Sandbox:Boggle08

History

Twilight of the Aphrodite Epoch

The Underhive Collective began with the influx of information surrounding the narcotic effects of Aphrodite, a chemical injected by Nymphs when ingesting genetic material, most commonly seen when siphoning blood. It provides a sense of euphoria and requires no other means of production other than Nymphs. The chemical very quickly became popular within the underbelly of the Eridani Federation. Nymphs were soon illegitimately acquired from Rueltab. It is unknown how they were acquired, but for a time, these activities went unnoticed, until the substance began to trickle into the upper echelons of the Federation – sometime around 2398 CE. It wasn’t long until many began to notice the bleary eyes and bite marks on their employees, so too did they realise the ability of Nymphs to retain memories compromised the non-disclosure agreements of thousands if not hundreds of thousands.

Due to the lack of any initial action, the Aphrodite Trade managed to put the Eridani Federation into minor political turmoil with the Solarian Alliance, as the presence of Dionae within the Federation violated the Rueltab Treaty, meant to prevent or at least mitigate, the habitation of Dionae outside of Rueltab. It wasn’t long until the Aphrodite Trade sought to expand, with concerns of it spreading amongst the Solarian Colonies – these concerns were subsequently met following a random inspection of a vessel en route to Venus housing Nymphs. Despite the potential for profit, the Board of Five took action in 2421 CE. Formally banning the use, distribution and presence of Dionae within the Eridani Federation. All would legally be classified as contraband, and crackdowns began as corporate enforces began to file through all levels of the Federation. While within the upper echelons, predominately the Suit Society, it was successful, the trade remains rife in the lower socio-economic classes, with Dregs maintaining the trade, albeit with a significantly reduced ability.

Dawn of the Underhive Collective

The origin point of the Underhive Collective remains in obscurity. No Dionae has ever formally claimed to have found it, and there is no general consensus among those that remain within the Eridani Federation. However, rumours of a Dionae-only community did begin to circulate shortly after the Board of Five sought to crack down on the presence of the species. These rumours were confirmed after the “Tokura-Den Incident”. A major Aphrodite harvesting facility secretly nested within the settlement of Den was rocked with explosions, large enough for it to be felt in the above complex of Tokura. As corporate enforcers arrived at the scene of the explosion, alongside the general chaos, there was a notable lack of Nymphs in the extraction and holding areas. Footage was eventually found that uncovered a rather unsettling truth – Dionae creeping through the tunnels and underpasses of Tokura, before disappearing into the shadows or tunnels. Since the Tokura-Den incident, more and more illegal Aphrodite facilities have been hit, and sightings of Dionae have become more and more frequent. Although there is a concern of what these Dionae are capable of, they are currently only actively targeting the Aphrodite Trade, and have proven to be too elusive to root out in totality. The Board of Five have released subsequent confirmations that the situation is under control.

Proliferation of the Underhive Collective

The Underhive Collective very rapidly became a feared organisation amongst the Dregs of the Eridani Federation. Actively attacking those associated with the Aphrodite Trade. Explosions rocked many of the facilities used to hold the Dionae captive – seeking to harvest them of the chemical. Dregs associated with such crimes against Dionae could find themselves disappearing – oftentimes for good. Those who were returned to their settlements were more often than not thought to have gone insane, showing schizophrenic tendencies, claiming that Dionae are always around – watching, listening, stalking. More often than not, they’d be found dead just weeks after their subsequent return, rumours circulating of being anatomically defiled – stripped of their organs, sometimes even drained of blood.

It was only confirmed in 2443 CE that the Underhive Collective was an organized syndicate of Dionae, where corporate enforcers – after a particularly brutal death of a Dreg – were able to follow a string of evidence to one of these Dionae-only communities. Though many were able to escape, a minority of the population was captured. Those captured were subjected to truly torturous conditions, forcing them to reveal the reality of the Underhive Collective, or at least the reality from their perspective. Beginning as a means to ensure safety in numbers, they quickly became a criminal syndicate as a means to survive. Dealing Aphrodite themselves, and ensuring their competitors were shut down to maintain a monopoly, rationalising the decision as being voluntary as opposed to being forced to secrete the chemical. The bigger picture was thereafter revealed, dozens of these syndicates existed, with their location hidden except from selected Dionae, typically only those recognised as leading the respective syndicates.

The Modern Age of the Aphrodite Trade

The Republic of Biesel, as a result of the megacorporate influence in the Eridani Federation and the now-defunct Bluespace Gate, were among the most impacted by the Aphrodite Trade. However, the Eternal in conjunction with the pressure applied by the Megacorporations, were able to ensure that the extracted chemical would be recognised as a controlled substance under Biesellite law. It is therefore illegal to force or coerce a Dionae to provide Aphrodite. This has led to a rather robust inspection of most Eridani cargo – any individual found in possession of the chemical shall have it seized and will be charged appropriately, as well as any Dionae materials. Dionae from the Eridani Federation have slowly been trickling into the Republic of Biesel. They are treated as political refugees, undergoing registration and chipping, then deferred to the Eternal Gardens. They each confirm that the Underhive Collective still operates, and many owe their lives to the syndicate.

