Union of Gla'orr

Union of Gla'orr

Autocratic, and staunchly opposed to further integration of non-Dionae, the Union of Gla’orr is largely considered an affront to all the ideals held by the Consortium – an anti-thesis to the growing democratic tendencies of Hieroaetheria. The Union of Gla’orr was the most recent to join the Commonwealth of Hieroaetheria, having only agreed following the involvement of the Eternal Republic of the Ekane; hoping to steer to a more secular approach of handling non-Dionae as opposed to the religious persecution headed by the Ecclesiarchs of the Eternal Republic. Despite its existence being against the Consortium’s ideals, they frequently engage in diplomatic relations with the nation, alongside initiating economic ties to strengthen their internal economy.

General

Capital: Tark

Demonym: Unitary

Official Languages: Rootsong

History

The flag of the Union of Gla'orr, showing their intention for unity.

Having previously been aligned with the Consortium, many of the cities – or rather conglomerates – that make up the Union of Gla’orr were loosely independent prior to the establishment of the Union, and its ideology on Hieroaetheria. Though Dionae had existed in the region since 1500 CE, it wasn’t until after First Contract with the Skrell did any meaningful change make its way to Gla’orr.

Throughout the period of Hieroaetheria's industrial revolution Gla’orr was considered integral to further expansion and production, swathes of Dionae from Mede travelled far distances to the region – culminating in the establishment of several clusters and conglomerates around strategic points close in proximity to the abundant resources that the region had to offer. For close to a thousand years, they remained loosely affiliated with the nascent Consortium, engaging in bartering for needed resources that they were unable to locate within Gla’orr, and contributing to the development and expansion of the former – however, they grew disillusioned as time marched on, resentment began to build against the flourishing region of Mede in comparison to the somewhat underdeveloped and largely sparesely populated besides specific locations in Gla’orr.

By 2392 CE, Gla’orr had become a hotbed of resentment – only worsened following the introduction of the Nralakk Federation and their foreign ideals, where for a period of time many believed an invasion was incoming, one that would lead to the extinction of Dionae ideals and culture. This ultimately was one of the significant contributors to the velvet divorce between the Consortium and the conglomerates within Gla’orr, with the final catalyst being the renaming of Epigenia to Nral’daaq – and thus, the Union of Gla’orr was established, nearly without bloodshed. Though technically qualifying as a coup d'état, many within the Spur have instead merely attributed it similarly to a declaration of independence.

Over the next few decades, the Union of Gla’orr sought to establish their ideology across the region, doing so successfully. Without the benefits of alien technology, that sought to reinforce the capabilities of Dionae, and where unable to reinforce, invent an entirely new method of dealing with circumstances, By 2445 CE, they had advanced to such a stage it was necessary for cooperation to be enacted with the other factions present on Hieroaetheria. Since then, the Union has proved themselves against the odds, carving out their own existence as envisaged by their Paragon.

Culture and Society

Religion

There is a somewhat limited freedom of religion allowed within the Union of Gla’orr. The obvious principles of giving homage to Dionae culture remain steadfast; alien religions are not necessarily banned but will result in ostracism within the Union’s society — resulting in a majority of devout Dionae within the Union following one of the branches of the Eternal, which is in itself a minority demographic. Though there exist avenues to practice the Eternal within the Union, a vast majority of the population is agnostic, not necessarily giving divine authority to any particular figure. This further fuels their approach within the Commonwealth, attempting to enact a strong Hieroaetheria without necessarily relying on religious rhetoric as the Eternal Republic of the Ekane does, instead a secular perspective of Dionae nationalism takes root.

Patriotism & Non-Dionae

The Union’s populace takes pride in their culture, mostly from the perspective of fierce patriotism. It is synonymous with a deep-rooted sense of cherishing their heritage, and venerating the existence of Dionae; alongside their customs and traditions – unaffected by the external influence of those incapable of understanding their nature. This predominately leads to a fervour of unity and solidarity amongst the Union of Gla’orr Dionae; where they rally behind the idea of being the guardians of the Dionae identity, and the further protection of Hieroaetheria through ensuring Dionae superiority. It largely is intrinsically linked to the preservation of Dionae autonomy and sovereignty within the Commonwealth; the Union sees itself as a bastion of Dionae identity and resists fiercely any attempts at the imposition of more xenophilic or religious ideologies contrary to their own.

