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<center>[[File:Vysoka pixel.png|link=]]</center>
Located within the Shpanberg System, the Weeping Stars world of '''Gadpathur''' is a living testament to the nearly-apocalyptic nature of the Interstellar War between the Sol Alliance and Coalition of Colonies centuries ago. The surface of the planet has been scorched and gouged by years of orbital bombardment, and much of it remains uninhabitable to this very day. The remaining residents of the planet retreated underground as the planet was bombarded, and what has emerged as the dominant force on Gadpathur since the Interstellar War is the '''United Planetary Defense Council of Gadpathur''', a government dedicated to ensuring, above all other things, that the planet will '''never again fall to the Sol Alliance, even if all its inhabitants must give their lives in its defense.'''
{{Infobox Planet
|Name = Vysoka
|System = Zeic
|Image = Vysoka.png
|Sector = Deep Frontier
|Species = Humans, IPCs
|Languages = Tradeband, Freespeak
|Demonyms = Vysokan
|Nation = [[Coalition of Colonies]]
|Former = [[Sol Alliance]]
}}
The '''Free System of Vysoka''' is the agricultural center of the Coalition of Colonies, commonly known as the “Cornucopia of the Coalition” due to the large number of foodstuffs exported from the planet. The main language of Vysoka is Freespeak, though Tradeband is commonly spoken among merchants. The colony of Vysoka is located in the Zeic system. Orbiting Vysoka is its moon, Misiats, and the stations Khudal and Khalagdal. A heavily mined asteroid belt lines the exterior of the system. Vysoka is the only body inside the system that has permanent settlements.


'''Because of Gadpathur's insular nature that is unwelcome to outsiders and its origins of being settled by Indian colonists, characters born on the planet must have names and physical characteristics typical of people from the modern-day Indian Subcontinent. Only native Gadpathurians may take the Gadpathuri accent. This is enforceable by server moderators and admins.'''
'''Vysoka's remoteness and relatively undeveloped status has made it a planet with little outside immigration. Due to these factors, characters born on Vysoka will have names and appearances consistent with people from Central Asia, Siberia, and Eastern Europe, the original colonists of the planet. Only native Vysokans may take the Vysokan accent. This is enforceable by server moderators and admins.'''


[[File:UPDCR.png|thumb|The flag of Gadpathur.]]
[[File:Vysoka flag final.png|thumb|The flag of Vysoka]]
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==History==
==History==
<center>''"For years after, Ambedkar stunk. It was the reek of death - the corpses of humans, animals, stale water and sewage pipes that leaked into craters. There was nowhere one could go without escaping the smell of it. On the beaches, fish washed up in the thousands. The carrion birds would come to feast on the bodies, only to drop dead from radiation and the putrid meat."'' - Jawaharlal Kanekar (2367 - 2452), ''A People's History of Gadpathur'', released 2403</center>
===Establishment===
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===Initial Colonization (2230s - 2260s)===
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Gadpathur was colonized by Earther colonists from the Indian Subcontinent at roughly the same time as many colonies that would come to form the future Coalition of Colonies such as [[Xanu Prime]], [[Himeo]], and [[Vysoka]]. Due to its location closer to the Sol System, in what would eventually become the Weeping Stars, the system was colonized several years before many Coalition systems and was intended to serve as a refueling point for vessels heading to Xanu Prime. The planet was fairly unspectacular: Earthlike and inhabitable, but possessing nothing noteworthy beyond its convenient location. The fauna and flora were docile enough, though most died off due to invasive species brought by the settlers. The planet prospered as a trading port positioned between Xanu and Sol. Partially, this success was due to its significant naval presence which discouraged most pirate attacks on the system or vessels that flew its flag. The naval presence was a great boon for the system, at least until the Interstellar War began.
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===Interstellar War and Bombardment (2260s - 2278)===
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By the mid 2260s Gadpathur was in the worst position that it had been in for its entire existence. The devastating economic collapse brought on by the Second Great Depression had destroyed much of its trade-based economy. Profits declined, unemployment became rampant, and many major trading companies went bankrupt. The problem only became worse in 2265 with the addition of steep taxes on all forms of trade by the Sol Alliance in order to prevent a total bankruptcy of the Alliance itself. The steep taxation upon the colonies and their trade, destroyed what little remained of Gadpathur’s once-thriving economy and turned the planetary opinion strongly against the Alliance. The last public opinion poll taken before the outbreak of violence in 2275 listed the Sol Alliance’s approval rating at less than 5%. The planet devolved into widespread civil unrest in late 2275 before escalating into full-scale revolt in early 2278.


The Interstellar War would only touch Gadpathur briefly, but it would impact the planet for centuries to come. The Sol Alliance’s control of the planetary surface was gradually lost as 2278 progressed, and was completely gone by September of that year. In orbit, Admiral Terrence Hopper - commander of the Gadpathur Fleet - seemingly stood alone. But Admiral Hopper - a hardline loyalist to the Sol Alliance - was not yet prepared to relinquish control of a valuable trading port to what he viewed as traitors and rebels to the true government of humanity. On the eighth of October, 2278, the Admiral gave the most fateful order ever to impact Gadpathur: fire all ordinance at the planet’s surface to deny the newly-formed Coalition of Colonies control of its valuable trade. Billions would assuredly die in the bombardment, but these were traitors in the eyes of Admiral Hopper in his fleet. The firing orders were carried out with little hesitation from the fleet’s captains, and the surface of Gadpathur was turned into a wasteland in the course of mere hours.
The colony of Vysoka was established in 2191 in a joint venture by Central Asian and Eastern European provinces (specifically SSRs or nations allied with the Soviet Union), with settlers arriving 3 years prior on the ships Kistun, Umit, Goyen, and Hulagu. A centralized colonial administration is created, later facing heavy pushback and criticism after committing several errors resulting in a small famine. Economic growth is stifled as well due to the administration’s focus on crops, with authorities believing that the planet would better serve as a “farm” colony than an industrial one.  


In the years following the Interstellar War, the bombing of Gadpathur would be swept under the proverbial rug by the Sol Alliance. Admiral Hopper was never punished and eventually retired to his home on Luna before passing away in the early 2300s in his sleep. Gadpathur itself went silent for many decades and was believed to be all but irrelevant by the Sol Alliance’s admiralty. The Coalition - unable to provide aid due to the damages sustained by itself during the Interstellar War - believed the planet and its population to be almost completely wiped out following the bombing and utilized it as anti-Solarian propaganda throughout the nearly decade-long Interstellar War.
Prior to the Second Great Depression, an alien disease hit many of the crops growing in Astiqabi, starving many who subsisted off the grains grown. As the non-afflicted portions of the harvest are shipped off-world and more die, tensions mount and various groups begin to take action against the Vysokan Colonial Authority, ranging from burning of crops to riots. Those fleeing to join nomadic groups increase in number, with many bringing what little belongings and weapons they had with them. The start of the Second Great Depression only makes the issue worse as the already meager amount of humanitarian aid to Vysoka diminishes.  


But, against all odds, Gadpathur endured. However, it would never be the same again after the bombardment.
===Rebellion===
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===Patvardhan's Campaign (2278 - 2308)===
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In the wasteland that had been Gadpathur, the civilian government - already strained and worn down by three years of constant civil unrest - collapsed within days, perhaps within hours, of the bombing. The military of the planet, similarly strained and divided between those loyal to the Sol Alliance and those loyal to the planet, followed the civilian government in collapsing. Within a week of the bombing’s conclusion a period referred to in the planet’s history as the “Gadpathurian Anarchy” had begun. Hundreds - perhaps thousands - of petty statelets and warlords emerged, ranging from former military units turned into bandits, mayors that were desperately holding onto the remains of their former cities, religious zealots that had organized doomsday cults, the remains of former political organizations that had formed political experiments ranging from radical Gadpathurian nationalism to Solarian revivalism, and many more. But one stood above all in terms of its organization, its goals, and its dedication: the Gadpathurian Reunification League, a military government founded from the remains of three army groups shortly after the bombs fell.


When the bombs fell, one army group was spared from much of the devastation thanks to the remote location in which it had opted to conduct training maneuvers. The Fifteenth Gadpathurian Planetary Command Region -  consisting of three armies - under the command of Field Marshal Ashia Patvardhan retained upwards of ninety percent of its pre-bombing strength while sequestered in their remote - and mostly underground - facilities, making it the largest military force essentially overnight. Field Marshal Patvardhan and her generals, after overcoming the initial shock of experiencing global thermonuclear warfare committed by those they had been serving mere months ago, came to a grim realization: they were the best, and perhaps the last, hope for their home. The task of reunifying Gadpathur and allowing it to once again reach the galactic stage had been laid upon their shoulders. Taking the simple title of Commander and renaming the Fifteenth Planetary Command Region to the Gadpathurian Reunification League, Patvardhan set the League upon their ultimate duty: ending the period of anarchy and creating a unified Gadpathur once again.
After months of protest and violence, the Solarian government sent in a small expeditionary force to the planet in order to prevent yet another frontier colony becoming independent. As Solarian forces established martial law and began to crack down on independence movements, open rebellion broke out one year prior to the start of the Interstellar War. The Novosto and Tog-Daichin, the two largest nomadic communities present at the time, begin to launch raids on Solarian military convoys and troop transports, using their knowledge of the countryside and mobility to their advantage.  


The League quickly secured its immediate surrounding area - primarily villages and towns that had been left without greater leadership following the collapse of the planetary government - and established a military government over the region. The resounding defeat of the nearby bandit warlord, a former military unit now calling themselves the “Disciples of Murugan,” and the subsequent absorption of the bandits into the League as a unit established further confidence in the League’s ability to save the planet. A system of organization promoted by Commander Patvardhan in which factories, civilians, and military units were all organized along the same line: quasi-military groups referred to as “cadres” that helped encourage cooperation and unity between members of the Reunification League. It seemed that planetary reunification by the League was not a matter of if, but a matter of when.
During a massive retreat from the city of Krastas, which had fallen to a rebel uprising, numerous hit-and-run attacks on the retreating army combined with lack of rations killed off a significant portion Solarian soldiers and loyalists - later being described as “one of the largest military blunders of the Interstellar War.” A request for relief was made by General Teng Wei, but by the time this request was sent the Interstellar War was raging throughout the frontier.  


In 2308, thirty years after the bombs were dropped onto Gadpathur’s surface, the black-and-brown flag of the Reunification League was at last hoisted over the former planetary capital of Ambedkar. Commander Patvardhan, now in her late seventies, had at last accomplished the dream of reunification and ended the Gadpathurian Anarchy. Already in her twilight years, Commander Patvardhan was now left with the task of determining which direction to take the Reunification League. She and her most senior officials and commanders conferred for days, then weeks, then after eighteen days a decision was reached. As the most important duty for the government of the planet was to ensure it would not bow again to the Sol Alliance, there would be no handover to a traditional civilian government. Instead, the Reunification League would rule the planet to ensure that it would not be humiliated by the Sol Alliance. Not ever.
In 2285, the remaining forces of General Teng Wei made a “strategic withdrawal” from the area, with over 82,000 of her soldiers dead or wounded  - roughly 41 percent of the original 200,000-strong expeditionary force. Vysoka officially joined the Coalition of Colonies after the capitulation and subsequent dissolution of the Colonial Administration and provided what aid it could until the end of the war.  


When the Solarians returned, Gadpathur would stand ready. And it would never again fall to the Solarians - even if all of its citizens died in the defense of their planet.
===Post-War===
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Despite the victory gained over the Solarian Expeditionary Force, roughly 177,000 of the estimated 300,000 insurgents involved were wounded or killed, with multiple settlements wrecked in the fighting. Despite the damage suffered, representatives of the various rebel groups involved were able to meet in the city of Rahe and eventually agreed to split Vysoka apart into multiple different city-states, allowing heavy autonomy. Two weeks later, the Free System of Vysoka was established.
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===Modern Day===
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The United Planetary Defense Council of Gadpathur, successor to the previous Reunification League, has ruled the planet since its reunification over a hundred and fifty years ago and has lasted far past the death of its original Commander. The cadres of the planet, working in military precision to ensure that their homeland stands ready, work tirelessly to ensure the planet will not be found wanting again. Gadpathur is militarized to such an extent that it is often regarded as a fortress world, and it provides a great amount of soldiers, sailors and vessels to the rest of the Coalition despite its position in the Weeping Stars.


The modern Gadpathur is a planet still scarred by the trauma of its orbital bombardment, and one that is absolutely determined to withstand another invasion by the Sol Alliance when it inevitably comes. As time has gone on, however, a growing number of Gadpathurians have quietly begun to question ''if'' an invasion will ever come, and if not, why the planet is still so tightly controlled. This has been exacerbated both by the diminishing of Solarian power and the current strife between the planet and wider Coalition of Colonies resulting in the system remaining cut off from the Coalition warp network.
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==Environment==
==Environment==
<center>''"CHATAPUTRI REGION: Ambient radiation in air measuring at average of 500 Sv, marked decrease of approx. 200 Sv from 2446 survey. No recorded animal movement or plant life. Area presumed uninhabitable and actively hostile to human life."'' - Excerpt from ''United Planetary Defense Council of Gadpathur Northern Hemispheric Ecological Survey'', published 2456.</center>
Vysoka’s status as a breadbasket stems from the rich black earth that coats much of the planet’s surface. A product of past volcanic activity and terraforming efforts during the planet’s initial colonization, both farms and exceedingly bountiful fields can inevitably be found on top of this soil.  
The environment of Gadpathur still bears the scars of widespread bombardment by the Sol Alliance. Gigantic craters scar the surface, and many areas are at best hazardous and otherwise unsuited to human inhabitation. While air has remained breathable on the planet’s surface, it is often toxic in more damaged areas and most residents of the planet commonly carry a gas mask with them during their daily lives. The surface of the planet is fairly cool and features a very atypical weather type: radioactive ash storms. These storms often scour the more bombarded areas, and are a result of the immense amount of ash that settled following the detonation of orbital ordinance on the planet’s surface.


