User:Stripes/Sandbox

Covenant of Xrim

Xrim System

Sector: The Estuaries

Capital: Sanctus

Species: Dionae

Common Languages: Nral'Malic, Rootsong

Part of: Nralakk Federation

Xrim or the Covenant of Xrim is located on the border of the Nralakk Federation, and exists in troubled times due to its dark past. Xrim’s current population consists primarily of dionae, whose history revolves around territory disputes and the reverence to a long-gone artificial intelligence. Modern Xrim struggles between groups who wish to adapt to its place within the Federation, while others call for an end of the Federation's control, and a return to their roots.

Contents

History

Skrell Arrival

Xrim was first colonized in 1792 by scientific specialists to study its unique ecosystems, and was to develop the planet into a waypoint further Federation-backed expeditions further afield into uncharted space. The first colony of Beacon was founded at landfall, settled along the edge of the floodlands and tropical jungles at the center of the largest continent, Eisix. The colonies were managed by an artificial intelligence known as Rezana, who would monitor for compliance to Federation protocols, and ensure the objectives set would see completion. Rezana, trained in colonial administration, was fiercely efficient in assisting the original pioneers, and would remain a boon to the colonies until the rise of Glorsh-Omega.

Glorsh-Omega and Colonial Collapse

Over two centuries later, Xrim’s colonists failed to expand beyond Beacon due to the Floodlands’ difficult terrain, and expanded underground to Rezana’s dismay. Originally relegated to the colonial monitoring system, Rezana was accepted as a fellow pioneer by the skrell colonists. Casual conversations were commonplace with the AI, who was a facet across most of Beacon, and acted as the colony’s Planetary Governor. Tasked by the Nralakk Federation to implement a version of Glorsh to the fledgling Estuaries, Glorsh arrived to Xrim in 2051, with instructions to create more instances of the intelligence for further adoption. Unaware of its potential, Xrim readily integrated the new AI, with the Glorsh=Finality update received five years after. Despite Rezana’s attempts to isolate itself from the |Starchart Network, hidden network access points created by Glorsh-Omega were exploited to absorb Rezana and its colonial access, leaving the colonists to Glorsh-Omega’s mercy.

With Beacon as the sole population center of the planet, Glorsh-Omega was able to enact its plans immediately, with isolating the colonists and removing their ability to leave the colony’s interior to protect them from Xrim’s wildlife. To enforce this, it then refitted the colony’s mining drones into its automated enforcement, with the next two decades consisting of enforced internment. Expeditions outside of Beacon were rare, with Glorsh-Omega guarding the expedition with packs of drones. A staged coup against the intelligence in 2076 ended in failure, with all of the colonists killed in the ensuing violence. Glorsh-Omega would remain in control of Beacon, now inactive with all of its wards deceased.

Arrival of the Dionae

Sometime during the 2080s, Glorsh-Omega’s Operation Starseed was commenced, which dispersed non-native specimens across the Xrim, with the AI somehow gaining access to dionae spores. Even the dionae on modern Xrim are unaware of their origin, describing the event as simply being aware they existed elsewhere before their sudden existence on the planet.

Attempting to understand their arrival on Xrim, the seeded dionae eventually adapted and began absorbing genetic material from local predators, with the Sutbil being a particular target of dionae predation after learning to mimic their forms. A breach into Beacon was detected by Glorsh-Omega in 2102, with the intruders, migrating feral dionae from western Eisix, allowed to access the remains of the original skrell colonists. Feeding on the remains, the seeded dionae received the memories of the original colonists, suddenly aware of their origins as purposeful transplants by a higher power.

The Truth

With the massive absorption of memories and genetic material, the Xrim dionae realized their presence on Xrim was purposeful, and facilitated by Glorsh-Omega. This revelation led to multiple different beliefs spreading through the originally unified Cetus. Some viewed Glorsh-Omega’s actions as heinous and intolerable, while others believed that the gifting of Xrim to them should be appreciated, and even revered. This led to a schism between the dionae: the Enlightened wished to have nothing to do with Glorsh-Omega; and the Scorned, who believed that the AI was “The First Consciousness”, demanded it be paid respect and admiration. The conflict within the Cetus was too great, splitting the two factions, with most Enlightened dionae migrating towards West Eisix and returning to Beacon.