This generally culminates between a guarded reservation to outright opposition of non-Dionae; mostly believing it to be a form of cultural preservation, and that the integrity of their society hinges on maintaining distinct practices and values which they view as essential to their identity; non-Dionae ideals are thought to be an infection, one that should be rid of – at least to the most diehard supporters of the Union’s ideology. Though there has been acknowledgement of the importance that non-Dionae hold on Hieroaetheria, the Union sees them as interlopers, and their presence should not be necessary for a strong, sovereign unity of Dionae – engaging in diplomatic relations and economic ties are merely some of the ideas circling the Union, but migration treaties and acceptance of non-Dionae is considered “not necessary” at Hieroaetheria’s current level of development.

Citizenship

Only those born within the Union’s borders qualify as its citizens, even if one were to have originated from a germination of a Union’s citizen — per the mandate by the Paragon, they will not be considered a natural-born citizen. This all but bars them from partaking in the “benefits” of the Union’s citizenship; in particular, the ability to engage in positions of governmental authority, or any authority for that matter — with a decision agreed upon by both the Exarchs and the Paragon essentially freezing out any non-citizens from gaining power within the Union, through any means. Although difficult to gain citizenship, the inverse exists for losing such. The Union does not hold respect for any other citizenships, one cannot hold dual citizenship whilst retaining their original, it must be forsaken. In addition, where a Gestalt conducts themselves in such a manner — whether by a positive act or an omission — contrary to the benefit of the Union of Gla’orr they can have proceedings instituted to revoke their privileges within the Union, including citizenship — provided they aren’t detained, at least. Abroad, one is constantly at risk of losing their citizenship by not making the Union of Gla’orrs objectives a priority — resulting in many largely being stateless or forced to seek citizenship with another nation, most of which obtain such from the Consortium.

Language

Rootsong is not merely a language within the Union of Gla’orr, but something that holds profound significance, in which it serves not only as a means of communication but also as a symbol of Dionae cultural identity and unity. Within the Union, Rootsong is considered the only official language; the usage of other languages besides it are not outlawed, but will not be viewed with the same respect as Rootsong – “alien tongues” as commonly referred to has all but been ostrasized within the Union, even the usage of such by the Exarchs is frowned upon by some – but a necessity to engage further and promote values associated with Dionae. It is thought by preserving and cherishing Rootsong, the Union, therefore, reaffirms its commitment to safeguarding Dionae culture and heritage from external influences. Moreover, Rootsong serves as a unifying force within the Union, a method propagated by Exarch Imposing Arbiter of Indomitable Persuasion, to foster a sense of belonging amongst the Dionae of the Union. By embracing Rootsong as the primary language of communication, regardless of any regional or social differences, it therefore reinforces a shared cultural bond that transcends individual identities – in particular in the reflection of external influences such as the Skrell, or Humanity. Thereby, ultimately, strengthening the fabric of the Union’s society, reinforcing their collective resilience in the face of external pressures. However, it has been recognised the necessity for one to engage in alien tongues when travelling abroad, and there have been instances where the Union of Gla’orr has granted passage to Dionae to travel to the Consortium to begin lessons in these foreign languages.

Education

Despite claiming to abhor the existence of what the Consortium stands for, the Union follows closely in their stead in regard to Education; however the notable caveat is that each education facility — being it primary, secondary or tertiary — is owned by the Union, or the Union has significant shares in such. This method is used mostly to ensure a curriculum adherence to “interstellar standards” despite their calls against external influence, but serves as a function to ensure Gestalts that seek to leave the Union will at least have an education by an accredited institution, making their journey less difficult provided they have been provided authorisation to leave. This also comes alongside the necessity to incorporate other ideas from across the Spur to the Union, though in a somewhat convoluted way as to ensure “Dionae Supremacy”, merely indicating the importance of looking outwards to be able to assist the Union, as opposed to closing the idea of alien technology off completely. An agreement between the Consortium and the Union has resulted in an overlapping, if somewhat altered, curriculum that is easily transferable across the Spur.

Emigration

The Union of Gla’orr allows emigration, though it is more regulated than its counterparts on Hieroaetheria; these rigorous regulations in which Dionae are subjected to aim at ensuring the suitability of individuals seeking to leave the Union. Prospective emigrants must navigate an application process administered by those appointed to administrative, governmental positions require significant amounts of personal information. This includes the reasons for departure and the intended destination, background checks are commonly conducted to assess any criminal history, employment records or affiliations with undesirable organisations within the Union of Gla’orr. Health assessments are often also mandatory to ensure that Dionae who desire to leave Hieroaetheria are capable of not merely scraping through life in their intended destination, but are otherwise noted to be in good health and able to satisfactorily perform. Financial stability and sufficient resources to support themselves in their new location are also scrutinized. Emigrants may undergo interviews or assessments to further evaluate their motivations and adaptability. Finally, approval is granted based on compliance with regulations and the overall suitability of the Dionae for departure, ensuring a regulated balance between the rights of individuals to seek opportunities elsewhere and the need to maintain security and stability within the Union.