The flora and fauna of Gadpathur are extremely hardy, having survived a near extinction-level event in the form of the Solarian bombardment. Flora is typical shrublike, and most trees are relatively small. What fauna remains is generally small and warmblooded, due to the bombardment creating a quasi-nuclear winter and subsequent dying off of species that followed it. Most crops on the planet are grown in the massive hydroponics bays of the United Planetary Defense Council, to ensure that the planet will have ample food supplies in the event of another struggle with the Sol Alliance. Indoor pastures also exist to ensure that animal-based products will similarly be available, even in the most dire of situations. Even the animals and plants of Gadpathur have been made to work, in their own ways, towards ensuring that the planet will withstand the Solarians, should they return.
Vysoka has two supercontinents known as Astiqabi and Kassein. Of these two, Astiqabi possesses the majority of arable land and a larger population. Astiqabi’s landscape is dominated by the archetypical steppes and prairies that have come to define Vysoka, although this feature is not universal - away from the “harvest belt”, taiga can be found up north, with marshes and bogs dotting the south.  


===Weather===
Kassein is broadly characterized as the arider of the two super-continents, although it should be noted that the only “real” desert lies behind a ridge of mountains to the east. Many seasonal lakes and rivers are present on the continent, evaporating in the summer and returning later in the year. The large Ondorway plateau sits between a line of mountains and the east coast, acting as a massive spaceport in the modern-day. Zeng-Hu dumping facilities are operated in the north, using advanced enzymes to break down vast amounts of waste shipped in by nearby city-states.


The weather of Gadpathur has been described as "uniquely horrible" by those rare individuals that choose to visit the planet. Due to the amount of regions that have yet to recover from the Interstellar War's bombardment dust storms made up of ash and particulate blown in from these destroyed regions has become a frighteningly common occurrence on the planet. Often the dust that makes up these storms, due to its origins in heavily-bombarded areas, will be radioactive. The massive dust storms of Gadpathur are visible from orbit, and often feature dust tornadoes due to their large size. These tornadoes are often also radioactive. Aside from dust storms acidic rainstorms are very common on the planet, and most - if not all - crops are grown underground as a result.
The flora and fauna of Vysoka are an eclectic mix of native and foreign species modified for habitability. Many of the crops grown on Vysoka have been specifically bred to maximize productivity, having been purchased from Zeng-Hu or designed by Vysokan farmers. In worst-case scenarios, these genetically modified plants are able to wholly outcompete native flora, devastating the local biosphere. Vysoka’s wildlife has largely been able to adapt to human presence, with a combination of conservation efforts and breeding by farmers allowing these species to thrive.  


===Restoration Efforts===
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===Undomesticated Fauna===
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'''Kamoga''' are large humanoids roughly twice the size of a man, resembling a headless body with tree-trunk-sized limbs and thick, gray hide. Kamoga are largely docile herbivores but are known to attack violently when they feel they are threatened. Kamoga are a popular target of poachers despite their rarity in the wild, with their leather being incredibly valuable abroad. Due to their population declining over the course of the last century, several city-states maintain Kamoga preserves in their lands.


Since reunification, various efforts have been established to attempt to restore, or at least stabilize, the planetary surface. The efforts have had varying levels of success, and all share one common obstacle - the hazardous surface conditions. Initial restoration efforts were attempted by the Reunification League in the twilight of their campaign and were localized efforts to clear radiation and other hazards in rear areas to ease logistical issues. Following reunification, Commander Patvardhan desired to begin a painstaking process of cleanup. However the lack of advanced supplies for such an undertaking severely limited it, and despite decades of experience in this environment, the effort failed to make significant headway in cleaning up anything beyond the immediate surroundings of bunkers, towns, and facilities - surroundings that were constantly having more hazardous dust blown into them. After her death, there were no significant efforts made towards restoration for decades, as the succeeding Commanders and Defense Council opted to instead use the hazardous environments as something of a defense to bog down Solarian forces in a future attack, arguing that this course of action was less costly and that the planet would recover on its own. In the early 2400s, the policy changed again, as it was clear the planet was not recovering at any real pace, and the livable space for residents on the surface was running out. The Defense Council initiated a large-scale cleanup effort, focusing on regions of the planet that had not been hit as heavily by the orbital bombardment, then slowly working into the more heavily hit regions. The effort was met with limited success, managing to mostly clean up the areas with the least amount of damage over the course of 15 years, but still hampered by the hazardous storms and toxic air blown in from the most damaged regions. More recently, efforts have sent teams into the worst regions to clean up “at the source,” with limited success. The majority of ongoing efforts are focused on maintaining the relatively cleaned regions and slowly expanding these zones where possible, though there is little hope for a rapid improvement.
'''Jagalaw''', more commonly known as “Burrowers”, are small wormlike creatures that can range from the length of a finger to a forearm. Notorious pests for farmers, Jagalaws are often found in basements, gardens, and other dark, damp areas. Burrowers discharge a weak corrosive acid to tunnel through rock and other tough materials, which they use to create nests. Jagalaw acid is not harmful to human flesh unless highly concentrated. Burrower pits are dangerous to gurmori due to weakening the soil and acting as tripping hazards, meaning that ranchers often pack explosives to deal with their nests.


==Politics and Government==
'''Dalakyhr''' are feline-like animals weighing 100-200 pounds and rising to a height of 4 or 5 feet. Stalking on 4 legs, these animals live in small familial units consisting of a mother, father, and cubs. The mother hunts during the day while the father protects the den. Dalakyhr are an especially dangerous force in the forests and the grasslands of Vysoka, preferring to lie prone and wait for any prey to appear before attacking. Many hunters have been killed going solo in Dalakyhr hunting grounds. Groups of hunters usually work together to track dalakyhr, using their dainshu to scout and harass their den. When the Dalakyhr appear to defend their home, the hunters fire. Cubs were traditionally left alone before to grow and develop families of their own. However, many believe that the appearance of dangerous (and usually man-eating) solo dalakyhr can be traced back to cubs growing up without a caretaker. As such, most hunters usually take the cubs to sell or kill them as well.
<center>''"To surrender, to fall victim to complacency or softness, is the killer of our strength."'' - Commander Pallav Pandey (2397 - ), in a speech to the Planetary Defense Council, 2460</center>
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The government of Gadpathur is a highly-authoritarian, militarily-minded organization referred to as the United Planetary Defense Council of Gadpathur. The government itself is directly descended from the military forces that reunified the planet after its devastating bombardment by the Sol Alliance during the Interstellar War. The government of the planet is essentially a military dictatorship in which power is held by the Defense Council in order to ensure the planet is always ready to repulse a potential invasion by the Solarian Alliance, regardless of the costs that would be incurred.  
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===Domesticated Fauna===
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The '''gurmori''' is a large reptilian animal with a firmly established place in planetary folklore. One of the first animals tamed on the planet, the gurmori is frequently used by both hosts and ruralites as both mounts and beasts of burden. Gurmori allow for one to travel away from civilization for an extended period of time, requiring only subsistence and rest while on long journeys. With many parts of Vysoka having little to no infrastructure, gurmori are all but essential to those passing through. The gurmori is omnivorous and possesses four eyes with horizontal slit pupils, allowing them to see at much wider distances than humans. The scales of a gurmori are usually one specific pigment, capable of retaining color for long periods of time when painted and becoming highly iridescent when polished.


The Defense Council is made up of individuals who have proven their loyalty and abilities within their cadre. All voices on the Council are equal, save for the Commander’s. The Council has a set number of members, with prospective new members being nominated by their cadre director. Once seated on the Council, a member is entitled to a life term, though they may step down on their own accord or be removed in extreme cases. Such removals would typically accompany exile, as misconduct at the level of the Defense Council is seen as sabotaging the fighting ability of the planet.
The '''ohdker''' is used as livestock and a draft animal and is a favorite among ranchers as a source of fur, meat, and milk. Male ohdker grow and shed their horns every year, which are used in fights and to attract potential mates. Both male and female ohdker have a thick, shaggy coat of fur, which must be shaved regularly to prevent heatstroke. This fur is frequently used in Vysokan clothing, with larger ranches even selling their products abroad. Theft of ohdker (to sell to auctions or unsuspecting butchers) is considered a serious offense, due to the cost of raising and maintaining a herd.


The Commander is the head of the junta that makes up the Defense Council and is appointed by a vote of Council members. Like normal members, once they are appointed, the only way for their removal is by stepping down, or removal. No Commander has ever been removed by the Council, as Commanders have always stepped aside when their support within the Council sours. The Commander sets general policy, orders to cadres, and long term objectives for the planet. Despite their position as the head of state for Gadpathur, the Commander is still accountable to the Defense Council, and their power is not as absolute as an outsider may think. Their power comes from the Defense Council’s continued approval, and Commanders must engage themselves in politicking behind the scenes to ensure that their support does not falter.  
The '''dainshu''' is an avian creature frequently used for sport and hunting on Vysoka. With a wingspan close to an adult man and a tail several feet long, the dainshu strikes an imposing visage when seen in the wild. Although the dainshu lacks the gurmori's place as the centerpiece of Vysokan culture, the art of falconry remains popular on the planet, especially in Kassein. The dainshu is a favored companion of Vysokan hostmen due to its utility as a scout. There are several clubs dedicated to falconry on Vysoka, which frequently organize hunting festivals and competitions outside of city-states. These clubs are known to work closely with similar organizations based in Elyra.


The current dominant faction in the government is the '''Planetary Preservation League''', a defensively-minded junta that has been in power since the planet’s reunification centuries ago. While often criticized throughout the Coalition (and in Sol) for their domineering and authoritarian system of government, the PPL has - for decades - assured the greater Orion Spur that it will stand down and transfer power to a civilian government when the Solarians no longer threaten the Weeping Stars. Whether or not this will prove to be true remains to be seen.
The '''boch-zivir''' is one of the more unusual animals on Vysoka, notable for storing berries and fruits in their body for hibernation. The boch-zivir is a bipedal mammal standing about chest-high, with a hunched posture and an elongated needle-like snout. Remarkably dextrous, the boch-zivir is capable of using its six digits to reach otherwise inaccessible  Capable of stockpiling enough food for several months, the sacs used for collection create a thick slurry of sorts out of the accumulated fruits. While the slurry itself can range from “barely edible” to “close to divine”, the unique method by which this liquid is gathered makes it sought after in restaurants and bars as a drink. Farmers in regions where boch-zivir live have had some success in taming them, using specialized tools to extract the fluid and refine it into something more palatable. “Boch Brew” is a carbonated beverage sold by several different Vysokan soft drink companies, which has found a niche market in other parts of the galaxy. Boch Brew is characterized by its tart, strong taste, although the exact flavor varies on the manufacturer.
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==Economics==
Vysokan traders can be found throughout the frontier, either independent or working on behalf of a nation-state. State-employed merchants are given high amounts of autonomy but are expected to fulfill the expectations of furthering influence and ensuring requests are filled. Produce is the largest export of Vysoka, with animal products closely following behind. Although Vysoka is home to a large number of minerals, Himeo’s own output results in a smaller amount of international trade - with Himean syndicates themselves setting up mining operations on the colony in order to secure raw materials for their planet's well-known industrial base. Megacorporation influence is mostly kept to the cities, with the planet’s corporate sector being much smaller than other worlds like Silversun or Venus. One of the largest exports of Vysoka is manpower with many mercenaries and manual laborers leaving the colony to work.


A minority faction in the United Planetary Defense Council is the more offensively-minded '''Weeping Stars Reunification League (WSRL)''', a radically nationalist clique that calls for the reunification of the Weeping Stars and the eventual invasion of the Solarian Alliance to punish them for their crimes against Gadpathur. These goals, along with earlier conflicts between Gadpathur and Galatea, are one of the many sources of friction between the two planets. The WSRL’s members are descended from an eclectic mix of groups, ranging from disillusioned security cadres to the descendants of bandits such as the Disciples of Murugan that were integrated into the Reunification League during its reconquest of the planet. A number of supporters come from the Brothers of Charity as a result of the fervor with which the cadre displays towards the mission of the Defense Council. There are rumored, though unconfirmed, reports that the WSRL sends personnel on clandestine anti-Solarian ventures throughout the Orion Spur, though the League itself fervently denies this. They have not been at power at any point during Gadpathur’s history, but their calls to take the fight to Sol itself gained traction during the Solarian Collapse. In the aftermath of the war in the Northern Wildlands, however, the faction’s influence has again waned as a result of the sanctions placed on Gadpathur by the wider Coalition for providing support to Solarian rebels.
Arms dealing is a popular venture among Vysokan merchants, with arms being bought for soldiers or sold to areas of conflict. Their presence can often be found near warzones, putting their lives on the line for the sake of profit. Vysokan-made weapons can be found across the Coalition, some even going as far as Dominia and Light’s Edge. Unsurprisingly, this daring attitude results in many successful Vysokan merchant vessels contracting with megacorporations.


A third faction within the Defense Council is the '''Restoration Committee''', a minority group that desires for the reinstallation of civilian government. Having only formed within the last decade, the Restoration Committee is committed to seeing the Defense Council transfer power to a civilian government, arguing that with the wider Coalition at its back, and the now reduced power of the Alliance, the threat of another war with the Alliance has passed - and with it, the need for total control and militarization. The majority of Restoration Committee supporters come from cadres that are highly educated and specialized, most notably the Directorate of Mechanical Sciences. While the Committee is the smallest faction within the Defense Council for now (and derided as cowards by the WSRL), it has quickly grown into more than just a fringe idea.
===Technology===
Technological development on Vysoka stagnated heavily in the post-Interstellar war era. Brain drain, a lack of centralized research, and economic recessions brought on by Sol’s departure led to Vysoka struggling to progress on its own. In the modern era, the level of technology a Vysokan has in their life can vary greatly depending on their economic class and lifestyle. The only consistent trend remains that agriculture for cities and towns will never be left to stagnate so that Vysoka can continue to improve its farming output.  
City-states have caught up the fastest with the rest of the galaxy. While still a century behind, the upper class can achieve a quality of life comparable to that of Xanu Prime. Luxury products are available to those who can foot the bill. Corporations will still furbish their holdings such as factories or greenhouses with the best in the spur. Local companies use semi-automated factories to produce simple but reliable products. Thermal energy is still used just for its cheapness but nuclear power plants and hydroelectric dams still churn out a great deal of energy for city-states. Life for the middle and lower classes is a degree better than anywhere else even in a city slum.  