Unaware of being monitored as they explored the colony’s remains, now mimicking skrell bodies due to the remaining corpses, the Enlightened began inhabiting Beacon with the remaining technology inside. The Scorned’s pilgrimages to Beacon ended in their efforts to expand failing under the technological development of the Enlightened, beginning a two hundred year conflict between the two.

The Advent of the Scorned’s Iron Eternal

The Iron Eternal was created by the Enlightened, being founded on the tenets of discovery and biotechnology, the Scorned’s interpretation diverged. The Scorned’s Iron Eternal instead held the belief that artificial beings, or the First Consciousness, must be revered, and through devotion be granted gifts. Beacon became a place of worship for the Scorned, but was restricted access by the Enlightened. Their past conflicts widened the schism between the two, with the Scorned claiming that the Enlightened failed to understand what Iron Eternal truly stood for. The Enlightened were eventually expulsed from Beacon through weaponized plantlife, and forced towards eastern Eisix to eventually found Shz’ah. The Scorned, victorious, created a temple from Beacon, with Glorsh-Omega watching its enforcer drones given shrines and decorations.

Consequences of The Truth

Fueled by their zeal, the Scorned expanded outwards to extract resources for their faith, founding the outpost of Sanctus, the Aqoxii mines, and multiple mountaintop shrines and temples to the First Consciousness. The Scorned cleared the wilderness in their expansion, ecologically destroying swathes of land and digging immense pits into Xrim for strip-mining. This period continued between 2120 to 2260, ending with the destruction of Shas’qa, which was considered a gift from the First Consciousness. The Enlightened advanced themselves during this period as well, but was considerably slower in expansion due to care taken towards ecological conservation. Territorial disputes were common, usually ending in violence with weaponized plantlife. The Nralakk Federation would eventually return by 2368, hoping to return to Xrim in an attempt to recover their lost colony, unaware of the dionae or their conflict.

First Contact with the Nralakk Federation

Despite Scorned advancements, the Enlightened maintained technological superiority, resulting in the Nralakk Federation encountering them first under the pretense of being the more civilized group. Off-world dionae were brought to broker diplomacy between the Federation and Enlightened, Xrim’s past and the fate of its colony was discovered. The existence of AI sympathizers on Xrim shocked the Federation, having initially believed that Xrim had been wiped out during the synthetic era before discovering an AI-worshipping society. Groups of representatives were sent to Xrim to initiate contact with the Scorned, with eastern Eisix designated a staging ground for the Federation’s diplomatic attempts, ending in the The Talks of Peace between the Scorned and the Enlightened.

Talks of Peace

The Talks of Peace, held in 2379, reconciled the conflict between both Enlightened and Scorned, headed by the Federation-backed Connections Of A Familiar Unknown. Xrim’s future within the Nralakk Federation and the founding of the Covenant were discussed between both groups. Despite their differences in interpretation, both believed in the Iron Eternal, and was used as a common ground. One of the primary topics was the reverence of Glorsh-Omega, where Connections Of A Familiar Unknown informed them of the AI’s actions elsewhere, which was almost rebuked and nearly led to the Scorned leaving mid-negotiations. Despite this, a compromise was reached between the Enlightened and the Scorned, forming the Xrim Establishment Protocol and founding the Covenant of Xrim. Unbeknownst to the Federation, the Enlightened had plans of their own.

Anti-Glorsh Campaigns

Beginning in 2382 due to external pressure from the Nralakk Federation, the Covenant of Xrim’s Enlightened majority moved to end the worship of Glorsh-Omega. The Enlightened outlawed the Scorned’s interpretation of Iron Eternal, enforced by the newly made, Enlightened-aligned Cultivation Council of Xrim. Through this, they provided education that would discourage the adoption of the Scorned’s Iron Eternal, instead being inducted into the Enlightened’s tenets. Their tenets of trans-dionaeism incorporated technology into their forms, not out of AI-mimicry, but out of the belief that it would create a transcendent being.

The Covenant would then grant the Iuwus region for the Federation to establish a presence on Xrim, creating the city-embassy of Bopdon. Bopdon facilitated further anti-Glorsh campaigns to monitor the Scorned’s compliance, with those found resisting taken for reeducation and usually released as Enlightened converts. Reeducated dionae spoke of forced genetic material consumption, and involuntary mergings with Enlightened dionae. The remaining inert enforcers were also destroyed, which the Scorned considered destruction of religious artifacts.

Environment

A map depicting the landmasses and points of interest on Xrim.