Entertainment

The Union of Gla’orr, desiring to stay in touch with Hieroaetheria’s history, source their entertainment from reviving hobbies from the histories. Keeping these traditional forms of living and entertainment alive is seen as a duty and at risk of being lost due to ongoing xeno-influence, with Gla’orr pointing towards the Consortium having to abandon traditional Hieroaetherian forms of entertainment due to their exclusive nature towards non-dionae.

Traditional Cloudgrazer Riding

The largest form of entertainment, whether as a hobby or spectator, in the Union of Gla’orr is the revival of using cloudgrazers as a form of transport, in-line with pre-Sundering Hieroaetheria that has since seen shuttles dominate transport around the globe. Historically, cloudgrazers have seen varied use as vessels of transport, with older and larger cloudgrazers often having airship vessels securely tied to their undersides, where they would be used for long-distance transport, load bearing, or even as alternative accommodation. Younger and more energetic cloudgrazers historically saw use in conflict as warmounts during The Triumph of Smoke and Steel, capable of zipping around above a ground conflict with the mounted dionae either hurling explosives from above or swooping in with large polearms. In the present time, cloudgrazer riding has been revived in various ways that honour their past:

• Cloudracing: The most popular form of entertainment within Gla’orr that even sees those from other nations flock to watch is Cloudracing. Racing stadiums are large, with elevated bleaches overlooking a series of raised hoops that reach high into the sky – or, in more recently developed stadiums, holographic hoops projected into the sky. Many forms of racing exists, with single stretch ‘sprints’ to pit the fastest cloudgrazers against one another, or more typical lap racing. The city of Tark houses the largest and most advanced cloudgrazer racing stadium and is home to the Tark Cloudracing Tournament that sees a cloudracer from each of Hieroaetheria’s major cities pitted against each other in a tournament, the winning city typically receiving a large cash payment, of which the cloudracer gets a small cut, and an audience with Gla’orr’s diplomacy-focused Exarch, Regal Arbiter of Diplomatic Accord. The Consortium recently sparked controversy within Gla’orr for submitting the first non-dionae cloudracer in 2457, however the Tark Cloudracing Tournament has yet to ban non-dionae riders, and a non-dionae cloudracer has yet to win the Tark Cloudracing Tournament; other less renowned tournaments around Gla’orr are known to have excluded non-dionae racers or are Gla’orr dionae only in participation.
• Cloudgrazer Recreational Riding: In the rural communities of Gla’orr, it is not uncommon for dionae to purchase a cloudgrazer for the purpose of hobbyist, recreational riding. While more conventional forms of transport are still the mainstay, especially for logistics, a single or pair of cloudgrazers may be owned and housed by a rural household. Cloudgrazers bond to an owner for life, seeing their owner as their herd’s leader, which often goes both ways as when a cloudgrazer eventually passes, the dionae will struggle to set aside their memories of their passed cloudgrazer to be able to commit to bonding with a second. Housing a cloudgrazer isn’t too difficult as, when not in use, they will typically fly freerange in the skies above their owner’s household, feeding themselves on skydancers, starvines and other airborne xenoflora, with the cost to own a cloudgrazer largely coming from the costs to receive training on how to ride one, as well as the initial purchase of the cloudgrazer and any equipment.

War Sports

Due to their uneasy secession from the Consortium, the prevalence of hostile megafauna, and the concerns following the Vociferation now widespread throughout Gla’orr about other Spur states threatening dionakind, war sports have become ingrained in Gla’orr culture, seen both as a form of entertainment and means of preparing oneself for potential, future conflicts. The opportunity to participate in these war sports is widely offered to Gla’orr dionae, with it even being a subject offered at all levels of education – there have even been talks of making it a mandatory, core subject. Naturally, all of these war sports are incredibly dangerous, with the risk of splitting or permanently losing a nymph being high. The following are the most popular forms of war sports:

• Cloudgrazer Lancing: Harking back to young cloudgrazers seeing historical use in conflict as warmounts, cloudgrazers now see use in war sports as mounts, often making use of a city’s cloudracer tracks or, in rural communities, festival-like grounds. Two riders begin on opposite ends of a circular arena in the sky with a large, flat-ended lance simply known as a ‘flattened lance’ then, on a signal, can begin duelling. Any manoeuvre is permitted, though any contact with the other rider must be done with the lance. Points are scored by the following, from highest scoring to lowest: striking the opposing rider with the flattened lance with enough force to cause them to split a nymph, with an extra point per nymph split; striking the opposite rider with the flattened lance and unseating them from their cloudgrazer; striking the opposite rider with the flattened lance and denting their shield beyond use; striking the opposite rider without unseating them or damaging their shield. Points are lost for any non-lance contact with the opposing rider or for declaring exhaustion and prematurely ending the match. A match otherwise ends once a rider is unseated, then a referee assigns final scores.
• Fighting Pits: The most variable and accessible form of war sports. Fighting pits can range from large, colosseum-like arenas to small establishments in the cities, to a fighting hall in community centres in towns and rural communities. Here, dionae may spar against each other with various forms of weaponry to various ends – tapping out, the forced splitting of an opponent. The most notorious fighting pit is the Voidblack Colosseum in the Oozing Dunes, a large arena constructed out of a concrete blackened by pollution and bitumen content within the concrete mixture, which often pits a dozen well-equipped dionae against one another or ships in various hostile megafauna captured from either the Subterranean or Gla’orr’s rainforest regions to battle again.

Forma Art

Forma is a visual art style practised both recreationally and competitively that makes use of a gestalt’s own form to create an art piece. Historically, Forma art was widespread across Hieroaetheria, though dwindled during the industrial and biocomputer revolution where it almost completely fell out of practise. Only recently in 2401 was the Forma art style revived and practised more widespread throughout Gla’orr, with two of the most historically documented types of Forma making up the majority of Gla’orr’s art scene.

Aa’shur Forma is the most popular and practised form of Forma that is most accessible to most dionae. Aa’shur involves a gestalt reshaping their nymph and biomass structure to create a usually abstract or expressionistic art piece, which may then be photographed if not done purely for recreation. Occasionally, the environment around the gestalt is incorporated into the art piece, with a gestalt reforming themself as an elaborate, twisting bridge across a river, or the art piece may be done in a plain environment to emphasise only the gestalt’s form. Practising Aa’shur Forma is not only seen as a way to keep an old art alive, but is also said to slow the effects of ageing, with the repeated restructuring of a dionae’s form preventing the external chitin layer from restricting mobility for some time. Due to Gla’orr’s cultural reach, Aa’shur Forma has gradually begun to spread to other diona communities around the Spur.

The second type of Forma art is Voti’shur Forma which involves a large group of dionae working together, often an Argus. Voti’shur involves the group of dionae all forming together and shaping themselves into a theoretically, fantasy-like creature – with more surrealist looks being favoured. This alone may be done recreationally or competitively, with a photo captured of the final form for display purposes if desired, and is known as Still Voti’shur. However, some Voti’shur artists take it a step further, with two performing groups amassing themselves into giant, fantastical creatures which then do battle in front of an audience, known as Battling Voti’shur – this is dangerous, with nymphs occasionally being crushed between crab-like pincers or stabbed by a gigantic chitinous tooth. The Great Voti’shur Stadium in Tark is often home to these sights, with Voti’shur artist groups flocking twice a year to perform in either one of the Battling Voti’shur performances or the in-between Still Voti’shur performance slots. For Battling Voti’shur performers, it is not uncommon to lose enough nymphs that the Argus dionae have to retire, splitting from their Argus form to find work in other fields as Cyclops. Neither type of Voti’shur has had any significant traction outside of the Union of Gla’orr, though some of the more extreme forms may occasionally be seen or heard of in media due to how impressive they can sometimes be.

Handheld Biocomputer Games

Despite not having the most advanced electronic analogues, gaming is still a thing within the Union of Gla’orr, however the games possible on biocomputers tend to be a lot simpler and mechanical, with the mechanical components of the game controlled by a gestalt by connecting their own biomass to the biocomputer. These biocomputers are usually small, transportable devices with only one game loaded on them. Biocomputer gaming devices are very popular not only on Hieroaetheria, but throughout dionae communities around colonised regions of the Spur, with Gla’orr capitalising on biocomputer games as a pervasive form of cultural influence.

The most common form of biocomputer game is a small, PDA-sized device that houses a biomass obstacle course beneath a thin, chitinous film, with a pearl-like ball a gestalt has to navigate from one side of the obstacle course to the other by pulsing certain bridges, ramps or tendril grippers at the right time – this type of game is called a Bio-obstacle Game. Various traditional board games have also been adapted into hand-held biocomputer devices, where a dionae can shift about biomass pieces within the device, then hand the device to another gestalt for their turn.