===Notable Council Members===
Villages are where the technological gaps become most apparent. While investment goes into whatever industries it relies on, other fields such as medical facilities or weapons for its army can be centuries old, even pre-21st century in some regions. This has led to bizarre combinations such as villages using gurmori-powered carts to move uranium fuel rods or laser-rifle wielding fighters relying on half-tracks fueled by diesel. Caravans and regular trade with cities is how a village usually advances itself further - either by purchasing better machinery or by sending its people out to become better educated.


'''Pallav Pandey''' is the current Commander of the United Planetary Defense Council of Gadpathur, having been appointed to the position in 2451. Born January 11th, 2392, Pandey eventually found himself assigned to the famed Black Jackets, where he quickly made a name for himself with his leadership abilities and work ethic, resulting in a rapid promotion to Section Leader by the age of 25. He was known for his innovative approach to training, which led to his Section winning several competitions within the cadre. At the age of 41, Pandey was nominated for appointment to the Defense Council which was swiftly approved. Having positioned himself as an influential member of the PPL by 2451, Pandey was appointed Commander with overwhelming approval on the Defense Council. Commander Pandey has done well to navigate the internal politics of the Council since his appointment, and while his tenure is well-regarded by most, the recent failures with the Northern Wildlands and Coalition have left him in an awkward position with his own faction, which wonder if he may have gone too far. With Pandey getting older, time will tell if he can right his ship, or be forced out in favor of a new Commander.
Hosts are limited greatly because of their own ideals of self-reliance. There is only so much a gurmori can carry and the usage of trucks is only for those who need it the most. As such, hosts are almost always heavily behind in machinery or industrial equipment. Larger hosts are able to afford much more and confederacies attain a level of advancement comparable to that of the cities, albeit investing more into weaponry and survival equipment than farming tools. Payments or tributes taken by hosts are sometimes in the form of material goods.  


'''Sanja Kala''' is the leader of the Weeping Stars Unification League, her appointment to the Defense Council having come in 2452. Born June 20th, 2410, Sanja’s dedication and medical aptitude scores saw her assigned to the Brothers of Charity as a doctor. She quickly rose through the ranks of the cadre, eventually becoming a department leader prior to her Defense Council appointment. While one would think her work as a doctor would result in a heightened sense of compassion, Sanja’s ferocity and dedication to the Gadpathurian cause is unrivaled within the Council. She is known as a firebrand, typically engaging in heated discussion on all matters, regardless of how trivial they may be. It is rumored that she succeeded in swaying Commander Pandey to aid the Anti-Corporate League with her fervor, and while it did not work out in her favor, it has certainly raised her profile within the Council.
==Culture and Demographics==
''See also: [[Vysokan Culture and Society]], [[Stolitism]]''


'''Apurva Chaudhry''' is the leader of the Restoration Committee. Born October 7th, 2421, Chaudhry was appointed to the Defense Council in 2458, the youngest-ever appointee. Apurva distinguished herself within her cadre, the Directorate of Mechanical Sciences, by developing a more efficient and less resource-intensive process by which to repair robotics devices. Rather than take her skills abroad, like some in her cadre, Apurva instead wished to remain at home and see her home shake the, as she sees it, overbearing way. Following her appointment to the Defense Council at the age of 37, Apurva quickly founded the reformist Restoration Committee, and has worked tirelessly since to try and promote the benefits of standing down to her fellow Council members. While they initially fell on deaf ears, her views have slowly begun to gain traction among more reform-minded Council members.
As a whole, the culture of Vysoka can be described as conservative, collectivist, and somewhat isolationist; it has an extremely low population per square mile, although this number naturally increases near the cities. The population is largely city and settlement dwelling, with hosts making up a prominent minority. While many Vysokans can be found abroad, immigration to the planet is rare due to its relative underdevelopment and weak economy.


==Culture and Society==
On Vysoka, the image of being a hard worker is valued and idealised. Many encourage competition in their workplaces and daily life to improve themselves or reach quota goals, with laziness being an undesirable trait that is seen as "selfish". On the other hand, the idea of a self-reliant wanderer who lives “as free as the clouds” has also engrained itself in the cultural zeitgeist across Vysoka, with the archetype of a free-roaming gunslinger being a popular one in folktales and media.
<center>''"Long live Gadpathur! Death to the Solarians!"'' - Common nationalist chant</center>
Gadpathurian society is entirely dedicated to ensuring that the trauma and chaos caused by mass nuclear fallout will never be endured again by the planet, no matter the cost. Because of this, it is highly-militarized, highly-disciplined, and values collectivism to the extreme. Its society is organized into paramilitary units referred to as “cadres", esponsible for ensuring that when (and in the minds of most Gadpathurians, war is a ''when'' rather than an ''if'') war comes, they will not be found unprepared for even the most apocalyptic of conflicts. The cadre structure results in Gadpathur being run more akin to a massive army rather than a government.


===Daily Life===
Even in the cities, Vysokans take a respect for animals quite seriously. The gurmori has an important place on Vysoka, being among the first animals to be domesticated and having a valuable role as a beast of burden and a keystone species in the ecosystem. A love for gurmori is especially common among the pastoralists living in the north, with them often being seen in heraldry and art. In the steppe, a gurmori's death will usually be hailed by skinning their body and using the hide as a sign of respect for the animal. Some villages on Vysoka or sects of Stolitism even attempt to practice a policy of non-violence towards animals and eat vegan diets.


The day-to-day life of a cadre member (for there is essentially no other kind of Gadpathurian) is defined by which cadre they have been placed into. Industrial cadres build, medical cadres treat, and security cadres constantly train. All cadres train, as it is the only way the Defense Council believes the planet will be ready for the final apocalyptic struggle with the forces of their hated enemy, the Sol Alliance. Ensuring preparedness for the eventual war through training dominates much of the day-to-day activities of cadre members as a result.  
The majority religion of Vysoka by a large margin is Vysokan Stolitism, a shamanistic religion that is rooted heavily in nature and concepts of ancestor worship, spirits in the world around oneself, and the impact that these spirits can have on a person's well-being. Other religious communities exist on Vysoka as well, namely Buddhists, Muslims, and Christians, but they are smaller in numbers and influence when compared to Stolitism.


The average Gadpathurian has little real control over their day-to-day lives on Gadpathur due to the cadre system. At the start of most days orders will come from the government to cadre leaders, and these orders proceed down the chain to normal cadre members. While this lack of agency can be a kind of comfort for many, those that go abroad are given the leisure of deciding how to use their time without the supervision of a cadre leader - often resulting in choice paralysis while they adapt.  
===Vysokan Names===
In the past, it was a common belief among Vysokan shamanists that certain numbers, letters, or words were auspicious or ill-omened. Parents would often consult religious leaders or specific "guide books" to ensure that a lucky name was chosen on the date of birth. As a result, long and overly complex names were commonplace, especially in rural areas. While these names are considered fortuitous, in practice they are too complicated to use on a day-to-day basis. Combined with the belief that using the full name of a child could attract harmful spirits, shorter nicknames are often given during the childhood, although these are often not directly related to one's full name. A Vysokan with the name of Segerandalitu-jebke, for example, may go be the nickname of Siban, which would be used throughout their life in both social and professional situations. In some occasions, a Vysokan may not even know their full name, due to the scarcity of paperwork among more isolated villages in the steppes. While this practice is less common in the modern day, giving a child a formal name and "common name" is still quite popular in some regions.


The centralized and order-based nature of the day-to-day life of the cadres can be both a blessing and a curse. While orders are carried out without question, they are not typically set in advance, meaning cadres are left in limbo until their orders come through. Given the lack of individual decision making that is permitted, most section leaders will not act on their own, instead awaiting orders from their department leaders, and so on. At times this leads to wasted hours of the day, especially so if the orders are based around a rather contentious issue.
===Education===
Education in Vysoka is poor outside of the few urban centers present due to the extreme decentralization of Vysoka and the remote nature of many towns, resulting in a large percentage of children growing up without receiving a proper education. Due to this, capital flight or “brain drain” is quite prevalent among the better educated, with return migration boosting the Vysokan economy. Intellectuals often leave Vysoka to study abroad, with many returning later in life.  


===Social Values===
===Clothing===
Rural and Host Vysokans dress colorfully and anachronistically as a way of following tradition, with long woolen coats and baggy pants being quite prevalent. The vibrant scaled hide of gurmori is often used in more “modern” clothing, with this trend being popular among all walks of life. Other frontier clothing such as the ever-popular flannel and overalls combo is used by urban Vysokans as well, which is well suited to the harsh environment of the planet. Urbanites typically only wear traditional clothing like the Chokha at formal occasions and not everyday like their rural counterparts. Dull colors are universally considered quite drab. Vysokans enjoy adding fanciful designs, accessories, or patches to their clothing when they can. This sometimes results in newly wealthy Vysokans pouring credits into expanding their wardrobe, putting together flashy outfits to demonstrate their higher income.


“Gadpathurian Superculture”, the scholarly term for Gadpathur's extreme collectivism, has helped enshrine many of the government’s values in the mind of the typical citizen. Duty, loyalty, self-sacrifice, cooperation, and a hatred for the [[Sol Alliance|Solarians]] are among some of the values enshrined in this government-designed superculture. Those that show particular dedication to these core Gadpathurian values are often those selected to go abroad, which has further encouraged an eager adoption of this superculture. The superculture pervades even the clothing of Gadpathurians; all cadres wear a similar uniform designed by the planet’s central government.
===Sports===
Sporting events are wildly popular on Vysoka, providing great entertainment and a way to encourage youths to train themselves to be strong. Gun shows are, unsurprisingly, rather common events. These extend to regular target shooting and hunting competitions. Among the hosts one can find the sports of jigitova and buzkashi. Jigitova is a catch-all term for stunt riding involving a gurmori whose revered masters are referred to as Jigits. Buzkashi is based around two teams of twelve using clubs to swing and batter a ball into goals, similar to the sport of polo. Buzkashi players are frequently injured in the game, as no rules prohibit striking rival players. In the cities bare-knuckle boxing is a sport of the common people, with matches taking the form of four on four fights. Village and city dwellers alike gather to watch these matches and place bets with material goods or credits. More legitimate boxing circles also exist, with televised tournaments held in the cities and broadcasted throughout the Coalition. Other urban favorites include soccer and hockey.  


While anti-Solarian sentiment is near-universal among the planet's population, it is worth noting that many Gadpathurians consider the status of "Solarian" easily renounced, so long as a Solarian-born individual renounces their government and the "culture" of being Solarian. To be freed from the baggage in a Gadpathurian's eyes means one must be against Sol and have fought against them, such as with [[Republic of Biesel|Biesellites]].
While these two sports enjoy popularity they pale in comparison to the Vysokan favorite: wrestling. All across Vysoka men and women of various hosts and urban wrestling clubs train and fight one another to win competitions for prize money and glory. Professionals can eventually ascend into the Global Vysokan League, where wrestlers compete in grand tournaments to whittle out all but the best. Those few go on to compete in the final stage: the Trial of Might. The champion of this final ring is dubbed the strongest, their name and face immortalized in a statue outside the arena of Rahe to stand as a testament to their strength.
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====The Velhalktai====
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The Velhalktai is an annual long-distance endurance race taking place on the continent of Astiqabi, which lasts between 20 and 40 days on average. Starting on the west coast in the city-state of Vedamor, over 50 riders compete to reach the end destination of Czsari. Riders travel with packs of Gurmori and carry specialized lightweight saddles in order to quickly swap between their steeds in order to prevent exhaustion.  


Despite stereotypes of being a dour, insular people (which is not inaccurate), Gadpathurians are not unaware of camaraderie or affection. The cadre structure ensures that its members are incredibly close-knit, with many willing to throw themselves into the line of fire to save a fallen cadre member or a superior officer. This strong sense of community has carried over to Gadpathurians and their coworkers abroad, particularly when enlisted in the Frontier Protection Bureau among fellow Coalitioners.  
Travelling thousands of miles through farmland, rolling hills, valleys and open plains, there is no official set route - with riders expected to use their own navigation skills to reach each “checkpoint” in the city-states. At each stage of the race, specialists perform checkups on one’s gurmori to ensure that they aren’t overworked. Penalties or even disqualifications are given in the event that a rider fails a checkup. All riders are given a personal trainer prior to the start of the Velhalktai, although it is rare for one to compete without any experience in Gurmori-racing due to the strict entrance requirements.  


While marriage as a social institution is not state-enshrined on Gadpathur, romantic relationships no matter the gender of participants are perfectly acceptable and even encouraged to promote unity. Relationships that produce children are seen as necessary to the continuation of the planet and its values, and so are encouraged and subsidized. However, putting one's love for an individual above the greater whole is deeply frowned upon, and a romantic relationship should never come before one's cadre training. This value of the collective over the individual even extends to child-rearing. Children are taken from their parents at the age of four and placed into an educational cadre that they will ultimately graduate from at age eighteen, and be placed into the cadre they are most suited for. During their youth they are more-or-less raised by the state, and while they will be aware of the existence of their parents or siblings (should they have any), they are not permitted extensive contact with their blood family out of concern it will diminish their dedication to Gadpathur.
After a race in 2456 where a jockey cheated by giving their Gurmori experimental stimulants, riders are now provided mounts to race on by the organizers. It's considered a minor award if one's farm is chosen to provide the Gurmori in question, with over 250 herders lending their steeds out for use in the Velhalkai. Riders carry bolt-action carbines and hunting knives with them for the purpose of protection, and are provided rations at each stop - although many prefer to purchase food from the many towns dotting the countryside instead.