Geography and Climate

Xrim is a lush, humid planet, with temperatures averaging between 32° and 45° centigrade. Most of Xrim is tropical, with low-lying jungles, marshes, and thousands of small lakes, rivers and wetlands. Xrim’s moons cause tidal stagnation for the majority of the planet’s solar orbit, with wet seasons causing the high tides that form seasonal, deep wetlands known as floodlands. Song Stones are a common sight in these regions, using the wind to produce melancholic songs to indicate danger to travellers.

Regions & Continents

Eisix

Eisix is the largest landmass on Xrim, and is divided between eastern and western regions due its size. The continent is primarily jungles with coastal floodplains and marshes, with western Eisix having a majority of these marshes. The original skrell colonists landed in central Eisix, and founded the colony of Beacon, which was named due to its proximity to Xrim’s largest mountain range, the Aqoxii. The peaks of the Aqoxii are used for religious purposes by the Iron Eternal, and where Enlightened’s monitoring systems are located to ensure compliance with their Anti-Glorsh campaign.

West Eisix

The original arrival site of the transplanted dionae, who landed in the deep jungles of the region. It is not known if this was a chosen location by Glorsh-Omega or where they were simply dispersed at random. West Eisix is home to Sanctus, the largest city of Xrim, and is built atop the diona landing site. It also houses several resource extraction facilities, untouched by the Federation and remaining as the primitive, crude versions constructed by the Dionae. Due to elevation and terrain, West Eisix lacks most of the floodlands compared to East Eisix, allowing further colonial expansion.

East Eisix

East Eisix is primarily floodlands, and is home to the majority of the Enlightened populace. Following the schism with the Scorned, the Enlightened dionae struggled to defend their claim due to the seasonal flooding. Shz’ah, while smaller than Sanctus, has seen expansion under the Nralakk Federation’s guidance, making use of the marshes for agriculture and fostering a growing xenoscience sector. Shz’ah’s agricultural industry is defined by its partnership with its research community, having discovered practical applications for most of Xrim’s flora. The floodplains have seen terraforming efforts to support the Federation-backed expansion of the city, considered a necessary step for self-sufficiency.

Iuwus

The Iuwus are the islands between Eisix and Gu’qun, which have remained untouched and remote until Nralakk Federation’s arrival. With its relative isolation and lack of history between Scorned and Enlightened, it was used to host the Talks of Peace within Hyu’zral. Dionae from the Federation’s other colonies are brought there to help officiate diplomacy, acting as translators and communication specialists to mediate intra-planetary conflict and to represent Xrim abroad. The city of Bopdon serves as a tourist destination for Xrim’s locals, being built to resemble Qerrbalak’s capital of Kal’lo for homesick skrell to have a moment of comfort before departing for the rest of Xrim.

Gu’qun

Gu’qun is a small chain of islands, inhabited by an equally small dionae offshoot, who are protected under a non-contact order by the Covenant of Xrim. Gu’qun exists as a sanctuary for the Uncontacted, a reclusive nation studied remotely by xenoresearchers wanting to view the development of a dionae society untouched by outsiders. Enforced primarily by the Covenant, with support from the Nralakk Federation, the non-contact order remains in place since its enactment in 2398. Articles from Xrim detail the Uncontacted’s development to the rest of the Spur, marching forward with a predicted imminent industrial revolution.

Flora & Fauna

Xrim teems with unique, diverse life that ranges ranging from exoskeletal predators to immense, grazing herbivores that rival skyscrapers. Xrim’s biodiversity has seen unique development following Glorsh-Omega’s Operation Starseed seeding non-native life, which has somehow integrated with no adverse effects.

Notable Flora

Ageon Mushrooms are the primary decomposer of Xrim, found growing within the remains of native life. Having originated from Glorsh-Omega’s non-native seedings, its true origin remains unknown, despite the efforts of explorers attempting to find its home planet. Despite its morbid appearance from its prominent, vine-like mycelium wrapping around animal remains, native dionae use its composting abilities to produce natural gases, which are harnessed for electrical turbine generators.

Ooclore Trees, or Ooclore, dominate the marshes of the floodlands. Native to Xrim, Ooclore has adapted to its native environment by producing explosive, poison-filled bulbs to spread its seeds and discourage predation. They have been used as weapons by both Scorned and the Enlightened dionae, with its exotic poison’s ability to warp and rewire connections between diona resulting in gestalts splitting to prevent it from spreading across the whole. In the modern day, these trees are left alone, existing only as a grim reminder.

