industrial complexes and derelict factories.

The nation's service sector has to be one of the biggest ones, contributing a sizeable portion of the country's Gross Domestic Product. Many of the companies listed on the Suwon Stock Exchange are everything from financial consultation firms, to insurance agencies, housed in every majpr city's financial district. Skyscrapers and office complexes in downtown Suwon, Point Verdant and New Hong Kong are a daily reminder of the office life millions of Konyangers live, and many parents dream of their child being able to one day find employment in a top law firm or such. While mostly concentrated in the domestic market, many of these companies have expanded their services abroad, building a reputation of Konyanger reliability and impeccable work.
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===Konyanger Corporations===

In terms of the traditional megacorporations, the undoubted hegemon remains Einstein Engines, entrenched in the planet's life since the beginning of Konyang's colonization. The megacorporation owns a number of subsidiaries on the planet in many different sectors, most notably, Terraneus Diagnostics, which regularly bankrolls and invests in government initiatives in exchange for their continuous presence. It retains the original research facilities and control over the vaults, even if IPC production and exports are now handled by the Konyang Robotics Corporation, a public company in which Einstein controls a 49% stake. The Terraneus facilities on the planet mainly handle shell research and positronic brain production for export to the Coalition, while they occasionally butt heads with Zeng-Hu Pharmaceuticals in the realm of IPC research. Zeng-Hu has the second-largest megacorporate presence, mainly in biosphere research and sales of pharmaceuticals. Despite this, local conglomerates generally dominate the country’s financial sector, commanding the government’s cooperation and good graces in order to keep a stable economy. Upon achieving independence, Konyang has managed to maintain a strong presence of homegrown corporations in the fields of agriculture, media, energy and consumer goods.

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'''PACHROM'''
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A chemical and engineering corporation, PACHROM builds, maintains and manages eighty percent of all private dams, hydroelectric plants and seawalls on Konyang, as well as engaging in the field of chemicals and plastics production. Headed by Park Moon-soo, the business mogul is vying for influence with the government as indispensable to the nation’s energy output and defence against floods and natural disasters, making the “Pachrom Parks” one of the richest and most powerful business dynasties on the planet. Headquartered in central Suwon, the bulk of PACHROM’s operations are located in diasporic, uninhabited islands in the middle of the world’s oceans, where hundreds of organic and synthetic workmen toil daily to run the water powered electricity plants in extremely dangerous conditions.

The company’s notorious reputation for neglecting the safety of its employees and the environmental disregard for waste disposal from its plastics factories has been a big stain the Parks have struggled to wash off. While their ties to both the Alliance administration and the Konyang government have proven instrumental in their ability to dodge damning legal action, demonstrations of public outcry are a common feature in and around the street opposite the PACHROM office complex. To counter this, public relations campaigns are a constant focus, with tens of millions being spent in portraying them in a positive light. Charities are a large part of the Park family’s social presence, sponsoring public works and offering scholarships mainly in the Boryeong and New Hong Kong prefectures, where the majority of employees originate.

Often finding itself without funds from Unity Station, the colonial administration would commission PACHROM in the form of lucrative contracts for the construction of dams and power stations, allowing the utilisation of synthetics and IPC for the dangerous labour required. Due to society’s favourable opinion towards positronic intelligence, the multitude of cases of IPC fatalities would be swept under the rug with government assistance, creating a culture of tolerance towards lacklustre safety features and general disregard. Today, PACHROM’s future remains uncertain as the newly independent state of Konyang wishes tends to distance itself from its shaky past, a fact indicated by the recent awarding of the Kaneyama nuclear plant to the public company GON-ENE.
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'''Gwok Group'''
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Founded in the early 2410s with the name Hyeonsang Foods, the precursor to today’s multinational food conglomerate was the first attempt at commercialising Konyang’s seaweed and moss both for export and internal consumption. Initially finding limited success due to an overly competitive local market and foreign consumers' reluctance to the Konyanger novelty, the company's defining moment arrived during the robotics boom, launching them from mediocrity into the billion credit business stage.

As Einstein Engines staff poured into Point Verdant, Hyeonsang secured a contract from the megacorporation's local branch for providing meals and miscellaneous catering to workers and research staff. The once alienated Einstein employees would soon come around, praising the brand for its flavourful seasoning and convenience, eventually spreading the word to Einstein facilities and back home. By the late 40s, Hyeonsang was on the track of significant financial success, having secured a large foothold in the foreign dominated central districts of Point Verdant.

Rebranding into the more consumer friendly “Gwok” name in 2452, the company’s reputation abroad led to the opening of regional branches in the Solarian middle and core worlds, generating an increasingly massive amount of income, used for an aggressive takeover of the local Konyanger market. By buying off competitors, monopolising the moss and seaweed industry and introducing new marketing, Gwok’s domestic success was soon guaranteed as the primary supplier of supermarkets. In 2454 the IPC Gwok-0783, until then a senior executive and the face of the company as the main influencer of the rebrand, assumed direct control as CEO of the conglomerate thus becoming the first IPC in charge of a billion credit corporation in Sol space. The following years would see the consolidation of all affiliated assets and filial companies under an umbrella Gwok Group, topping the charts and establishing a farming, food and restaurant chain empire.
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'''Konymation'''
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Konymation represents the peak of the Konyanger animated media scene, being by far the most successful and most well known studio in the country, with a Spur-wide fame. It arose in the early days of the robotics boom, creating a resurgency of animations for both children and adults. While the industry was almost non-existent and cheap Solarian cartoons were the norm, a group of inspired artists came together to animate and direct the first feature-length production from Konyang, using native voice actors and a brand new artstyle of their own. The result was "One Day in my Life", a slice of life film following the daily routine of an IPC secretary in a human-dominated world, becoming an instant hit with both domestic and foreign audiences. Since then, Konymation rose to become the largest studio of quality animations, creating films and series for all ages and of all genres. Such was the success, that any animated pieces from Konyang have passed into the public consciousness simply as "Konymations", referred to as such in both the planet and abroad. Since their foundation, the studio has developed into a media conglomerate, buying out holoscreen channels, online platforms, news networks and more.
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'''Mujigae Publishing'''
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The biggest publishing house, Mujigae is to the comic book industry what Konymation is to animation. Having created thousands of interesting and touching comic series, Mujigae is credited with bringing paper back into the hands of millions of Konyangers, in an age where digital platforms have become the default for nearly everything in life. Many of Mujigae's works find great demand abroad as well as at home, with the company being known for their efforts to constantly seek out and recruit new artists with fresh ideas. A plethora of published series often find themselves being adapted into the holoscreen in lucrative partnerships with Konymation, as well as the other way around. Additionally, Mujigae's philanthropic work cannot go unmentioned; millions of credits have found their way to various charities on Konyang, primarily those regarding the children, the money drawn from art festivals and comicons that are hosted annually, often with the participation of the Ministry of Culture.
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'''Konyang Robotics Corporation'''
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The Konyang Robotics Corporation, or KRC as is more commonly known, is the country's largest government-controlled company centered around the manufacture, maintenance and welfare of the nation's positronic population. Borrowing heavily from Einstein know-how and infrastructure, it originated from the nationalization of Einstein and Terraneus IPC factories, with the majority of their employees swapping over to a government payroll. Einstein Engines controls 49% of the shares of the company, lending it tremendous behind-the-scenes influence on Konyang's synthetic population.

The primary function of the KRC is the production, storage and activation of IPC citizens. A very politically and socially sensitive topic, great care is placed by the government through the Ministry of Health and Positronic Affairs to meticulously calculate and order the amount of yearly activations, so as to maintain the Human-IPC ratio and meet the demands of the job market. To that effect, the KRC also acts as a sort of "school" for the newly activated IPC citizens, with special orientation camps where synthetics are taught about Konyanger society before released to the world.

Furthermore, the KRC acts as the primary health provider for Konyanger IPCs, with clinics and hospitals situated in every town and city, as well as strategically placed in certain villages in the countryside. Thousands of roboticists, engineers and software technicians are employed by the KRC to act as the equivalents of surgeons, physicians, nurses and paramedics for the IPC population, who are afforded universal healthcare through the KRC. Appointment times are dependent on location and the capacity of the clinic or hospital, with many in more remote areas having to wait months for limb replacements and other, more heavy duty needs that cannot be met by their local KRC center.
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'''GON-ENE'''
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GON-ENE is a newly formed, state-controlled energy utilities company, created following the announcement of the Kaneyama Nuclear Power Plant. Perceived as a direct competitor to PACHROM, GON-ENE has been planned to expand into hydroelectric and wave power, giving the government a greater control of the nation's power grid and cutting back reliance on privately-owned sector, though complete autarky is off the table for at least many decades.
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==Government==
''Main Article: [[Konyanger Government and Politics#Government|Konyanger Government]]''

Konyang is organized as a unitary semi-parliamentary republic headed by a President, the former colonial governor Hyun Kyung-Ho being elected to the position after independence. The Prime Minister is elected by the citizenry every four years, and is the leader of the governing party in the Parliament of Konyang. The current Prime Minister is Myeong Myung-Dae.

Planetary politics are found on both a national and prefectural level, with every party running in local and national elections. Polarization is fairly limited, the vast majority of Konyangers rejecting the extreme views put forward by radical political movements in the country that tend to be marginalized. IPC politicians do exist and are found in every major party, though most can be seen sitting with the National Party of Konyang.

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===Military===
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[[File:Marine.png|thumb|right|An IPC Konyanger Naval Infantryman in full gear.]]
Konyang’s military, also known as the Konyang Armed Forces, was first formed shortly after the colony’s independence from personnel of the former Solarian garrison. As a result, it carries a lot of the traditions of the Solarian Armed Forces. Bolstered by conscription laws requiring both organic and synthetic citizens one year of mandatory service, the KAF possesses Army, Navy and Aerospace branches. IPCs are actively recruited and accepted into the military, forming both their own and deployed in mixed units. This segregation is justified by the government as based solely on the differentiating capabilities, logistical needs and skills between man and machine.

That claim does hold true to an extent, with IPCs taking a more active role in special forces formations, dealing with operations requiring levels of precision and focus that artificial intelligence can easily provide. A famous example is the army’s Mechatronic Corps, an elite unit utilising large, leftover battle mechs retrofitted for a pair of pilots. Such a force is unique in the Coalition, and is often used abroad in operations under broader CoC military command. Mixed infantry units of conscripts do exist, fielded in jungle patrol tasks or assigned garrison duty.

Notably for a 25th century military, the Navy maintains a very large aquatic force which it uses to patrol the vast oceans of the planet. Regularly described as more of a coast guard than a military arm, it is more geared for domestic policing than combat, consisting mostly of ships acting as launching points for many smaller, coast guard type vessels that patrol the vast expanse of the planet’s waterways and launch military aircraft. Nevertheless, it provides important services with its multiple telecommunication, radar and island outposts, providing crucial meteorological information for everyday seafaring and flood prevention on a planet where storms and extreme weather are the norm.

The Konyang Aerospace Forces perform both atmospheric and orbital operations with their doctrine clearly influenced by former Solarian officers within their ranks. Their fleet consist of obsolete vessels donated by Coalition planets, partially brought up to a modern standard by the planet’s technology and manufacturing sector. In 2465, the KASF’s main tasks include protecting the system from pirates and policing the large influx of refugees from the Human Wildlands, regularly pushing them to other planets within the Coalition as per Konyang’s strict migration laws.

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===National Police===
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[[File:Konyanger Police Ranks.png|thumb|In order to organize the National Police and smooth cooperation between prefectures, a unified rank structure was adopted shortly after its formation.]]
Despite its federal nature, the main law enforcement agency on the planet is the National Police, formed after Konyang’s independence from the merging of a number of local and specialised agencies under the then Solarian authority. One major change since then has been the introduction of synthetic officers in all positions and ranks, while also creating special divisions suited best for them. Police gear remains rather antiquated for the era, the force still using old Solarian equipment and stocks from the colonial garrison, meaning that much of the tactics and thinking remain unchanged. Considered tame by Alliance standards, the National Police places an emphasis on preventative policing, building rapport with local communities, and relying on a sense of civic duty from the populace to perform its duties. Despite this, the National Police has nonetheless received criticism for occasional incidents of corruption and brutality, mostly against synthetic citizens. This is more common in remote departments and conservative prefectures, where the sudden inclusiveness of synthetic officers with equal pay and opportunities is seen as a threat. Such incidents aside, government efforts for the modernisation of the National Police are ongoing.

The police is subject to the Ministry of Public Safety in Suwon and is organised at the national level, with local departments answering to the assigned hierarchy in their prefecture. Special divisions are deployed to deal with various policing duties, their size ranging from a whole new branch to Special Robotics detachments specialising in detainment of volatile synthetic suspects. The largest of these subdivisions and arguably the most important, the Coast Guard is the maritime arm of the National Police, operating a fleet of shore and sea patrol vessels in their mission to enforce the law at the huge array of islands and in Konyang’s waters. As the planet is surrounded by oceans, the Coast Guard has proven itself essential to the battle against smuggling and piracy while also assuming search and rescue duties during flooding, tsunamis and other catastrophes. The National Police has also gained Coalition-wide acclaim for its Special Robotics Division - a task force known for its expertise in detaining IPC without causing permanent damage.
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==Culture==
''Main article: [[Konyanger_Culture_and_Demographics|Konyanger Culture]]''

Konyang’s culture has been shaped by its East Asian Earther heritage, unique status as a colony with little to no resources, and as the birthplace of positronics. Konyanger society is often described as closed-off, with many unspoken social norms that vary from prefecture to prefecture. Key social norms that are shared in Konyang’s culture are Harmony, Reciprocity, and Face. Often derided as “meekness”, Harmony refers to enforcing unity and conformity within society. The specific manifestations vary from prefecture to prefecture, but in general, individuals who disrupt a sense of peace can face social ostracization. For instance, explicit disagreement such as using the word “no” is considered impolite, and a non-answer is often far more acceptable. Harmony also refers to a person’s social role; respect should be shown to people of a higher status, usually along traditional lines such as age, profession, and experience.

===Cuisine===
The primary diet of Konyangers consists of moss, seaweed and fish, with farms and pastures on land being rare due to the thick jungle. Konyang's moss is either harvested in the wild, grown in "natural" hydrofarms, or grown synthetically in bioplants. The moss itself is said to change its taste depending on the environment in which it is grown, and natural moss from the coasts around Konyang's islands is highly prized. Exports of moss and seaweed are a very lucrative business, held primarily by the galaxy-famous Go-Go Gwok! brand. Many workers, however, must make do with hydrofarm moss at best, and synthetic substitutes at worst. Konyang's fish - quite diverse, due to its freshwater environments - are also often consumed on the planet, with many being exported as luxury food as far afield as Venus and Tau Ceti. More conventional but water-intensive crops such as rice and other tropical fruits are also grown to a certain extent but are considered a rarity.

The planet is also home to a thriving beverages industry, with local varieties of algae providing the basis of a light but thick alcoholic drink colloquially known as “Nong jiu” domestically and abroad. The wide selection of produce on the planet however means more traditional drinks are produced, typically drawing from their Earther roots and commonly based on rice. Some of these drinks are exported by local businesses such as Go-Go Gwok! while Zeng-Hu has wrestled to control some of these brands in an attempt to stop them from competing with their own lineups.

====Synthetic Cuisine====
Synthetic-unique cuisine is an unusual case in the Spur, but not for Konyang. Here, robots utilize gustatorial implants to - if inefficiently - consume, or at least “taste” food regularly. Indeed, there is an entire market for synthfood where robots can enjoy their own form of taste, texture and uniquely perceptive flavor for foods. Mostly, synthfood is described as a thick slime, one with varying additives for color. Texture is mostly a simulated process within gustatorial implants, given they are not always present on tongues alone - meaning that the actual texture of these synthfoods remains the same gooey substance.

''One can achieve a similar substance to these synthfoods mechanically by grinding certain foods into paste, or utilizing candy machines with your choice of ingredients and output.''

===Media===
''Main article: [[Konyanger_Culture_and_Demographics#Media|Media]]''

Public media in Konyang is a powerful industry, and as broad as it may seem, it is very tightly knit. Aside from galactic-wide reruns and broadcasts of other nation’s shows, little seems to stand out - except the audio broadcast and illustrated artistic avenues. These two are well-refined artistic giants compared to other forms of entertainment on the planet.

A huge portion of the planet’s political views and very “personality” are channeled through its larger studios, where many are found enthused to spread its culture galaxy-wide.

===Organised Crime===

=====Benevolent Guild=====
The Benevolent Guild is a criminal organisation operating primarily within the decrepit, dark shadows of New Hong Kong. Originating as a mutual aid society for low income and forced penal colonists shipped into New Hong Kong by the Alliance government, it developed into a ruthless crime syndicate with strong ties to the local lower class community. From the start, the tightly knit communal and familial ties have played an important role in preserving the gang’s power and shielding them from police action. Only in recent years has any meaningful progress been made, the allocation of governmental resources and the increasingly violent and profit-oriented tactics of the Guild having alienated much of the younger generation, chipping away at the once widely popular support.

Starting with extortion and loan sharking, the Benevolent Guild rapidly expanded into gambling, drugs and violent crime such as kidnapping both in New Hong Kong and in New Kowloon. It is not uncommon for synthetics that find themselves victims of the group’s loan shark tactics to be ‘collected’ as collateral damage and subsequently carted off to whichever corner of the Orion Spur where their new owners await them usually at a far cheaper rate than elsewhere. One of the few institutions on Konyang refusing to admit synthetics owing to a deeply conservative and spiritually esoteric internal ideology, a pragmatist outlook often compels them to deal with and even cooperate with IPC politicians, police and rival gangs. Connections with criminal organisations in the wider Spur have been confirmed to exist, as various crime syndicates in Xanu, New Hai Phong and Luna are known to be in connection with the Benevolent Guild.

=====5-Cheung=====
Emerging as one of the strongest IPC/organic street gangs of Suwon, the 5-Cheung numbers in the thousands of members in the cities of the Suwon and Point Verdant prefectures. The organisation’s origin as a loose collective of delinquents and fringe elements has since developed into a nationwide crime family with a powerful hierarchy fielding biker gangs and thugs to enforce their tight grip on the underworld. With a black repertoire of gambling, extortion, money laundering and narcotics, the 5-Cheung is considered a main rival to the Benevolent Guild of New Hong Kong, the two frequently coming to blows in a series of wars and uneasy truces over control of turf and general competition.

An open secret in the country’s political sphere has the 5-Cheung profit lucratively from corruption in the highest levels of government and police. During the Solarian era, prominent politicians employed protection from the 5-Cheung, soliciting their services in voter swaying, intimidation of opposition members and violent disruption of rallies and demonstrators. This has given the gang a justified reputation for being the political soldiers of ruling dynasties and representing the authorities in the underworld and on the street in exchange for immunity from prosecution. Following Konyang’s independence, the reformed National Police retained a virtually unchanged staff while the nation’s same prominent political families, now unshackled from Alliance oversight, enjoy even more freedom. As such, it is safe to say that 5-Cheung’s entrenched position will continue to remain untouched aside from the occasional drug bust and arrest of low level members.

=====Sea Bandits=====
Although both the previous colonial administration and the nascent Konyanger Armed Forces and Coast Guard have tried to stamp out piracy, the sheer expanse of the planet means that groups of what the authorities call “sea bandits” continue to infest the waters and orbit of Konyang. Ranging from small motor boats launched from fishing villages with nothing more than an antique rifle, to retrofitted probes salvaged from the refugee waves pouring into the system, piracy is one of the most pressing social and security issues faced by the newly formed nation.

Individual pirate groups usually number no greater than twenty people but the Sea Bandits as a whole operate as a wider criminal network inclusive of individuals and crews from all over the planet. By coordinating their activities and intelligence through encrypted sites, the organisation manages to both evade and stay one step ahead of the authorities. Most of their activities take the form of kidnapping, armed robbery of craft and hijacking unescorted seafarers, while admittedly avoiding the busiest and well guarded sealanes and locations. The most audacious raid by the Sea Bandits to date involved the boarding and ransoming of a cruise ship by the use of an unregistered freighter. Although only circumstantial evidence has been uncovered, Golden Deep Zaibatsu have also been accused of working with Sea Bandit groups by launching probes full of narcotics, to be recovered by the pirates.

==Synthetics on Konyang==
As the origin of the integrated positronic chassis now found throughout the Orion Spur, Konyang has always had a quite unique relationship with IPCs, the IPC population constituting a staggering 34% of the total population. While IPCs throughout the Sol Alliance are often looked upon as little more than property, tools, or novelties depending upon their frame those found upon Konyang possessed a notably greater degree of autonomy and freedom before the planet’s secession from the rest of the Alliance, achieving full and unconditional freedom afterwards. Legal ownership of synthetics within the borders of the Republic does not exist, the Emancipation Act constituting one of the first acts passed by Parliament. IPCs can work wherever they like, live however they please within the confines of the law, and partake in politics by voting or being elected. As such, foreigners are repeatedly cautioned to not bring any privately held IPCs with them, for they cannot be forced to return unwillingly.

Ordinary Konyangers, as a result of the planet’s liberal outlook on positronics, possess a more positive view of synthetics than other humans in the Orion Spur - particularly those from the Sol Alliance and its former territories. The majority of people on Konyang view IPCs as amicable colleagues and neighbours, with many friendships between man and machine being established. Closer bonds such as marriage are also legalised and not unheard of, though not without outcries from the more conservative spectrum. Many scholars theorize that this is due to the prevalence of IPCs in daily life on Konyang, seamlessly blending into society, in addition to the pride many citizens have in their planet being the origin of the modern positronic. Konyang’s integration of IPCs stands with some degree of contrast to Biesel’s, with the large synthetic ghetto of District 14 segregating many synthetics from the average citizen of the Republic of Biesel.