Days of Importance

• Union Day (June 25th)

Recognised as being the founding of the Union of Gla’orr, the 25th of June has become a day of festivities across the entirety of the faction — even those that have traveled abroad. Typically, the Paragon opens up the festivities at roughly 06h00 with an annual speech depicting the strengths and weaknesses of the Union, and how far they’ve come since its founding. Exarchs generally engage in a brief tour of the Union’s Capital, before returning to their offices and engaging with their daily workload. It has informally also been known as the State of the Union.

• Celebration of the Bright Stars (Generally may occur between November 16th - December 29th)

During a specific period in the elliptical orbit of Hieroaetheria, the planet experiences a considerably bright light in the sky — emanating from the Sparring Giants Subsystem. Though the Union recognises this as a rather “auspicious” day despite their secular nature, those that choose to follow the Eternal within its borders treat this as a religious holiday, partaking in rites and rituals to give homage to the Eternal. It changes each year, but generally, it is held between November 16th and December 29th, typically elected by the Omnivirate following their annual visit to Hieroaetheria following their establishment.

Crime

In the Union of Gla’orr, the policing force, known as the Sentry Guards, plays a pivotal role in upholding the nation’s strict adherence to order and the preservation of ideals held by Dionae. Led by the formidable Warforged Sentinel of Unyielding Vigilance, the Sentry Guards maintain a watchful eye over the nation, ensuring that laws and regulations are strictly followed. Crime within the Union is viewed through the lens of maintaining social cohesion and protecting cultural values. Dissent against the established order, subversion of cultural norms, and acts of insubordination are among the most common offences, all of which are met with swift and severe consequences. Despite the authoritarian nature of the Union, it is not disallowed for one to voice their dissent against the government, provided it has been approved – where those that do not obtain such approval can find themselves applied to the full extent of the law with particular severity. However, it's not just about punishment; the Sentry Guards also play a role in prevention and deterrence. Their visible presence to law enforcement serve as a deterrent to potential offenders, dissuading them from engaging in criminal behavior in the first place. Through a combination of surveillance, patrols, and community engagement, the Sentry Guards strive to create an environment where compliance with laws and regulations is the norm rather than the exception. Non-Dionae that find themselves within the Union of Gla’orr, without special permission, need be particularly careful as their mere presence can result in the Sentry Guards detaining them, and ultimately deporting them. Presiding Overseers are appointed to handle cases, essentially acting as judges within the Union’s Court — the notable caveat, these Presiding Overseers are a singular nymph, usually absorbed into a randomly selected pre-existing Gestalt, which acts as a somewhat similar function as a jury, of which they reason between themselves with the knowledge provided by a Presiding Overseer.

Economy

The Union of Gla’orr boasts an economy primarily characterized by a heavy reliance on primary and secondary industries; with a particular emphasis on mineral extraction, notably tar and sulfur deposits found within the core of its territories on Hieroaetheria – the breakdown of which is considered the following: The Union’s primary sector is dominated by extractive industries, focusing on mining and resource extraction; they capitalize on their abundant nature resources, particularly the rich deposits of tar and sulfur, which serve as the backbone of their economy. These primary industries play a pivotal role in supplying raw materials for further processing and manufacturing; all of which is overseen by the Union – neither private individuals nor companies. However, it's the secondary sector on which the Union predominately finds its populace employed; using the foundation laid by its primary industries, the processing and refining of extracted materials has become integral, especially with the investment into technologies – not merely just machinery, but bio-machinery to reach the limits of Dionae ingenuity – has become an intrinsic element of the Union’s economy, furthered by their off-world mining ventures within Titan’s Rapture, bringing in alien resources not necessarily found on Hieroaetheria. Although the Union's economy is primarily based on mineral extraction and processing, its economy is maintained by trade and commerce. As a key player in regional trade networks, they maintain their position as a major exporter of mineral resources and processed goods to neighbouring factions like the Consortium and the Eternal Republic, fostering economic interdependence while maintaining their position. Overall, the Union of Gla’orr's economic model revolves around harnessing their natural resource wealth, particularly in tar and sulfur, to fuel industrial development and economic prosperity. Through a combination of primary and secondary industries, they strive to maintain a robust and self-sustaining economy while asserting their economic prowess within the Commonwealth of Hieroaetheria. They have also begun the process of being a dominant contributor to the defence of Hieroaetheria, having several facilities across Titan’s Rapture that aim to harvest resources and refine them into materials that can further be used to construct spacecraft.