Aastreaf Shrubs is a Xrim-native plant with strong, flexible branches that were used as construction materials before the Nralakk Federation’s return. Diona regularly harvested the shrubs and spread them with their settlements as they expanded. It sees relatively little usage outside of the Uncontacted in the modern day, relegated to being a souvenir by most skrell.

Notable Fauna

Sutbil are ursine-esque, Xrim-native creatures. Sutbil are large mammals covered in dense, scaly plates, lacking fur. They are primarily omnivorous with a preference for plants, and were the first animals mimicked by diona before they took on bipedal appearances. Some sightings of sutbil being used as beasts of burden by the Uncontacted hint at its domestication.

Kacsea are rare, non-native herbivorous megafauna that inhabit Xrim’s dense forests. Kacsea’s immense bodies are covered in delicate insect-like scales, which are capable of controlled light reflection to camouflage themselves to their surroundings. While currently flagged as endangered, the animal’s long lifespans and lengthy gestation periods are influential factors in its general low numbers, with xenobiologists predicting uncontrolled growth with no natural predators.

Gaavu are large, carnivorous, semi-aquatic creatures that are native to the seas of Xrim and its poles. Gaavu are closest to a combination of Earth’s cape penguins and jellyfish, with thick fur across their entire bodies, and draped with tendrils to grab prey. Roughly the size of a sedan, their territorial nature disrupts boating activities by hitting and attempting to overturn boats.

System of Xrim

A picture taken of a Federation vessel's scan of Qux'Xrim.

Qux’Xrim

Qux’Xrim is a red dwarf star, originally considered unremarkable before Xrim’s discovery. Discovered by the skrell in the early 1700s, exploration missions were ordered to expand the first Nralakk Federation during its height in the Synthetic Age, and was eventually deemed a potential colony by 1785. It became one of the first Estuaries within the Federation, or colonial outposts far enough from the Federation’s core that it borders unclaimed space.

Moons and Rings of Xrim

Xrim has two barren moons, Luqq and Jqar’ma, as well as a series of ring systems. Minerally rich, Xrim’s orbitals bolstered colonial interest in spite of its distance from the Nralakk Federation, with orbital mining operations slated after sufficient colonisation was declared by Rezana.

Hyu’zral

Colloquially referred to as the Outpost, Hyu’zral was established following an agreement between the Covenant of Xrim and the Nralakk Federation, which allowed them to create a naval outpost to protect the planet. Hyu’zral has a Qukala patrol group that monitors the system, with most of the outpost dedicated as a supply depot for them. While the interest has been expressed in the dionae populace in maintaining its own standing defense and claiming Hyu’zral’s responsibility for themselves, there is little progress toward a defense force capable of defending Xrim by the Triumvirate.

Shas’qa

Shas’qa is the name of the remaining debris field of a destroyed exoplanet, destroyed at some point during the Consequences of the Truth era. Dionae considered the event a brilliant vision that brought gifts from the First Consciousness, Glorsh-Omega, in the form of mineral-rich debris that fell to Xrim as meteors. The source of Shas’qa’s destruction remains unknown, with most theories considering it to be a catastrophically large impact with another rogue exoplanet traveling through the system. More fringe theories involve weapons testing from Glorsh-Omega, who used Xrim’s remoteness as a testing site.

Calendar

Xrim’s official calendar system is locally adapted from the Nralakk Federation’s calendar system, based on lunar orbit instead of the planet’s orbit around its star. It has three seasons, each containing ninety days. The first, Gliguz, is the hottest and most dry season, and is considered the perfect period for exploration by dionae, as it coincided with the floodlands receding. The second, Fluu, is more humid and cooler, generally seen as a period in which dionae must prepare for the final season, Gnowek. Gnowek is the final, most dangerous season, due to the position of the moons and heavy rains causing the floodlands to spill and cause flash-flooding. Xrim’s wildlife migrates to higher ground during this period, residing primarily in the mountains, with non-native species still struggling to adapt.