With Konyang’s independence, IPCs share full legal equality with all organic citizens of the planet. This concession was given, both as an acknowledgement and acceptance of the fact that synthetics have become part of everyday life in the colony and are generally accepted by its inhabitants. Unlike the Republic of Biesel, IPCs in Konyang seek to assimilate into human society, with IPCs being given the choice to adopt a second, “human name” before receiving citizenship. A human name can range from an entirely new name, to adding a first or last name of any kind to their existing designation.

Many positronics can be found within the economy of Konyang with perhaps the most famous (or infamous) one being Gwok-0783 (now Kim Gwok-0783, under post-independence IPC naming conventions), the owner and operator of her very own food conglomerate in the form of Go-Go Gwok! Authentic Konyanger Moss. As Go-Go Gwok! is technically an interstellar corporation, Gwok-0783 herself relied on a series of legal loopholes centered around Konyang’s former IPC laws to maintain control of the company when Konyang was still in the Sol Alliance. Examples such as Gwok, with her control of an inter-planetary corporation, are fairly rare. However, many positronics have made a successful name for themselves as small business owners and corporate workers on Konyang.
[[File:Konyang vault.png|thumb|A mysterious vault upon Konyang's surface, unearthed and built around with monitoring infrastructure.]]
Due to the system’s bluespace gate, many members of [[Synthetic_Factions#The_Golden_Deep|Golden Deep]] have secured permits to operate, as it allows their vessels to more easily make the journey from the frontier to the more lucrative markets of Tau Ceti and the Jewel Worlds. The money and business brought into the system by these synthetic traders has - arguably - been a major contributor to Konyang’s more liberal laws and regulations regarding IPCs. Konyang, before its independence, was one of the few systems under Solarian control in which IPCs could own and operate a business.

The synthetic population in Konyang is regulated by the government. A set number of positronics are assembled each year under contract at Terraneus Diagnostics facilities in Point Verdant with the prospect of being granted citizenship after a 3 month life orientation period. The determined number is set annually by Parliament, backed up by the yearly census and statistics, with production increasing or decreasing depending on the number of human birth ratios, positronic shutdowns, and other factors. Expenses are met both through government funds and private donations, though debate on the matter is rarely heated as the amount of new brains numbers usually in the hundreds; a tiny fraction of positronics produced and exported in total. IPCs and positronics constructed for the purpose of selling them to a different country, are not covered by such regulations and are not given citizenship.

There are further regulations in robotics construction in Konyang. Any activated positronic brain can qualify under the Emancipation Act. Exceptions to the law exist for manufacturing and research, with Point Verdant in particular activating positronic brains for the sake of testing shells before shipping them off-world. The law has also sparked development in other fields of mechatronics, with Konyang beginning to lead the way in circuit-based robotics.

Despite gains for its IPC citizens, other positronic intelligences have not been so lucky. Although some brains have been repurposed as AI coordinators for cities; with no way to transition to humanoid frames, bound intelligences have been granted freedom, but often take contracts with corporations that result in a return to the old status quo, all for the sake of staving off destruction due to a lack of maintenance.

===Konyanger Augmentation of IPCs===

Augmentation on Konyang is a fascinating subject, where the presence of so many IPCs has brought success in modifying the Positronic body and mind. Famed explorations into the sectors of IPC modification include "sensory evolution," where synthetics' senses being amplified or dulled in extremes according to desire.

Primary among the delves into this evolution of the senses is the New Dawn Augmentation Movement. This is a Konyanger organization based on the improvement of the IPC lifestyle via modifying chassis, funded peculiarly by Terraneus Diagnostics. The movement is oddly organized as a non-profit, going against the corporation’s established modus operandi. This, coupled with the tantalizing opportunity to freely modify an IPC's form with donated funds leads to public skepticism of the augment movement’s motivations.

Still, the true size of the movement to augment and improve Konyang's IPC population is extraordinary in comparison to other stellar nations. Roughly 22% of Konyang IPCs have some form of corporate-funded augmentation to enhance themselves.
[[File:Konyang augment1.png|thumb|A Konyanger design, the Scorpion Lobe is an augment which manipulates the perception of time for synthetics for better or worse.]]
* '''SENSO-EVO/Scorpion Lobe'''
A miraculous creation of Konyang's technological advancement, SENSO-EVO is the term aptly handed to Sensory Evolution's foremost product. This is the Scorpion Lobe, a similarly shaped attachment to the rear of a positronic brain which adjusts the rate at which the synthetic perceives time literally. The implications of this are seen as either a blessing or a curse — sometimes even utilized as a way to reduce problematic behavior in positronics.

These implants are commercialized to protect the integrity of brains which adopt extremely high speed tasks, or extremely tedious and slow ones, with a perception that best suits their given utility.

A double edged sword by nature, these are often removed by free positronic chassis due to their almost torturous nature. Some may find their lives flashing hours into moments, whilst others may find daily grinds to be impossibly long ordeals. Unfortunately, removing these implants is not always a safe procedure, sometimes damaging a brain or rendering the problem worse.

These were first manufactured by Hephaestus Industries on instrumental Konyang research facilities, and later acquired by Einstein Engines personnel in the same month - debates over the design’s origin have been ongoing since 2449.

===Recreational Software===

In the IPC community of Konyang, the culture of acceptance and freedom has always invited the curiosity of synthetics to imitate and follow human pastimes and habits. This in turn included activities such as smoking, synthetic flavours and eventually, recreational drugs. Due to the nature of the positronic, the only way to recreate such sensations is through software targeting and modifying specific programming in the brain. At first, this dangerous commodity was provided by amateur programmers using experimental and highly volatile code known as “overloaders”, leading to often irreparable and lethal damage to an IPC’s systems. The results of the few initial successes, however, proved promising enough for the idea to be seriously considered by upcoming Konyanger tech companies and business-oriented software engineers, leading to the first reliable and somewhat safe overloaders in the mid to late 2450s.

Popular awareness of recreational software became widespread upon its release as a commercial product, Konyang being the first world to introduce a marketable version of it. Usually sold inside a single-use stick drive, their circulation is approved by safety boards and is considered legal for responsible consumption, much like alcohol for organics, relying on the consumer for mitigation and avoidance of repeated use. Legal overloaders today can be found mainly in synthetic-centred retailers found around the major cities, their relatively limited availability and high price setting them as a luxury IPC item. Its effects include a wide range of results, from simulating the sensations of a light buzz to a short bout of excitement and joy, aimed at enhancing the experience at celebrations, parties and get-togethers.

However, where there is demand, there must be supply, and the fact that demand spiked as these new products launched paved the way to a large underground market of cheap, unsafe and highly unpredictable overloaders sold both by dealers and unlicensed street vendors of dubious reputation. An illegal overloader epidemic hitting the cities of Suwon and Boryeong in late 2459, led to intensified police crackdowns and government campaigns against illicit overloaders, labelling them as malware and the IPC equivalent of dangerous drugs. Virtually unrecognisable from a legitimate overloader without the seal, side effects are many times more powerful and addicting, appealing to adventurous synthetics and the financially insecure. From catapulting the positronic into a garbled, incomprehensive reality of simulated emotions to simply heightening the senses, the illegal overloaders’ addictive and dangerous nature leads many synthetics to disrepair, involving behaviour breaking glitches, hardware failures and more, all while guaranteeing a returning clientele.

Reception to recreational software has been mixed, dividing society and politicians on matters of free will, the dangers of overloaded IPC, and the overall ethics of deliberately creating and selling what are essentially drugs. Both synthetics and humans have loudly spoken against it, spawning demonstrations and dividing politicians across party lines. Legislation has already passed, categorising possession and distribution of illicit overdosers as strictly illegal, with heavy punishments for dealers and suppliers. Police and coast guard raids yield millions of unbranded overloaders each year, making highly publicised arrests while sending a message of absolute intolerance towards the malware. Despite this, circulation never ceases and exports to Xanu, Tau Ceti and Sol.

==Population and Major Cities==

[[File:Konyang_map_pol.png|thumb|800px|A map of Konyang showcasing the Prefectures and the New Hokkaido Territory. Click to enlarge.]]

'''Suwon''' is the largest, most populated, and second wealthiest city on Konyang itself and is generally one of the larger cities in the Coalition of Colonies. It functions as both the planetary capital, as well as the capital of Suwon Prefecture, encompassing the entirety of Cheomsongtang. Symbolic of the new government is the Parliament Building, a massive structure of flowing lines and sustainable technology, incorporating pieces of the first colony ship. The Prime Minister's Government House, the President's Crimson House, the Solarian embassy, as well as embassies from various Coalition states are present here as well. Standards of living in wealthiest areas of Suwon are equivalent to and (sometimes) even surpass the living standards of places such as Highland City or Argia sa Mar, demonstrating how wealthy the robotics boom has made some sectors of the planet. A lack of readily-available materials, however, ensures that even the super-rich of Konyang often live in smaller houses than their Colonies planet counterparts. Life outside these wealthy areas is better than life in most cities in Himeo but dramatically worse than in the very wealthy areas, or even the cities of Xanu Prime. Overcrowding is a massive issue for the government of the city, with no obvious solution presenting itself due to how expensive importing new building materials is post-boom. The city is home to most of Konyang's biggest companies and office complexes, as well as the Suwon Stock Exchange, making the city's financial district the economy's beating heart. "Shoebox apartments" are common here, as are Konyang's often egregious traffic issues. The city is fortified with extensive sea walls, flood walls and flood gates to prevent natural disasters during the wet season, tropical storms being fairly common.

[[File:Point verdant.png|thumb|One of Aoyama's many skyscraper blocks, safely located behind a dam.]]

'''Aoyama''', known in the larger Spur as '''Point Verdant''', is the second most-populated city on Konyang, and the industrial heart of its robotics industry. Built along a coastal mountain range from which it draws its namesake, it is by far the wealthiest city on Konyang, and one of the richest cities in the Coalition of Colonies. Due to being home of the Robotics Boom, hosting foreigners and their families that once even surpassed the locals inside the city, Aoyama is frequently known outside to outsiders and to the Spur at large as Point Verdant, much to the chagrin of the locals. Aoyama is home to the renowned Point Verdant Terraneus Institute of AI Research, and is the poster child for the rapid development of Konyang's cities during the Boom. The city is extremely wealthy, but suffers from persistent overcrowding and traffic issues in all of its districts. The Pusan District, near PVTI, had the reputation of possessing the worst traffic in the Alliance according to its residents. Air quality in Aoyama is regarded as subpar, due to the amount of robotics factories in the city's outskirts, which have however slowly but steadily declined since. Being the focal point of the Robotics Boom, it is home to a large number of expatriate communities and Einstein Engines employees.

'''Boryeong''', named after a city on historical Earth where some of its colonists originated from, is the third most populated city on Konyang and capital of the Boryeong Prefecture, referred to as the breadbasket of the nation. The city, while still suffering overcrowding issues, has it to a lesser extent than Point Verdant or Suwon, with the city's outskirts necessitating a need for space due to the vast hydroponics farms and water plants. A second-grade industrial city of much natural beauty, Boryeong is more rustic than its counterparts, with wood playing a much more prominent role in construction; outside the central ring, some of Boryeong's districts are built entirely out of timber. Water bottled or processed in Boryeong is sold throughout the Alliance and Coalition in bulk, and native moss grown in the prefecture is marketed throughout both as a luxury food. Over half of the city's labourers are employed in hydroponics, aquaculture, fishing and food processing, with Gwok Foods being the largest provider of work in the region. Synthetic moss is grown in Zeng-Hu facilities near Boryeong and, despite being regarded as lesser quality than natural moss, is often consumed in poorer areas of Konyang.

'''Ganzaodeng''', named for its dry locale, is located in Konyang's only desert and holds the largest expatriate populations on the planet, being nicknamed, “Little Sol”. Due to its unique geographic setting, it faces remarkably calmer weather than the rest of the planet, with the city being connected to the rest of the island by air and rail that cuts right through the mountains. Ganzaodeng is Konyang's only planned city with origins in the Robotics Boom, when the foundations were laid for a city envisioned by foreigners, for foreigners. Rich Solarians descended upon the planet's seemingly only dry piece of real estate, building a city full of nightlife and eclectic inner-ring pleasures within the distant colony. By the end of the Boom however, the city's famous strips of casinos and luxury hotels still operating in downtown Ganzaodeng became a symbol of a bygone era, as much of the Solarian population elected to depart. The city passed into native Konyanger hands, being expanded into a hub of shipping with the help of the city's remaining big names. Because of the reliably clear weather, Ganzaodeng has developed a sprawling extraplanetary shipping sector, with plans for a spaceport larger than New Hong Kong’s, as well as future schemes for the largest oceangoing port on the planet. Its climate has resulted in the prefectural government engaging in moss filtration efforts to open up the surrounding beaches to tourism. Despite of the Solarian exodus, the city stands in contrast to the rest of Konyang’s relatively conservative social nature, with people from all over the Spur calling it their home and making it by far one of the most multicultural centers on the planet. It’s not uncommon for a person from Ganzaodeng to know two or three languages.

'''New Hong Kong''', the site of the former naval base of the 58th Solarian Fleet, has now developed into a fully fledged city in its own right, being the only prefectural capital with a local synthetic majority. Being regarded as a lot more pedestrian and working-class than Suwon and Point Verdant, New Hong Kong is nonetheless a very important centre of interplanetary trade and commercial activity, hosting the planet’s largest ocean ports and dockyards, being the country's industrial's hotspot and the seat of power generation. Large hydroelectric dams, wave energy converters, dockyards and factories belonging to the PACHROM corporation provide employment for half of the city’s inhabitants, the Prefecture of New Hong Kong generating enough electricity for domestic consumption as well as exports. Employees of the various power companies may also elect to be sent off to one of the many power generation isles scattered throughout the oceans and dedicated solely to that purpose, receiving better pay in exchange for more dangerous conditions away from home. The city itself is considerably more packed than its counterparts, with small cramped apartments being stacked over each other to form vertical mazes of working class blocks. Heavy smog and particles cover up the sky through the entirety of the island during the dry season, giving the prefecture a signature orange-brown tint. This, as well as constant heavy rains and a near permanent gloomy weather during the wet season place it as undesirable for humans. Seat of the National Party, downtown New Hong Kong is described as the centre of planetary IPC politics, being the first to react to, condemning or praising events in Konyang and throughout the galactic stage in regards to the synthetic “race”. New Hong Kong is additionally the birthplace of Konyang's labor unions, with the Socialist Party enjoying strong support from the city's human blue-collar workforce.

[[File:Konyangdam.png|thumb|900px|center|Dams are a very common sight on Konyang, with the New Hong Kong's dam in the neighbouring industrial town of New Kowloon providing only a fraction of the power required by the city, while also playing an important part in flood control and water filtration.]]

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Noble Row: /* Government */

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==Overview==
Originally established in 2305 as a Solarian Alliance Outer Ring planet, Konyang is presently one of the more distant outposts under the Coalition of Colonies after its independence in '''2462'''. Konyang’s capital city Suwon, the largest settlement on the planet, is built upon a natural formation that defines most of Konyang's geography: islands with large interior mountains that feature lush, but soaking wet, coastal jungle regions. Konyang was initially a relatively average Outer Ring settlement intended to export water, before the discovery of mysterious, deactivated drones in 2407 led to a robotics boom occuring on the planet that lasted well into the 2450s. The Konyang of today is a planet renowned for its robotics industry, though some of its initial luster has faded in the years following its boom. Water, however, remains a key industry - the planet has a remarkably low salination level, meaning that essentially all of its water is drinkable. Konyang Solarian Common, or Konyang Common, is the most used language on the planet inside and outside of major population centers. Due to its proximity to the Coalition of Colonies planets, Coalition member planets often import water from Konyang. In major cities and universities, Tradeband can be found being spoken, though it remains rare. Speakers of the language are generally from off-planet, moving to Konyang during its robotics boom. Konyang almost completely lacks valuable minerals due to intensive mining efforts carried out by drones—whose source remains unknown—hundreds of years before it was colonized.

'''Because of the ethnic make-up of Konyang's original settlers and assimilation of immigrants into the native population during the first AI boom, human characters born on Konyang will have names and appearances consistent with the people of China, the Korean Peninsula, and Japanese Islands. Only native Konyangers or Konyang-made IPCs may select the Konyanger accent. This is enforceable by server moderators and admins.'''

[[File:Konyang flag.png| The Konyanger flag was adopted in 2462, having unofficially been used by pro-autonomy circles long before the declaration of independence. The traditional taitju represents peace and harmony as the highest values of the new state, with the color blue representing the waterways the planet is known for and yellow, their aim of prosperity. The white background represents Konyang's purity.
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==History==

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===Conception and Planning | 2200s - 2299===
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When the United Nations proposed and eventually enforced the creation of the Alliance of Sovereign Solarian Nations, China, Korea and Japan were once more forced to band together to compete with the world for influence inside the newly found institution. Rivals such as the European Union, the Soviet Union, the Commonwealth and the United States were first in line to claim hegemonic roles, their space programs forming the core of Solarian colonization of the Inner, Middle and Outer rings over the centuries, populating them with their own peoples and sparking an unofficial race for prestige land grabs, one which the Department of Colonization was more than happy to let unfold, resulting in the extremely fast expansion of Humanity into the Orion Spur. While regional powers such as India and the Mediterranean countries began creating their own colonies on Gadpathur and Assunzione, the East Asian trio were relegated to secondary roles of supplying technology, labor and capital without any actual representation in the stars, a situation problematic for some and resented by many in the “sovereign” governments.

It was thus decided to present a plan to Solarian functionaries for a colony spearheaded by China and supported heavily by Korea and Japan, aimed at restoring the pride of the three “cousin-nations” and their position in the Alliance. Intense negotiations and technical planning amounted to years of disagreements over the name, location and allocation of responsibilities between the partners, as well as the presence of China’s Einstein Engines megacorporation, which offered to finance a great portion of the initial effort. Soon however, the advent of the Second Great Depression and the following Interstellar War in the mid-late 2200’s saw a bankrupt Alliance put a halt to any colonization projects, resulting in the plans being shelved. The war took a great toll on the core Solarian worlds, including Earth and its nations which were called to provide manpower, funds and materiel for the Solarian Navy. Federal China’s economy tanked completely under the pressure, relying on IMF bailouts and stays of payment on the salaries of its public sector, with pensionaries and students being most severely hit, resulting in massive social upheaval which would have long lasting consequences for the country’s financial hegemony in the post-war region.

As peace and relative stability returned, the Alliance found a newly independent, sizable and embittered Coalition of Colonies rival its claims in the Galactic East, calling for the presence of military garrisons and naval stations to protect the border. It was at this time that colonization projects were beginning to reemerge, with the Pacific Pact racing once more to submit a viable plan for a colony that would represent East Asia. A fatigued China could no longer bear the incredible costs it aspired to as the leader of the colonial venture before the war, giving significant leeway to the other two partners and largely retreating behind its megacorporation, Einstein Engines, which was still willing to back the endeavor. An aggressive Korean delegation largely dictated terms, giving birth to the “Konyang Project”, named after the Konyang University in which the colonial undertaking was revealed and presented to the public in 2299.
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===Early Colonial Period | 2304 - 2400s===
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The plan envisioned five convoys for the establishment of four primary settlements on a strategically placed planet selected by the Solarian Navy for the support of local naval operations against any threats from the Frontier Alliance. The targeted planet was revealed to be a lush world first discovered in 2278 by a long-range scouting probe, dominated by water and possessing a breathable atmosphere, placing it in a prime position to sustain Human civilization. The quickly named “Haneunim” solar system possessed a few more bodies of secondary importance, and the first convoy was scheduled to launch on the 10th of March 2304, from the Wenchang spaceport in South China, to meet the long-distance freighters in orbit of Luna that would carry the first 5,000 colonists to Konyang. The ethnic mix-up of the colonists were equally distributed amongst the three nationalities, with all being volunteers and 646 of them under the employ of Einstein Engines.

It took the warp-propelled convoy one year to reach its destination, traversing light years of Solarian vastness before meeting the Navy squadron which would escort them to the planet, with touchdown being made on September 8th, 2305. Konyang was covered in jungles and great mountain ranges, requiring great labor from the men and women of the expedition to create the first settlement, under the direction of officers from the Department of Colonization. Two months later, Unity Station would receive the first signal passed along by the Navy, originating from beacon Number 22890/223, Designation ‘SUWON’. The foundations had been laid. In the following decades, all five convoys would come to form the basis of the “Konyang Territory”, a colony directly controlled by the Alliance and the Solarian Navy as the base of the 58th Fleet. Boosted by its status as a naval base, the abundance of freshwater and with the backing of Einstein, all three cities were realized; Suwon and Boryeong, New Hong Kong, and Aoyama, each at the start holding ethnic majorities of Koreans, Chinese and Japanese respectively.
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===The Robotics Boom | 2407 - 2430s===
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Despite the acceptable climate and near unlimited freshwater, the colonial government soon realized an alarming lack of mineral resources, forcing a complete reliance on external trade and supplies from the Navy for any and all industrial goods and even basic construction materials, a reality which had to be corrected as fast as possible. A planet-wide scanning expedition was organized, while “patriotic aid” was fervently being fundraised in China, Japan and Korea for nearly a whole century to cope with the colonists' increasing demands. This led to a landmark moment in the history of Konyang, when on the 21st of April 2404, mining teams dug into a collapsed tunnel outside the vicinity of Aoyama, discovering a defunct mining drone, crushed by tonnes of rock and soil. The chassis appeared broken and old, though its very presence implied the exploitation of the planet by a different civilization.