====The Legacy of the Commander====
Due to the nature of the competition, multiple methods are used to calculate the winner of the Velhalktai - including the time taken, the difficulty of the route taken, the physical status of their Gurmori, and how many Gurmori were present at any given time. As a rider is expected to have around 5 on their journey, a competitor who brings less with them will be rewarded. However, due to the difficulty of the race as a whole, simply making it to the end is considered an accomplishment. The prize for winning the race includes premium Gurmori feed, a custom saddle, and a decorated patch - no prize money is given for winning the Velhalktai, with the prestige in competing in the event considered a more fitting reward.
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===Music===
There are many genres of music present on Vysoka - even with the planet’s relative isolation, bootleg holotapes of pop music imported from Elyra, Xanu Prime, and even Sol can be found in every market, along with the “rehzika” scene (being a less a genre in of it itself, and more a catch-all term for Vysokan pop). Rock and heavy metal are among the most popular, although rehzika music based on Eridanian “dreg rap” and Elyran boy bands have become favorites among younger urbanites.


When Commander Ashia Patvardhan, the reunifier of Gadpathur and first leader of the United Planetary Defense Council, passed away in her sleep at the age of ninety-two after over a decade spent in retirement, she lived on as an ideal of what a member of the Council should strive to be. Commander Patvardhan was a workaholic that never married and was, by all accounts, completely dedicated to the task of reunifying her broken planet into a singular entity that could once again take to the stars and, above all, endure another fight with the Sol Alliance. Children, when they are first placed into their cadres, are taught the story of Patvardhan’s selflessness and instructed to aspire to her heights - no matter the cost to the person themselves. The lesson, and lionization, of Commander Patvardhan is a key part in constructing Gadpathurians as loyal subjects of its government willing to give their lives in the defense of their homeland.
A distinctive and long-lasting genre of music on Vysoka is “narodyn”, or folk ballads, which draw on traditional aspects of Vysokan culture in their lyrical themes - involving valor, faith, family, and nature, with tributes to the steppes or one’s mother being especially common. Narodyn is especially popular in more rural areas of Vysoka.


===Cuisine===
Throat-singing is seen as an art form on the planet, with some dedicating years of their life to learning the practice. However, it’s more commonly used by farmers to calm their livestock than as an actual genre of music, ignoring the elements used in folk ballads. Younger Vysokans are sometimes embarrassed by the common “stereotype” of throat-singing and shy away from talking about it in public.


Stereotypes abound of Gadpathurians eating exclusively MREs or radiation-riddled foodstuffs, which is not entirely baseless; MREs are mass-produced and stored, both for stellar patrols and excursions into the irradiated countryside of the planet. When at home, however, Gadpathurians usually consume high-carb, easily-prepared meals that can be brought with them on the go. Elaborate curries of the pre-bombing era have mostly been replaced with spiced jerkies, breads, and riceflour cakes with veggies and meat in them. Pakoras and samosas are also popular traditional food. Gadpathurian food is still quite spicy, though not quite as spicy as its Xanan counterpart dishes; several spices are rarely grown in hydroponic bays, to make room for more nutritious produce.
The “usvolo” is a four-stringed instrument similar to a fiddle or komuz, with a unique sound and night-ubiquitous place in popular culture. Often finely decorated and engraved over decades of use, it’s not uncommon for Vysokan villagers to have one in their home as a family heirloom - although more modern versions made of polymer are available as well. Many learn to use this instrument in their youth, with aspiring musicians generally having some expertise with the usvolo.


===Augmentation and Prosthetics===
The “gaiskia” is a two-headed drum bound with ohdker hide, with an important role in both music and Vysokan religion. Many shamans incorporate the gaiskia into their rituals, although the decentralized nature of shamanism on the planet means that it can vary wildly between individuals. Aside from the more conventional use in hymns, a steady drumbeat is sometimes said to represent “the heartbeat of the plains” or used in rites of passage.


The science of mechanical augmentation has achieved some purchase on Gadpathur, despite the relative isolation of the planet during its reunification period. However, like almost everything on the planet, the central government has come to direct much of how the planet utilizes and views augmentation. Internal prosthetics, such as the sensor suites favoured by Eridanians or internal tool suites common in the Republic of Biesel, are looked down upon as overly-complicated and likely to place unneeded stress on the supply chains of the planet. In the minds of many Gadpathurians there is no reason to do a job with an integrated tool built into your arm when a hand tool does the same job while having less failure risks. Mechanical organs are generally only installed by Gadpathurians when absolutely needed, due to concerns that they may fail when the moment is most critical. After all, how can one defend their home if their mechanical lungs begin malfunctioning?
===Synthetics===
The few synthetics present on Vysoka are largely owned by corporations. [[Zavodskoi Interstellar|Zavodskoi Interstellar’s]] Z.I units are a core part of Rahe’s police and army and are regularly used to handle issues within and outside the city,  while ISUs can be spotted anywhere Idris Incorporated has planted itself. Shells are rarely if ever seen on Vysoka. After the rise of the SLF in Biesel and fears of clandestine use spread, city-states passed ordinances regulating the purchase and ownership of shells to the point that it became far too expensive to justify shipping one in. [[Idris Incorporated]] is an exception to this as they simply ignore the regulations. The infrastructure to support synthetics is only available in cities and some villages, leading to the planet’s low synthetic population. Hosts that do have an IPC are typically ones designed to function as advisors and charged using solar panel set-ups.  


External prosthetics have seen much greater success on Gadpathur due to risks present on the planet. Industrial accidents, as with everywhere else in the Orion Spur, are always a threat that can result in the loss of a limb. Another risk is unexploded munitions, which are often infrequently scattered on the crater-filled surface of the planet and serve as a painful reminder of the Interstellar War in the mind of many Gadpathurians. The planet has a relatively well-developed local prosthetics industry, with many high-quality locally-made prosthetics tracing their origins back to the Directorate of the Mechanical Sciences, as a result of both a need and the planet's belief that everybody must contribute to the fight in whatever ways they can. One cannot stand against the Solarians if they have only one leg to stand on, so prosthetics are provided to those cadre members that require them to ensure that they can do their part to ensure the planet never again falls.
Private ownership of an IPC is usually done to function as a servant for a wealthy individual or a town as a whole. Town-owned synthetics are legally the property of whatever passes for a municipal government. They’re used for either engineering and maintenance or to assist in farming. These units may eventually be entrusted to leave to work for a megacorporation. However, the wages earned by them are inevitably sent back to support their town and they remain lawed to ensure that they could not simply flee.


===Architecture===
Free synthetics are able to attain citizenship on Vysoka, with small communities found inside every city-state. Although the Civil Guard rarely hunts down escaped synthetics, an unofficial “open season” is present out in the wild. Citizenship alone does not guarantee good treatment - one must also show they have a “spiritual presence” one way or another to be accepted by the populace. Positronics with the means to do so can bribe soothsayers, purchase counterfeit passes or find sympathetic officials to aid them


Gadpathur has been constructed partially underground in the style of a giant military base, though residential blocs primarily remain on the surface. With reconstruction efforts ongoing, many newly-built residential blocs are covered in native plant life and radiation harvesters, both to shield residents from any stray greys and act as partial camouflage from potential invaders. Bunkers stretch for miles under the surface in order to allow the planet to endure an orbital bombardment even more devastating than the one it experienced during the Interstellar War. Much of the planet’s industry is located underground, as are the launch bays of many of its surface-to-space weapons. The true extent of these facilities is unknown, and is regarded as a state secret of the United Planetary Defense Council of Gadpathur.
===Drugs===
Narcotics have been commonplace in Vysokan society for well over a century. The agriculture industry is rife with farmers relying on them for cash crops, with both local and imported drug crops grown on the planet. While Vysoka’s shamanistic faith does use grown hallucinogens for rituals, more dangerous synthetic narcotics such as Red Nightshade and Ultra (Vysoka’s brand of Nightlife) are illegal in the cities. Many hosts also detest them and only the Night Devils or similar groups engage in the drug trade. However, rural towns can become massive centers for drug growth and production. This is due to the lack of any widespread law enforcement and the remote nature of many villages. Vysoka’s most common drug crop is Caromeg, also known as "Oracle". The narcotic induces euphoria and talkativeness, with an important role as a “social drug” in many circles. It can be safely chewed but also dried and cut into a concentrated powder that is either consumed via mouth or nostrils. Opium, reishi, and ambrosia strains are less popular choices for drug crops. Most Vysokan narcotics are sent towards [[Xanu Prime]], where they are transported to other systems by smuggling or legal trade depending on laws.


Buildings on the surface are typically built in a blocky, concrete style reminiscent of brutalism. Like so many other things on the planet, Gadpathurian buildings are designed with one thing in mind: defense. Groups of buildings, such as large facilities, are built in compounds, featuring defensive structures on the outskirts, gates that can hastily be turned into pillboxes, and multiple armories. Towns feature a defensive perimeter of some sort, typically with multiple lines of defense. Even residential buildings within towns are designed to have multiple fields of fire and act as something of a light bunker for residents to fight in.
==Military and Space Installations==
All Vysokan city-states maintain their own armed forces, each of varying size and composition. However, both motorized and mechanized infantry are popular due to the Vysokan landscape allowing for rapid movement. Polities lacking the manpower to field a large standing army hire hosts as protection, either indefinitely or for a set period of time.
Vysokan city-states generally maintain small navies, most of them used for and based around defense against pirates. The poorest city-states often purchase retired or decommissioned military vessels from other colonies, with richer states instead preferring to use private military contractors as a way to bolster their numbers. Confederacies sometimes have a few vessels they hire or purchase for use. Usually, these are intended for trans-continental transport or to provide a trade income.  


==Cadres==
Naval servicemen for these fleets are selected from the best of their city-state’s armies. These servicemen are extensively trained in the operation of ships and weaponry by foreign advisors, and are expected to perform at the highest possible standards. Due to the higher costs of maintaining a naval force, no city-state is willing to let standards slip - especially when that means risking losing their investment on their ships.
<center>''"Arm your brother as you would arm yourself."'' - Jaideep Singh (2327 - 2399), department leader of the Black Jackets cadre, ca. 2357</center>
The primary method through which Gadpathur is organized is through the cadre system, which can trace its roots back to the original military units that formed the Reunification League. These cadres can be found throughout the planet and, thanks to the tight control exercised by the government, it is impossible to find a Gadpathurian resident not involved in a cadre. Gadpathurians are in a cadre essentially from the cradle to the grave.


Cadres are organized internally along a deliberately simple, essentially universal, structure that resembles a military unit. At the top of the command structure is the cadre's leader, the ''director''. This individual answers directly to the planet's central command organization and expects loyalty from their subordinates even during peace, and has the final voice in much of a cadre's internal policy.
Cszari maintains the largest fleet of the city-states along with their ownership of the Khudal and defensive gun batteries emplaced on Misiats. Misiats itself retains little to no activity besides those weapons and the small bases used to maintain them. Khudal, however, holds a Hephaestus shipyard. Workers here toil to repair ships on order from travelers or the city-states. It also has a commercial area, where travelers are pelted with advertisements trying to draw them to Czsari.