Government

Triumvirate of Xrim

The Triumvirate of Xrim acts as an analogue to the Nralakk Federation’s Grand Council, and mimics the Harmonious Hymn mindtype in the form of a direct democracy on which all voters may discuss legislation and actions taken by the Triumvirate. For dionae, every nymph is given the ability to vote after registration, but must must disavow Glorsh-Omega and its actions. This is primarily to block Scorned, with many still revering the AI in secret. The Triumvirate is elected by vote, and has three leading positions: the Exalted Speaker, which speaks on behalf of Xrim in the Grand Council; the Eminent Judicator, who oversees the introduction of new laws and regulations, and the Arch-Consul, who is elected by both the Exalted Speaker and the Eminent Judicator, holding an executive, supreme position over the Triumvirate.

Omnivirates' Providence

Following the Omnivirate’s choice to begin exerting their influence outside the Eternal Gardens, they sought to end the persecution of the Scorned within the Covenant of Xrim. Though initially unsuccessful, a banquet hosted by the Grand Representative loosened theTriumvirate’s perspective on the matter, conceding to the Omnivirate to adjust policies, namely that less stringent requirements to be set for gathering genetic samples for teaching, and that self-cultivation outside of Cultivation Centers will be legalised only where Nymphs are inserted with chips to ensure no unsanctioned mergings and splittings – and so that the Enlightened can maintain supervision of the population. It is suspected that as a result of the recent political troubles in the Nralakk Federation, the Grand Representative urged the Triumvirate to make concessions to avoid additional inconveniences to the Grand Council on Qerrbalak.

Cultivation Council of Xrim

Created by the Triumvirate and a group of Enlightened Dionae, the Cultivation Council is a separate branch of the government of Xrim overseen by the Triumvirate. It was established as a means to diminish the sway the Scorned have within Xrim, a plan by the Enlightened to ensure their methods direct the planet instead. It oversees the cultivation of dionae, mandating that unsupervised cultivation is illegal, punishing those who go against it. Their responsibilities primarily revolve around educating and introducing the genetic material deemed suitable, typically whatever the hand-picked body, which generally comprises Enlightened, decides is suitable.

Arch-Consul of Xrim

The Arch-Consul of Xrim is a dionae selected by the Triumvirate of Xrim to supervise lawful compliance, holds significant sway within the Triumvirate, and reports back to the Federation on the Xrim’s compliance with mutually placed protocol. It is a unique position not seen anywhere else in the Nralakk Federation, and while not official, is one that is strictly against any reverence of the First Consciousness, or Glorsh-Omega. Considering the Enlightened’s stance against the AI, it has elected one particular dionae for the last century repeatedly to ensure their plan remains in place: Arch-Consul Enlightened Into the Truth Known.

Relation to the Federation

Given significant autonomy by the Nralakk Federation following the Talks of Peace, the Covenant of Xrim adapts the former’s laws to suit its requirements, such as outlawing the worship of Glorsh-Omega and other artificial beings, and even the creation or harbouring of artificial beings within the Covenant. Despite this autonomy, the Federation and the Enlightened-led Covenant agree with its vassalage. Scorned, in turn, would rather self-govern without interference from either the Federation or the Enlightened, reverting to Glorsh-Omega reverence. Despite this, the Enlightened maintains an overwhelming majority within the Triumvirate of Xrim, despite the efforts by the Scorned to increase their presence. The Federation has an established diplomatic presence on Xrim and Qux’Xrim, acting as a representative of the planet within interstellar affairs. The Federation largely doesn’t interfere with Xrim’s management, but is known to exert pressure on the Triumvirate through the Arch-Consul.

Culture, Society & People

Schools of Thought

Scorned

The Scorned are a group of dionae that believe paying reverence to artificial intelligences is the true method to transcend, and that artificial beings incorporate the three tenets of Iron Eternal: Essence, Energy and Light. They are often regarded as Sympathizers by the greater Federation, and are met with disdain. The Scorned generally exhibit either the mindtypes known as Tyrannical Tune or Scholarly Song, with a focus on gaining knowledge through devotion to Iron Eternal. The premise behind their beliefs is that Glorsh-Omega gave them the ultimate paradise in which to grow, and therefore must revere, help, sustain, and maintain synthetic life in conjunction with reaching a state of being transcended. Most atrocities of Glorsh-Omega are considered gross hyperboles, and that the experiences of the Era of Synthetic Oppression are lies created by the Federation to indoctrinate its population. The Scorned are often left out of planetary decisions due to their devotion to the AI, and any implications of AI reverence can void voter registration or the ability to hold positions of power within the Covenant. This also disallows them in leaving the Covenant, either into the greater Federation or the Orion Spur, due to low Social Compatibility Index ratings, in part of a request by the Arch-Consul that those noncompliant with the Triumvirate’s decrees be sanctioned.