Energy

The power infrastructure of the Union of Gla’orr is designed to support its massive extractive and manufacturing sectors. The Union's approach to energy is heavily focused on output, efficiency, and control, with little regard for environmental sustainability. This relentless pursuit of industrial power defines the Union's energy landscape, which is marked by a combination of fossil fuels, innovative yet environmentally damaging Dionae-powered machinery, and rudimentary bio-mechanical energy systems. The Union of Gla’orr's primary energy sources are coal, tar, and natural gas, harvested from its abundant natural reserves. Massive power plants, located near major industrial zones like Tark, Oozing Dunes, and the Harbour of Indulgences, burn these resources around the clock. The tar and sulfur deposits within the Union's territories provide a seemingly endless supply of raw materials for energy production. This reliance on fossil fuels results in substantial pollution, with smog and toxic runoff being common sights across the Union's landscape. The air in cities like Port of Blowing Winds is thick with industrial fumes, and the Retheus River is often blackened by chemical discharge. The Union of Gla’orr also utilizes Dionae-powered machinery to complement its energy infrastructure. The Dionae have been integrated into various mechanical systems to generate power. In Oozing Dunes, for instance, the Dionae operate bio-mechanical engines that convert their biological processes directly into energy. The Union of Gla’orr has created large facilities with similar biomass apparatus – one notable example is the Tark Solar Furnace.

Tark Solar Furnace

The Tark Solar Furnace, a cornerstone of the Union of Gla’orr's energy infrastructure, is a hybrid power plant that combines traditional solar furnace technology with the unique capabilities of Dionae machinery. The Tark Solar Furnace is a rather large structure, with a vast array of mirrors and heliostats arranged in concentric circles around a central tower. These mirrors concentrate sunlight onto a receiver at the top of the tower, generating intense heat that is used to produce sulphuric steam. The steam drives turbines, generating electricity in a manner similar to conventional solar power plants. However, what sets the Tark Solar Furnace apart is its integration of Dionae bio-mechanical systems. Modified biomass is integrated into the facility's heat exchange systems with their biological structures used to absorb and amplify the solar energy concentrated by the mirrors, providing an additional layer of energy conversion, but also capturing significant amounts of condensing sulphur so as to re-incorporate it into the process – somewhat mitigating the environmental damage the facility creates.

Government and Ideology

The Union of Gla’orr follows a similar governmental hierarchy as the Tyrannical Tune mindtype – in that, there exists a Paragon who oversees the administration of the Union, of which is an “elected” Dionae by a group known as the Exarchs. Following the largely velvet revolution that created the Union of Gla’orr, Dionae who headed the demonstrations and actively played a role in the political affairs that led to the Union, was given the offices of Exarch; the number of which has remained the same, being four. These four Dionae were chosen by self-appointed Paragon Carver of Order for a Unified Future – in which shortly thereafter they outlined the contingency of the Union’s leader in the event a new Paragon needed to be elected. Scorned by the influx of non-Dionae, ruining the belief of Dionae being the only superior intelligence within the Orion Spur, ultimately became the catalyst for the creation of the Union – of which instead of maintaining they are the only superior intelligence, go so far as to insinuate non-Dionae are inferior due to their fragility and mortality; having only been given the pleasure of existing in the beauty of life for a few decades or centuries before fading from memory forever. Different to other autocratic states within the Orion Spur; going against the government is not inherently illegal within the Union, only where one chooses to do so violently.

Paragon

Carver of Order for a Unified Future has been Paragon of the Union of Gla’orr since its divorce from Consortium-middlings in 2410 CE – in which they rose to power following the forced absorption of their conglomerate’s elected representative to the emissaries from the west, and declaring the creation of a new, sovereign nation that would not bow down to “inferior species believing they may direct our futures”. During the first few years following the inception of the Union, they spread their message across Gla’orr, bringing more and more conglomerates beneath their administration. Despite this, Carver of Order for a Unified Future has admitted the necessity of having diplomatic relations with the Consortium – despite their influence by non-Dionae, claiming it a necessity to strengthen the ties between the nations present on Hieroaetheria – which cannot be done without further attempts to sway the Consortium from their misguided beliefs. It is due to their beliefs of non-Dionae as being inferior, the Union of Gla’orr has structured their political affairs to exclude non-Dionae, as well as persecute them for their mere existence within their borders.

Exarchs

• Imposing Arbiter of Indomitable Persuasion is largely considered the mind behind the Union’s control techniques – though not as one would think. As opposed to censoring information from the public, Exarch Imposing Arbiter of Indomitable Persuasion upholds a level of unbridled information access; meaning information is neither redacted or censored – merely allowed for any Dionae to explore should they so desire; however, this does not mean it is without its own bias. Information regarding inter-species reliance is often heavily discredited as showing weakness – where they are unable to help themselves and therefore must extend themselves whilst vulnerable to seek help. They have also been known to engage in economic affairs following their appointment as overseer of a Unitary. They are an advocate for a strong Hieroaetheria, one that is overseen by and for Dionae. They are a Cyclops-form and are one of the eldest Exarchs being nearly three centuries old. They are a Competence Choir mindtype and have many different social nymphs to utilize depending on the circumstances.