The device was hurried back in secrecy to a panel of dumbfounded colonial officials, who deemed that their corporate partners would be more suited in tracking down its origin. As such, after a quick formality bid behind closed doors, the Alliance sold off its odd piece of government property to Einstein Engines whose scientists saw it as a curious case worth pursuing. Month after month, the Terraneus Diagnostics laboratory in Aoyama kept receiving bits and pieces from similar drones recovered from abandoned, centuries-old mineshafts, culminating in the 2406 discovery of a sealed vault containing a great number of intact mining drones. The severity of this discovery was immediately apparent to the scientists. Words were had with the governor of Konyang by the local Einstein Engines representative, and it was decided to keep the drones a very closely-guarded secret - with only select Terraneus and government officials even being aware of their existence at all, let alone what was being done with them.

The Terraneus research team worked feverishly, though in secret, for months upon months. Staff were quietly shipped in from offworld in order to not alert outside observers, and the team continued to work upwards of eighty hour weeks in order to crack the drones. In mid-2407, they achieved one of the most remarkable breakthroughs in recent scientific memory by cracking the AI algorithms of the drones. Information of this moved rapidly from the local Einstein Engines office up the corporate chain and moved equally rapidly up the government's chain from provincial office to Sol itself. The information spread like wildfire, and humanity now had the secret of AI despite not truly knowing from where or who these machines came from. This was little more than a footnote to the Nralakk Federation - to them, these AI were crude and hardly approached the machines that had driven their civilization to ruin.

The robotics boom of Konyang caused a variety of benefits and harms to the previously marginal outer ring planet. The economy ballooned massively, as did its standard of living and industries. Konyang moved from a rural backwater that exported food and water to a high-tech planet that still exported basic goods, but primarily focused upon robotics. Megacorporations flocked to the planet: Einstein Engines, already present through Terraneus, rapidly secured dominance over the planet; Hephaestus Industries struggled with Einstein dominated competition before selling its factories over to local government control in 2427; and Zeng-Hu Pharmaceuticals, despite its skrell benefactors, purchased rights to examine the planet's biosphere from Einstein. The fact that their prosthetic limbs were originally designed on this planet has been stated to be a "happy coincidence" by its board. Due to the mass arrival of corporations, jobs were readily available - the planet was booming.

A massive migration wave of Einstein employees and their families to Aoyama made the city wrangle the spot of first in importance from the nominal capital of Suwon, to the point where the expatriate scientific community and their dependents outnumbered the local Japanese original colonists. The city quickly became known to Humanity as “Point Verdant”, the name assigned to the Terraneus Diagnostics laboratory in Aoyama, while the parent countries on Earth invested billions to capitalize on the success of their colonial project, to lift the planet into a modern world and reap the public relations benefits of their colony achieving a breakthrough in artificial intelligence.

The rapid expansion of Konyang's industries and cities had overtaxed the limited bureaucracy on the planet to the breaking point, and architects were in short supply. Urban planning on Konyang is estimated to be some of the worst in Alliance space outside of New Hai Phong as a result, with cities such as Point Verdant often having haphazard roads running through them and districts smashed together with no apparent rhyme or reason - a legacy of corporate jockeying for areas of interest, and the municipal corruption that came with it. There are countryside facilities originally utilized for drone research and retrieval that have, in recent years, fallen into disuse and disarray. Such facilities often dot the mountains and foothills of Konyang, slowly being overtaken by nature - sometimes with unfortunate results when these facilities have been improperly stripped of dangerous materials. The environment also suffered in areas where drones were found - jungles were cut or burnt away by corporations in order to get at the precious drones below, prefab buildings were orbitally dropped and erected, and landing zones were cut into the landscape itself.

The stormy tidal waves so infamous for tormenting the early colonists were tamed through the building of sea walls, a comprehensive road network linked the remote villages with the urban centers, and the city of Ganzaodeng was raised from the rocky desert. The Konyanger conglomerate PACHROM would mark the rise of the first native Chaebols, building shipyards, dams, hydroelectric plants and the first space fleet capable of ferrying enormous capacities of water across interstellar systems.
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===The Positronic Integration | 2410s===
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Soon enough, IPCs entered production on the planet, making Konyang one of the first places to embrace the positronic revolution. The limited resources saw higher prices, lessening the availability of domestically produced frames. Furthermore, the still rudimentary waterproofing technologies meant that IPCs could not work for long hours without shelter, ensuring that human jobs would remain safe from automation. When in the rest of Sol IPCs were produced en-masse for labor, Konyanger IPCs were more integrated in white-collar employment and indoors service-related work. Meanwhile, a growing media culture based on animation combined with the Konyanger recycle-friendly attitude, giving newer generations a fresh look on positronic intelligence, one that valued them as people rather than a disposable resource. The lack of widespread automation never brought the anti-synthetic sentiment so common in the rest of Sol, and IPCs in time became a unique cultural phenomenon in the colony’s urban centers.

Solarian laws governing the relations between IPCs and mankind were nominally enforced on Konyang, barring synthetics from gaining their own freedom, a fact which remained a thorn between the more liberal, younger Konyangers and the older generations. Einstein Engines allied with the Solarian governorship to press for the continuing status of Konyang as a colony, preventing elections and thus any liberal political influence from threatening the company’s grip on its synthetic workforce. This however, did not prevent Konyanger society to further integrate IPCs, even if the concept of universal citizenship for all synthetics was still far from publicly accepted. Aoyama was most receptive to the positronics, as a center of research and culture, with IPCs welcomed in people’s houses, treated like family and celebrated in festivals and even religious ceremonies. Suwon sentiment remained ambivalent, though many Solarian officials and naval officers expressed most severe concerns, in many cases pressing for crackdowns and questioning the morals of Konyanger citizens. The denizens of New Hong Kong and Ganzaodeng on the other hand, were most unhappy, with the powerful Chinese factory and shipyard labor unions remaining vocally opposed to IPC rights in the workplace, owing to their ties with the wider Solarian unions.

The profound effects of the emergence of this positronic culture were soon felt across the planet, change being heralded through a wave of demonstrations in mid to late 2412. High school and university students in Aoyama took to the streets to call for synthetic rights, in one of the few instances of pro-IPC disturbances on Solarian soil. In particular, the students called for the immediate emancipation of owned synthetics, marching from the main First Avenue down to the Governor's House and being joined by crowds of people and IPCs alike. The Aoyama Constabulary alongside Terraneus security forces were ordered to put a swift end to the march, resulting in the first major incident since the founding of the colony. Over 400 student injuries were recorded, the crowds responding with rocks and branches to the authorities’ tear gas and water cannons. 247 arrests were made that day, sparking additional outrage in the student movement as the ringleaders were tried as adults and given lengthy prison sentences. Smaller incidents were also noted in Suwon and Boryeong, marking 2412 as a year of upheaval and social change, laying the foundations for full IPC citizenship.
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===Late Colonial Period | 2410s - 2440s===
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As Konyang left behind the troubled ’10s and social peace returned through decrees permitting local city authorities to afford certain permissions for IPCs. This followed the final robotics' boom peak in the 2430s, seeing the planet’s GDP growth reach new levels. The colony’s industrial potential skyrocketed, with hundreds of hydroelectric dams, sea walls and shipyards creating thousands of new jobs in New Hong Kong, the new industrial core of Konyang. Labour relations shifted dramatically, as the new Hephaestus-pioneered industrial chassis enabled IPCs to work in the most difficult of conditions, sidelining and driving off the all powerful Gwongfu labor unions, with human employees forced into the urban centers and Ganzaodeng, contributing to a skyrocketing of the local IPC population in the prefecture.

Suwon saw a significant rise in business activity with the outside world, emboldening private ventures to the neighboring Frontier Alliance, bringing in massive profits from moss and entertainment exports. The animation industry reached new heights, with hundreds of new studios producing pioneering and high quality work, including classics like “One Day in My Life” and “Tomonomimi”, two of the most highly acclaimed works of media in recent Solarian memory. The entertainment sector brought new life to the Konyanger tourism industry as well, with more and more people rediscovering the distant hidden gem tucked deep in the fringes of the Alliance. The Suwon Stock Exchange was listed for the first time in the Chicago Financial Review, Sol’s most coveted investment periodical, as “Upcoming”, leading to billions of credits flowing in the country from abroad.

New chaebol conglomerates emerged, replacing even Einstein products with widely successful “Local, Cheaper and Better” campaigns. While Gwok Foods was making headlines in 2439 as the most successful Konyanger “IPC-inspired” exporter by yearly gross tonnage, the Ayame Motor Corporation created the first “completely Konyanger” 2-seat automobile designed for the cramped roads of Suwon and Point Verdant, becoming an instant hit. The Boryeong based Mujigae Publishing brought comics back into the youth’s hands, and Konymation had expanded to control cinemas, movie production studios, theme parks and restaurant chains in its ever expanding media empire.
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===Independence and Present Day | 2462 - Present===
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The Mars Violet Dawn catastrophe of 2462 signaled an era of widespread uncertainty and energy insecurity for the entirety of the Sol Alliance, with the Spur-wide phoron crisis exacerbating the situation for the Alliance’s Middle and especially Outer Ring colonies. A Konyanger recession in the late 2450s had already stretched the colonial government thin, with riots over the cost of living and unemployment in New Hong Kong and Suwon making national news for years on end. As the shaken corporations entered discussions on how they would survive the ever increasing phoron costs, it was made clear to everyone that the Alliance could not, and would not fund the refitting of the corporate fleets with the new Suzuki-Zhang Hammer Drive engine, threatening the complete cutoff of Konyang from outer space should the local Bluespace gate fail. Only a few Einstein vessels and the 58th Fleet stationed on the planet remained as the only reliable link between Konyang and the Spur.

The shortage soon hit the domestic market, leading to dangerous price increases for even the most essential of supplies. The average Konyanger saw their purchasing power plummet, as salaries remained stagnant in the face of a decreasing supply. The colonial Governor Hyun Kyung-Ho, turned to the only emergency option left, Earth. It was not the first time that Patriotic Aid was raised in China, Korea and Japan, though this time it proved most underwhelming. As the call for help fell on ears of men that could not even help their own economies, the trophy colony had to be abandoned to its own devices, with many in the East Asian public accusing Konyangers of greed and forgetting them in their apogee of financial success. With this last link to the past cut off, the question and possibility of independence soon started circling.

There was no time for serious debate however, with the Alliance being plunged into rebellion and collapse. On November 12, the 58th Fleet hastily departed Konyang, declaring a state of emergency in the system and abandoning the colonial government to its fate. Only elements of the Solarian Army and the Constabularies remained to maintain order, themselves being composed almost entirely of local Konyanger enlisted. The situation immediately turned into unrest, as public sentiment against the ineptitude of the Alliance boiled over into the streets. Massive student protests saw the storming of public buildings and central plazas in every major town and city, demanding a sharp reduction to the cost of living, IPC emancipation and a barring of the 58th Fleet from returning. Government reaction was mild, limited to the prevention of damages and protection of private property. Hyun Kyung-Ho was otherwise sympathetic to the students’ cause, sparking outrage within groups of Alliance-minded Army officers and Einstein corporate elites, who sought to prevent any secession of Konyang.

Thus, on November 15 2462, elements of the Army garrison under Lieutenant General Jiang Hongbing mobilized against the wishes of the Governor, taking up key positions in Suwon and Point Verdant. The mutinous 8th Sappers infiltrated the historic SUWON beacon telecommunications complex, preparing the country for a silent coup and preventing any long range communications with Sol. Jiang Hongbing, inspired by actions of mutinous admirals, took it upon himself to restore Konyang to the Alliance by marching the Army into the streets. While some of the formations under his command were willing to participate, the vast majority refused to bear arms against the Konyanger Governor or the student movements. In the following day, an internal power struggle saw many officers confined to their quarters, with Army hardliners being arrested, chased off or even assaulted in their own barracks as a loyalist armored brigade blocked access to the Governor’s House, preventing Hongbing’s men from touching Hyun Kyung-Ho.

With the coup’s inglorious end visible, the Governor’s staff were racing into negotiations with diplomatic officers from Coalition of Colonies still in the country for an express accession into the Coalition, following Konyang’s independence. Jiang Hongbing’s associates surrendered, himself fleeing into the thick jungles of Boryeong Prefecture, declaring a patriotic struggle in the Alliance’s name before soon being betrayed and confined at the 58th base’s Brig. On November 24 2462, telecommunications were restored, and Konyanger independence was broadcast to the world. The country’s preliminary accession into the Coalition was soon after announced, turning a new leaf in Konyang’s history. While the news was received with muted reaction from a confused Alliance government with more pressing matters to handle, the secession of Konyang was a huge blow to the three parent countries. After Governor Hyun Kyung-Ho assembled the nation’s intellectuals, economic and political figures, it was decided that he would remain in place as independent Konyang’s first Governor to organize free elections and set up the foundations for a democratic state.

Now, as a free Konyang comes out to the world stage, strong government initiative has seen its large synthetic factories nationalized, rapidly introducing legislation to establish the relationship with Einstein Engines. While they still are the dominating megacorporation on the planet, Einstein has lost most of its heavy industry, though still retaining the important research facilities around the vaults, as well as a good portion of software and positronic brain creation.
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==Location and Environment==

===The Haneunim System===
The Haneunim System, centered around the yellow star it is named for, Haneunim, contains four major celestial bodies, including the planet of Konyang. The whole system bears evidence of ancient mining operations, missing an asteroid belt to separate the inner and outer system with what few rocks remain being mostly picked clean of minerals. The innermost planet is known as Huozhu and remains practically inaccessible due to the scorching heat of Haneunim. Following it is Hwanung , an insignificant dwarf planet believed to have maintained a thin arid atmosphere before most of its mass was artificially stripped away. The third planet in the System is Konyang, accompanied by its lifeless moon of Qixi. Shiranui, a blue gas giant with a ring, is the outermost planet from Haneunim. An asteroid belt, far to the outskirts and composed mostly of ice, forms a ring around the entire system, although this remains largely unexploited by both the Konyanger government and local corporations. It is instead the stomping ground of both refugees fleeing the Sol Wildlands, and the pirates that seek to prey on them.

===Geography===
[[File:Konyang_map_sat.png|A geographic map of Konyang, showcasing the planet's different biomes. |thumb|800px]]
Primarily a tropical world smaller than Earth, Konyang boasts a mean radius of 5,111 kilometers. Freshwater oceans cover upwards of 88% of the planet’s surface. These oceans also grant Konyang its signature green color when viewed from orbit, in no small part thanks to the abundant presence of moss in the planet’s waterways. The planet’s continents are classified by its larger landmasses and island chains, although given the tides, the planet remains studded with small island chains and archipelagos that ebb and flow with the season. Two small ice caps exist on Konyang where the planet experiences a miniscule amount of snowfall and cold climates. The Konyanger terrain is principally mountainous, with large ranges covering vast areas of the planet’s landmasses. The tallest peak belongs to Mount Sansin, the highest mountain standing at a record 13.890 meters above sea level, its base forming an island of its own. Flanking the mountains are usually lush jungles, present in almost every island and continent in varying densities. This means that settlements have to be located in clearings adjacent to the coastline, on terrain with relatively even elevation. The largest and most dense jungle is located in Bukupo, an island in the heart of the Boryeong Prefecture. The largest landmass on the planet is Cheomseongtang, home of the Suwon prefecture and the nation’s capital. Other notable landmasses are the Oshima islands, hosting the largest mountain ranges, as well as the Yu islands, home of the only biome that could be described as a desert. New Hokkaido is the largest northernmost territory, renowned for its biodiversity and frosty tundra due to its proximity to the planet’s pole, as well as a unique lack of jungles. It is administered directly by the Government of Konyang, being the site of many scientific expeditions and military exercises, only boasting a population of a few hundred people.

===Environment===
[[File:Konyang.png|An image of Konyang, displaying mossy oceans and algae-covered water as the face of the planet. |thumb]]
Konyang features a highly atypical environment for a habitable planet: it is entirely freshwater. The surface of the planet is primarily oceans, with estimates placing upwards of 88% of the planet as covered in water. What is not under the sea are the islands of Konyang, where the vast majority of its population lives. These islands follow a general pattern: a small coastal area and a large mountain range ringing the island. The freshwater oceans of Konyang feature a remarkable diverse biosphere, and Konyang underwater flora, such as freshwater moss, is often used in the planet's native dishes and exported offworld, as far afield as Sol and Tau Ceti. Konyang is defined by two seasons: wet, lasting nine months, and dry, lasting three months.

The coastal regions of Konyang represent the smallest regions of its islands, but contain upwards of 90% of the planet's population. Often called the "coastal jungles" of Konyang, these areas are extremely wet - flooding is an issue in many areas, though the bulk of populated and urban areas are protected by extensive flood protection infrastructure, primarily lengthy complexes of walls. Coastal areas feature a wealth of plant and animal life, both of which have been put under stress by the rapid expansion of Konyang's cities.

Although Konyang’s coastal waters are often tinted green from moss, even more so than its oceans, harvesting and cleanup efforts along the coasts of the main and important islands have resulted in some sections of the planet appearing blue. These areas are often exploited for settlements and as tourist destinations for their scenic looks, while dedicated seaweed and algae farms dot the planet, providing an income for local villages and traditional producers. The most famous Konyanger food exporter, Go-Go Gwok!, has the largest involvement in the moss and seaweed industry.

The inland mountain ranges of Konyang can be up to several kilometers in height in some areas, with smaller foothills featuring some rare settlements leading up to them. These ranges, which lack valuable minerals completely due to Glorsh-era mining, are the reason for Konyang's jungles - they form an effective rain shadow. Some mountains have what is assumed to be collapsed mines in them, deactivated drones scattered throughout.

A phenomenon unique to the easternmost Yu islands of the Ganzaodeng prefecture, inland deserts are created due to the rain shadow caused by the surrounding mountain ranges. These are the least populated areas of the planet. Extraordinarily dry, little grows or lives in these environments. Rare Zeng-Hu Pharmaceuticals facilities can be found in this area, taking advantage of the isolation and relatively sterile environment that the inland deserts offer.

Lastly, the oceans of Konyang are regularly stormy, the large waves being harnessed for their energy in electricity production at numerous such outposts, scattered throughout the unpopulated islets in the farthest and most secluded areas.

===Flora and Fauna===
Wildlife on Konyang is a peculiar mix of its original environment and the thousands of invasive species introduced by Human colonization. Species introduced in the initial colonization of the planet include huge herbivores and peaceful, if ecologically destructive, wildlife. Additionally, the large oceans are host to an uncountable number of species of fish, crustaceans and aquatic molluscs, with many being unique to their region of origin. Flora on Konyang is among its most famed aspects, spearheaded by the mossy shores and overgrowth which covers the vast majority of its visible terrain. All plant life which survives on Konyang must survive the extremely damp environment, and as such either thrives in the water, or is capable of moving away from it. Konyang's waters are famously covered in green moss and seaweed, giving it its signature color when viewed from orbit.

Some examples of unique flora and fauna are:
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'''Shelfers'''
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In the marsh and lowlands of Konyang's algae coasts resides an invasive species of large omnivores known as '''Shelfers.''' These are gluttonous moss-feasting beasts, with a distinct six-legged and bloated appearance. They are excellent swimmers, owed to webbed joints and a wedge shaped, slick head. From this, it uses a set of large protruding teeth to scrape moss and undersea growths. This creature is endangered, and displayed as a national animal thanks to its unique appearance. Originally a danger to unprepared colonization, these gained a reputation for its tendency to attack colonists.

These were first encountered by colonists who had shipped wildlife to and from Arusha, where escaped subjects managed to reproduce- over the years becoming a cultural icon due to their miraculous beneficial place they have in Konyang's ecosystem.
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'''Konyanger Jeweler Cockatoo'''
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Known for its affinity to decorate its nesting grounds with surface-level pearls and gems of all sorts is an opportunistic carnivore, the '''Jeweler Cockatoo.''' This large avian is an offshoot of the Earth parrot, bred originally to “liven the landscape” of Konyang’s dreary inner mountainous lands. Eventually, with the assistance of high-level genetic modification, they grew to giant proportions whilst maintaining the health and lifestyle of a standard - ''if highly dangerous'' - parrot.

Where small patches of forest and barrens clash, these birds thrive and craft beautiful roosts in the relative safety of open fields. In these fields, diminutive predators avoid the large avian’s glare (or don’t, and are frequently preyed upon.) The Jeweler Cockatoo possesses two sharp talons on one digit of each of its feet, and a short - but unbelievably sharp beak, refined further by its tendency to dig. The wingspan of these birds can grow up to fifteen feet.

The Jeweler Cockatoo is the national bird of Konyang, with many stylized imagery depicting the bird in some shape or form.
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'''Glittering Konyang Moss'''
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Found in vast plains of coastal territories in excess is the overflowing, yet precious resource of '''Konyang moss.''' One of its primary exports, this barely-tapped commodity retains a huge capacity to feed Konyang’s already sturdy ecosystem, and the billions which reside upon it, and more to export. The evolutionary process which grew this mystical, shimmering moss is a mystery, however its luster and fields of green it generates has a wonderful impact on sustaining Konyang’s moist, overgrown and greenery-rich habitat.

Konyang moss is pivotal to its moving industries, and even after the robotics boom, it remains a stable source of incoming development for the since-burgeoning planet. The moss’ nutritional properties have been highly studied in recent decades. Its rapid pace of growth is exclusive to Konyang’s ecological circumstances, with everything from subterranean heat, to the algae present in its beautiful green seas factoring in.
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==Economy==
While young, the nation of Konyang boasts a powerful regional economy built upon decades of trade with both the Alliance and various Coalition partners. A developed country, Konyang manages to surpass its near total lack of ore with robust exports of foodstuff and energy, a strong shipping industry and a powerful robotics sector.