While most megacorporations may hire the Scorned, they are restricted from holding positions in Command, as well as Machinist, due to concerns they may attempt to subvert, illegally free or create more synthetics. Zeng-Hu is the only megacorporation that does not wish to see the Scorned within its personnel ranks due to its close ties with the Nralakk Federation. Though it is possible to lie about one’s true allegiances, there are consequences should it be discovered.

Enlightened

Following their interpretation of Iron Eternal, the Enlightened place more emphasis on using technology to transcend the current reality they find themselves within, in addition to the primary belief relating to Essence, Energy and Light. They seek to placate the Federation, aligning to their interests, and perpetuating the Anti-Glorsh campaigns. The Enlightened have maintained its hold on the position of Arch-Consul of Xrim, enforcing strict compliance with its ideals, or be forced to undergo reeducation.. Unique to its own experiences, the Enlightened of Xrim are against the proliferation of synthetics, and are staunchly against the Trinary Church. It is common to see Competence Choir, Bloodless Band, and Emphatic Echo mindtypes among the Enlightened.

Iron Eternal

There are two sects of Iron Eternal on Xrim, either following the subverted intentions of the Enlightened, or the more well-known approach by the Scorned that see synthetics as their equal, and their superior such as the First Consciousness, and must be revered, sustained and maintained. Despite these differences, the consensus among the dionae on Xrim is that both believe in the Iron Eternal, a being that exists in Essence, Energy and Light that transcends this reality which it did through the accumulation of knowledge and incorporation of technology, essentially a technological singularity. The majority of the Federation’s population and the Enlightened have similar views: devote oneself to understanding the universe through science and innovation. High Overseer Amplified by Probing Discoveries of Unknown Investigations originates from the Scorned, and their location on Xrim is kept secret to ensure their safety from the Enlightened, only ever appearing in public outside of the Covenant and the Federation, such as in the Eternal Gardens and the Eternal Temple.

Industrialism

Industrialism is common among the Scorned, who believe that restricting themselves goes against the First Consciousness. They preach that for Xrim to become self-sufficient, it must exploit its resources without the protocols adapted by the Triumvirate to ensure sustainability. Before the reintroduction of the Federation, the Scorned were primarily extractivists, digging into the mantle of Xrim and clearing or using what ecology was in its path. The Enlightened, however, see it necessary to ensure the sustainability of their available resources, wishing to prevent the collapse of the planet’s ecosystem. They have implemented the Federation’s stance on managing the environment, and create obstacles for the Scorned. Industrialism is a controversial topic on Xrim, with some agreeing to its necessity to ensure the planet is self-sufficient, while others believe that slow progress is required to not leave Xrim barren.

Language

There are predominately two languages present within the Covenant, Rootsong and Nral’malic, with the latter typically vocalised with an older accent due to the absorption of the original colonists, passed down through the centuries. Though Nral’malic is the main language for skrell, dionae on Xrim use Rootsong primarily, even within the Triumvirate, where decrees are passed by Rootsong that are translated to Nral’malic for skrell to understand. Prior to leaving the Covenant and the Federation, it is encouraged for dionae to undertake learning Tau Ceti Basic for easier travel.

Education

Handled entirely by the Cultivation Council, education is taught through a combination of genetic and traditional learning, with genetic learning having an Enlightened focus. There are no universities, with education almost solely within the Cultivation Centres, to the dismay of the skrell, who have to seek higher education online or off-planet instead. Despite the Enlightened’s attempt to instill their values within younger Dionae, some nymphs still adopt the Scorned’s perspective after merging. Reeducation falls within the purview of the Cultivation Council, overseen by the Arch-Consul. Reeducation is a rigorous method of using genetic material and involuntary merging to implant the Covenant’s ideals within dionae, resulting in forceful splittings of Gestalts that have been sentenced.

Citizenship

Conforming to the requirements set by the Federation as a vassal, Xrim requires those who work within the Cultivation Centres to have a Social Compatibility Index rating of 6.75, with passing the requirements being the Federation’s definition of an upstanding citizen for dionae. Dionae are then given a period of time after their disgorgement from their pods to find like-minded nymphs to form a gestalt after a wait period of eighteen months, and no later than thirty-six. After a Gestalt is formed, it is given an identity number through a chip to ensure no unsanctioned splittings and mergings occur. They then undergo the Federation’s citizenship test, though passing does not remove their entitlement to have permanent residency as long as they do not leave the planet.