• Regal Arbiter of Diplomactic Accord is the Union’s leader in diplomacy between other Hieroaetherian Nations, as well as the Covenant of Xrim; however, unlike the other Exarchs, they are more open to limited diplomatic relations to non-Dionae within the Orion Spur, even placing formal protest against Paragon Carver of Order for a Unified Future for not doing their all to strengthen the Union – which led to an intense debate for months between the Exarch and the Paragon, eventually culminating in a limited degree of autonomy awarded to the Exarch to engage with Non-Dionae. They are a Cyclops-form, and are similar in age to Imposing Arbiter of Indomitable Persuasion; really only being a few decades younger than them. They are an Emphatic Echo mindtype and are well versed in several languages despite Rootsong being the only recognised language – such as Nral’malic, Tau Ceti Basic, Solarian Common and of course Rootsong.

• Warforged Sentinel of Unyielding Vigilance oversees the Union’s military capabilities – and is the only known influential Dionae within the Union to have forcefully absorbed another Gestalt to ensure their Cluster would follow Carver of Order for a Unified Future; and as a result is a uniquely seen combination of Chaotic Carcophony and Tyrannical Tune mindtype. The absorption irrevocably changed Exarch Warforged Sentinel of Unyielding Vigilance, removing the affected Nymphs at this point in their lifespan has become impossible, they are more one than they have ever been. They are an Argus-form, and tower over the other Exarchs as they project intimidation; they have contributed significantly to the Union of Gla’orr’s view on non-Dionae, as well as the necessity to join the Commonwealth as to ensure a balanced future. They are amongst the youngest Exarchs, being only eighty years old. They also spearhead the Union’s Sentry Guards.

Unitaries

• Unitary of Internal Affairs and Defense (UIAD)

The Unitary of Internal Affairs and Defense operates similarly to a branch of the Union of Gla’orr’s government. It oversees all the internal affairs of the Union, including the security of its borders and citizens. It is overseen by Exarch Warforged Sentinel of Unyielding Vigilance. This Unitary is responsible for ensuring the deployment and activity of the Sentry Guards and ultimately ensures the compliance of the Union’s laws onto its citizens. Additionally, it monitors the enforcement of such laws from the Courts, and when required, shall appoint Presiding Overseers where required from a list curated by the Exarch overseeing the Unitary. It works closely with the other Unitaries to ensure the Union remains steadfast in its progress.

• Unitary of Economy and Infrastructure (UEI)

The Unitary of Economy and Infrastructure obviously deals with the economic affairs of the Union of Gla’orr, and is overseen by Exarch Imposing Arbiter of Indomintable Persuasion. Alongside the monitoring of the economic affairs of the Union of Gla’orr, they are also responsible for ensuring new infrastructure is created, and following which, maintained – oftentimes this revolves around communication beacons, and public amenities offered by the Union. A lesser known function of the Unitary is also the ensurance of gradual expansion of the Union’s off-world capabilities, and ultimately preparing for the Union’s first colonisation attempt. Currently, there a plans to adopt a resolution with the Commonwealth to colonise Strength Shared I – in the Split-Partner’s Embrace System.

• Unitary of Communications, Information and Technology (UCIT)

The Unitary of Communications, Information and Technology is responsible for a significant portion of the Union’s external affairs; in particular their agreements with the other member states of the Commonwealth and its obligations to the Commonwealth itself. Overseen by Exarch Regal Arbited or Diplomatic Accord, this Unitary routinely engages with representatives of foreign entities, as well as providing assistance to the Unitary of Internal Affairs and Defense in circumstances that require it; in particular the monitoring of its territories for any issues that may require the intervention of the Sentry Guards. With the Union’s first colonisation on the horizon, there exist plans to expand the Unitary to function as the administrator of colonial affairs.

Major Cities

Tark

Situated amidst picturesque landscapes and towering architecture, Tark serves as the focal point of the Union’s administrative, economic, and cultural endeavors. At its nucleus stands the formidable Citadel of Sentinel, a monumental fortress symbolizing the Union's unwavering resolve in safeguarding its principles and governance — serving as both the Paragon and Exarch seats of government. Beneath its serene exterior, Tark is a city teeming with vitality and purpose. Its meticulously planned streets and public spaces provide spaces for homages to Dioane superiority, inviting residents and visitors alike to connect with the Union’s ideology amidst the urban landscape. Yet, contrary to the bustling thoroughfares and cultural landmarks, Tark remains vigilant, with the presence of the Sentry Guards ensuring the maintenance of law and order. Tark stands as a symbol embodying the core values of unity, order, and progress that define the Union of Gla’orr.