Below the director are specialists that lead significant parts of the cadre referred to as ''department leaders''. With years of experience in their given fields and extensive ideological training, these senior cadre members are responsible for ensuring much of a given cadre's day-to-day work is carried out. Department leaders are often those that recommend Gadpathurians for off-world travel, and a good relationship with one's is regarded as key to success in a cadre.
The Khalagdal is a massive scrap yard situated in orbit opposite the Khudal. It is owned by Sevaschaiv, with its own Hephaestus enterprise there. Originally meant to be a memorial site, the scrapped hulls of Sol war vessels were gathered there to build the Khog, a statue of Vysokan men and women raising the Vysokan flag. However, over the years it became a site for passing ships to deposit their trash, believing the drones maintaining the monument would handle it for them. Said drones are referred to as Khog-drones, which has since become an insult used by locals.  Now, the Khog rests in the middle of a massive scrapheap continuously harvested by Hephaestus. Activist groups on Vysoka continue to push for the Khog to be moved to a safer place, though it is unlikely it ever will.
==Settlements==
===City-States===
Vysoka is home to dozens of City-States, each ruled by a mayor and council. Contrasted to the more open villages and free life of the Hosts, Vysokan cities are often congested and filthy places. The level of technology varies wildly with modern Cytherean-style upper-class homes right next to tent city slums. Poverty is rife in the urban population and usually alleviated through signing on as labor for Megacorporations. These cities are policed by a Civil Guard with poorer settlements using a militia or host instead. Law enforcement on Vysoka retains a “Shoot first, and ask questions later” attitude. Since the overthrowing of the colonial government, cities have warred and fought one another to expand their spheres of influence. The last formal war on Vysoka was Cszari’s 2421 war with Kopas over a resource-rich region. Now, cities rely on mercenaries or hired hosts to harass their rivals and expand their spheres of influence.
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====Czsari====
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'''Czsari''' was where the Free System of Vysoka was created, where representatives meet to vote on colony-wide matters, and is the political center of Vysoka with a bustling tourist trade. Czsari is well known for its high number of theaters, entertainment centers, and beautiful temples. A robust administration keeps the city clean and safe for the tourists who come through it. Idris Incorporated holds a high degree of influence in the city, having recently constructed profitable entertainment centers with the latest technology from Eridani. Their banking system is headquartered here and handles the day-to-day trading of the city-states. Those who come to Czsari from across Vysoka note that the high degree of opulence in the city is sometimes soured by the overbearing Civil Guard, tourists, and their policy of keeping the poor in out-of-sight and over-crowded villages. Czsari’s flag is a pair of black rifles atop a red sun on a field of blue and green, split horizontally in the middle.
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====Sevaschaiv====
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'''Sevaschaiv''' is the most developed city in Kassein, home to multiple shipyards and the industrial center of Vysoka. Sevaschaiv is said to “shine all year round”, a tongue-in-cheek reference to the shiny black plumes of smoke and gleaming polluted rivers that the local industry produces. Here vessels for Vysokan space and sea travel are produced by Hephaestus and sold to other City-States, allowing Sevaschaiv great economic benefit. However, the introduction of Himean Syndicates to mine in the local mountains has added a new problem for the city’s poorly-equipped Civil Guard to handle: Regular clashes between Hephaestus workers and Himean Syndicalists or anti-corporate Vysokans, often escalating into full-blown riots. The villages around Sevaschaiv are peaceful mountain towns, that are far more welcoming to Himean prospectors. Sevaschaiv’s flag is a white gear on a diagonally striped yellow and black background.
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====Turiyah====
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'''Turiyah''' was where the historic 2276 Winter March took place and was the former capital of the Colonial Administration of Vysoka. Turiyah boasts a high number of Megacorp-owned universities and is often where many Vysokans go to study. The graduating classes of these universities are immediately given jobs in their respective company and sent off-world to find work. Turiyah is renowned as a generally peaceful city, with little conflict and robust social welfare programs. It is also famous for the “Square of Broken Steel”, an enormous park dedicated to the martyrs and fighters of the independence war. It prominently displays captured wargear from Sol, including old combat robots and newer equipment from the recent Second Sol-Biesel Invasion. No villages exist around Turiyah, having been emptied to form the hosts of the Great Serpents. Turiyah’s flag is a white Gurmori head upon a red background.
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====Rahe====
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'''Rahe''' was one of the original cities to declare independence on Vysoka, and where the rebel groups gathered after the war of independence. Rahe’s primary export since its founding has been firearms. It was for this reason that Zavodoski moved into the city in the 24th century, dominating it and taking over the weapons industry there. Not only does Rahe produce the majority of Zavodskoi products sold in the Coalition of Colonies, but its local institutions are also entirely controlled by the corporation’s subsidiaries. Even the city’s police force is composed entirely of Zavodskoi private security. Besides that, Rahe retains another draw: The Ring of Judgement. Here, The Global Vysokan League hosts its final tournament. All around the enormous arena are countless statues of the champions through the centuries and much room left for more. Fans and championship hopefuls alike flock to this holy site of Vysokan wrestling. Rahe’s flag is eight white stars on a black background, arranged in a circle.
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====Vedamor====
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Vedamor is the largest of the Vysokan city-states and is known for being based on a high-quality soil deposit. Vedamor is less of a city and more akin to a sprawling farming town. Patches of businesses and homes exist between large fields of cattle or crops, stretching out over the land. Gurmori are less popular here as most clusters of buildings prefer diesel trucks. Due to its large size and low population spread, Vedamor’s civil guard is close to non-existent. Every citizen is expected to have a firearm and know how to use it should the need arise. Zeng-Hu and NanoTrasen are both present in the city to use its soil for agricultural experiments. The companies are in direct competition for influence and further dominance here, hoping to use Vedamor’s central position in rail and highway networks to become the top medical supply distributor on Vysoka. Because of this many chemists and doctors on Vysoka have begun to use Zeng Hu or NanoTrasen products instead of locally made ones. Vedamor’s flag is 3 golden wheat stalks on a green background.
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====Netalem====
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'''Netalem''', formerly one of the most prosperous city-states of Vysoka, is now known more for its reputation as the “crime capital of the Steppes”. Originally one of the only ports present on Vysoka, the city stayed staunchly loyal to Sol during the Interstellar War - an act that would result in its near destruction over the course of the conflict. Despite multiple attempts to restore the city-state to its former glory, none would prove successful. In the present day, Netalem is commonly considered to be one of the worst places for an urban Vysokan to live in. Many of those who leave never return to the decaying city, with the city’s once-thriving ports only seeing use by smugglers and pirates. Entire sections of the city-state are controlled by gangs, with the local civil guard either in the pockets of the criminal underworld or too poorly funded to care. Easy access to narcotics, both natively grown and imported, has resulted in addiction being all too common among its citizens. Although hosts attempt to impose their own laws in their districts, the line between host and gang blurs inside the metropolis. Most local politicians care more about filling their pockets than trying to revitalize Netalem, clearly shown by the numerous abandoned factories and apartments littering the city. Netalem’s flag is a white star on a diagonally striped red-and-green background.
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A step below the department leaders are ''section leaders'', qualified individuals that have shown the ability to lead and proper dedication to the planet. Section leaders can be compared to a departmental head of a NanoTrasen facility, and are generally earmarked for promotion to departmental leader if their service is dedicated enough. Below section leaders are full cadre members, and below them are trainees - sometimes referred to as students - that are in the process of becoming a full member. '''The highest cadre rank available for on-station characters is section leader, as all positions above that are senior administrative ones.'''
===Ruralites===
Used to refer to the dwellers of the countless villages, hamlets, communes, compounds, and towns on Vysoka, Ruralites live a life that exists at a cross between urban and host living. These places subside off of a core industry that provides most of their income (typically farming) and are impacted heavily by the environment they are in. Be it open steppes, beaches, the seas themselves, or deep in the mountains, towns cannot escape the changes to their culture or lives that Vysoka’s geography brings to them. Whether or not this results in respect towards the environment or a belief that it must be fully used for human betterment varies from place to place. Cities are always looking to bring towns underneath their own spheres of influence. This is done both to improve their economies through the domination of resources but also to deny other cities the chance to take control. As a result, these villages are often at the forefront of city-vs-city skirmishes. Population movement for Ruralites is dynamic. A village failing usually means that its people flee to the city or attempt life as hosts, city dwellers get paid incentives to try and settle decaying towns, and hosts can at times settle down to establish a town if they see a reason to do so. Boomtowns are a common sight and appear whenever an excavator has unearthed something of great value in the far reaches of Vysoka. As resources die out in an area, so will its villages. Few cities on Vysoka began as a village as many were established during the colonization period pre-independence.


Due to the rigid and highly organized structure of individual cadres, there is no room for deviation from orders. While in theory this would be an efficient method of operation, in practice this occasionally leads to internal strife, as suggestions or other ideas are not always welcome, but rather suppressed as a deviation from orders. Ideas are typically dropped if suppressed - otherwise the member who made the suggestion may find themselves increasingly ostracized from the cadre or on the receiving end of disdain and even abuse from fellow members as someone who is working against the cadre. In the worst cases this has led to exile, both willing and unwilling.
===Hosts===
Hosts are semi-nomadic militaristic communities scattered across the steppes and plains of Vysoka, operating independently from city-states. Hosts live off the lands, using the winged dainshu as scouts and the gurmori as mounts. Warriors from these communities are renowned for their skill with firearms thanks to constant practice hunting or assisting city-states that hire them. Besides employment by Vysokan governments, most Hosts are content to live peacefully. Some turn to banditry, even being so ambitious as to launch raids on towns, convoys, and trains. More clever raiders stick to forcing villages to pay tributes. Hosts are small, but they often unify into larger (but short-lived) Confederacies. As Hosts elect their leader among themselves the leader of a Confederacy is chosen by the Host leaders. It’s a common joke among Hostmen that their elections are the freest in the galaxy given the high number of firearms among the people. Some of the largest hosts on Vysoka, such as the Novotso, Tog-Daichid, or Kayshak, have enough hostmen to fill a small army, while others are little more than oversized militia groups in terms of scope. Due to the hosts’ support of the Vysokan independence movement of the past and romantic portrayal in the media, a steady stream of new recruits is the norm for all but the most controversial hosts. Even though the life of a hostman is hard, Vysokans will still be drawn towards it to become free of the drudgery of the cities or find a new life.  


A Gadpathurian will enter their initial cadre, often referred to as “youth cadres,” in order to receive the education and preparation necessary for them to enter into a full cadre when they are eighteen years old. In these they are educated (some would say indoctrinated) in both practical and ideological matters, such as the importance of resisting the [[Sol Alliance]]. These youth cadres are highly patriotic and typically very closely-knit, with many members retaining their bonds even after departing for their permanent cadres. When a youth cadre member is eighteen they are given a qualification exam that will determine the rest of their life, as it decides which type of cadre they will be placed in.
The cadres that these graduates are placed into are where they will be molded into efficient and productive Gadpathurians, fully committed to the defense of their world no matter what their actual duty may be. All professions are organized into cadres and there are dozens - if not hundreds - of distinct types. However the three largest and most prominent, cadres are the industrial, medical, and security cadres. These are some of the cadres most likely to be seen off of Gadpathur as well, as the planet’s government will often send exceptional cadre members abroad - sometimes as far afield as the [[Republic of Biesel]] - to improve the interstellar image of the planet and encourage support of the planetary agenda
Gadpathurians receive two identification tabs as soon as they are inducted into a youth cadre and are expected to carry them throughout their life. Upon their death, the tabs will be torn apart: one will remain with the dead body, and another will be returned to the cadre to which the now deceased individual belonged. Individuals exiled or otherwise banished from their cadre (in essence, the same as being banished from the planet itself) are expected to hand over both of their identification tabs - a gesture regarded as extremely shameful for any Gadpathurian.
The process of naming a cadre is somewhat complicated. While youth cadres, which are only expected to last for roughly fifteen years, are simply named after their year of future dissolution and their geographical area they are from, more permanent cadres often have names passed down through the centuries, with some even tracing the origins of their names back to the Interstellar War. These names are considered to be a key part of the cadres and are regarded as a symbol of pride for the members of a given cadre. Newly-formed cadres will be issued a generic identifier consisting of their duties, year of formation, and area of formation until they prove themselves as effective. Only then will the cadre members be allowed to choose a name, generally chosen by pure majority voting amongst members.
'''Medical cadres''' are one of the key parts of the state-run society of Gadpathur and are responsible for everything from battlefield medicine to surgeries to routine health checkups. A medical cadre’s rough equivalent outside of the planet would be a hospital combined with a medical school. Practitioners of all types are trained within these cadres and it is impossible to become a licensed medical professional on Gadpathur without being a member of one. Cadre members from this sector of Gadpathurian society tend to be quite experienced with the treatment of wounds related to the highly-toxic environment of the planet. Often whole medical cadres will be sent abroad as gestures of goodwill, one being permanently stationed on Xanu Prime to assist in the treatment of those exposed to the often-hazardous environmental conditions of the planet. While their presence is often appreciated by those they assist, these cadres are still dedicated to the ultimate goal of ensuring Gadpathur will resist the Solarians above all other concerns. Medical cadre members are issued a patch featuring a golden medical cross on a white background to mark their positions. The cadre member’s specialization is written inside of the medical cross, typically in a shorthand form (i.e. “SURG” for surgeon, “PARAM” for paramedic).
If medical cadres are one pillar that holds up society (and the government) on Gadpathur, then its '''industrial cadres''' are the other. Consisting of everything from construction workers to highly-educated engineers responsible for maintaining automated industrial networks, industrial cadres are by far the largest grouping of cadres on Gadpathur. A lack of IPCs on the planet (the ruling government believes that their prosperity towards self-preservation is unfitting for the goal of ensuring the planet withstands an invasion by the Sol Alliance, no matter the cost) and a desire to ensure that systems work even under the most extreme of circumstances, combined with the immense needs of the planet’s native armaments industry has helped fuel the need for new industrial cadres as well as their great diversity. Industrial cadre members can be distinguished by their patches: a golden hammer and shovel crossed over a white background. A black circle in the middle of this patch will contain another tool marking a further specialization, such as a lightbulb for an electrical specialist.
The unassuming name of '''security cadres''' disguises the true purpose of these particular cadres, which is to serve as the primary military force at home and abroad for the United Planetary Defense Council of Gadpathur. Highly indoctrinated and highly trained, these cadres are often the most fanatical loyalists of Gadpathur and are wholeheartedly dedicated to their duty of ensuring the planet never again falls to the Sol Alliance. While outside observers have accused the Gadpathurian government of essentially brainwashing their security cadres by training them from childhood to defend the planet, the United Planetary Defense Council has defended their training system as a necessary measure to ensure that Gadpathur will never be defeated in any future conflicts. Detachments of security cadres are often “exported,” or otherwise liaised to member states of the Coalition of Colonies to serve as auxiliary troops, and to encourage further relations between Gadpathur and the Coalition in the face of Solarian imperialism.
To deviate from the cadre system is to condemn oneself to exile from Gadpathur.
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===Notable Cadres===
====One Suns====
 