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===Raw Materials===
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[[File:Konyang dam.png|thumb|Dams and sea walls are a common sight on Konyang, used to protect cities and population centres from floods and tsunamis, as well as to exploit the violent waves for electricity.]]
Konyang's freshwater oceans were perhaps the largest boon to the starting colonists, and continues to play a substantial role behind the planet's exports. Fishing provides for a large aspect of the domestic economy, with millions of fishing boats and trawlers scouring the shores and oceans for all kinds of fish, crustaceans and other aquatic creatures, of which a complete list doesn't exist. Such is the biodiversity in Konyang's waters, that each region has its own fish markets which serve clients all over the planet and the Spur. Besides fishing, Konyang's biggest aquatic produce in terms of volume belongs to its enormous seaweed and moss harvesting industries. Entire ships are purpose-built for collecting wild greenery which floats on the high seas and the bays of Konyang, bringing in billions in offworld exports and domestic sales. The harvesting of moss is not exclusive to the sea and the aquatic farms either, as many edible varieties are collected inland, both in the planet's jungles and mountain ranges. Konyanger moss is Spur-renowned thanks to powerful marketing campaigns and the spread of the planet's cuisine.

With tremendously stormy wet seasons lasting most of the year, it is no surprise that Konyanger corporations have attempted and managed to harness the energy of the wind, waves and waters of the planet. Electricity is generated through a network of dams, hydroelectric plants, wave power stations and tidal power stations, all dotted across the vast shores and oceans of Konyang. The electricity produced is then either stored in super capacitors, or is directly wired inland through thick underwater cables, catering to the needs of virtually every power grid on the globe. Much of it is also transported on board space freighters lined with rows of large batteries, ready to make the journey to Alliance and Coalition worlds as part of the lucrative electricity export industry.

Lastly, Konyang excells in the export of water and timber. The continent-spanning untouched jungles provide an excellent source of wood for foreign markets as well as domestic construction, of which there is very heavy use in lieu of metal structures. The freshwater is also extremely easy to chemically filter, skipping any desalination process before being bottled or shipped as-is on board of one of many of Konyang's water barges; large hollow space vessels with tankers and pools for water storage.
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===Maritime Shipping===
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Surface shipping is another one of the main forces behind Konyang's domestic market economy, and an inseparable part of the nation's maritime culture. The docks and shipyards of New Hong Kong are the beating heart of the sector, which provides employment to more than 20% of the entire planet's population. Entire towns were formed and dedicated to housing the laborers and their families close to the coast, and many islands subsist entirely off of seamen's salaries and work at nearby electricity stations. Surface shipping, while slower, is a lot more economical for planetary moving of goods across the continents and islands of Konyang, being preferred to airlifting or orbital shuttling. Aside from the creation of jobs and the transportation of goods, Konyang's shipping industry produces excellent sailors who can rival those of planets such as Europa, many of whom eventually transition to space.
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===Robotics and Services===
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Ever since the robotics boom, Konyang has become a major player in the export and development of IPCs and everything surrounding them. Each year, the most cutting edge technologies catered to the improvement of the life of synthetics are released by Konyanger software companies, often to critical acclaim. This is because of the the substantial positronic population, free and eager to spend on such innovations that allow them to experience the world in a more human-like fashion. When it comes to the export of IPCs, Einstein Engines remains the prime manufacturer of chassis and positronic brains, which are shipped abroad without being activated. The practice, while putting Konyang on the map as one of the big regional producers of synthetics, is a hotly contested area between deeply entrenched corporate interests and an increasingly politically aware IPC populace. Non-positronic robotics are a separate, but once significant part of the economy, with Konyang having hoeld high places in the spur leaderboards for the making of robots, mechs, pAIs and automated systems. This sector however, took a major hit as the robotics boom slowly deflated, leaving behind abandoned industrial complexes and derelict factories.

The nation's service sector has to be one of the biggest ones, contributing a sizeable portion of the country's Gross Domestic Product. Many of the companies listed on the Suwon Stock Exchange are everything from financial consultation firms, to insurance agencies, housed in every majpr city's financial district. Skyscrapers and office complexes in downtown Suwon, Point Verdant and New Hong Kong are a daily reminder of the office life millions of Konyangers live, and many parents dream of their child being able to one day find employment in a top law firm or such. While mostly concentrated in the domestic market, many of these companies have expanded their services abroad, building a reputation of Konyanger reliability and impeccable work.
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===Konyanger Corporations===

In terms of the traditional megacorporations, the undoubted hegemon remains Einstein Engines, entrenched in the planet's life since the beginning of Konyang's colonization. The megacorporation owns a number of subsidiaries on the planet in many different sectors, most notably, Terraneus Diagnostics, which regularly bankrolls and invests in government initiatives in exchange for their continuous presence. It retains the original research facilities and control over the vaults, even if IPC production and exports are now handled by the Konyang Robotics Corporation, a public company in which Einstein controls a 49% stake. The Terraneus facilities on the planet mainly handle shell research and positronic brain production for export to the Coalition, while they occasionally butt heads with Zeng-Hu Pharmaceuticals in the realm of IPC research. Zeng-Hu has the second-largest megacorporate presence, mainly in biosphere research and sales of pharmaceuticals. Despite this, local conglomerates generally dominate the country’s financial sector, commanding the government’s cooperation and good graces in order to keep a stable economy. Upon achieving independence, Konyang has managed to maintain a strong presence of homegrown corporations in the fields of agriculture, media, energy and consumer goods.

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'''PACHROM'''
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A chemical and engineering corporation, PACHROM builds, maintains and manages eighty percent of all private dams, hydroelectric plants and seawalls on Konyang, as well as engaging in the field of chemicals and plastics production. Headed by Park Moon-soo, the business mogul is vying for influence with the government as indispensable to the nation’s energy output and defence against floods and natural disasters, making the “Pachrom Parks” one of the richest and most powerful business dynasties on the planet. Headquartered in central Suwon, the bulk of PACHROM’s operations are located in diasporic, uninhabited islands in the middle of the world’s oceans, where hundreds of organic and synthetic workmen toil daily to run the water powered electricity plants in extremely dangerous conditions.

The company’s notorious reputation for neglecting the safety of its employees and the environmental disregard for waste disposal from its plastics factories has been a big stain the Parks have struggled to wash off. While their ties to both the Alliance administration and the Konyang government have proven instrumental in their ability to dodge damning legal action, demonstrations of public outcry are a common feature in and around the street opposite the PACHROM office complex. To counter this, public relations campaigns are a constant focus, with tens of millions being spent in portraying them in a positive light. Charities are a large part of the Park family’s social presence, sponsoring public works and offering scholarships mainly in the Boryeong and New Hong Kong prefectures, where the majority of employees originate.

Often finding itself without funds from Unity Station, the colonial administration would commission PACHROM in the form of lucrative contracts for the construction of dams and power stations, allowing the utilisation of synthetics and IPC for the dangerous labour required. Due to society’s favourable opinion towards positronic intelligence, the multitude of cases of IPC fatalities would be swept under the rug with government assistance, creating a culture of tolerance towards lacklustre safety features and general disregard. Today, PACHROM’s future remains uncertain as the newly independent state of Konyang wishes tends to distance itself from its shaky past, a fact indicated by the recent awarding of the Kaneyama nuclear plant to the public company GON-ENE.
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'''Gwok Group'''
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Founded in the early 2410s with the name Hyeonsang Foods, the precursor to today’s multinational food conglomerate was the first attempt at commercialising Konyang’s seaweed and moss both for export and internal consumption. Initially finding limited success due to an overly competitive local market and foreign consumers' reluctance to the Konyanger novelty, the company's defining moment arrived during the robotics boom, launching them from mediocrity into the billion credit business stage.

As Einstein Engines staff poured into Point Verdant, Hyeonsang secured a contract from the megacorporation's local branch for providing meals and miscellaneous catering to workers and research staff. The once alienated Einstein employees would soon come around, praising the brand for its flavourful seasoning and convenience, eventually spreading the word to Einstein facilities and back home. By the late 40s, Hyeonsang was on the track of significant financial success, having secured a large foothold in the foreign dominated central districts of Point Verdant.

Rebranding into the more consumer friendly “Gwok” name in 2452, the company’s reputation abroad led to the opening of regional branches in the Solarian middle and core worlds, generating an increasingly massive amount of income, used for an aggressive takeover of the local Konyanger market. By buying off competitors, monopolising the moss and seaweed industry and introducing new marketing, Gwok’s domestic success was soon guaranteed as the primary supplier of supermarkets. In 2454 the IPC Gwok-0783, until then a senior executive and the face of the company as the main influencer of the rebrand, assumed direct control as CEO of the conglomerate thus becoming the first IPC in charge of a billion credit corporation in Sol space. The following years would see the consolidation of all affiliated assets and filial companies under an umbrella Gwok Group, topping the charts and establishing a farming, food and restaurant chain empire.
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'''Konymation'''
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Konymation represents the peak of the Konyanger animated media scene, being by far the most successful and most well known studio in the country, with a Spur-wide fame. It arose in the early days of the robotics boom, creating a resurgency of animations for both children and adults. While the industry was almost non-existent and cheap Solarian cartoons were the norm, a group of inspired artists came together to animate and direct the first feature-length production from Konyang, using native voice actors and a brand new artstyle of their own. The result was "One Day in my Life", a slice of life film following the daily routine of an IPC secretary in a human-dominated world, becoming an instant hit with both domestic and foreign audiences. Since then, Konymation rose to become the largest studio of quality animations, creating films and series for all ages and of all genres. Such was the success, that any animated pieces from Konyang have passed into the public consciousness simply as "Konymations", referred to as such in both the planet and abroad. Since their foundation, the studio has developed into a media conglomerate, buying out holoscreen channels, online platforms, news networks and more.
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'''Mujigae Publishing'''
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The biggest publishing house, Mujigae is to the comic book industry what Konymation is to animation. Having created thousands of interesting and touching comic series, Mujigae is credited with bringing paper back into the hands of millions of Konyangers, in an age where digital platforms have become the default for nearly everything in life. Many of Mujigae's works find great demand abroad as well as at home, with the company being known for their efforts to constantly seek out and recruit new artists with fresh ideas. A plethora of published series often find themselves being adapted into the holoscreen in lucrative partnerships with Konymation, as well as the other way around. Additionally, Mujigae's philanthropic work cannot go unmentioned; millions of credits have found their way to various charities on Konyang, primarily those regarding the children, the money drawn from art festivals and comicons that are hosted annually, often with the participation of the Ministry of Culture.
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'''Konyang Robotics Corporation'''
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The Konyang Robotics Corporation, or KRC as is more commonly known, is the country's largest government-controlled company centered around the manufacture, maintenance and welfare of the nation's positronic population. Borrowing heavily from Einstein know-how and infrastructure, it originated from the nationalization of Einstein and Terraneus IPC factories, with the majority of their employees swapping over to a government payroll. Einstein Engines controls 49% of the shares of the company, lending it tremendous behind-the-scenes influence on Konyang's synthetic population.

The primary function of the KRC is the production, storage and activation of IPC citizens. A very politically and socially sensitive topic, great care is placed by the government through the Ministry of Health and Positronic Affairs to meticulously calculate and order the amount of yearly activations, so as to maintain the Human-IPC ratio and meet the demands of the job market. To that effect, the KRC also acts as a sort of "school" for the newly activated IPC citizens, with special orientation camps where synthetics are taught about Konyanger society before released to the world.

Furthermore, the KRC acts as the primary health provider for Konyanger IPCs, with clinics and hospitals situated in every town and city, as well as strategically placed in certain villages in the countryside. Thousands of roboticists, engineers and software technicians are employed by the KRC to act as the equivalents of surgeons, physicians, nurses and paramedics for the IPC population, who are afforded universal healthcare through the KRC. Appointment times are dependent on location and the capacity of the clinic or hospital, with many in more remote areas having to wait months for limb replacements and other, more heavy duty needs that cannot be met by their local KRC center.
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'''GON-ENE'''
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GON-ENE is a newly formed, state-controlled energy utilities company, created following the announcement of the Kaneyama Nuclear Power Plant. Perceived as a direct competitor to PACHROM, GON-ENE has been planned to expand into hydroelectric and wave power, giving the government a greater control of the nation's power grid and cutting back reliance on privately-owned sector, though complete autarky is off the table for at least many decades.
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==Government==
''Main Article: [[Konyanger Government and Politics#Government|Konyanger Government]]''

Konyang is organized as a unitary semi-parliamentary republic headed by a President, the former colonial governor Hyun Kyung-Ho being elected to the position after independence. The Prime Minister is elected by the citizenry every four years, and is the leader of the governing party in the Parliament of Konyang. The current Prime Minister is Myeong Myung-Dae.

Planetary politics are found on both a national and prefectural level, with every party running in local and national elections. Polarization is fairly limited, the vast majority of Konyangers rejecting the extreme views put forward by radical political movements in the country that tend to be marginalized. IPC politicians do exist and are found in every major party, though most can be seen sitting with the National Party of Konyang.

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===Military===
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[[File:Marine.png|thumb|right|An IPC Konyanger Naval Infantryman in full gear.]]
Konyang’s military, also known as the Konyang Armed Forces, was first formed shortly after the colony’s independence from personnel of the former Solarian garrison. As a result, it carries a lot of the traditions of the Solarian Armed Forces. Bolstered by conscription laws requiring both organic and synthetic citizens one year of mandatory service, the KAF possesses Army, Navy and Aerospace branches. IPCs are actively recruited and accepted into the military, forming both their own and deployed in mixed units. This segregation is justified by the government as based solely on the differentiating capabilities, logistical needs and skills between man and machine.

That claim does hold true to an extent, with IPCs taking a more active role in special forces formations, dealing with operations requiring levels of precision and focus that artificial intelligence can easily provide. A famous example is the army’s Mechatronic Corps, an elite unit utilising large, leftover battle mechs retrofitted for a pair of pilots. Such a force is unique in the Coalition, and is often used abroad in operations under broader CoC military command. Mixed infantry units of conscripts do exist, fielded in jungle patrol tasks or assigned garrison duty.

Notably for a 25th century military, the Navy maintains a very large aquatic force which it uses to patrol the vast oceans of the planet. Regularly described as more of a coast guard than a military arm, it is more geared for domestic policing than combat, consisting mostly of ships acting as launching points for many smaller, coast guard type vessels that patrol the vast expanse of the planet’s waterways and launch military aircraft. Nevertheless, it provides important services with its multiple telecommunication, radar and island outposts, providing crucial meteorological information for everyday seafaring and flood prevention on a planet where storms and extreme weather are the norm.

The Konyang Aerospace Forces perform both atmospheric and orbital operations with their doctrine clearly influenced by former Solarian officers within their ranks. Their fleet consist of obsolete vessels donated by Coalition planets, partially brought up to a modern standard by the planet’s technology and manufacturing sector. In 2465, the KASF’s main tasks include protecting the system from pirates and policing the large influx of refugees from the Human Wildlands, regularly pushing them to other planets within the Coalition as per Konyang’s strict migration laws.

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===National Police===
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[[File:Konyanger Police Ranks.png|thumb|In order to organize the National Police and smooth cooperation between prefectures, a unified rank structure was adopted shortly after its formation.]]
Despite its federal nature, the main law enforcement agency on the planet is the National Police, formed after Konyang’s independence from the merging of a number of local and specialised agencies under the then Solarian authority. One major change since then has been the introduction of synthetic officers in all positions and ranks, while also creating special divisions suited best for them. Police gear remains rather antiquated for the era, the force still using old Solarian equipment and stocks from the colonial garrison, meaning that much of the tactics and thinking remain unchanged. Considered tame by Alliance standards, the National Police places an emphasis on preventative policing, building rapport with local communities, and relying on a sense of civic duty from the populace to perform its duties. Despite this, the National Police has nonetheless received criticism for occasional incidents of corruption and brutality, mostly against synthetic citizens. This is more common in remote departments and conservative prefectures, where the sudden inclusiveness of synthetic officers with equal pay and opportunities is seen as a threat. Such incidents aside, government efforts for the modernisation of the National Police are ongoing.

The police is subject to the Ministry of Public Safety in Suwon and is organised at the national level, with local departments answering to the assigned hierarchy in their prefecture. Special divisions are deployed to deal with various policing duties, their size ranging from a whole new branch to Special Robotics detachments specialising in detainment of volatile synthetic suspects. The largest of these subdivisions and arguably the most important, the Coast Guard is the maritime arm of the National Police, operating a fleet of shore and sea patrol vessels in their mission to enforce the law at the huge array of islands and in Konyang’s waters. As the planet is surrounded by oceans, the Coast Guard has proven itself essential to the battle against smuggling and piracy while also assuming search and rescue duties during flooding, tsunamis and other catastrophes. The National Police has also gained Coalition-wide acclaim for its Special Robotics Division - a task force known for its expertise in detaining IPC without causing permanent damage.

==Culture==
''Main article: [[Konyanger_Culture_and_Demographics|Konyanger Culture]]''

Konyang’s culture has been shaped by its East Asian Earther heritage, unique status as a colony with little to no resources, and as the birthplace of positronics. Konyanger society is often described as closed-off, with many unspoken social norms that vary from prefecture to prefecture. Key social norms that are shared in Konyang’s culture are Harmony, Reciprocity, and Face. Often derided as “meekness”, Harmony refers to enforcing unity and conformity within society. The specific manifestations vary from prefecture to prefecture, but in general, individuals who disrupt a sense of peace can face social ostracization. For instance, explicit disagreement such as using the word “no” is considered impolite, and a non-answer is often far more acceptable. Harmony also refers to a person’s social role; respect should be shown to people of a higher status, usually along traditional lines such as age, profession, and experience.

===Cuisine===
The primary diet of Konyangers consists of moss, seaweed and fish, with farms and pastures on land being rare due to the thick jungle. Konyang's moss is either harvested in the wild, grown in "natural" hydrofarms, or grown synthetically in bioplants. The moss itself is said to change its taste depending on the environment in which it is grown, and natural moss from the coasts around Konyang's islands is highly prized. Exports of moss and seaweed are a very lucrative business, held primarily by the galaxy-famous Go-Go Gwok! brand. Many workers, however, must make do with hydrofarm moss at best, and synthetic substitutes at worst. Konyang's fish - quite diverse, due to its freshwater environments - are also often consumed on the planet, with many being exported as luxury food as far afield as Venus and Tau Ceti. More conventional but water-intensive crops such as rice and other tropical fruits are also grown to a certain extent but are considered a rarity.

The planet is also home to a thriving beverages industry, with local varieties of algae providing the basis of a light but thick alcoholic drink colloquially known as “Nong jiu” domestically and abroad. The wide selection of produce on the planet however means more traditional drinks are produced, typically drawing from their Earther roots and commonly based on rice. Some of these drinks are exported by local businesses such as Go-Go Gwok! while Zeng-Hu has wrestled to control some of these brands in an attempt to stop them from competing with their own lineups.

====Synthetic Cuisine====
Synthetic-unique cuisine is an unusual case in the Spur, but not for Konyang. Here, robots utilize gustatorial implants to - if inefficiently - consume, or at least “taste” food regularly. Indeed, there is an entire market for synthfood where robots can enjoy their own form of taste, texture and uniquely perceptive flavor for foods. Mostly, synthfood is described as a thick slime, one with varying additives for color. Texture is mostly a simulated process within gustatorial implants, given they are not always present on tongues alone - meaning that the actual texture of these synthfoods remains the same gooey substance.

''One can achieve a similar substance to these synthfoods mechanically by grinding certain foods into paste, or utilizing candy machines with your choice of ingredients and output.''

===Media===
''Main article: [[Konyanger_Culture_and_Demographics#Media|Media]]''

Public media in Konyang is a powerful industry, and as broad as it may seem, it is very tightly knit. Aside from galactic-wide reruns and broadcasts of other nation’s shows, little seems to stand out - except the audio broadcast and illustrated artistic avenues. These two are well-refined artistic giants compared to other forms of entertainment on the planet.

A huge portion of the planet’s political views and very “personality” are channeled through its larger studios, where many are found enthused to spread its culture galaxy-wide.

===Organised Crime===

=====Benevolent Guild=====
The Benevolent Guild is a criminal organisation operating primarily within the decrepit, dark shadows of New Hong Kong. Originating as a mutual aid society for low income and forced penal colonists shipped into New Hong Kong by the Alliance government, it developed into a ruthless crime syndicate with strong ties to the local lower class community. From the start, the tightly knit communal and familial ties have played an important role in preserving the gang’s power and shielding them from police action. Only in recent years has any meaningful progress been made, the allocation of governmental resources and the increasingly violent and profit-oriented tactics of the Guild having alienated much of the younger generation, chipping away at the once widely popular support.

Starting with extortion and loan sharking, the Benevolent Guild rapidly expanded into gambling, drugs and violent crime such as kidnapping both in New Hong Kong and in New Kowloon. It is not uncommon for synthetics that find themselves victims of the group’s loan shark tactics to be ‘collected’ as collateral damage and subsequently carted off to whichever corner of the Orion Spur where their new owners await them usually at a far cheaper rate than elsewhere. One of the few institutions on Konyang refusing to admit synthetics owing to a deeply conservative and spiritually esoteric internal ideology, a pragmatist outlook often compels them to deal with and even cooperate with IPC politicians, police and rival gangs. Connections with criminal organisations in the wider Spur have been confirmed to exist, as various crime syndicates in Xanu, New Hai Phong and Luna are known to be in connection with the Benevolent Guild.

=====5-Cheung=====
Emerging as one of the strongest IPC/organic street gangs of Suwon, the 5-Cheung numbers in the thousands of members in the cities of the Suwon and Point Verdant prefectures. The organisation’s origin as a loose collective of delinquents and fringe elements has since developed into a nationwide crime family with a powerful hierarchy fielding biker gangs and thugs to enforce their tight grip on the underworld. With a black repertoire of gambling, extortion, money laundering and narcotics, the 5-Cheung is considered a main rival to the Benevolent Guild of New Hong Kong, the two frequently coming to blows in a series of wars and uneasy truces over control of turf and general competition.