Society

Rackets

In the clandestine world of the Underhive Collective, the term "Racket" refers to the collective work or projects undertaken by members of a particular syndicate. These rackets are crucial for survival and financial stability, given the risky nature of operating inside the Eridani Federation. The precarious environment necessitates the use of intermediaries and meticulous planning to avoid detection by authorities. The close-knit nature of syndicates ensures that a Racket is never a solo undertaking. Profits from these ventures are always distributed equally among members. The syndicates typically maintain close contact, sharing funds and long-term goals, ensuring that no member of their syndicate is left behind.

The most popular rackets involve digital enterprises that exploit the extranet and remote networking. These operations can range from legitimate online businesses to illicit activities such as scam calls and hacker groups. The anonymity provided by the digital world makes these rackets attractive, as they can be conducted with minimal physical risk. Some common digital rackets include legitimate online businesses; these can include anything from e-commerce sites to freelance services, providing a legal facade for more covert activities. Scam Operations; phishing scams, fraudulent schemes, and fake tech support are common, targeting unsuspecting victims to extract money or information. Hacker Groups; skilled hackers form collectives to carry out cyber-attacks, data breaches, and other illicit cyber activities, often for profit or strategic advantage.

Salvage rackets are the next most popular form of work. The Dionae physiology, adapted to harsh environments, makes them well-suited for wading through dumping sites and scrap yards. Ordinary Dregs, the common inhabitants of the underbelly of the Eridani Federation, often lack the physical capabilities to undertake such tasks. Salvage operations are not only lucrative but also essential for the sustainability of the Underhive Collective. These operations have given rise to the native Scrapper population, individuals who specialize in reclaiming valuable materials from waste.

Religion

The Underhive Collective, shaped by its environment and circumstances, is overwhelmingly Ichor Eternal. This belief system, also known as Blood Eternal by those less familiar with its deeper tenets, emphasizes the exploration and utilization of Dionae's genetic learning abilities as a pathway to ascension. The Underhive Collective's religious landscape is characterized by a strong sense of community. The egalitarian nature of rackets extends to religious practices, with profits and resources shared equally among syndicate members. Living in the Underhive presents numerous challenges, both physical and spiritual. The harsh environment and constant threat of discovery by authorities require resilience and adaptability. Religious practices often evolve to meet these challenges, incorporating practical elements that enhance survival and community cohesion. The emphasis on genetic absorption in Ichor Eternal is not only a spiritual practice but also a pragmatic response to the need for diverse skills and knowledge in a resource-scarce environment. By acquiring knowledge and abilities through genetic material, members can quickly adapt to new situations and tasks, improving their chances of survival.

Demographic Relations

Dionae and Suits

Among the suits, Dionae are regarded with disgust and contempt; Dionaen presence in the Federation is in direct violation of the Rueltab treaty. The fact that Dionae managed to proliferate within the Federation is a stain on the suits' clean record of legalistic integrity between them and the Solarian Emprie. Dionae are seen as pests and vermin that act as agents of the federation’s underbelly. Nymphs found caught out on their own are usually dispatched, while fully formed gestalts are usually deported to Biesel or the Rueltab system.

Dionae and Dregs

Among the Dregs, they are tools to be used, and resources to be exploited. Dionae nymphs are typically prevented from merging into gestalts; this is to ensure obedience and dependency from the nymphs. Most of these nymphs under dreg ownership are either used as portable Aphrodite dispensers, or are strapped into specialized machines that continuously trigger the siphon reflex to harvest the drug on its own. Infrequently, they are used as work animals for interrogation, information gathering, prospecting, and scouting. Dionae based prosthetics are rare, due to the availability of cybernetics in Eridani. They are usually the telltale signs of a prominent dealer or Aphrodite junkie, and are extremely incriminating to have.

Underhive Scrappers

IPC Scrappers and the Underhive collective mutually share the same condition: They start incomplete, cast out, shunned by society at large, and left to fend for themselves. So naturally, they have made an excellent symbiotic pairing: the Collective will rescue and induct abandoned positronics. In exchange, scrappers act as the inconspicuous face and muscle of the organization, venturing where it is too dangerous for underhive dionae to expose themselves, and protecting them where they choose to reveal themselves. Underhive Dionae will often communicate through their positronics remotely, usually via the IPC’s speaker system, and sometimes even through visual output feed of a chassis.

Many scrappers are employed in a technical capacity as well, thanks to their ability to onboard or retain new data packets; their ability to interface closely with technology is also prized by the collective’s cyber-infiltrators.

Mindtypes

Underhive dionae can assume any mindtype, with a bias towards the more pluralistic ones. The exceptions that do not or barely exist are bloodless band, singular sound, and mourning mass. Singular sound is rare, as underhive dionae are typically formed piecemeal. Bloodless band is impossible, as the conditions to form one and the lifestyle it encourages are impractical. There are no documented instances of Mourning Mass dionae within the Underhive Collective.

Settlements

Underhive Collective cells are scattered throughout the Federation, their locations and local customs only known to their members. There is only one settlement that those of the Underhive dare to speak of, and each time, the information about it's purpose and location is given. Known simply as The Archive, It is rumored to be the largest settlement of the Underhive Collective. It's ultimate purpose is unclear, but those outside of the collective theorize that it is a massive data center that remotely coordinates the Underhive within the federation, as well as externally.