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While there are thousands upon thousands of cadres on Gadpathur, some are more famous than others. Here are a few notable cadres that can be found on the planet.
The '''One Suns''' are a notable confederacy on Kassein, operating largely off of ranching and textiles. Despite their position, however, they’re known for being one of the poorest confederacies on the planet, lacking much support from city-states or corporations due to a long-standing dislike of urban support for megacorporations. However, in the recent generation, this anger shifted to a new scapegoat: foreigners. Citing the environmental damage to rural areas many foreign organizations cause and a supposed lack of respect shown for Vysokan culture, One Suns often raid foreign and corporate groups or those they suspect of “assisting” them. These Hostmen have been a particular thorn in the side of Civil Guards for riling up and participating in anti-foreigner riots, especially in Sevaschaiv. Himeans draw their ire the most, leading to Himean syndicates on Vysoka hiring local gunmen for protection. The One Sun banner is an orange field with a blue sun upon it.
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====Great Serpents====
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The '''Great Serpents''' are one of the most prominent confederacies on Vysoka, once renowned as the dangerous fighting force of Turiyah. Many of the City’s rural population swelled the Hosts of the confederacy, signing on decades ago in order to put a stop to banditry and wars that threatened their safety in the 24th century. However, now, the Great Serpents are known for their state of decay. Their hosts bleed members, with families leaving to pursue wealth on their own terms. Many hosts have entirely packed up and left to pursue lives of banditry, resulting in their former confederacy being forced to chase after in the hopes of dispelling the shame. Hosts outside of the Great Serpents balk at the once terrifying confederacy and some are all the more happy to hasten their collapse. Turiyah’s mayoral council is deeply disturbed by the trend, and there exists an active argument around who should replace the Great Serpents when they inevitably fail. The Great Serpents’ banner is white, with a crimson snake forming a circle around a fire.  
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====Night Devils====
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* The '''Black Jackets''' are one of Gadpathur’s most storied security cadres, with a history that stretches back to the Unification League and the wars it waged to reestablish planetary control. The Black Jackets were originally a reconnaissance detachment under the leadership of Commander Patvardhan before the bombs fell and have since become one of the oldest continuously activated security cadres currently serving. Their emblem, a pair of binoculars over crossed rifles, is instantly recognizable on the uniforms of all cadre members. Many members of this cadre are sent abroad to serve as an example of the high quality of Gadpathur’s training. However, this does come at a cost: many hopeful members of this cadre cannot meet the extremely high standards expected of them and wash out, ultimately being exiled from the planet for their failure.
The '''Night Devils''' are a small, but powerful confederacy based in and around the city-state of Netalem. A catch-all term used for the various hosts of Netalem, it’s ironically one of the longest-lasting confederacies on Vysoka. Aside from a few core hosts, the Night Devils’ membership is in constant flux. Specializing in the production, distribution, and smuggling of various narcotics, those in the confederacy are free to compete with one another for territory, so long as these conflicts don’t escalate into a full-scale gang war. Due to the unscrupulous nature of the Night Devils, they’re highly unpopular throughout Vysoka, and have only persisted so long due to the highly decentralized nature of the confederacy. Openly admitting to being a member of this organization is rare, even abroad. The Night Devils can trace their origins all the way back to the war of independence and have migrated all across Vysoka in their history. The confederacy has been nearly destroyed but rebuilt several times. The Night Devil symbol is a grinning white skull wearing a black fur hat.
* The '''Brothers of Charity''' are a major medical cadre of Gadpathur. Another quite old cadre, the Brothers can trace their lineage back to a pre-bombardment religious hospital that managed to, through blind luck or the favor of the divine (depending upon whom you ask), avoid much of the destruction dealt to Gadpathur on that fateful day. Brought into the Reunification League shortly after its formation, the Brothers were often instrumental in ensuring the League was in fighting shape. In the years since reunification, the religious fervor of the Brothers has given way to a feverous dedication to ensuring the planet will be able to resist the hated Sol Alliance. Due to their ferocious dedication to the Gadpathurian cause, members tend to have offensively-minded views of taking the fight to the Solarians, and the founding members of the Weeping Stars Reunification League were from the cadre. Its members have retained their dedication to charity, and are often deployed abroad by Gadpathur to further legitimize itself to other political entities in the Orion Spur.
* The '''Directorate of the Mechanical Sciences''' is one of the only cadres on Gadpathur that actively maintains and builds robotics equipment. A very recent industrial cadre, only thirty years old in fact, the DMS still has much to prove in the eyes of many of its compatriots. Cadre members from it are often regarded as some of the best and brightest of Gadpathur, which as led to an unexpected problem: brain drain. Young and talented roboticists from the DMS, underappreciated and often overworked, sometimes find themselves self-exiling from the planet for better career prospects elsewhere. The government of the planet is quite alarmed by this, and has started giving this new cadre more chances to travel abroad as a result - despite complaining from other industrial cadres. The cadre is generally seen as a more reform-minded cadre as a result of having some of the brightest minds on Gadpathur, and the founding member of the Restoration Committee was a former cadre member.
* The '''Kshatriya''' are, in their own words, the premier armored vehicle-based security/industrial cadre on Gadpathur - and they do not take kindly to anyone saying otherwise. An unusual mix of an industrial and security cadre due to the need to both maintain and operate vehicles, the Kshatriya are often seen as one of the more flamboyant cadres on Gadpathur. This has earned them both respect from some and ire from many others, such as the Black Jackets. The “fast and loose” reputation of this cadre disguises the immense amount of effort required to keep the cadre functional and combat ready, and fights between security and industrial specialists are not unheard of.
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==Leaving Gadpathur==
There are two primary methods of leaving Gadpathur: with honour, or with shame.
Leaving with honour is the most common method through which Gadpathurians are able to experience the greater Orion Spur. Exceptional cadre members will receive the chance to go abroad (though some say that they are essentially ordered abroad) in order to promote the goals and interests of the planet. This is seen as an extremely high honour to receive by many on the planet, as only the best and brightest are sent abroad as a result of rigorous selection standards. Though the majority of these elite few are sent to other planets in the Coalition of Colonies in order to promote further positive relations between the Coalition and Gadpathur, a significant portion of them are sent to the Republic of Biesel or The Republic of Elyra. The reason for this is simple: the government of Gadpathur views the Republics as  fellow victims of Solarian imperialism, and wishes for them to know that there is some solidarity between it and the former-Solarian republics.
Leaving with shame is an unfortunately common fate for many cadre members, particularly those in high-demand professions. The stresses and demands - both material and ideological - of service in a cadre will often cause individuals to wash out of their cadre or otherwise fall by the wayside. Being found unfitting for the cadre one has been placed into by the state is, in the eyes of the cadres and government of Gadpathur, a sign that an individual is unfit for the defense of the planet. An individual unable to resist the Sol Alliance is essentially useless to Gadpathur and, as such, washouts are unceremoniously stripped of their ranks in their cadre and exiled from the planet for life, often being sent to Xanu Prime. Most on Gadpathur regard this fate as the ultimate humiliation, and it is often seen as a stain upon the collective reputation of a cadre to have a member exiled in such a manner.


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Latest revision as of 22:34, 14 June 2024

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    Vysoka pixel.png
    Vysoka
    Zeic System
    Vysoka.png
    Sector: Deep Frontier
    Capital: No Capital
    Species: Humans, IPCs
    Common Languages: Tradeband, Freespeak
    Demonyms: Vysokan
    Part of: Coalition of Colonies
    Formerly part of: Sol Alliance

    The Free System of Vysoka is the agricultural center of the Coalition of Colonies, commonly known as the “Cornucopia of the Coalition” due to the large number of foodstuffs exported from the planet. The main language of Vysoka is Freespeak, though Tradeband is commonly spoken among merchants. The colony of Vysoka is located in the Zeic system. Orbiting Vysoka is its moon, Misiats, and the stations Khudal and Khalagdal. A heavily mined asteroid belt lines the exterior of the system. Vysoka is the only body inside the system that has permanent settlements.

    Vysoka's remoteness and relatively undeveloped status has made it a planet with little outside immigration. Due to these factors, characters born on Vysoka will have names and appearances consistent with people from Central Asia, Siberia, and Eastern Europe, the original colonists of the planet. Only native Vysokans may take the Vysokan accent. This is enforceable by server moderators and admins.

    The flag of Vysoka
    Contents

    History

    Establishment

    The colony of Vysoka was established in 2191 in a joint venture by Central Asian and Eastern European provinces (specifically SSRs or nations allied with the Soviet Union), with settlers arriving 3 years prior on the ships Kistun, Umit, Goyen, and Hulagu. A centralized colonial administration is created, later facing heavy pushback and criticism after committing several errors resulting in a small famine. Economic growth is stifled as well due to the administration’s focus on crops, with authorities believing that the planet would better serve as a “farm” colony than an industrial one.

    Prior to the Second Great Depression, an alien disease hit many of the crops growing in Astiqabi, starving many who subsisted off the grains grown. As the non-afflicted portions of the harvest are shipped off-world and more die, tensions mount and various groups begin to take action against the Vysokan Colonial Authority, ranging from burning of crops to riots. Those fleeing to join nomadic groups increase in number, with many bringing what little belongings and weapons they had with them. The start of the Second Great Depression only makes the issue worse as the already meager amount of humanitarian aid to Vysoka diminishes.

    Rebellion

    After months of protest and violence, the Solarian government sent in a small expeditionary force to the planet in order to prevent yet another frontier colony becoming independent. As Solarian forces established martial law and began to crack down on independence movements, open rebellion broke out one year prior to the start of the Interstellar War. The Novosto and Tog-Daichin, the two largest nomadic communities present at the time, begin to launch raids on Solarian military convoys and troop transports, using their knowledge of the countryside and mobility to their advantage.

    During a massive retreat from the city of Krastas, which had fallen to a rebel uprising, numerous hit-and-run attacks on the retreating army combined with lack of rations killed off a significant portion Solarian soldiers and loyalists - later being described as “one of the largest military blunders of the Interstellar War.” A request for relief was made by General Teng Wei, but by the time this request was sent the Interstellar War was raging throughout the frontier.

    In 2285, the remaining forces of General Teng Wei made a “strategic withdrawal” from the area, with over 82,000 of her soldiers dead or wounded - roughly 41 percent of the original 200,000-strong expeditionary force. Vysoka officially joined the Coalition of Colonies after the capitulation and subsequent dissolution of the Colonial Administration and provided what aid it could until the end of the war.

    Post-War

    Despite the victory gained over the Solarian Expeditionary Force, roughly 177,000 of the estimated 300,000 insurgents involved were wounded or killed, with multiple settlements wrecked in the fighting. Despite the damage suffered, representatives of the various rebel groups involved were able to meet in the city of Rahe and eventually agreed to split Vysoka apart into multiple different city-states, allowing heavy autonomy. Two weeks later, the Free System of Vysoka was established.

    Environment

    Vysoka’s status as a breadbasket stems from the rich black earth that coats much of the planet’s surface. A product of past volcanic activity and terraforming efforts during the planet’s initial colonization, both farms and exceedingly bountiful fields can inevitably be found on top of this soil.

    Vysoka has two supercontinents known as Astiqabi and Kassein. Of these two, Astiqabi possesses the majority of arable land and a larger population. Astiqabi’s landscape is dominated by the archetypical steppes and prairies that have come to define Vysoka, although this feature is not universal - away from the “harvest belt”, taiga can be found up north, with marshes and bogs dotting the south.

    Kassein is broadly characterized as the arider of the two super-continents, although it should be noted that the only “real” desert lies behind a ridge of mountains to the east. Many seasonal lakes and rivers are present on the continent, evaporating in the summer and returning later in the year. The large Ondorway plateau sits between a line of mountains and the east coast, acting as a massive spaceport in the modern-day. Zeng-Hu dumping facilities are operated in the north, using advanced enzymes to break down vast amounts of waste shipped in by nearby city-states.

    The flora and fauna of Vysoka are an eclectic mix of native and foreign species modified for habitability. Many of the crops grown on Vysoka have been specifically bred to maximize productivity, having been purchased from Zeng-Hu or designed by Vysokan farmers. In worst-case scenarios, these genetically modified plants are able to wholly outcompete native flora, devastating the local biosphere. Vysoka’s wildlife has largely been able to adapt to human presence, with a combination of conservation efforts and breeding by farmers allowing these species to thrive.

    Undomesticated Fauna

    Kamoga are large humanoids roughly twice the size of a man, resembling a headless body with tree-trunk-sized limbs and thick, gray hide. Kamoga are largely docile herbivores but are known to attack violently when they feel they are threatened. Kamoga are a popular target of poachers despite their rarity in the wild, with their leather being incredibly valuable abroad. Due to their population declining over the course of the last century, several city-states maintain Kamoga preserves in their lands.

    Jagalaw, more commonly known as “Burrowers”, are small wormlike creatures that can range from the length of a finger to a forearm. Notorious pests for farmers, Jagalaws are often found in basements, gardens, and other dark, damp areas. Burrowers discharge a weak corrosive acid to tunnel through rock and other tough materials, which they use to create nests. Jagalaw acid is not harmful to human flesh unless highly concentrated. Burrower pits are dangerous to gurmori due to weakening the soil and acting as tripping hazards, meaning that ranchers often pack explosives to deal with their nests.

    Dalakyhr are feline-like animals weighing 100-200 pounds and rising to a height of 4 or 5 feet. Stalking on 4 legs, these animals live in small familial units consisting of a mother, father, and cubs. The mother hunts during the day while the father protects the den. Dalakyhr are an especially dangerous force in the forests and the grasslands of Vysoka, preferring to lie prone and wait for any prey to appear before attacking. Many hunters have been killed going solo in Dalakyhr hunting grounds. Groups of hunters usually work together to track dalakyhr, using their dainshu to scout and harass their den. When the Dalakyhr appear to defend their home, the hunters fire. Cubs were traditionally left alone before to grow and develop families of their own. However, many believe that the appearance of dangerous (and usually man-eating) solo dalakyhr can be traced back to cubs growing up without a caretaker. As such, most hunters usually take the cubs to sell or kill them as well.

    Domesticated Fauna

    The gurmori is a large reptilian animal with a firmly established place in planetary folklore. One of the first animals tamed on the planet, the gurmori is frequently used by both hosts and ruralites as both mounts and beasts of burden. Gurmori allow for one to travel away from civilization for an extended period of time, requiring only subsistence and rest while on long journeys. With many parts of Vysoka having little to no infrastructure, gurmori are all but essential to those passing through. The gurmori is omnivorous and possesses four eyes with horizontal slit pupils, allowing them to see at much wider distances than humans. The scales of a gurmori are usually one specific pigment, capable of retaining color for long periods of time when painted and becoming highly iridescent when polished.

    The ohdker is used as livestock and a draft animal and is a favorite among ranchers as a source of fur, meat, and milk. Male ohdker grow and shed their horns every year, which are used in fights and to attract potential mates. Both male and female ohdker have a thick, shaggy coat of fur, which must be shaved regularly to prevent heatstroke. This fur is frequently used in Vysokan clothing, with larger ranches even selling their products abroad. Theft of ohdker (to sell to auctions or unsuspecting butchers) is considered a serious offense, due to the cost of raising and maintaining a herd.

    The dainshu is an avian creature frequently used for sport and hunting on Vysoka. With a wingspan close to an adult man and a tail several feet long, the dainshu strikes an imposing visage when seen in the wild. Although the dainshu lacks the gurmori's place as the centerpiece of Vysokan culture, the art of falconry remains popular on the planet, especially in Kassein. The dainshu is a favored companion of Vysokan hostmen due to its utility as a scout. There are several clubs dedicated to falconry on Vysoka, which frequently organize hunting festivals and competitions outside of city-states. These clubs are known to work closely with similar organizations based in Elyra.