An open secret in the country’s political sphere has the 5-Cheung profit lucratively from corruption in the highest levels of government and police. During the Solarian era, prominent politicians employed protection from the 5-Cheung, soliciting their services in voter swaying, intimidation of opposition members and violent disruption of rallies and demonstrators. This has given the gang a justified reputation for being the political soldiers of ruling dynasties and representing the authorities in the underworld and on the street in exchange for immunity from prosecution. Following Konyang’s independence, the reformed National Police retained a virtually unchanged staff while the nation’s same prominent political families, now unshackled from Alliance oversight, enjoy even more freedom. As such, it is safe to say that 5-Cheung’s entrenched position will continue to remain untouched aside from the occasional drug bust and arrest of low level members.

=====Sea Bandits=====
Although both the previous colonial administration and the nascent Konyanger Armed Forces and Coast Guard have tried to stamp out piracy, the sheer expanse of the planet means that groups of what the authorities call “sea bandits” continue to infest the waters and orbit of Konyang. Ranging from small motor boats launched from fishing villages with nothing more than an antique rifle, to retrofitted probes salvaged from the refugee waves pouring into the system, piracy is one of the most pressing social and security issues faced by the newly formed nation.

Individual pirate groups usually number no greater than twenty people but the Sea Bandits as a whole operate as a wider criminal network inclusive of individuals and crews from all over the planet. By coordinating their activities and intelligence through encrypted sites, the organisation manages to both evade and stay one step ahead of the authorities. Most of their activities take the form of kidnapping, armed robbery of craft and hijacking unescorted seafarers, while admittedly avoiding the busiest and well guarded sealanes and locations. The most audacious raid by the Sea Bandits to date involved the boarding and ransoming of a cruise ship by the use of an unregistered freighter. Although only circumstantial evidence has been uncovered, Golden Deep Zaibatsu have also been accused of working with Sea Bandit groups by launching probes full of narcotics, to be recovered by the pirates.

==Synthetics on Konyang==
As the origin of the integrated positronic chassis now found throughout the Orion Spur, Konyang has always had a quite unique relationship with IPCs, the IPC population constituting a staggering 34% of the total population. While IPCs throughout the Sol Alliance are often looked upon as little more than property, tools, or novelties depending upon their frame those found upon Konyang possessed a notably greater degree of autonomy and freedom before the planet’s secession from the rest of the Alliance, achieving full and unconditional freedom afterwards. Legal ownership of synthetics within the borders of the Republic does not exist, the Emancipation Act constituting one of the first acts passed by Parliament. IPCs can work wherever they like, live however they please within the confines of the law, and partake in politics by voting or being elected. As such, foreigners are repeatedly cautioned to not bring any privately held IPCs with them, for they cannot be forced to return unwillingly.

Ordinary Konyangers, as a result of the planet’s liberal outlook on positronics, possess a more positive view of synthetics than other humans in the Orion Spur - particularly those from the Sol Alliance and its former territories. The majority of people on Konyang view IPCs as amicable colleagues and neighbours, with many friendships between man and machine being established. Closer bonds such as marriage are also legalised and not unheard of, though not without outcries from the more conservative spectrum. Many scholars theorize that this is due to the prevalence of IPCs in daily life on Konyang, seamlessly blending into society, in addition to the pride many citizens have in their planet being the origin of the modern positronic. Konyang’s integration of IPCs stands with some degree of contrast to Biesel’s, with the large synthetic ghetto of District 14 segregating many synthetics from the average citizen of the Republic of Biesel.

With Konyang’s independence, IPCs share full legal equality with all organic citizens of the planet. This concession was given, both as an acknowledgement and acceptance of the fact that synthetics have become part of everyday life in the colony and are generally accepted by its inhabitants. Unlike the Republic of Biesel, IPCs in Konyang seek to assimilate into human society, with IPCs being given the choice to adopt a second, “human name” before receiving citizenship. A human name can range from an entirely new name, to adding a first or last name of any kind to their existing designation.

Many positronics can be found within the economy of Konyang with perhaps the most famous (or infamous) one being Gwok-0783 (now Kim Gwok-0783, under post-independence IPC naming conventions), the owner and operator of her very own food conglomerate in the form of Go-Go Gwok! Authentic Konyanger Moss. As Go-Go Gwok! is technically an interstellar corporation, Gwok-0783 herself relied on a series of legal loopholes centered around Konyang’s former IPC laws to maintain control of the company when Konyang was still in the Sol Alliance. Examples such as Gwok, with her control of an inter-planetary corporation, are fairly rare. However, many positronics have made a successful name for themselves as small business owners and corporate workers on Konyang.
[[File:Konyang vault.png|thumb|A mysterious vault upon Konyang's surface, unearthed and built around with monitoring infrastructure.]]
Due to the system’s bluespace gate, many members of [[Synthetic_Factions#The_Golden_Deep|Golden Deep]] have secured permits to operate, as it allows their vessels to more easily make the journey from the frontier to the more lucrative markets of Tau Ceti and the Jewel Worlds. The money and business brought into the system by these synthetic traders has - arguably - been a major contributor to Konyang’s more liberal laws and regulations regarding IPCs. Konyang, before its independence, was one of the few systems under Solarian control in which IPCs could own and operate a business.

The synthetic population in Konyang is regulated by the government. A set number of positronics are assembled each year under contract at Terraneus Diagnostics facilities in Point Verdant with the prospect of being granted citizenship after a 3 month life orientation period. The determined number is set annually by Parliament, backed up by the yearly census and statistics, with production increasing or decreasing depending on the number of human birth ratios, positronic shutdowns, and other factors. Expenses are met both through government funds and private donations, though debate on the matter is rarely heated as the amount of new brains numbers usually in the hundreds; a tiny fraction of positronics produced and exported in total. IPCs and positronics constructed for the purpose of selling them to a different country, are not covered by such regulations and are not given citizenship.

There are further regulations in robotics construction in Konyang. Any activated positronic brain can qualify under the Emancipation Act. Exceptions to the law exist for manufacturing and research, with Point Verdant in particular activating positronic brains for the sake of testing shells before shipping them off-world. The law has also sparked development in other fields of mechatronics, with Konyang beginning to lead the way in circuit-based robotics.

Despite gains for its IPC citizens, other positronic intelligences have not been so lucky. Although some brains have been repurposed as AI coordinators for cities; with no way to transition to humanoid frames, bound intelligences have been granted freedom, but often take contracts with corporations that result in a return to the old status quo, all for the sake of staving off destruction due to a lack of maintenance.

===Konyanger Augmentation of IPCs===

Augmentation on Konyang is a fascinating subject, where the presence of so many IPCs has brought success in modifying the Positronic body and mind. Famed explorations into the sectors of IPC modification include "sensory evolution," where synthetics' senses being amplified or dulled in extremes according to desire.

Primary among the delves into this evolution of the senses is the New Dawn Augmentation Movement. This is a Konyanger organization based on the improvement of the IPC lifestyle via modifying chassis, funded peculiarly by Terraneus Diagnostics. The movement is oddly organized as a non-profit, going against the corporation’s established modus operandi. This, coupled with the tantalizing opportunity to freely modify an IPC's form with donated funds leads to public skepticism of the augment movement’s motivations.

Still, the true size of the movement to augment and improve Konyang's IPC population is extraordinary in comparison to other stellar nations. Roughly 22% of Konyang IPCs have some form of corporate-funded augmentation to enhance themselves.
[[File:Konyang augment1.png|thumb|A Konyanger design, the Scorpion Lobe is an augment which manipulates the perception of time for synthetics for better or worse.]]
* '''SENSO-EVO/Scorpion Lobe'''
A miraculous creation of Konyang's technological advancement, SENSO-EVO is the term aptly handed to Sensory Evolution's foremost product. This is the Scorpion Lobe, a similarly shaped attachment to the rear of a positronic brain which adjusts the rate at which the synthetic perceives time literally. The implications of this are seen as either a blessing or a curse — sometimes even utilized as a way to reduce problematic behavior in positronics.

These implants are commercialized to protect the integrity of brains which adopt extremely high speed tasks, or extremely tedious and slow ones, with a perception that best suits their given utility.

A double edged sword by nature, these are often removed by free positronic chassis due to their almost torturous nature. Some may find their lives flashing hours into moments, whilst others may find daily grinds to be impossibly long ordeals. Unfortunately, removing these implants is not always a safe procedure, sometimes damaging a brain or rendering the problem worse.

These were first manufactured by Hephaestus Industries on instrumental Konyang research facilities, and later acquired by Einstein Engines personnel in the same month - debates over the design’s origin have been ongoing since 2449.

===Recreational Software===

In the IPC community of Konyang, the culture of acceptance and freedom has always invited the curiosity of synthetics to imitate and follow human pastimes and habits. This in turn included activities such as smoking, synthetic flavours and eventually, recreational drugs. Due to the nature of the positronic, the only way to recreate such sensations is through software targeting and modifying specific programming in the brain. At first, this dangerous commodity was provided by amateur programmers using experimental and highly volatile code known as “overloaders”, leading to often irreparable and lethal damage to an IPC’s systems. The results of the few initial successes, however, proved promising enough for the idea to be seriously considered by upcoming Konyanger tech companies and business-oriented software engineers, leading to the first reliable and somewhat safe overloaders in the mid to late 2450s.

Popular awareness of recreational software became widespread upon its release as a commercial product, Konyang being the first world to introduce a marketable version of it. Usually sold inside a single-use stick drive, their circulation is approved by safety boards and is considered legal for responsible consumption, much like alcohol for organics, relying on the consumer for mitigation and avoidance of repeated use. Legal overloaders today can be found mainly in synthetic-centred retailers found around the major cities, their relatively limited availability and high price setting them as a luxury IPC item. Its effects include a wide range of results, from simulating the sensations of a light buzz to a short bout of excitement and joy, aimed at enhancing the experience at celebrations, parties and get-togethers.

However, where there is demand, there must be supply, and the fact that demand spiked as these new products launched paved the way to a large underground market of cheap, unsafe and highly unpredictable overloaders sold both by dealers and unlicensed street vendors of dubious reputation. An illegal overloader epidemic hitting the cities of Suwon and Boryeong in late 2459, led to intensified police crackdowns and government campaigns against illicit overloaders, labelling them as malware and the IPC equivalent of dangerous drugs. Virtually unrecognisable from a legitimate overloader without the seal, side effects are many times more powerful and addicting, appealing to adventurous synthetics and the financially insecure. From catapulting the positronic into a garbled, incomprehensive reality of simulated emotions to simply heightening the senses, the illegal overloaders’ addictive and dangerous nature leads many synthetics to disrepair, involving behaviour breaking glitches, hardware failures and more, all while guaranteeing a returning clientele.

Reception to recreational software has been mixed, dividing society and politicians on matters of free will, the dangers of overloaded IPC, and the overall ethics of deliberately creating and selling what are essentially drugs. Both synthetics and humans have loudly spoken against it, spawning demonstrations and dividing politicians across party lines. Legislation has already passed, categorising possession and distribution of illicit overdosers as strictly illegal, with heavy punishments for dealers and suppliers. Police and coast guard raids yield millions of unbranded overloaders each year, making highly publicised arrests while sending a message of absolute intolerance towards the malware. Despite this, circulation never ceases and exports to Xanu, Tau Ceti and Sol.

==Population and Major Cities==

[[File:Konyang_map_pol.png|thumb|800px|A map of Konyang showcasing the Prefectures and the New Hokkaido Territory. Click to enlarge.]]

'''Suwon''' is the largest, most populated, and second wealthiest city on Konyang itself and is generally one of the larger cities in the Coalition of Colonies. It functions as both the planetary capital, as well as the capital of Suwon Prefecture, encompassing the entirety of Cheomsongtang. Symbolic of the new government is the Parliament Building, a massive structure of flowing lines and sustainable technology, incorporating pieces of the first colony ship. The Prime Minister's Government House, the President's Crimson House, the Solarian embassy, as well as embassies from various Coalition states are present here as well. Standards of living in wealthiest areas of Suwon are equivalent to and (sometimes) even surpass the living standards of places such as Highland City or Argia sa Mar, demonstrating how wealthy the robotics boom has made some sectors of the planet. A lack of readily-available materials, however, ensures that even the super-rich of Konyang often live in smaller houses than their Colonies planet counterparts. Life outside these wealthy areas is better than life in most cities in Himeo but dramatically worse than in the very wealthy areas, or even the cities of Xanu Prime. Overcrowding is a massive issue for the government of the city, with no obvious solution presenting itself due to how expensive importing new building materials is post-boom. The city is home to most of Konyang's biggest companies and office complexes, as well as the Suwon Stock Exchange, making the city's financial district the economy's beating heart. "Shoebox apartments" are common here, as are Konyang's often egregious traffic issues. The city is fortified with extensive sea walls, flood walls and flood gates to prevent natural disasters during the wet season, tropical storms being fairly common.

[[File:Point verdant.png|thumb|One of Aoyama's many skyscraper blocks, safely located behind a dam.]]

'''Aoyama''', known in the larger Spur as '''Point Verdant''', is the second most-populated city on Konyang, and the industrial heart of its robotics industry. Built along a coastal mountain range from which it draws its namesake, it is by far the wealthiest city on Konyang, and one of the richest cities in the Coalition of Colonies. Due to being home of the Robotics Boom, hosting foreigners and their families that once even surpassed the locals inside the city, Aoyama is frequently known outside to outsiders and to the Spur at large as Point Verdant, much to the chagrin of the locals. Aoyama is home to the renowned Point Verdant Terraneus Institute of AI Research, and is the poster child for the rapid development of Konyang's cities during the Boom. The city is extremely wealthy, but suffers from persistent overcrowding and traffic issues in all of its districts. The Pusan District, near PVTI, had the reputation of possessing the worst traffic in the Alliance according to its residents. Air quality in Aoyama is regarded as subpar, due to the amount of robotics factories in the city's outskirts, which have however slowly but steadily declined since. Being the focal point of the Robotics Boom, it is home to a large number of expatriate communities and Einstein Engines employees.

'''Boryeong''', named after a city on historical Earth where some of its colonists originated from, is the third most populated city on Konyang and capital of the Boryeong Prefecture, referred to as the breadbasket of the nation. The city, while still suffering overcrowding issues, has it to a lesser extent than Point Verdant or Suwon, with the city's outskirts necessitating a need for space due to the vast hydroponics farms and water plants. A second-grade industrial city of much natural beauty, Boryeong is more rustic than its counterparts, with wood playing a much more prominent role in construction; outside the central ring, some of Boryeong's districts are built entirely out of timber. Water bottled or processed in Boryeong is sold throughout the Alliance and Coalition in bulk, and native moss grown in the prefecture is marketed throughout both as a luxury food. Over half of the city's labourers are employed in hydroponics, aquaculture, fishing and food processing, with Gwok Foods being the largest provider of work in the region. Synthetic moss is grown in Zeng-Hu facilities near Boryeong and, despite being regarded as lesser quality than natural moss, is often consumed in poorer areas of Konyang.

'''Ganzaodeng''', named for its dry locale, is located in Konyang's only desert and holds the largest expatriate populations on the planet, being nicknamed, “Little Sol”. Due to its unique geographic setting, it faces remarkably calmer weather than the rest of the planet, with the city being connected to the rest of the island by air and rail that cuts right through the mountains. Ganzaodeng is Konyang's only planned city with origins in the Robotics Boom, when the foundations were laid for a city envisioned by foreigners, for foreigners. Rich Solarians descended upon the planet's seemingly only dry piece of real estate, building a city full of nightlife and eclectic inner-ring pleasures within the distant colony. By the end of the Boom however, the city's famous strips of casinos and luxury hotels still operating in downtown Ganzaodeng became a symbol of a bygone era, as much of the Solarian population elected to depart. The city passed into native Konyanger hands, being expanded into a hub of shipping with the help of the city's remaining big names. Because of the reliably clear weather, Ganzaodeng has developed a sprawling extraplanetary shipping sector, with plans for a spaceport larger than New Hong Kong’s, as well as future schemes for the largest oceangoing port on the planet. Its climate has resulted in the prefectural government engaging in moss filtration efforts to open up the surrounding beaches to tourism. Despite of the Solarian exodus, the city stands in contrast to the rest of Konyang’s relatively conservative social nature, with people from all over the Spur calling it their home and making it by far one of the most multicultural centers on the planet. It’s not uncommon for a person from Ganzaodeng to know two or three languages.

'''New Hong Kong''', the site of the former naval base of the 58th Solarian Fleet, has now developed into a fully fledged city in its own right, being the only prefectural capital with a local synthetic majority. Being regarded as a lot more pedestrian and working-class than Suwon and Point Verdant, New Hong Kong is nonetheless a very important centre of interplanetary trade and commercial activity, hosting the planet’s largest ocean ports and dockyards, being the country's industrial's hotspot and the seat of power generation. Large hydroelectric dams, wave energy converters, dockyards and factories belonging to the PACHROM corporation provide employment for half of the city’s inhabitants, the Prefecture of New Hong Kong generating enough electricity for domestic consumption as well as exports. Employees of the various power companies may also elect to be sent off to one of the many power generation isles scattered throughout the oceans and dedicated solely to that purpose, receiving better pay in exchange for more dangerous conditions away from home. The city itself is considerably more packed than its counterparts, with small cramped apartments being stacked over each other to form vertical mazes of working class blocks. Heavy smog and particles cover up the sky through the entirety of the island during the dry season, giving the prefecture a signature orange-brown tint. This, as well as constant heavy rains and a near permanent gloomy weather during the wet season place it as undesirable for humans. Seat of the National Party, downtown New Hong Kong is described as the centre of planetary IPC politics, being the first to react to, condemning or praising events in Konyang and throughout the galactic stage in regards to the synthetic “race”. New Hong Kong is additionally the birthplace of Konyang's labor unions, with the Socialist Party enjoying strong support from the city's human blue-collar workforce.

[[File:Konyangdam.png|thumb|900px|center|Dams are a very common sight on Konyang, with the New Hong Kong's dam in the neighbouring industrial town of New Kowloon providing only a fraction of the power required by the city, while also playing an important part in flood control and water filtration.]]

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User:The lancer/Sandbox 3

2024-02-04T21:43:47Z

Noble Row: /* Economy */

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==Overview==
Originally established in 2305 as a Solarian Alliance Outer Ring planet, Konyang is presently one of the more distant outposts under the Coalition of Colonies after its independence in '''2462'''. Konyang’s capital city Suwon, the largest settlement on the planet, is built upon a natural formation that defines most of Konyang's geography: islands with large interior mountains that feature lush, but soaking wet, coastal jungle regions. Konyang was initially a relatively average Outer Ring settlement intended to export water, before the discovery of mysterious, deactivated drones in 2407 led to a robotics boom occuring on the planet that lasted well into the 2450s. The Konyang of today is a planet renowned for its robotics industry, though some of its initial luster has faded in the years following its boom. Water, however, remains a key industry - the planet has a remarkably low salination level, meaning that essentially all of its water is drinkable. Konyang Solarian Common, or Konyang Common, is the most used language on the planet inside and outside of major population centers. Due to its proximity to the Coalition of Colonies planets, Coalition member planets often import water from Konyang. In major cities and universities, Tradeband can be found being spoken, though it remains rare. Speakers of the language are generally from off-planet, moving to Konyang during its robotics boom. Konyang almost completely lacks valuable minerals due to intensive mining efforts carried out by drones—whose source remains unknown—hundreds of years before it was colonized.

'''Because of the ethnic make-up of Konyang's original settlers and assimilation of immigrants into the native population during the first AI boom, human characters born on Konyang will have names and appearances consistent with the people of China, the Korean Peninsula, and Japanese Islands. Only native Konyangers or Konyang-made IPCs may select the Konyanger accent. This is enforceable by server moderators and admins.'''

[[File:Konyang flag.png| The Konyanger flag was adopted in 2462, having unofficially been used by pro-autonomy circles long before the declaration of independence. The traditional taitju represents peace and harmony as the highest values of the new state, with the color blue representing the waterways the planet is known for and yellow, their aim of prosperity. The white background represents Konyang's purity.
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==History==

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===Conception and Planning | 2200s - 2299===
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When the United Nations proposed and eventually enforced the creation of the Alliance of Sovereign Solarian Nations, China, Korea and Japan were once more forced to band together to compete with the world for influence inside the newly found institution. Rivals such as the European Union, the Soviet Union, the Commonwealth and the United States were first in line to claim hegemonic roles, their space programs forming the core of Solarian colonization of the Inner, Middle and Outer rings over the centuries, populating them with their own peoples and sparking an unofficial race for prestige land grabs, one which the Department of Colonization was more than happy to let unfold, resulting in the extremely fast expansion of Humanity into the Orion Spur. While regional powers such as India and the Mediterranean countries began creating their own colonies on Gadpathur and Assunzione, the East Asian trio were relegated to secondary roles of supplying technology, labor and capital without any actual representation in the stars, a situation problematic for some and resented by many in the “sovereign” governments.

It was thus decided to present a plan to Solarian functionaries for a colony spearheaded by China and supported heavily by Korea and Japan, aimed at restoring the pride of the three “cousin-nations” and their position in the Alliance. Intense negotiations and technical planning amounted to years of disagreements over the name, location and allocation of responsibilities between the partners, as well as the presence of China’s Einstein Engines megacorporation, which offered to finance a great portion of the initial effort. Soon however, the advent of the Second Great Depression and the following Interstellar War in the mid-late 2200’s saw a bankrupt Alliance put a halt to any colonization projects, resulting in the plans being shelved. The war took a great toll on the core Solarian worlds, including Earth and its nations which were called to provide manpower, funds and materiel for the Solarian Navy. Federal China’s economy tanked completely under the pressure, relying on IMF bailouts and stays of payment on the salaries of its public sector, with pensionaries and students being most severely hit, resulting in massive social upheaval which would have long lasting consequences for the country’s financial hegemony in the post-war region.