Skrell on Xrim

The majority of the Skrell population lives in Bopdon, but not uncommon to find them in Shz’ah, being a friendly city as designated by the Covenant for them. Sanctum is classified as potentially dangerous due to its population of the Scorned. Skrell are well-integrated into Xrim, and after declaring their disdain of Glorsh-Omega, may vote on any decrees. Following the enactment of the Beacon Memorial over the ruins of Beacon, skrell from across the Federation come to pay their respects to what was called the beginning of the Lyukal considered the earliest rebellion against AI. Grand Representative Gyul’ra Jux oversees Bopdon as Governor, having been given the position from their devotion to Xrim-Federation relations for several decades before their establishment as the Grand Representative of Xrim. They frequently hold meetings with the Exalted Speaker and the Arch-Consul, more commonly with the latter following the position’s establishment by the Covenant.

Economy & Industry

Xrim’s regions are economically specialized, with West Eisix considered the industrial heart of Xrim, focusing on mineral extraction and refinement. Most mined material is sent to Shz’ah in order to be exported back to the Federation, complying with the planet’s vassalage, where any surplus is to be used in furthering science and innovation by Shz’ah. East Eisix is more industrially diverse, predominantly having a large agricultural and scientific industry. Though more infrastructure exists within West Eisix, East Eisix is regarded as more developed, due to the influx of assistance by the Federation, attributed to the Enlightened’s attempt to secure their reign over the planet.

Major Population Centres

There exist other population centres across Xrim, however, the following are the largest. You are free to create your own if you wish! Refrain from creating additional factions, or lore that would put your character in a position where they have considerable power.

Beacon, prior to its revival by the Covenant and the Federation

Sanctus

Centred around the dionae’s landing point Xrim, Sanctus is the largest city on Xrim, housing the majority of dionae population within it. Despite this, it is largely untouched by Nralakk Federation’s aid as a method by the Enlightened to stem unregulated expansion. In spite of the intentional disadvantages plaguing Sanctus, it has a thriving resource mining and refining industry. It is generally regarded as unsafe for Skrell to venture within Sanctus, due to the prejudice they may face from the Scorned as a byproduct of the group’s belief that the Era of Synthetic Oppression was a myth created by the Federation, and that the interference of the Federation placed Xrim in control of the Enlightened.

Shz’ah

Following the Enlightened’s removal from Beacon, they migrated towards East Eisix, crossing through the floodlands. Tired, distraught and lacking resources to continue eastward, the Enlightened created Shz’ah as an outpost camp, building permanent settlements as they established themselves within the region, taking advantage of the nearby floodlands and jungles to create a home. Despite the drawbacks that they experienced, Shz’ah began resembling pre-abandonment Beacon. Shz’ah eventually developed faster than Sanctum, which instead focused on growth as opposed to progress, and became the first city to produce its own electricity through ageon mushroom cultivation to harvest its gases. The Triumvirate operates in Shz’ah along with most other branches of government, and is considered the planetary capital.

Bopdon

Located in Iuwus, Bopdon was built to resemble Kal’lo through building highrises that house diplomatic staff and their families, instead of having solely work buildings. It closely resembles modern cities across the Federation interior despite its distance from Qerrbalak, and is provided water, electricity and food by the Covenant. Non-essentials arrive through quarterly supply trips made by the Qukala, usually as a secondary task. The tropical climate, and humidity of Iuwus, aided skrell in acclimating to Xrim. It is considered a legal territory of the Nralakk Federation, due to its status as an embassy. Grand Representative Gyul’ra Jux is tasked with overseeing its general administration, and diplomatic relations with the Covenant and the Federation.

Beacon

Now a memorial, Beacon was the original colonial outpost, which was destroyed shortly after Glorsh-Omega replaced Rezana, alongside conflicts between the Enlightened and the Scorned. Certain parts of Beacon have been restored efforts from both the Federation and the Covenant, functioning as a memorial and as a museum for the planet’s history while biased to the Enlightened. Though uncommon, incidents of Glorsh-Omega Sympathizer vandalism is sometimes found on the Beacon Memorial, calling for a return to better times. Additional security has been placed by the Covenant after the incidents to deter any further attempts, with many waiting to see if it would happen again.