    The boch-zivir is one of the more unusual animals on Vysoka, notable for storing berries and fruits in their body for hibernation. The boch-zivir is a bipedal mammal standing about chest-high, with a hunched posture and an elongated needle-like snout. Remarkably dextrous, the boch-zivir is capable of using its six digits to reach otherwise inaccessible Capable of stockpiling enough food for several months, the sacs used for collection create a thick slurry of sorts out of the accumulated fruits. While the slurry itself can range from “barely edible” to “close to divine”, the unique method by which this liquid is gathered makes it sought after in restaurants and bars as a drink. Farmers in regions where boch-zivir live have had some success in taming them, using specialized tools to extract the fluid and refine it into something more palatable. “Boch Brew” is a carbonated beverage sold by several different Vysokan soft drink companies, which has found a niche market in other parts of the galaxy. Boch Brew is characterized by its tart, strong taste, although the exact flavor varies on the manufacturer.

    Economics

    Vysokan traders can be found throughout the frontier, either independent or working on behalf of a nation-state. State-employed merchants are given high amounts of autonomy but are expected to fulfill the expectations of furthering influence and ensuring requests are filled. Produce is the largest export of Vysoka, with animal products closely following behind. Although Vysoka is home to a large number of minerals, Himeo’s own output results in a smaller amount of international trade - with Himean syndicates themselves setting up mining operations on the colony in order to secure raw materials for their planet's well-known industrial base. Megacorporation influence is mostly kept to the cities, with the planet’s corporate sector being much smaller than other worlds like Silversun or Venus. One of the largest exports of Vysoka is manpower with many mercenaries and manual laborers leaving the colony to work.

    Arms dealing is a popular venture among Vysokan merchants, with arms being bought for soldiers or sold to areas of conflict. Their presence can often be found near warzones, putting their lives on the line for the sake of profit. Vysokan-made weapons can be found across the Coalition, some even going as far as Dominia and Light’s Edge. Unsurprisingly, this daring attitude results in many successful Vysokan merchant vessels contracting with megacorporations.

    Technology

    Technological development on Vysoka stagnated heavily in the post-Interstellar war era. Brain drain, a lack of centralized research, and economic recessions brought on by Sol’s departure led to Vysoka struggling to progress on its own. In the modern era, the level of technology a Vysokan has in their life can vary greatly depending on their economic class and lifestyle. The only consistent trend remains that agriculture for cities and towns will never be left to stagnate so that Vysoka can continue to improve its farming output.

    City-states have caught up the fastest with the rest of the galaxy. While still a century behind, the upper class can achieve a quality of life comparable to that of Xanu Prime. Luxury products are available to those who can foot the bill. Corporations will still furbish their holdings such as factories or greenhouses with the best in the spur. Local companies use semi-automated factories to produce simple but reliable products. Thermal energy is still used just for its cheapness but nuclear power plants and hydroelectric dams still churn out a great deal of energy for city-states. Life for the middle and lower classes is a degree better than anywhere else even in a city slum.

    Villages are where the technological gaps become most apparent. While investment goes into whatever industries it relies on, other fields such as medical facilities or weapons for its army can be centuries old, even pre-21st century in some regions. This has led to bizarre combinations such as villages using gurmori-powered carts to move uranium fuel rods or laser-rifle wielding fighters relying on half-tracks fueled by diesel. Caravans and regular trade with cities is how a village usually advances itself further - either by purchasing better machinery or by sending its people out to become better educated.

    Hosts are limited greatly because of their own ideals of self-reliance. There is only so much a gurmori can carry and the usage of trucks is only for those who need it the most. As such, hosts are almost always heavily behind in machinery or industrial equipment. Larger hosts are able to afford much more and confederacies attain a level of advancement comparable to that of the cities, albeit investing more into weaponry and survival equipment than farming tools. Payments or tributes taken by hosts are sometimes in the form of material goods.

    Culture and Demographics

    See also: Vysokan Culture and Society, Stolitism

    As a whole, the culture of Vysoka can be described as conservative, collectivist, and somewhat isolationist; it has an extremely low population per square mile, although this number naturally increases near the cities. The population is largely city and settlement dwelling, with hosts making up a prominent minority. While many Vysokans can be found abroad, immigration to the planet is rare due to its relative underdevelopment and weak economy.

    On Vysoka, the image of being a hard worker is valued and idealised. Many encourage competition in their workplaces and daily life to improve themselves or reach quota goals, with laziness being an undesirable trait that is seen as "selfish". On the other hand, the idea of a self-reliant wanderer who lives “as free as the clouds” has also engrained itself in the cultural zeitgeist across Vysoka, with the archetype of a free-roaming gunslinger being a popular one in folktales and media.

    Even in the cities, Vysokans take a respect for animals quite seriously. The gurmori has an important place on Vysoka, being among the first animals to be domesticated and having a valuable role as a beast of burden and a keystone species in the ecosystem. A love for gurmori is especially common among the pastoralists living in the north, with them often being seen in heraldry and art. In the steppe, a gurmori's death will usually be hailed by skinning their body and using the hide as a sign of respect for the animal. Some villages on Vysoka or sects of Stolitism even attempt to practice a policy of non-violence towards animals and eat vegan diets.

    The majority religion of Vysoka by a large margin is Vysokan Stolitism, a shamanistic religion that is rooted heavily in nature and concepts of ancestor worship, spirits in the world around oneself, and the impact that these spirits can have on a person's well-being. Other religious communities exist on Vysoka as well, namely Buddhists, Muslims, and Christians, but they are smaller in numbers and influence when compared to Stolitism.

    Vysokan Names

    In the past, it was a common belief among Vysokan shamanists that certain numbers, letters, or words were auspicious or ill-omened. Parents would often consult religious leaders or specific "guide books" to ensure that a lucky name was chosen on the date of birth. As a result, long and overly complex names were commonplace, especially in rural areas. While these names are considered fortuitous, in practice they are too complicated to use on a day-to-day basis. Combined with the belief that using the full name of a child could attract harmful spirits, shorter nicknames are often given during the childhood, although these are often not directly related to one's full name. A Vysokan with the name of Segerandalitu-jebke, for example, may go be the nickname of Siban, which would be used throughout their life in both social and professional situations. In some occasions, a Vysokan may not even know their full name, due to the scarcity of paperwork among more isolated villages in the steppes. While this practice is less common in the modern day, giving a child a formal name and "common name" is still quite popular in some regions.

    Education

    Education in Vysoka is poor outside of the few urban centers present due to the extreme decentralization of Vysoka and the remote nature of many towns, resulting in a large percentage of children growing up without receiving a proper education. Due to this, capital flight or “brain drain” is quite prevalent among the better educated, with return migration boosting the Vysokan economy. Intellectuals often leave Vysoka to study abroad, with many returning later in life.

    Clothing

    Rural and Host Vysokans dress colorfully and anachronistically as a way of following tradition, with long woolen coats and baggy pants being quite prevalent. The vibrant scaled hide of gurmori is often used in more “modern” clothing, with this trend being popular among all walks of life. Other frontier clothing such as the ever-popular flannel and overalls combo is used by urban Vysokans as well, which is well suited to the harsh environment of the planet. Urbanites typically only wear traditional clothing like the Chokha at formal occasions and not everyday like their rural counterparts. Dull colors are universally considered quite drab. Vysokans enjoy adding fanciful designs, accessories, or patches to their clothing when they can. This sometimes results in newly wealthy Vysokans pouring credits into expanding their wardrobe, putting together flashy outfits to demonstrate their higher income.

    Sports

    Sporting events are wildly popular on Vysoka, providing great entertainment and a way to encourage youths to train themselves to be strong. Gun shows are, unsurprisingly, rather common events. These extend to regular target shooting and hunting competitions. Among the hosts one can find the sports of jigitova and buzkashi. Jigitova is a catch-all term for stunt riding involving a gurmori whose revered masters are referred to as Jigits. Buzkashi is based around two teams of twelve using clubs to swing and batter a ball into goals, similar to the sport of polo. Buzkashi players are frequently injured in the game, as no rules prohibit striking rival players. In the cities bare-knuckle boxing is a sport of the common people, with matches taking the form of four on four fights. Village and city dwellers alike gather to watch these matches and place bets with material goods or credits. More legitimate boxing circles also exist, with televised tournaments held in the cities and broadcasted throughout the Coalition. Other urban favorites include soccer and hockey.

    While these two sports enjoy popularity they pale in comparison to the Vysokan favorite: wrestling. All across Vysoka men and women of various hosts and urban wrestling clubs train and fight one another to win competitions for prize money and glory. Professionals can eventually ascend into the Global Vysokan League, where wrestlers compete in grand tournaments to whittle out all but the best. Those few go on to compete in the final stage: the Trial of Might. The champion of this final ring is dubbed the strongest, their name and face immortalized in a statue outside the arena of Rahe to stand as a testament to their strength.

    The Velhalktai

    The Velhalktai is an annual long-distance endurance race taking place on the continent of Astiqabi, which lasts between 20 and 40 days on average. Starting on the west coast in the city-state of Vedamor, over 50 riders compete to reach the end destination of Czsari. Riders travel with packs of Gurmori and carry specialized lightweight saddles in order to quickly swap between their steeds in order to prevent exhaustion.

    Travelling thousands of miles through farmland, rolling hills, valleys and open plains, there is no official set route - with riders expected to use their own navigation skills to reach each “checkpoint” in the city-states. At each stage of the race, specialists perform checkups on one’s gurmori to ensure that they aren’t overworked. Penalties or even disqualifications are given in the event that a rider fails a checkup. All riders are given a personal trainer prior to the start of the Velhalktai, although it is rare for one to compete without any experience in Gurmori-racing due to the strict entrance requirements.

    After a race in 2456 where a jockey cheated by giving their Gurmori experimental stimulants, riders are now provided mounts to race on by the organizers. It's considered a minor award if one's farm is chosen to provide the Gurmori in question, with over 250 herders lending their steeds out for use in the Velhalkai. Riders carry bolt-action carbines and hunting knives with them for the purpose of protection, and are provided rations at each stop - although many prefer to purchase food from the many towns dotting the countryside instead.

    Due to the nature of the competition, multiple methods are used to calculate the winner of the Velhalktai - including the time taken, the difficulty of the route taken, the physical status of their Gurmori, and how many Gurmori were present at any given time. As a rider is expected to have around 5 on their journey, a competitor who brings less with them will be rewarded. However, due to the difficulty of the race as a whole, simply making it to the end is considered an accomplishment. The prize for winning the race includes premium Gurmori feed, a custom saddle, and a decorated patch - no prize money is given for winning the Velhalktai, with the prestige in competing in the event considered a more fitting reward.

    Music

    There are many genres of music present on Vysoka - even with the planet’s relative isolation, bootleg holotapes of pop music imported from Elyra, Xanu Prime, and even Sol can be found in every market, along with the “rehzika” scene (being a less a genre in of it itself, and more a catch-all term for Vysokan pop). Rock and heavy metal are among the most popular, although rehzika music based on Eridanian “dreg rap” and Elyran boy bands have become favorites among younger urbanites.

    A distinctive and long-lasting genre of music on Vysoka is “narodyn”, or folk ballads, which draw on traditional aspects of Vysokan culture in their lyrical themes - involving valor, faith, family, and nature, with tributes to the steppes or one’s mother being especially common. Narodyn is especially popular in more rural areas of Vysoka.

    Throat-singing is seen as an art form on the planet, with some dedicating years of their life to learning the practice. However, it’s more commonly used by farmers to calm their livestock than as an actual genre of music, ignoring the elements used in folk ballads. Younger Vysokans are sometimes embarrassed by the common “stereotype” of throat-singing and shy away from talking about it in public.

    The “usvolo” is a four-stringed instrument similar to a fiddle or komuz, with a unique sound and night-ubiquitous place in popular culture. Often finely decorated and engraved over decades of use, it’s not uncommon for Vysokan villagers to have one in their home as a family heirloom - although more modern versions made of polymer are available as well. Many learn to use this instrument in their youth, with aspiring musicians generally having some expertise with the usvolo.

    The “gaiskia” is a two-headed drum bound with ohdker hide, with an important role in both music and Vysokan religion. Many shamans incorporate the gaiskia into their rituals, although the decentralized nature of shamanism on the planet means that it can vary wildly between individuals. Aside from the more conventional use in hymns, a steady drumbeat is sometimes said to represent “the heartbeat of the plains” or used in rites of passage.

    Synthetics

    The few synthetics present on Vysoka are largely owned by corporations. Zavodskoi Interstellar’s Z.I units are a core part of Rahe’s police and army and are regularly used to handle issues within and outside the city, while ISUs can be spotted anywhere Idris Incorporated has planted itself. Shells are rarely if ever seen on Vysoka. After the rise of the SLF in Biesel and fears of clandestine use spread, city-states passed ordinances regulating the purchase and ownership of shells to the point that it became far too expensive to justify shipping one in. Idris Incorporated is an exception to this as they simply ignore the regulations. The infrastructure to support synthetics is only available in cities and some villages, leading to the planet’s low synthetic population. Hosts that do have an IPC are typically ones designed to function as advisors and charged using solar panel set-ups.

    Private ownership of an IPC is usually done to function as a servant for a wealthy individual or a town as a whole. Town-owned synthetics are legally the property of whatever passes for a municipal government. They’re used for either engineering and maintenance or to assist in farming. These units may eventually be entrusted to leave to work for a megacorporation. However, the wages earned by them are inevitably sent back to support their town and they remain lawed to ensure that they could not simply flee.