As peace and relative stability returned, the Alliance found a newly independent, sizable and embittered Coalition of Colonies rival its claims in the Galactic East, calling for the presence of military garrisons and naval stations to protect the border. It was at this time that colonization projects were beginning to reemerge, with the Pacific Pact racing once more to submit a viable plan for a colony that would represent East Asia. A fatigued China could no longer bear the incredible costs it aspired to as the leader of the colonial venture before the war, giving significant leeway to the other two partners and largely retreating behind its megacorporation, Einstein Engines, which was still willing to back the endeavor. An aggressive Korean delegation largely dictated terms, giving birth to the “Konyang Project”, named after the Konyang University in which the colonial undertaking was revealed and presented to the public in 2299.
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===Early Colonial Period | 2304 - 2400s===
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The plan envisioned five convoys for the establishment of four primary settlements on a strategically placed planet selected by the Solarian Navy for the support of local naval operations against any threats from the Frontier Alliance. The targeted planet was revealed to be a lush world first discovered in 2278 by a long-range scouting probe, dominated by water and possessing a breathable atmosphere, placing it in a prime position to sustain Human civilization. The quickly named “Haneunim” solar system possessed a few more bodies of secondary importance, and the first convoy was scheduled to launch on the 10th of March 2304, from the Wenchang spaceport in South China, to meet the long-distance freighters in orbit of Luna that would carry the first 5,000 colonists to Konyang. The ethnic mix-up of the colonists were equally distributed amongst the three nationalities, with all being volunteers and 646 of them under the employ of Einstein Engines.

It took the warp-propelled convoy one year to reach its destination, traversing light years of Solarian vastness before meeting the Navy squadron which would escort them to the planet, with touchdown being made on September 8th, 2305. Konyang was covered in jungles and great mountain ranges, requiring great labor from the men and women of the expedition to create the first settlement, under the direction of officers from the Department of Colonization. Two months later, Unity Station would receive the first signal passed along by the Navy, originating from beacon Number 22890/223, Designation ‘SUWON’. The foundations had been laid. In the following decades, all five convoys would come to form the basis of the “Konyang Territory”, a colony directly controlled by the Alliance and the Solarian Navy as the base of the 58th Fleet. Boosted by its status as a naval base, the abundance of freshwater and with the backing of Einstein, all three cities were realized; Suwon and Boryeong, New Hong Kong, and Aoyama, each at the start holding ethnic majorities of Koreans, Chinese and Japanese respectively.
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===The Robotics Boom | 2407 - 2430s===
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Despite the acceptable climate and near unlimited freshwater, the colonial government soon realized an alarming lack of mineral resources, forcing a complete reliance on external trade and supplies from the Navy for any and all industrial goods and even basic construction materials, a reality which had to be corrected as fast as possible. A planet-wide scanning expedition was organized, while “patriotic aid” was fervently being fundraised in China, Japan and Korea for nearly a whole century to cope with the colonists' increasing demands. This led to a landmark moment in the history of Konyang, when on the 21st of April 2404, mining teams dug into a collapsed tunnel outside the vicinity of Aoyama, discovering a defunct mining drone, crushed by tonnes of rock and soil. The chassis appeared broken and old, though its very presence implied the exploitation of the planet by a different civilization.

The device was hurried back in secrecy to a panel of dumbfounded colonial officials, who deemed that their corporate partners would be more suited in tracking down its origin. As such, after a quick formality bid behind closed doors, the Alliance sold off its odd piece of government property to Einstein Engines whose scientists saw it as a curious case worth pursuing. Month after month, the Terraneus Diagnostics laboratory in Aoyama kept receiving bits and pieces from similar drones recovered from abandoned, centuries-old mineshafts, culminating in the 2406 discovery of a sealed vault containing a great number of intact mining drones. The severity of this discovery was immediately apparent to the scientists. Words were had with the governor of Konyang by the local Einstein Engines representative, and it was decided to keep the drones a very closely-guarded secret - with only select Terraneus and government officials even being aware of their existence at all, let alone what was being done with them.

The Terraneus research team worked feverishly, though in secret, for months upon months. Staff were quietly shipped in from offworld in order to not alert outside observers, and the team continued to work upwards of eighty hour weeks in order to crack the drones. In mid-2407, they achieved one of the most remarkable breakthroughs in recent scientific memory by cracking the AI algorithms of the drones. Information of this moved rapidly from the local Einstein Engines office up the corporate chain and moved equally rapidly up the government's chain from provincial office to Sol itself. The information spread like wildfire, and humanity now had the secret of AI despite not truly knowing from where or who these machines came from. This was little more than a footnote to the Nralakk Federation - to them, these AI were crude and hardly approached the machines that had driven their civilization to ruin.

The robotics boom of Konyang caused a variety of benefits and harms to the previously marginal outer ring planet. The economy ballooned massively, as did its standard of living and industries. Konyang moved from a rural backwater that exported food and water to a high-tech planet that still exported basic goods, but primarily focused upon robotics. Megacorporations flocked to the planet: Einstein Engines, already present through Terraneus, rapidly secured dominance over the planet; Hephaestus Industries struggled with Einstein dominated competition before selling its factories over to local government control in 2427; and Zeng-Hu Pharmaceuticals, despite its skrell benefactors, purchased rights to examine the planet's biosphere from Einstein. The fact that their prosthetic limbs were originally designed on this planet has been stated to be a "happy coincidence" by its board. Due to the mass arrival of corporations, jobs were readily available - the planet was booming.

A massive migration wave of Einstein employees and their families to Aoyama made the city wrangle the spot of first in importance from the nominal capital of Suwon, to the point where the expatriate scientific community and their dependents outnumbered the local Japanese original colonists. The city quickly became known to Humanity as “Point Verdant”, the name assigned to the Terraneus Diagnostics laboratory in Aoyama, while the parent countries on Earth invested billions to capitalize on the success of their colonial project, to lift the planet into a modern world and reap the public relations benefits of their colony achieving a breakthrough in artificial intelligence.

The rapid expansion of Konyang's industries and cities had overtaxed the limited bureaucracy on the planet to the breaking point, and architects were in short supply. Urban planning on Konyang is estimated to be some of the worst in Alliance space outside of New Hai Phong as a result, with cities such as Point Verdant often having haphazard roads running through them and districts smashed together with no apparent rhyme or reason - a legacy of corporate jockeying for areas of interest, and the municipal corruption that came with it. There are countryside facilities originally utilized for drone research and retrieval that have, in recent years, fallen into disuse and disarray. Such facilities often dot the mountains and foothills of Konyang, slowly being overtaken by nature - sometimes with unfortunate results when these facilities have been improperly stripped of dangerous materials. The environment also suffered in areas where drones were found - jungles were cut or burnt away by corporations in order to get at the precious drones below, prefab buildings were orbitally dropped and erected, and landing zones were cut into the landscape itself.

The stormy tidal waves so infamous for tormenting the early colonists were tamed through the building of sea walls, a comprehensive road network linked the remote villages with the urban centers, and the city of Ganzaodeng was raised from the rocky desert. The Konyanger conglomerate PACHROM would mark the rise of the first native Chaebols, building shipyards, dams, hydroelectric plants and the first space fleet capable of ferrying enormous capacities of water across interstellar systems.
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===The Positronic Integration | 2410s===
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Soon enough, IPCs entered production on the planet, making Konyang one of the first places to embrace the positronic revolution. The limited resources saw higher prices, lessening the availability of domestically produced frames. Furthermore, the still rudimentary waterproofing technologies meant that IPCs could not work for long hours without shelter, ensuring that human jobs would remain safe from automation. When in the rest of Sol IPCs were produced en-masse for labor, Konyanger IPCs were more integrated in white-collar employment and indoors service-related work. Meanwhile, a growing media culture based on animation combined with the Konyanger recycle-friendly attitude, giving newer generations a fresh look on positronic intelligence, one that valued them as people rather than a disposable resource. The lack of widespread automation never brought the anti-synthetic sentiment so common in the rest of Sol, and IPCs in time became a unique cultural phenomenon in the colony’s urban centers.

Solarian laws governing the relations between IPCs and mankind were nominally enforced on Konyang, barring synthetics from gaining their own freedom, a fact which remained a thorn between the more liberal, younger Konyangers and the older generations. Einstein Engines allied with the Solarian governorship to press for the continuing status of Konyang as a colony, preventing elections and thus any liberal political influence from threatening the company’s grip on its synthetic workforce. This however, did not prevent Konyanger society to further integrate IPCs, even if the concept of universal citizenship for all synthetics was still far from publicly accepted. Aoyama was most receptive to the positronics, as a center of research and culture, with IPCs welcomed in people’s houses, treated like family and celebrated in festivals and even religious ceremonies. Suwon sentiment remained ambivalent, though many Solarian officials and naval officers expressed most severe concerns, in many cases pressing for crackdowns and questioning the morals of Konyanger citizens. The denizens of New Hong Kong and Ganzaodeng on the other hand, were most unhappy, with the powerful Chinese factory and shipyard labor unions remaining vocally opposed to IPC rights in the workplace, owing to their ties with the wider Solarian unions.

The profound effects of the emergence of this positronic culture were soon felt across the planet, change being heralded through a wave of demonstrations in mid to late 2412. High school and university students in Aoyama took to the streets to call for synthetic rights, in one of the few instances of pro-IPC disturbances on Solarian soil. In particular, the students called for the immediate emancipation of owned synthetics, marching from the main First Avenue down to the Governor's House and being joined by crowds of people and IPCs alike. The Aoyama Constabulary alongside Terraneus security forces were ordered to put a swift end to the march, resulting in the first major incident since the founding of the colony. Over 400 student injuries were recorded, the crowds responding with rocks and branches to the authorities’ tear gas and water cannons. 247 arrests were made that day, sparking additional outrage in the student movement as the ringleaders were tried as adults and given lengthy prison sentences. Smaller incidents were also noted in Suwon and Boryeong, marking 2412 as a year of upheaval and social change, laying the foundations for full IPC citizenship.
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===Late Colonial Period | 2410s - 2440s===
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As Konyang left behind the troubled ’10s and social peace returned through decrees permitting local city authorities to afford certain permissions for IPCs. This followed the final robotics' boom peak in the 2430s, seeing the planet’s GDP growth reach new levels. The colony’s industrial potential skyrocketed, with hundreds of hydroelectric dams, sea walls and shipyards creating thousands of new jobs in New Hong Kong, the new industrial core of Konyang. Labour relations shifted dramatically, as the new Hephaestus-pioneered industrial chassis enabled IPCs to work in the most difficult of conditions, sidelining and driving off the all powerful Gwongfu labor unions, with human employees forced into the urban centers and Ganzaodeng, contributing to a skyrocketing of the local IPC population in the prefecture.

Suwon saw a significant rise in business activity with the outside world, emboldening private ventures to the neighboring Frontier Alliance, bringing in massive profits from moss and entertainment exports. The animation industry reached new heights, with hundreds of new studios producing pioneering and high quality work, including classics like “One Day in My Life” and “Tomonomimi”, two of the most highly acclaimed works of media in recent Solarian memory. The entertainment sector brought new life to the Konyanger tourism industry as well, with more and more people rediscovering the distant hidden gem tucked deep in the fringes of the Alliance. The Suwon Stock Exchange was listed for the first time in the Chicago Financial Review, Sol’s most coveted investment periodical, as “Upcoming”, leading to billions of credits flowing in the country from abroad.

New chaebol conglomerates emerged, replacing even Einstein products with widely successful “Local, Cheaper and Better” campaigns. While Gwok Foods was making headlines in 2439 as the most successful Konyanger “IPC-inspired” exporter by yearly gross tonnage, the Ayame Motor Corporation created the first “completely Konyanger” 2-seat automobile designed for the cramped roads of Suwon and Point Verdant, becoming an instant hit. The Boryeong based Mujigae Publishing brought comics back into the youth’s hands, and Konymation had expanded to control cinemas, movie production studios, theme parks and restaurant chains in its ever expanding media empire.
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===Independence and Present Day | 2462 - Present===
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The Mars Violet Dawn catastrophe of 2462 signaled an era of widespread uncertainty and energy insecurity for the entirety of the Sol Alliance, with the Spur-wide phoron crisis exacerbating the situation for the Alliance’s Middle and especially Outer Ring colonies. A Konyanger recession in the late 2450s had already stretched the colonial government thin, with riots over the cost of living and unemployment in New Hong Kong and Suwon making national news for years on end. As the shaken corporations entered discussions on how they would survive the ever increasing phoron costs, it was made clear to everyone that the Alliance could not, and would not fund the refitting of the corporate fleets with the new Suzuki-Zhang Hammer Drive engine, threatening the complete cutoff of Konyang from outer space should the local Bluespace gate fail. Only a few Einstein vessels and the 58th Fleet stationed on the planet remained as the only reliable link between Konyang and the Spur.

The shortage soon hit the domestic market, leading to dangerous price increases for even the most essential of supplies. The average Konyanger saw their purchasing power plummet, as salaries remained stagnant in the face of a decreasing supply. The colonial Governor Hyun Kyung-Ho, turned to the only emergency option left, Earth. It was not the first time that Patriotic Aid was raised in China, Korea and Japan, though this time it proved most underwhelming. As the call for help fell on ears of men that could not even help their own economies, the trophy colony had to be abandoned to its own devices, with many in the East Asian public accusing Konyangers of greed and forgetting them in their apogee of financial success. With this last link to the past cut off, the question and possibility of independence soon started circling.

There was no time for serious debate however, with the Alliance being plunged into rebellion and collapse. On November 12, the 58th Fleet hastily departed Konyang, declaring a state of emergency in the system and abandoning the colonial government to its fate. Only elements of the Solarian Army and the Constabularies remained to maintain order, themselves being composed almost entirely of local Konyanger enlisted. The situation immediately turned into unrest, as public sentiment against the ineptitude of the Alliance boiled over into the streets. Massive student protests saw the storming of public buildings and central plazas in every major town and city, demanding a sharp reduction to the cost of living, IPC emancipation and a barring of the 58th Fleet from returning. Government reaction was mild, limited to the prevention of damages and protection of private property. Hyun Kyung-Ho was otherwise sympathetic to the students’ cause, sparking outrage within groups of Alliance-minded Army officers and Einstein corporate elites, who sought to prevent any secession of Konyang.

Thus, on November 15 2462, elements of the Army garrison under Lieutenant General Jiang Hongbing mobilized against the wishes of the Governor, taking up key positions in Suwon and Point Verdant. The mutinous 8th Sappers infiltrated the historic SUWON beacon telecommunications complex, preparing the country for a silent coup and preventing any long range communications with Sol. Jiang Hongbing, inspired by actions of mutinous admirals, took it upon himself to restore Konyang to the Alliance by marching the Army into the streets. While some of the formations under his command were willing to participate, the vast majority refused to bear arms against the Konyanger Governor or the student movements. In the following day, an internal power struggle saw many officers confined to their quarters, with Army hardliners being arrested, chased off or even assaulted in their own barracks as a loyalist armored brigade blocked access to the Governor’s House, preventing Hongbing’s men from touching Hyun Kyung-Ho.

With the coup’s inglorious end visible, the Governor’s staff were racing into negotiations with diplomatic officers from Coalition of Colonies still in the country for an express accession into the Coalition, following Konyang’s independence. Jiang Hongbing’s associates surrendered, himself fleeing into the thick jungles of Boryeong Prefecture, declaring a patriotic struggle in the Alliance’s name before soon being betrayed and confined at the 58th base’s Brig. On November 24 2462, telecommunications were restored, and Konyanger independence was broadcast to the world. The country’s preliminary accession into the Coalition was soon after announced, turning a new leaf in Konyang’s history. While the news was received with muted reaction from a confused Alliance government with more pressing matters to handle, the secession of Konyang was a huge blow to the three parent countries. After Governor Hyun Kyung-Ho assembled the nation’s intellectuals, economic and political figures, it was decided that he would remain in place as independent Konyang’s first Governor to organize free elections and set up the foundations for a democratic state.

Now, as a free Konyang comes out to the world stage, strong government initiative has seen its large synthetic factories nationalized, rapidly introducing legislation to establish the relationship with Einstein Engines. While they still are the dominating megacorporation on the planet, Einstein has lost most of its heavy industry, though still retaining the important research facilities around the vaults, as well as a good portion of software and positronic brain creation.
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==Location and Environment==

===The Haneunim System===
The Haneunim System, centered around the yellow star it is named for, Haneunim, contains four major celestial bodies, including the planet of Konyang. The whole system bears evidence of ancient mining operations, missing an asteroid belt to separate the inner and outer system with what few rocks remain being mostly picked clean of minerals. The innermost planet is known as Huozhu and remains practically inaccessible due to the scorching heat of Haneunim. Following it is Hwanung , an insignificant dwarf planet believed to have maintained a thin arid atmosphere before most of its mass was artificially stripped away. The third planet in the System is Konyang, accompanied by its lifeless moon of Qixi. Shiranui, a blue gas giant with a ring, is the outermost planet from Haneunim. An asteroid belt, far to the outskirts and composed mostly of ice, forms a ring around the entire system, although this remains largely unexploited by both the Konyanger government and local corporations. It is instead the stomping ground of both refugees fleeing the Sol Wildlands, and the pirates that seek to prey on them.

===Geography===
[[File:Konyang_map_sat.png|A geographic map of Konyang, showcasing the planet's different biomes. |thumb|800px]]
Primarily a tropical world smaller than Earth, Konyang boasts a mean radius of 5,111 kilometers. Freshwater oceans cover upwards of 88% of the planet’s surface. These oceans also grant Konyang its signature green color when viewed from orbit, in no small part thanks to the abundant presence of moss in the planet’s waterways. The planet’s continents are classified by its larger landmasses and island chains, although given the tides, the planet remains studded with small island chains and archipelagos that ebb and flow with the season. Two small ice caps exist on Konyang where the planet experiences a miniscule amount of snowfall and cold climates. The Konyanger terrain is principally mountainous, with large ranges covering vast areas of the planet’s landmasses. The tallest peak belongs to Mount Sansin, the highest mountain standing at a record 13.890 meters above sea level, its base forming an island of its own. Flanking the mountains are usually lush jungles, present in almost every island and continent in varying densities. This means that settlements have to be located in clearings adjacent to the coastline, on terrain with relatively even elevation. The largest and most dense jungle is located in Bukupo, an island in the heart of the Boryeong Prefecture. The largest landmass on the planet is Cheomseongtang, home of the Suwon prefecture and the nation’s capital. Other notable landmasses are the Oshima islands, hosting the largest mountain ranges, as well as the Yu islands, home of the only biome that could be described as a desert. New Hokkaido is the largest northernmost territory, renowned for its biodiversity and frosty tundra due to its proximity to the planet’s pole, as well as a unique lack of jungles. It is administered directly by the Government of Konyang, being the site of many scientific expeditions and military exercises, only boasting a population of a few hundred people.

===Environment===
[[File:Konyang.png|An image of Konyang, displaying mossy oceans and algae-covered water as the face of the planet. |thumb]]
Konyang features a highly atypical environment for a habitable planet: it is entirely freshwater. The surface of the planet is primarily oceans, with estimates placing upwards of 88% of the planet as covered in water. What is not under the sea are the islands of Konyang, where the vast majority of its population lives. These islands follow a general pattern: a small coastal area and a large mountain range ringing the island. The freshwater oceans of Konyang feature a remarkable diverse biosphere, and Konyang underwater flora, such as freshwater moss, is often used in the planet's native dishes and exported offworld, as far afield as Sol and Tau Ceti. Konyang is defined by two seasons: wet, lasting nine months, and dry, lasting three months.

The coastal regions of Konyang represent the smallest regions of its islands, but contain upwards of 90% of the planet's population. Often called the "coastal jungles" of Konyang, these areas are extremely wet - flooding is an issue in many areas, though the bulk of populated and urban areas are protected by extensive flood protection infrastructure, primarily lengthy complexes of walls. Coastal areas feature a wealth of plant and animal life, both of which have been put under stress by the rapid expansion of Konyang's cities.

Although Konyang’s coastal waters are often tinted green from moss, even more so than its oceans, harvesting and cleanup efforts along the coasts of the main and important islands have resulted in some sections of the planet appearing blue. These areas are often exploited for settlements and as tourist destinations for their scenic looks, while dedicated seaweed and algae farms dot the planet, providing an income for local villages and traditional producers. The most famous Konyanger food exporter, Go-Go Gwok!, has the largest involvement in the moss and seaweed industry.

The inland mountain ranges of Konyang can be up to several kilometers in height in some areas, with smaller foothills featuring some rare settlements leading up to them. These ranges, which lack valuable minerals completely due to Glorsh-era mining, are the reason for Konyang's jungles - they form an effective rain shadow. Some mountains have what is assumed to be collapsed mines in them, deactivated drones scattered throughout.

A phenomenon unique to the easternmost Yu islands of the Ganzaodeng prefecture, inland deserts are created due to the rain shadow caused by the surrounding mountain ranges. These are the least populated areas of the planet. Extraordinarily dry, little grows or lives in these environments. Rare Zeng-Hu Pharmaceuticals facilities can be found in this area, taking advantage of the isolation and relatively sterile environment that the inland deserts offer.

Lastly, the oceans of Konyang are regularly stormy, the large waves being harnessed for their energy in electricity production at numerous such outposts, scattered throughout the unpopulated islets in the farthest and most secluded areas.

===Flora and Fauna===
Wildlife on Konyang is a peculiar mix of its original environment and the thousands of invasive species introduced by Human colonization. Species introduced in the initial colonization of the planet include huge herbivores and peaceful, if ecologically destructive, wildlife. Additionally, the large oceans are host to an uncountable number of species of fish, crustaceans and aquatic molluscs, with many being unique to their region of origin. Flora on Konyang is among its most famed aspects, spearheaded by the mossy shores and overgrowth which covers the vast majority of its visible terrain. All plant life which survives on Konyang must survive the extremely damp environment, and as such either thrives in the water, or is capable of moving away from it. Konyang's waters are famously covered in green moss and seaweed, giving it its signature color when viewed from orbit.

Some examples of unique flora and fauna are:
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'''Shelfers'''
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In the marsh and lowlands of Konyang's algae coasts resides an invasive species of large omnivores known as '''Shelfers.''' These are gluttonous moss-feasting beasts, with a distinct six-legged and bloated appearance. They are excellent swimmers, owed to webbed joints and a wedge shaped, slick head. From this, it uses a set of large protruding teeth to scrape moss and undersea growths. This creature is endangered, and displayed as a national animal thanks to its unique appearance. Originally a danger to unprepared colonization, these gained a reputation for its tendency to attack colonists.

These were first encountered by colonists who had shipped wildlife to and from Arusha, where escaped subjects managed to reproduce- over the years becoming a cultural icon due to their miraculous beneficial place they have in Konyang's ecosystem.
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'''Konyanger Jeweler Cockatoo'''
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Known for its affinity to decorate its nesting grounds with surface-level pearls and gems of all sorts is an opportunistic carnivore, the '''Jeweler Cockatoo.''' This large avian is an offshoot of the Earth parrot, bred originally to “liven the landscape” of Konyang’s dreary inner mountainous lands. Eventually, with the assistance of high-level genetic modification, they grew to giant proportions whilst maintaining the health and lifestyle of a standard - ''if highly dangerous'' - parrot.

Where small patches of forest and barrens clash, these birds thrive and craft beautiful roosts in the relative safety of open fields. In these fields, diminutive predators avoid the large avian’s glare (or don’t, and are frequently preyed upon.) The Jeweler Cockatoo possesses two sharp talons on one digit of each of its feet, and a short - but unbelievably sharp beak, refined further by its tendency to dig. The wingspan of these birds can grow up to fifteen feet.

The Jeweler Cockatoo is the national bird of Konyang, with many stylized imagery depicting the bird in some shape or form.
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'''Glittering Konyang Moss'''
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Found in vast plains of coastal territories in excess is the overflowing, yet precious resource of '''Konyang moss.''' One of its primary exports, this barely-tapped commodity retains a huge capacity to feed Konyang’s already sturdy ecosystem, and the billions which reside upon it, and more to export. The evolutionary process which grew this mystical, shimmering moss is a mystery, however its luster and fields of green it generates has a wonderful impact on sustaining Konyang’s moist, overgrown and greenery-rich habitat.

Konyang moss is pivotal to its moving industries, and even after the robotics boom, it remains a stable source of incoming development for the since-burgeoning planet. The moss’ nutritional properties have been highly studied in recent decades. Its rapid pace of growth is exclusive to Konyang’s ecological circumstances, with everything from subterranean heat, to the algae present in its beautiful green seas factoring in.
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==Economy==
While young, the nation of Konyang boasts a powerful regional economy built upon decades of trade with both the Alliance and various Coalition partners. A developed country, Konyang manages to surpass its near total lack of ore with robust exports of foodstuff and energy, a strong shipping industry and a powerful robotics sector.

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===Raw Materials===
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[[File:Konyang dam.png|thumb|Dams and sea walls are a common sight on Konyang, used to protect cities and population centres from floods and tsunamis, as well as to exploit the violent waves for electricity.]]
Konyang's freshwater oceans were perhaps the largest boon to the starting colonists, and continues to play a substantial role behind the planet's exports. Fishing provides for a large aspect of the domestic economy, with millions of fishing boats and trawlers scouring the shores and oceans for all kinds of fish, crustaceans and other aquatic creatures, of which a complete list doesn't exist. Such is the biodiversity in Konyang's waters, that each region has its own fish markets which serve clients all over the planet and the Spur. Besides fishing, Konyang's biggest aquatic produce in terms of volume belongs to its enormous seaweed and moss harvesting industries. Entire ships are purpose-built for collecting wild greenery which floats on the high seas and the bays of Konyang, bringing in billions in offworld exports and domestic sales. The harvesting of moss is not exclusive to the sea and the aquatic farms either, as many edible varieties are collected inland, both in the planet's jungles and mountain ranges. Konyanger moss is Spur-renowned thanks to powerful marketing campaigns and the spread of the planet's cuisine.

With tremendously stormy wet seasons lasting most of the year, it is no surprise that Konyanger corporations have attempted and managed to harness the energy of the wind, waves and waters of the planet. Electricity is generated through a network of dams, hydroelectric plants, wave power stations and tidal power stations, all dotted across the vast shores and oceans of Konyang. The electricity produced is then either stored in super capacitors, or is directly wired inland through thick underwater cables, catering to the needs of virtually every power grid on the globe. Much of it is also transported on board space freighters lined with rows of large batteries, ready to make the journey to Alliance and Coalition worlds as part of the lucrative electricity export industry.

Lastly, Konyang excells in the export of water and timber. The continent-spanning untouched jungles provide an excellent source of wood for foreign markets as well as domestic construction, of which there is very heavy use in lieu of metal structures. The freshwater is also extremely easy to chemically filter, skipping any desalination process before being bottled or shipped as-is on board of one of many of Konyang's water barges; large hollow space vessels with tankers and pools for water storage.
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===Maritime Shipping===
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Surface shipping is another one of the main forces behind Konyang's domestic market economy, and an inseparable part of the nation's maritime culture. The docks and shipyards of New Hong Kong are the beating heart of the sector, which provides employment to more than 20% of the entire planet's population. Entire towns were formed and dedicated to housing the laborers and their families close to the coast, and many islands subsist entirely off of seamen's salaries and work at nearby electricity stations. Surface shipping, while slower, is a lot more economical for planetary moving of goods across the continents and islands of Konyang, being preferred to airlifting or orbital shuttling. Aside from the creation of jobs and the transportation of goods, Konyang's shipping industry produces excellent sailors who can rival those of planets such as Europa, many of whom eventually transition to space.
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===Robotics and Services===
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Ever since the robotics boom, Konyang has become a major player in the export and development of IPCs and everything surrounding them. Each year, the most cutting edge technologies catered to the improvement of the life of synthetics are released by Konyanger software companies, often to critical acclaim. This is because of the the substantial positronic population, free and eager to spend on such innovations that allow them to experience the world in a more human-like fashion. When it comes to the export of IPCs, Einstein Engines remains the prime manufacturer of chassis and positronic brains, which are shipped abroad without being activated. The practice, while putting Konyang on the map as one of the big regional producers of synthetics, is a hotly contested area between deeply entrenched corporate interests and an increasingly politically aware IPC populace. Non-positronic robotics are a separate, but once significant part of the economy, with Konyang having hoeld high places in the spur leaderboards for the making of robots, mechs, pAIs and automated systems. This sector however, took a major hit as the robotics boom slowly deflated, leaving behind abandoned industrial complexes and derelict factories.

The nation's service sector has to be one of the biggest ones, contributing a sizeable portion of the country's Gross Domestic Product. Many of the companies listed on the Suwon Stock Exchange are everything from financial consultation firms, to insurance agencies, housed in every majpr city's financial district. Skyscrapers and office complexes in downtown Suwon, Point Verdant and New Hong Kong are a daily reminder of the office life millions of Konyangers live, and many parents dream of their child being able to one day find employment in a top law firm or such. While mostly concentrated in the domestic market, many of these companies have expanded their services abroad, building a reputation of Konyanger reliability and impeccable work.
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===Konyanger Corporations===

In terms of the traditional megacorporations, the undoubted hegemon remains Einstein Engines, entrenched in the planet's life since the beginning of Konyang's colonization. The megacorporation owns a number of subsidiaries on the planet in many different sectors, most notably, Terraneus Diagnostics, which regularly bankrolls and invests in government initiatives in exchange for their continuous presence. It retains the original research facilities and control over the vaults, even if IPC production and exports are now handled by the Konyang Robotics Corporation, a public company in which Einstein controls a 49% stake. The Terraneus facilities on the planet mainly handle shell research and positronic brain production for export to the Coalition, while they occasionally butt heads with Zeng-Hu Pharmaceuticals in the realm of IPC research. Zeng-Hu has the second-largest megacorporate presence, mainly in biosphere research and sales of pharmaceuticals. Despite this, local conglomerates generally dominate the country’s financial sector, commanding the government’s cooperation and good graces in order to keep a stable economy. Upon achieving independence, Konyang has managed to maintain a strong presence of homegrown corporations in the fields of agriculture, media, energy and consumer goods.

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'''PACHROM'''
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A chemical and engineering corporation, PACHROM builds, maintains and manages eighty percent of all private dams, hydroelectric plants and seawalls on Konyang, as well as engaging in the field of chemicals and plastics production. Headed by Park Moon-soo, the business mogul is vying for influence with the government as indispensable to the nation’s energy output and defence against floods and natural disasters, making the “Pachrom Parks” one of the richest and most powerful business dynasties on the planet. Headquartered in central Suwon, the bulk of PACHROM’s operations are located in diasporic, uninhabited islands in the middle of the world’s oceans, where hundreds of organic and synthetic workmen toil daily to run the water powered electricity plants in extremely dangerous conditions.

The company’s notorious reputation for neglecting the safety of its employees and the environmental disregard for waste disposal from its plastics factories has been a big stain the Parks have struggled to wash off. While their ties to both the Alliance administration and the Konyang government have proven instrumental in their ability to dodge damning legal action, demonstrations of public outcry are a common feature in and around the street opposite the PACHROM office complex. To counter this, public relations campaigns are a constant focus, with tens of millions being spent in portraying them in a positive light. Charities are a large part of the Park family’s social presence, sponsoring public works and offering scholarships mainly in the Boryeong and New Hong Kong prefectures, where the majority of employees originate.

Often finding itself without funds from Unity Station, the colonial administration would commission PACHROM in the form of lucrative contracts for the construction of dams and power stations, allowing the utilisation of synthetics and IPC for the dangerous labour required. Due to society’s favourable opinion towards positronic intelligence, the multitude of cases of IPC fatalities would be swept under the rug with government assistance, creating a culture of tolerance towards lacklustre safety features and general disregard. Today, PACHROM’s future remains uncertain as the newly independent state of Konyang wishes tends to distance itself from its shaky past, a fact indicated by the recent awarding of the Kaneyama nuclear plant to the public company GON-ENE.
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'''Gwok Group'''
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Founded in the early 2410s with the name Hyeonsang Foods, the precursor to today’s multinational food conglomerate was the first attempt at commercialising Konyang’s seaweed and moss both for export and internal consumption. Initially finding limited success due to an overly competitive local market and foreign consumers' reluctance to the Konyanger novelty, the company's defining moment arrived during the robotics boom, launching them from mediocrity into the billion credit business stage.

As Einstein Engines staff poured into Point Verdant, Hyeonsang secured a contract from the megacorporation's local branch for providing meals and miscellaneous catering to workers and research staff. The once alienated Einstein employees would soon come around, praising the brand for its flavourful seasoning and convenience, eventually spreading the word to Einstein facilities and back home. By the late 40s, Hyeonsang was on the track of significant financial success, having secured a large foothold in the foreign dominated central districts of Point Verdant.

Rebranding into the more consumer friendly “Gwok” name in 2452, the company’s reputation abroad led to the opening of regional branches in the Solarian middle and core worlds, generating an increasingly massive amount of income, used for an aggressive takeover of the local Konyanger market. By buying off competitors, monopolising the moss and seaweed industry and introducing new marketing, Gwok’s domestic success was soon guaranteed as the primary supplier of supermarkets. In 2454 the IPC Gwok-0783, until then a senior executive and the face of the company as the main influencer of the rebrand, assumed direct control as CEO of the conglomerate thus becoming the first IPC in charge of a billion credit corporation in Sol space. The following years would see the consolidation of all affiliated assets and filial companies under an umbrella Gwok Group, topping the charts and establishing a farming, food and restaurant chain empire.
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'''Konymation'''
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Konymation represents the peak of the Konyanger animated media scene, being by far the most successful and most well known studio in the country, with a Spur-wide fame. It arose in the early days of the robotics boom, creating a resurgency of animations for both children and adults. While the industry was almost non-existent and cheap Solarian cartoons were the norm, a group of inspired artists came together to animate and direct the first feature-length production from Konyang, using native voice actors and a brand new artstyle of their own. The result was "One Day in my Life", a slice of life film following the daily routine of an IPC secretary in a human-dominated world, becoming an instant hit with both domestic and foreign audiences. Since then, Konymation rose to become the largest studio of quality animations, creating films and series for all ages and of all genres. Such was the success, that any animated pieces from Konyang have passed into the public consciousness simply as "Konymations", referred to as such in both the planet and abroad. Since their foundation, the studio has developed into a media conglomerate, buying out holoscreen channels, online platforms, news networks and more.
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'''Mujigae Publishing'''
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The biggest publishing house, Mujigae is to the comic book industry what Konymation is to animation. Having created thousands of interesting and touching comic series, Mujigae is credited with bringing paper back into the hands of millions of Konyangers, in an age where digital platforms have become the default for nearly everything in life. Many of Mujigae's works find great demand abroad as well as at home, with the company being known for their efforts to constantly seek out and recruit new artists with fresh ideas. A plethora of published series often find themselves being adapted into the holoscreen in lucrative partnerships with Konymation, as well as the other way around. Additionally, Mujigae's philanthropic work cannot go unmentioned; millions of credits have found their way to various charities on Konyang, primarily those regarding the children, the money drawn from art festivals and comicons that are hosted annually, often with the participation of the Ministry of Culture.
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'''Konyang Robotics Corporation'''
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The Konyang Robotics Corporation, or KRC as is more commonly known, is the country's largest government-controlled company centered around the manufacture, maintenance and welfare of the nation's positronic population. Borrowing heavily from Einstein know-how and infrastructure, it originated from the nationalization of Einstein and Terraneus IPC factories, with the majority of their employees swapping over to a government payroll. Einstein Engines controls 49% of the shares of the company, lending it tremendous behind-the-scenes influence on Konyang's synthetic population.

The primary function of the KRC is the production, storage and activation of IPC citizens. A very politically and socially sensitive topic, great care is placed by the government through the Ministry of Health and Positronic Affairs to meticulously calculate and order the amount of yearly activations, so as to maintain the Human-IPC ratio and meet the demands of the job market. To that effect, the KRC also acts as a sort of "school" for the newly activated IPC citizens, with special orientation camps where synthetics are taught about Konyanger society before released to the world.

Furthermore, the KRC acts as the primary health provider for Konyanger IPCs, with clinics and hospitals situated in every town and city, as well as strategically placed in certain villages in the countryside. Thousands of roboticists, engineers and software technicians are employed by the KRC to act as the equivalents of surgeons, physicians, nurses and paramedics for the IPC population, who are afforded universal healthcare through the KRC. Appointment times are dependent on location and the capacity of the clinic or hospital, with many in more remote areas having to wait months for limb replacements and other, more heavy duty needs that cannot be met by their local KRC center.
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'''GON-ENE'''
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GON-ENE is a newly formed, state-controlled energy utilities company, created following the announcement of the Kaneyama Nuclear Power Plant. Perceived as a direct competitor to PACHROM, GON-ENE has been planned to expand into hydroelectric and wave power, giving the government a greater control of the nation's power grid and cutting back reliance on privately-owned sector, though complete autarky is off the table for at least many decades.
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==Government==
''Main Article: [[Konyanger Government and Politics#Government|Konyanger Government]]''

Konyang is organized as a unitary semi-parliamentary republic headed by a President, the former colonial governor Hyun Kyung-Ho being elected to the position after independence. The Prime Minister is elected by the citizenry every four years, and is the leader of the governing party in the Parliament of Konyang. The current Prime Minister is Myeong Myung-Dae.

Planetary politics are found on both a national and prefectural level, with every party running in local and national elections. Polarization is fairly limited, the vast majority of Konyangers rejecting the extreme views put forward by radical political movements in the country that tend to be marginalized. IPC politicians do exist and are found in every major party, though most can be seen sitting with the National Party of Konyang.

===Military===
[[File:Marine.png|thumb|right|An IPC Konyanger Naval Infantryman in full gear.]]
Konyang’s military, also known as the Konyang Armed Forces, was first formed shortly after the colony’s independence from personnel of the former Solarian garrison. As a result, it carries a lot of the traditions of the Solarian Armed Forces. Bolstered by conscription laws requiring both organic and synthetic citizens one year of mandatory service, the KAF possesses Army, Navy and Aerospace branches. IPCs are actively recruited and accepted into the military, forming both their own and deployed in mixed units. This segregation is justified by the government as based solely on the differentiating capabilities, logistical needs and skills between man and machine.

That claim does hold true to an extent, with IPCs taking a more active role in special forces formations, dealing with operations requiring levels of precision and focus that artificial intelligence can easily provide. A famous example is the army’s Mechatronic Corps, an elite unit utilising large, leftover battle mechs retrofitted for a pair of pilots. Such a force is unique in the Coalition, and is often used abroad in operations under broader CoC military command. Mixed infantry units of conscripts do exist, fielded in jungle patrol tasks or assigned garrison duty.

Notably for a 25th century military, the Navy maintains a very large aquatic force which it uses to patrol the vast oceans of the planet. Regularly described as more of a coast guard than a military arm, it is more geared for domestic policing than combat, consisting mostly of ships acting as launching points for many smaller, coast guard type vessels that patrol the vast expanse of the planet’s waterways and launch military aircraft. Nevertheless, it provides important services with its multiple telecommunication, radar and island outposts, providing crucial meteorological information for everyday seafaring and flood prevention on a planet where storms and extreme weather are the norm.

The Konyang Aerospace Forces perform both atmospheric and orbital operations with their doctrine clearly influenced by former Solarian officers within their ranks. Their fleet consist of obsolete vessels donated by Coalition planets, partially brought up to a modern standard by the planet’s technology and manufacturing sector. In 2465, the KASF’s main tasks include protecting the system from pirates and policing the large influx of refugees from the Human Wildlands, regularly pushing them to other planets within the Coalition as per Konyang’s strict migration laws.

===National Police===
[[File:Konyanger Police Ranks.png|thumb|In order to organize the National Police and smooth cooperation between prefectures, a unified rank structure was adopted shortly after its formation.]]
Despite its federal nature, the main law enforcement agency on the planet is the National Police, formed after Konyang’s independence from the merging of a number of local and specialised agencies under the then Solarian authority. One major change since then has been the introduction of synthetic officers in all positions and ranks, while also creating special divisions suited best for them. Police gear remains rather antiquated for the era, the force still using old Solarian equipment and stocks from the colonial garrison, meaning that much of the tactics and thinking remain unchanged. Considered tame by Alliance standards, the National Police places an emphasis on preventative policing, building rapport with local communities, and relying on a sense of civic duty from the populace to perform its duties. Despite this, the National Police has nonetheless received criticism for occasional incidents of corruption and brutality, mostly against synthetic citizens. This is more common in remote departments and conservative prefectures, where the sudden inclusiveness of synthetic officers with equal pay and opportunities is seen as a threat. Such incidents aside, government efforts for the modernisation of the National Police are ongoing.

The police is subject to the Ministry of Public Safety in Suwon and is organised at the national level, with local departments answering to the assigned hierarchy in their prefecture. Special divisions are deployed to deal with various policing duties, their size ranging from a whole new branch to Special Robotics detachments specialising in detainment of volatile synthetic suspects. The largest of these subdivisions and arguably the most important, the Coast Guard is the maritime arm of the National Police, operating a fleet of shore and sea patrol vessels in their mission to enforce the law at the huge array of islands and in Konyang’s waters. As the planet is surrounded by oceans, the Coast Guard has proven itself essential to the battle against smuggling and piracy while also assuming search and rescue duties during flooding, tsunamis and other catastrophes. The National Police has also gained Coalition-wide acclaim for its Special Robotics Division - a task force known for its expertise in detaining IPC without causing permanent damage.

==Culture==
''Main article: [[Konyanger_Culture_and_Demographics|Konyanger Culture]]''

Konyang’s culture has been shaped by its East Asian Earther heritage, unique status as a colony with little to no resources, and as the birthplace of positronics. Konyanger society is often described as closed-off, with many unspoken social norms that vary from prefecture to prefecture. Key social norms that are shared in Konyang’s culture are Harmony, Reciprocity, and Face. Often derided as “meekness”, Harmony refers to enforcing unity and conformity within society. The specific manifestations vary from prefecture to prefecture, but in general, individuals who disrupt a sense of peace can face social ostracization. For instance, explicit disagreement such as using the word “no” is considered impolite, and a non-answer is often far more acceptable. Harmony also refers to a person’s social role; respect should be shown to people of a higher status, usually along traditional lines such as age, profession, and experience.

===Cuisine===
The primary diet of Konyangers consists of moss, seaweed and fish, with farms and pastures on land being rare due to the thick jungle. Konyang's moss is either harvested in the wild, grown in "natural" hydrofarms, or grown synthetically in bioplants. The moss itself is said to change its taste depending on the environment in which it is grown, and natural moss from the coasts around Konyang's islands is highly prized. Exports of moss and seaweed are a very lucrative business, held primarily by the galaxy-famous Go-Go Gwok! brand. Many workers, however, must make do with hydrofarm moss at best, and synthetic substitutes at worst. Konyang's fish - quite diverse, due to its freshwater environments - are also often consumed on the planet, with many being exported as luxury food as far afield as Venus and Tau Ceti. More conventional but water-intensive crops such as rice and other tropical fruits are also grown to a certain extent but are considered a rarity.