    Free synthetics are able to attain citizenship on Vysoka, with small communities found inside every city-state. Although the Civil Guard rarely hunts down escaped synthetics, an unofficial “open season” is present out in the wild. Citizenship alone does not guarantee good treatment - one must also show they have a “spiritual presence” one way or another to be accepted by the populace. Positronics with the means to do so can bribe soothsayers, purchase counterfeit passes or find sympathetic officials to aid them

    Drugs

    Narcotics have been commonplace in Vysokan society for well over a century. The agriculture industry is rife with farmers relying on them for cash crops, with both local and imported drug crops grown on the planet. While Vysoka’s shamanistic faith does use grown hallucinogens for rituals, more dangerous synthetic narcotics such as Red Nightshade and Ultra (Vysoka’s brand of Nightlife) are illegal in the cities. Many hosts also detest them and only the Night Devils or similar groups engage in the drug trade. However, rural towns can become massive centers for drug growth and production. This is due to the lack of any widespread law enforcement and the remote nature of many villages. Vysoka’s most common drug crop is Caromeg, also known as "Oracle". The narcotic induces euphoria and talkativeness, with an important role as a “social drug” in many circles. It can be safely chewed but also dried and cut into a concentrated powder that is either consumed via mouth or nostrils. Opium, reishi, and ambrosia strains are less popular choices for drug crops. Most Vysokan narcotics are sent towards Xanu Prime, where they are transported to other systems by smuggling or legal trade depending on laws.

    Military and Space Installations

    All Vysokan city-states maintain their own armed forces, each of varying size and composition. However, both motorized and mechanized infantry are popular due to the Vysokan landscape allowing for rapid movement. Polities lacking the manpower to field a large standing army hire hosts as protection, either indefinitely or for a set period of time. Vysokan city-states generally maintain small navies, most of them used for and based around defense against pirates. The poorest city-states often purchase retired or decommissioned military vessels from other colonies, with richer states instead preferring to use private military contractors as a way to bolster their numbers. Confederacies sometimes have a few vessels they hire or purchase for use. Usually, these are intended for trans-continental transport or to provide a trade income.

    Naval servicemen for these fleets are selected from the best of their city-state’s armies. These servicemen are extensively trained in the operation of ships and weaponry by foreign advisors, and are expected to perform at the highest possible standards. Due to the higher costs of maintaining a naval force, no city-state is willing to let standards slip - especially when that means risking losing their investment on their ships.

    Cszari maintains the largest fleet of the city-states along with their ownership of the Khudal and defensive gun batteries emplaced on Misiats. Misiats itself retains little to no activity besides those weapons and the small bases used to maintain them. Khudal, however, holds a Hephaestus shipyard. Workers here toil to repair ships on order from travelers or the city-states. It also has a commercial area, where travelers are pelted with advertisements trying to draw them to Czsari.

    The Khalagdal is a massive scrap yard situated in orbit opposite the Khudal. It is owned by Sevaschaiv, with its own Hephaestus enterprise there. Originally meant to be a memorial site, the scrapped hulls of Sol war vessels were gathered there to build the Khog, a statue of Vysokan men and women raising the Vysokan flag. However, over the years it became a site for passing ships to deposit their trash, believing the drones maintaining the monument would handle it for them. Said drones are referred to as Khog-drones, which has since become an insult used by locals. Now, the Khog rests in the middle of a massive scrapheap continuously harvested by Hephaestus. Activist groups on Vysoka continue to push for the Khog to be moved to a safer place, though it is unlikely it ever will.

    Settlements

    City-States

    Vysoka is home to dozens of City-States, each ruled by a mayor and council. Contrasted to the more open villages and free life of the Hosts, Vysokan cities are often congested and filthy places. The level of technology varies wildly with modern Cytherean-style upper-class homes right next to tent city slums. Poverty is rife in the urban population and usually alleviated through signing on as labor for Megacorporations. These cities are policed by a Civil Guard with poorer settlements using a militia or host instead. Law enforcement on Vysoka retains a “Shoot first, and ask questions later” attitude. Since the overthrowing of the colonial government, cities have warred and fought one another to expand their spheres of influence. The last formal war on Vysoka was Cszari’s 2421 war with Kopas over a resource-rich region. Now, cities rely on mercenaries or hired hosts to harass their rivals and expand their spheres of influence.

    Czsari

    Czsari was where the Free System of Vysoka was created, where representatives meet to vote on colony-wide matters, and is the political center of Vysoka with a bustling tourist trade. Czsari is well known for its high number of theaters, entertainment centers, and beautiful temples. A robust administration keeps the city clean and safe for the tourists who come through it. Idris Incorporated holds a high degree of influence in the city, having recently constructed profitable entertainment centers with the latest technology from Eridani. Their banking system is headquartered here and handles the day-to-day trading of the city-states. Those who come to Czsari from across Vysoka note that the high degree of opulence in the city is sometimes soured by the overbearing Civil Guard, tourists, and their policy of keeping the poor in out-of-sight and over-crowded villages. Czsari’s flag is a pair of black rifles atop a red sun on a field of blue and green, split horizontally in the middle.

    Sevaschaiv

    Sevaschaiv is the most developed city in Kassein, home to multiple shipyards and the industrial center of Vysoka. Sevaschaiv is said to “shine all year round”, a tongue-in-cheek reference to the shiny black plumes of smoke and gleaming polluted rivers that the local industry produces. Here vessels for Vysokan space and sea travel are produced by Hephaestus and sold to other City-States, allowing Sevaschaiv great economic benefit. However, the introduction of Himean Syndicates to mine in the local mountains has added a new problem for the city’s poorly-equipped Civil Guard to handle: Regular clashes between Hephaestus workers and Himean Syndicalists or anti-corporate Vysokans, often escalating into full-blown riots. The villages around Sevaschaiv are peaceful mountain towns, that are far more welcoming to Himean prospectors. Sevaschaiv’s flag is a white gear on a diagonally striped yellow and black background.

    Turiyah

    Turiyah was where the historic 2276 Winter March took place and was the former capital of the Colonial Administration of Vysoka. Turiyah boasts a high number of Megacorp-owned universities and is often where many Vysokans go to study. The graduating classes of these universities are immediately given jobs in their respective company and sent off-world to find work. Turiyah is renowned as a generally peaceful city, with little conflict and robust social welfare programs. It is also famous for the “Square of Broken Steel”, an enormous park dedicated to the martyrs and fighters of the independence war. It prominently displays captured wargear from Sol, including old combat robots and newer equipment from the recent Second Sol-Biesel Invasion. No villages exist around Turiyah, having been emptied to form the hosts of the Great Serpents. Turiyah’s flag is a white Gurmori head upon a red background.

    Rahe

    Rahe was one of the original cities to declare independence on Vysoka, and where the rebel groups gathered after the war of independence. Rahe’s primary export since its founding has been firearms. It was for this reason that Zavodoski moved into the city in the 24th century, dominating it and taking over the weapons industry there. Not only does Rahe produce the majority of Zavodskoi products sold in the Coalition of Colonies, but its local institutions are also entirely controlled by the corporation’s subsidiaries. Even the city’s police force is composed entirely of Zavodskoi private security. Besides that, Rahe retains another draw: The Ring of Judgement. Here, The Global Vysokan League hosts its final tournament. All around the enormous arena are countless statues of the champions through the centuries and much room left for more. Fans and championship hopefuls alike flock to this holy site of Vysokan wrestling. Rahe’s flag is eight white stars on a black background, arranged in a circle.

    Vedamor

    Vedamor is the largest of the Vysokan city-states and is known for being based on a high-quality soil deposit. Vedamor is less of a city and more akin to a sprawling farming town. Patches of businesses and homes exist between large fields of cattle or crops, stretching out over the land. Gurmori are less popular here as most clusters of buildings prefer diesel trucks. Due to its large size and low population spread, Vedamor’s civil guard is close to non-existent. Every citizen is expected to have a firearm and know how to use it should the need arise. Zeng-Hu and NanoTrasen are both present in the city to use its soil for agricultural experiments. The companies are in direct competition for influence and further dominance here, hoping to use Vedamor’s central position in rail and highway networks to become the top medical supply distributor on Vysoka. Because of this many chemists and doctors on Vysoka have begun to use Zeng Hu or NanoTrasen products instead of locally made ones. Vedamor’s flag is 3 golden wheat stalks on a green background.

    Netalem

    Netalem, formerly one of the most prosperous city-states of Vysoka, is now known more for its reputation as the “crime capital of the Steppes”. Originally one of the only ports present on Vysoka, the city stayed staunchly loyal to Sol during the Interstellar War - an act that would result in its near destruction over the course of the conflict. Despite multiple attempts to restore the city-state to its former glory, none would prove successful. In the present day, Netalem is commonly considered to be one of the worst places for an urban Vysokan to live in. Many of those who leave never return to the decaying city, with the city’s once-thriving ports only seeing use by smugglers and pirates. Entire sections of the city-state are controlled by gangs, with the local civil guard either in the pockets of the criminal underworld or too poorly funded to care. Easy access to narcotics, both natively grown and imported, has resulted in addiction being all too common among its citizens. Although hosts attempt to impose their own laws in their districts, the line between host and gang blurs inside the metropolis. Most local politicians care more about filling their pockets than trying to revitalize Netalem, clearly shown by the numerous abandoned factories and apartments littering the city. Netalem’s flag is a white star on a diagonally striped red-and-green background.

    Ruralites

    Used to refer to the dwellers of the countless villages, hamlets, communes, compounds, and towns on Vysoka, Ruralites live a life that exists at a cross between urban and host living. These places subside off of a core industry that provides most of their income (typically farming) and are impacted heavily by the environment they are in. Be it open steppes, beaches, the seas themselves, or deep in the mountains, towns cannot escape the changes to their culture or lives that Vysoka’s geography brings to them. Whether or not this results in respect towards the environment or a belief that it must be fully used for human betterment varies from place to place. Cities are always looking to bring towns underneath their own spheres of influence. This is done both to improve their economies through the domination of resources but also to deny other cities the chance to take control. As a result, these villages are often at the forefront of city-vs-city skirmishes. Population movement for Ruralites is dynamic. A village failing usually means that its people flee to the city or attempt life as hosts, city dwellers get paid incentives to try and settle decaying towns, and hosts can at times settle down to establish a town if they see a reason to do so. Boomtowns are a common sight and appear whenever an excavator has unearthed something of great value in the far reaches of Vysoka. As resources die out in an area, so will its villages. Few cities on Vysoka began as a village as many were established during the colonization period pre-independence.

    Hosts

    Hosts are semi-nomadic militaristic communities scattered across the steppes and plains of Vysoka, operating independently from city-states. Hosts live off the lands, using the winged dainshu as scouts and the gurmori as mounts. Warriors from these communities are renowned for their skill with firearms thanks to constant practice hunting or assisting city-states that hire them. Besides employment by Vysokan governments, most Hosts are content to live peacefully. Some turn to banditry, even being so ambitious as to launch raids on towns, convoys, and trains. More clever raiders stick to forcing villages to pay tributes. Hosts are small, but they often unify into larger (but short-lived) Confederacies. As Hosts elect their leader among themselves the leader of a Confederacy is chosen by the Host leaders. It’s a common joke among Hostmen that their elections are the freest in the galaxy given the high number of firearms among the people. Some of the largest hosts on Vysoka, such as the Novotso, Tog-Daichid, or Kayshak, have enough hostmen to fill a small army, while others are little more than oversized militia groups in terms of scope. Due to the hosts’ support of the Vysokan independence movement of the past and romantic portrayal in the media, a steady stream of new recruits is the norm for all but the most controversial hosts. Even though the life of a hostman is hard, Vysokans will still be drawn towards it to become free of the drudgery of the cities or find a new life.

    One Suns

    The One Suns are a notable confederacy on Kassein, operating largely off of ranching and textiles. Despite their position, however, they’re known for being one of the poorest confederacies on the planet, lacking much support from city-states or corporations due to a long-standing dislike of urban support for megacorporations. However, in the recent generation, this anger shifted to a new scapegoat: foreigners. Citing the environmental damage to rural areas many foreign organizations cause and a supposed lack of respect shown for Vysokan culture, One Suns often raid foreign and corporate groups or those they suspect of “assisting” them. These Hostmen have been a particular thorn in the side of Civil Guards for riling up and participating in anti-foreigner riots, especially in Sevaschaiv. Himeans draw their ire the most, leading to Himean syndicates on Vysoka hiring local gunmen for protection. The One Sun banner is an orange field with a blue sun upon it.

    Great Serpents

    The Great Serpents are one of the most prominent confederacies on Vysoka, once renowned as the dangerous fighting force of Turiyah. Many of the City’s rural population swelled the Hosts of the confederacy, signing on decades ago in order to put a stop to banditry and wars that threatened their safety in the 24th century. However, now, the Great Serpents are known for their state of decay. Their hosts bleed members, with families leaving to pursue wealth on their own terms. Many hosts have entirely packed up and left to pursue lives of banditry, resulting in their former confederacy being forced to chase after in the hopes of dispelling the shame. Hosts outside of the Great Serpents balk at the once terrifying confederacy and some are all the more happy to hasten their collapse. Turiyah’s mayoral council is deeply disturbed by the trend, and there exists an active argument around who should replace the Great Serpents when they inevitably fail. The Great Serpents’ banner is white, with a crimson snake forming a circle around a fire.

    Night Devils

    The Night Devils are a small, but powerful confederacy based in and around the city-state of Netalem. A catch-all term used for the various hosts of Netalem, it’s ironically one of the longest-lasting confederacies on Vysoka. Aside from a few core hosts, the Night Devils’ membership is in constant flux. Specializing in the production, distribution, and smuggling of various narcotics, those in the confederacy are free to compete with one another for territory, so long as these conflicts don’t escalate into a full-scale gang war. Due to the unscrupulous nature of the Night Devils, they’re highly unpopular throughout Vysoka, and have only persisted so long due to the highly decentralized nature of the confederacy. Openly admitting to being a member of this organization is rare, even abroad. The Night Devils can trace their origins all the way back to the war of independence and have migrated all across Vysoka in their history. The confederacy has been nearly destroyed but rebuilt several times. The Night Devil symbol is a grinning white skull wearing a black fur hat.

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