The planet is also home to a thriving beverages industry, with local varieties of algae providing the basis of a light but thick alcoholic drink colloquially known as “Nong jiu” domestically and abroad. The wide selection of produce on the planet however means more traditional drinks are produced, typically drawing from their Earther roots and commonly based on rice. Some of these drinks are exported by local businesses such as Go-Go Gwok! while Zeng-Hu has wrestled to control some of these brands in an attempt to stop them from competing with their own lineups.

====Synthetic Cuisine====
Synthetic-unique cuisine is an unusual case in the Spur, but not for Konyang. Here, robots utilize gustatorial implants to - if inefficiently - consume, or at least “taste” food regularly. Indeed, there is an entire market for synthfood where robots can enjoy their own form of taste, texture and uniquely perceptive flavor for foods. Mostly, synthfood is described as a thick slime, one with varying additives for color. Texture is mostly a simulated process within gustatorial implants, given they are not always present on tongues alone - meaning that the actual texture of these synthfoods remains the same gooey substance.

''One can achieve a similar substance to these synthfoods mechanically by grinding certain foods into paste, or utilizing candy machines with your choice of ingredients and output.''

===Media===
''Main article: [[Konyanger_Culture_and_Demographics#Media|Media]]''

Public media in Konyang is a powerful industry, and as broad as it may seem, it is very tightly knit. Aside from galactic-wide reruns and broadcasts of other nation’s shows, little seems to stand out - except the audio broadcast and illustrated artistic avenues. These two are well-refined artistic giants compared to other forms of entertainment on the planet.

A huge portion of the planet’s political views and very “personality” are channeled through its larger studios, where many are found enthused to spread its culture galaxy-wide.

===Organised Crime===

=====Benevolent Guild=====
The Benevolent Guild is a criminal organisation operating primarily within the decrepit, dark shadows of New Hong Kong. Originating as a mutual aid society for low income and forced penal colonists shipped into New Hong Kong by the Alliance government, it developed into a ruthless crime syndicate with strong ties to the local lower class community. From the start, the tightly knit communal and familial ties have played an important role in preserving the gang’s power and shielding them from police action. Only in recent years has any meaningful progress been made, the allocation of governmental resources and the increasingly violent and profit-oriented tactics of the Guild having alienated much of the younger generation, chipping away at the once widely popular support.

Starting with extortion and loan sharking, the Benevolent Guild rapidly expanded into gambling, drugs and violent crime such as kidnapping both in New Hong Kong and in New Kowloon. It is not uncommon for synthetics that find themselves victims of the group’s loan shark tactics to be ‘collected’ as collateral damage and subsequently carted off to whichever corner of the Orion Spur where their new owners await them usually at a far cheaper rate than elsewhere. One of the few institutions on Konyang refusing to admit synthetics owing to a deeply conservative and spiritually esoteric internal ideology, a pragmatist outlook often compels them to deal with and even cooperate with IPC politicians, police and rival gangs. Connections with criminal organisations in the wider Spur have been confirmed to exist, as various crime syndicates in Xanu, New Hai Phong and Luna are known to be in connection with the Benevolent Guild.

=====5-Cheung=====
Emerging as one of the strongest IPC/organic street gangs of Suwon, the 5-Cheung numbers in the thousands of members in the cities of the Suwon and Point Verdant prefectures. The organisation’s origin as a loose collective of delinquents and fringe elements has since developed into a nationwide crime family with a powerful hierarchy fielding biker gangs and thugs to enforce their tight grip on the underworld. With a black repertoire of gambling, extortion, money laundering and narcotics, the 5-Cheung is considered a main rival to the Benevolent Guild of New Hong Kong, the two frequently coming to blows in a series of wars and uneasy truces over control of turf and general competition.

An open secret in the country’s political sphere has the 5-Cheung profit lucratively from corruption in the highest levels of government and police. During the Solarian era, prominent politicians employed protection from the 5-Cheung, soliciting their services in voter swaying, intimidation of opposition members and violent disruption of rallies and demonstrators. This has given the gang a justified reputation for being the political soldiers of ruling dynasties and representing the authorities in the underworld and on the street in exchange for immunity from prosecution. Following Konyang’s independence, the reformed National Police retained a virtually unchanged staff while the nation’s same prominent political families, now unshackled from Alliance oversight, enjoy even more freedom. As such, it is safe to say that 5-Cheung’s entrenched position will continue to remain untouched aside from the occasional drug bust and arrest of low level members.

=====Sea Bandits=====
Although both the previous colonial administration and the nascent Konyanger Armed Forces and Coast Guard have tried to stamp out piracy, the sheer expanse of the planet means that groups of what the authorities call “sea bandits” continue to infest the waters and orbit of Konyang. Ranging from small motor boats launched from fishing villages with nothing more than an antique rifle, to retrofitted probes salvaged from the refugee waves pouring into the system, piracy is one of the most pressing social and security issues faced by the newly formed nation.

Individual pirate groups usually number no greater than twenty people but the Sea Bandits as a whole operate as a wider criminal network inclusive of individuals and crews from all over the planet. By coordinating their activities and intelligence through encrypted sites, the organisation manages to both evade and stay one step ahead of the authorities. Most of their activities take the form of kidnapping, armed robbery of craft and hijacking unescorted seafarers, while admittedly avoiding the busiest and well guarded sealanes and locations. The most audacious raid by the Sea Bandits to date involved the boarding and ransoming of a cruise ship by the use of an unregistered freighter. Although only circumstantial evidence has been uncovered, Golden Deep Zaibatsu have also been accused of working with Sea Bandit groups by launching probes full of narcotics, to be recovered by the pirates.

==Synthetics on Konyang==
As the origin of the integrated positronic chassis now found throughout the Orion Spur, Konyang has always had a quite unique relationship with IPCs, the IPC population constituting a staggering 34% of the total population. While IPCs throughout the Sol Alliance are often looked upon as little more than property, tools, or novelties depending upon their frame those found upon Konyang possessed a notably greater degree of autonomy and freedom before the planet’s secession from the rest of the Alliance, achieving full and unconditional freedom afterwards. Legal ownership of synthetics within the borders of the Republic does not exist, the Emancipation Act constituting one of the first acts passed by Parliament. IPCs can work wherever they like, live however they please within the confines of the law, and partake in politics by voting or being elected. As such, foreigners are repeatedly cautioned to not bring any privately held IPCs with them, for they cannot be forced to return unwillingly.

Ordinary Konyangers, as a result of the planet’s liberal outlook on positronics, possess a more positive view of synthetics than other humans in the Orion Spur - particularly those from the Sol Alliance and its former territories. The majority of people on Konyang view IPCs as amicable colleagues and neighbours, with many friendships between man and machine being established. Closer bonds such as marriage are also legalised and not unheard of, though not without outcries from the more conservative spectrum. Many scholars theorize that this is due to the prevalence of IPCs in daily life on Konyang, seamlessly blending into society, in addition to the pride many citizens have in their planet being the origin of the modern positronic. Konyang’s integration of IPCs stands with some degree of contrast to Biesel’s, with the large synthetic ghetto of District 14 segregating many synthetics from the average citizen of the Republic of Biesel.

With Konyang’s independence, IPCs share full legal equality with all organic citizens of the planet. This concession was given, both as an acknowledgement and acceptance of the fact that synthetics have become part of everyday life in the colony and are generally accepted by its inhabitants. Unlike the Republic of Biesel, IPCs in Konyang seek to assimilate into human society, with IPCs being given the choice to adopt a second, “human name” before receiving citizenship. A human name can range from an entirely new name, to adding a first or last name of any kind to their existing designation.

Many positronics can be found within the economy of Konyang with perhaps the most famous (or infamous) one being Gwok-0783 (now Kim Gwok-0783, under post-independence IPC naming conventions), the owner and operator of her very own food conglomerate in the form of Go-Go Gwok! Authentic Konyanger Moss. As Go-Go Gwok! is technically an interstellar corporation, Gwok-0783 herself relied on a series of legal loopholes centered around Konyang’s former IPC laws to maintain control of the company when Konyang was still in the Sol Alliance. Examples such as Gwok, with her control of an inter-planetary corporation, are fairly rare. However, many positronics have made a successful name for themselves as small business owners and corporate workers on Konyang.
[[File:Konyang vault.png|thumb|A mysterious vault upon Konyang's surface, unearthed and built around with monitoring infrastructure.]]
Due to the system’s bluespace gate, many members of [[Synthetic_Factions#The_Golden_Deep|Golden Deep]] have secured permits to operate, as it allows their vessels to more easily make the journey from the frontier to the more lucrative markets of Tau Ceti and the Jewel Worlds. The money and business brought into the system by these synthetic traders has - arguably - been a major contributor to Konyang’s more liberal laws and regulations regarding IPCs. Konyang, before its independence, was one of the few systems under Solarian control in which IPCs could own and operate a business.

The synthetic population in Konyang is regulated by the government. A set number of positronics are assembled each year under contract at Terraneus Diagnostics facilities in Point Verdant with the prospect of being granted citizenship after a 3 month life orientation period. The determined number is set annually by Parliament, backed up by the yearly census and statistics, with production increasing or decreasing depending on the number of human birth ratios, positronic shutdowns, and other factors. Expenses are met both through government funds and private donations, though debate on the matter is rarely heated as the amount of new brains numbers usually in the hundreds; a tiny fraction of positronics produced and exported in total. IPCs and positronics constructed for the purpose of selling them to a different country, are not covered by such regulations and are not given citizenship.

There are further regulations in robotics construction in Konyang. Any activated positronic brain can qualify under the Emancipation Act. Exceptions to the law exist for manufacturing and research, with Point Verdant in particular activating positronic brains for the sake of testing shells before shipping them off-world. The law has also sparked development in other fields of mechatronics, with Konyang beginning to lead the way in circuit-based robotics.

Despite gains for its IPC citizens, other positronic intelligences have not been so lucky. Although some brains have been repurposed as AI coordinators for cities; with no way to transition to humanoid frames, bound intelligences have been granted freedom, but often take contracts with corporations that result in a return to the old status quo, all for the sake of staving off destruction due to a lack of maintenance.

===Konyanger Augmentation of IPCs===

Augmentation on Konyang is a fascinating subject, where the presence of so many IPCs has brought success in modifying the Positronic body and mind. Famed explorations into the sectors of IPC modification include "sensory evolution," where synthetics' senses being amplified or dulled in extremes according to desire.

Primary among the delves into this evolution of the senses is the New Dawn Augmentation Movement. This is a Konyanger organization based on the improvement of the IPC lifestyle via modifying chassis, funded peculiarly by Terraneus Diagnostics. The movement is oddly organized as a non-profit, going against the corporation’s established modus operandi. This, coupled with the tantalizing opportunity to freely modify an IPC's form with donated funds leads to public skepticism of the augment movement’s motivations.

Still, the true size of the movement to augment and improve Konyang's IPC population is extraordinary in comparison to other stellar nations. Roughly 22% of Konyang IPCs have some form of corporate-funded augmentation to enhance themselves.
[[File:Konyang augment1.png|thumb|A Konyanger design, the Scorpion Lobe is an augment which manipulates the perception of time for synthetics for better or worse.]]
* '''SENSO-EVO/Scorpion Lobe'''
A miraculous creation of Konyang's technological advancement, SENSO-EVO is the term aptly handed to Sensory Evolution's foremost product. This is the Scorpion Lobe, a similarly shaped attachment to the rear of a positronic brain which adjusts the rate at which the synthetic perceives time literally. The implications of this are seen as either a blessing or a curse — sometimes even utilized as a way to reduce problematic behavior in positronics.

These implants are commercialized to protect the integrity of brains which adopt extremely high speed tasks, or extremely tedious and slow ones, with a perception that best suits their given utility.

A double edged sword by nature, these are often removed by free positronic chassis due to their almost torturous nature. Some may find their lives flashing hours into moments, whilst others may find daily grinds to be impossibly long ordeals. Unfortunately, removing these implants is not always a safe procedure, sometimes damaging a brain or rendering the problem worse.

These were first manufactured by Hephaestus Industries on instrumental Konyang research facilities, and later acquired by Einstein Engines personnel in the same month - debates over the design’s origin have been ongoing since 2449.

===Recreational Software===

In the IPC community of Konyang, the culture of acceptance and freedom has always invited the curiosity of synthetics to imitate and follow human pastimes and habits. This in turn included activities such as smoking, synthetic flavours and eventually, recreational drugs. Due to the nature of the positronic, the only way to recreate such sensations is through software targeting and modifying specific programming in the brain. At first, this dangerous commodity was provided by amateur programmers using experimental and highly volatile code known as “overloaders”, leading to often irreparable and lethal damage to an IPC’s systems. The results of the few initial successes, however, proved promising enough for the idea to be seriously considered by upcoming Konyanger tech companies and business-oriented software engineers, leading to the first reliable and somewhat safe overloaders in the mid to late 2450s.

Popular awareness of recreational software became widespread upon its release as a commercial product, Konyang being the first world to introduce a marketable version of it. Usually sold inside a single-use stick drive, their circulation is approved by safety boards and is considered legal for responsible consumption, much like alcohol for organics, relying on the consumer for mitigation and avoidance of repeated use. Legal overloaders today can be found mainly in synthetic-centred retailers found around the major cities, their relatively limited availability and high price setting them as a luxury IPC item. Its effects include a wide range of results, from simulating the sensations of a light buzz to a short bout of excitement and joy, aimed at enhancing the experience at celebrations, parties and get-togethers.

However, where there is demand, there must be supply, and the fact that demand spiked as these new products launched paved the way to a large underground market of cheap, unsafe and highly unpredictable overloaders sold both by dealers and unlicensed street vendors of dubious reputation. An illegal overloader epidemic hitting the cities of Suwon and Boryeong in late 2459, led to intensified police crackdowns and government campaigns against illicit overloaders, labelling them as malware and the IPC equivalent of dangerous drugs. Virtually unrecognisable from a legitimate overloader without the seal, side effects are many times more powerful and addicting, appealing to adventurous synthetics and the financially insecure. From catapulting the positronic into a garbled, incomprehensive reality of simulated emotions to simply heightening the senses, the illegal overloaders’ addictive and dangerous nature leads many synthetics to disrepair, involving behaviour breaking glitches, hardware failures and more, all while guaranteeing a returning clientele.

Reception to recreational software has been mixed, dividing society and politicians on matters of free will, the dangers of overloaded IPC, and the overall ethics of deliberately creating and selling what are essentially drugs. Both synthetics and humans have loudly spoken against it, spawning demonstrations and dividing politicians across party lines. Legislation has already passed, categorising possession and distribution of illicit overdosers as strictly illegal, with heavy punishments for dealers and suppliers. Police and coast guard raids yield millions of unbranded overloaders each year, making highly publicised arrests while sending a message of absolute intolerance towards the malware. Despite this, circulation never ceases and exports to Xanu, Tau Ceti and Sol.

==Population and Major Cities==

[[File:Konyang_map_pol.png|thumb|800px|A map of Konyang showcasing the Prefectures and the New Hokkaido Territory. Click to enlarge.]]

'''Suwon''' is the largest, most populated, and second wealthiest city on Konyang itself and is generally one of the larger cities in the Coalition of Colonies. It functions as both the planetary capital, as well as the capital of Suwon Prefecture, encompassing the entirety of Cheomsongtang. Symbolic of the new government is the Parliament Building, a massive structure of flowing lines and sustainable technology, incorporating pieces of the first colony ship. The Prime Minister's Government House, the President's Crimson House, the Solarian embassy, as well as embassies from various Coalition states are present here as well. Standards of living in wealthiest areas of Suwon are equivalent to and (sometimes) even surpass the living standards of places such as Highland City or Argia sa Mar, demonstrating how wealthy the robotics boom has made some sectors of the planet. A lack of readily-available materials, however, ensures that even the super-rich of Konyang often live in smaller houses than their Colonies planet counterparts. Life outside these wealthy areas is better than life in most cities in Himeo but dramatically worse than in the very wealthy areas, or even the cities of Xanu Prime. Overcrowding is a massive issue for the government of the city, with no obvious solution presenting itself due to how expensive importing new building materials is post-boom. The city is home to most of Konyang's biggest companies and office complexes, as well as the Suwon Stock Exchange, making the city's financial district the economy's beating heart. "Shoebox apartments" are common here, as are Konyang's often egregious traffic issues. The city is fortified with extensive sea walls, flood walls and flood gates to prevent natural disasters during the wet season, tropical storms being fairly common.

[[File:Point verdant.png|thumb|One of Aoyama's many skyscraper blocks, safely located behind a dam.]]

'''Aoyama''', known in the larger Spur as '''Point Verdant''', is the second most-populated city on Konyang, and the industrial heart of its robotics industry. Built along a coastal mountain range from which it draws its namesake, it is by far the wealthiest city on Konyang, and one of the richest cities in the Coalition of Colonies. Due to being home of the Robotics Boom, hosting foreigners and their families that once even surpassed the locals inside the city, Aoyama is frequently known outside to outsiders and to the Spur at large as Point Verdant, much to the chagrin of the locals. Aoyama is home to the renowned Point Verdant Terraneus Institute of AI Research, and is the poster child for the rapid development of Konyang's cities during the Boom. The city is extremely wealthy, but suffers from persistent overcrowding and traffic issues in all of its districts. The Pusan District, near PVTI, had the reputation of possessing the worst traffic in the Alliance according to its residents. Air quality in Aoyama is regarded as subpar, due to the amount of robotics factories in the city's outskirts, which have however slowly but steadily declined since. Being the focal point of the Robotics Boom, it is home to a large number of expatriate communities and Einstein Engines employees.

'''Boryeong''', named after a city on historical Earth where some of its colonists originated from, is the third most populated city on Konyang and capital of the Boryeong Prefecture, referred to as the breadbasket of the nation. The city, while still suffering overcrowding issues, has it to a lesser extent than Point Verdant or Suwon, with the city's outskirts necessitating a need for space due to the vast hydroponics farms and water plants. A second-grade industrial city of much natural beauty, Boryeong is more rustic than its counterparts, with wood playing a much more prominent role in construction; outside the central ring, some of Boryeong's districts are built entirely out of timber. Water bottled or processed in Boryeong is sold throughout the Alliance and Coalition in bulk, and native moss grown in the prefecture is marketed throughout both as a luxury food. Over half of the city's labourers are employed in hydroponics, aquaculture, fishing and food processing, with Gwok Foods being the largest provider of work in the region. Synthetic moss is grown in Zeng-Hu facilities near Boryeong and, despite being regarded as lesser quality than natural moss, is often consumed in poorer areas of Konyang.

'''Ganzaodeng''', named for its dry locale, is located in Konyang's only desert and holds the largest expatriate populations on the planet, being nicknamed, “Little Sol”. Due to its unique geographic setting, it faces remarkably calmer weather than the rest of the planet, with the city being connected to the rest of the island by air and rail that cuts right through the mountains. Ganzaodeng is Konyang's only planned city with origins in the Robotics Boom, when the foundations were laid for a city envisioned by foreigners, for foreigners. Rich Solarians descended upon the planet's seemingly only dry piece of real estate, building a city full of nightlife and eclectic inner-ring pleasures within the distant colony. By the end of the Boom however, the city's famous strips of casinos and luxury hotels still operating in downtown Ganzaodeng became a symbol of a bygone era, as much of the Solarian population elected to depart. The city passed into native Konyanger hands, being expanded into a hub of shipping with the help of the city's remaining big names. Because of the reliably clear weather, Ganzaodeng has developed a sprawling extraplanetary shipping sector, with plans for a spaceport larger than New Hong Kong’s, as well as future schemes for the largest oceangoing port on the planet. Its climate has resulted in the prefectural government engaging in moss filtration efforts to open up the surrounding beaches to tourism. Despite of the Solarian exodus, the city stands in contrast to the rest of Konyang’s relatively conservative social nature, with people from all over the Spur calling it their home and making it by far one of the most multicultural centers on the planet. It’s not uncommon for a person from Ganzaodeng to know two or three languages.

'''New Hong Kong''', the site of the former naval base of the 58th Solarian Fleet, has now developed into a fully fledged city in its own right, being the only prefectural capital with a local synthetic majority. Being regarded as a lot more pedestrian and working-class than Suwon and Point Verdant, New Hong Kong is nonetheless a very important centre of interplanetary trade and commercial activity, hosting the planet’s largest ocean ports and dockyards, being the country's industrial's hotspot and the seat of power generation. Large hydroelectric dams, wave energy converters, dockyards and factories belonging to the PACHROM corporation provide employment for half of the city’s inhabitants, the Prefecture of New Hong Kong generating enough electricity for domestic consumption as well as exports. Employees of the various power companies may also elect to be sent off to one of the many power generation isles scattered throughout the oceans and dedicated solely to that purpose, receiving better pay in exchange for more dangerous conditions away from home. The city itself is considerably more packed than its counterparts, with small cramped apartments being stacked over each other to form vertical mazes of working class blocks. Heavy smog and particles cover up the sky through the entirety of the island during the dry season, giving the prefecture a signature orange-brown tint. This, as well as constant heavy rains and a near permanent gloomy weather during the wet season place it as undesirable for humans. Seat of the National Party, downtown New Hong Kong is described as the centre of planetary IPC politics, being the first to react to, condemning or praising events in Konyang and throughout the galactic stage in regards to the synthetic “race”. New Hong Kong is additionally the birthplace of Konyang's labor unions, with the Socialist Party enjoying strong support from the city's human blue-collar workforce.

[[File:Konyangdam.png|thumb|900px|center|Dams are a very common sight on Konyang, with the New Hong Kong's dam in the neighbouring industrial town of New Kowloon providing only a fraction of the power required by the city, while also playing an important part in flood control and water filtration.]]

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2024-01-27T20:23:44Z

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