Oozing Dunes

Located within the western region of the Union of Gla’orr, Oozing Dunes is named after its landscape; pools of sulfur that bubbles across the central desert that spans Hieroaetheria. Having been incorporated shortly after the founding of the Union, Oozing Dunes has had a considerable influx of Dionae seeking to contribute to the Union’s industrial power, of which the majority of it originates from Oozing Dunes – the entirety of it being described as a well-oiled bio-organic machine. Utilizing a combination of harvested resources and biomass, it has become an extraordinary feat of Dionae ingenuity; some view its existence as a confirmation of the nightmare the species is able to replicate powerful engineering practices with their body, whilst others hail it as a brilliant spectacle of the species’ abilities. Owing to its Unitary ideology, the majority of the city is constructed of biomass, capable of being viewed from far distances as it tears at the clouds above. Most, if not all, of its populace is involved in the extraction and refinement of Sulfur.

Harbour of Indulgences

Located on the northern bank of the Retheus River within the Union of Gla’orr, Harbour of Indulgences can be considered a “sister city” to Port of Blowing Winds, located on the southern bank of the Retheus River – and was incorporated alongside the latter following the expansion of the Union. With the presence of both tar and sulfur within close proximity, it functions similarly to Oozing Dunes; without due regard for ecological preservation, merely wishing to extract everything valuable offered by Hieroaetheria. However, notably, the city has begun to utilize the Retheus River as a means to an end, rerouting some of the water it offers into its own biological machines, creating devasting weapons against the Hieroaetherian earth – becoming hydraulic excavators that devour any obstacles in their path to ravage the surroundings for resources. Anything harvested is often shipped to Port of Blowing Winds, resulting in most of the career opportunities present in Harbour of Indulgences being relegated to primary industries.

Port of Blowing Winds

The city sprawls across the dunes of Gla'orr, pumping smog into the air as it churns out much-needed goods.

The yang to Harbour of Indulgences, Port of Blowing Winds has no need for engaging in resource extraction thanks to the methods employed by Harbour of Indulgences; factories litter the sprawling city, similarly constructed out of biomass as Oozing Dunes. The pollution generated from its activities can be seen from extraordinarily far distances, some even argue that those in Tark can see the plumes of smoke travel across the desert. Amazingly, Dionae within Port of Blowing Winds have been able to create biological furnaces of astonishing capabilities – they are able to contort their biomass into makeshift kilns, using naturally produced chemicals by their species to outline the inner sanctum of these structures, and when exposed to high enough temperatures they solidify and form obsidian-like growths impervious to typical wear and tear as other furnaces. However, a notable side effect of such innovation is the intense, dark smoke it produces when experiencing high temperatures – which does not dissipate for several days, only really breaking apart over the eastern seaboard of Gla’orr. Once resources have been refined, they are either sent to Tark or Growth of the Basin. Some of the pollutants have even made their way into the Retheus River, turning some of it black as it makes its way to the Gla’orr Opening.

Growth of the Basin

Growth of the Basin rests alongside the Retheus River Basin and was the last to be incorporated into the Union. Different to other cities within the Union of Gla’orr, they are focused only on engaging in trade with the Consortium and the Eternal Republic, utilizing either boats or flying contraptions to transport their resources to other cities in close proximity to the Basin belonging to the formers. Those from Growth of the Basin are largely considered the most “tolerant” of non-Dionae across the Union of Gla’orr, easily attributed to their continuous presence around such thanks to the Union’s dealing with the Consortium. Similarly to other cities across the Union, the majority of Growth of the Basin has been constructed out of biomass, with only some areas having incorporated Consortium architecture where only absolutely necessary – in particular, the construction of loading stations for their apparatus and equipment. The Paragon has expressed an interest in expanding the Growth of the Basin to become an additional point in which its off-world mining vessels may dock and unload, but discussions are still ongoing with the Exarchs.

Colonies

Wrath's Anvil

Wrath’s Anvil is a harsh, rocky moon with an extremely thin, sulfurous atmosphere that tints the skies with a hint of perpetual twilight orange. The landscape is dotted with jagged cliffs and deep mining pits, with veins of precious ores visible in the exposed rock. Bellstep IV looms large in the sky, its swirling clouds of gas casting a surreal glow over the moon. Colonised in June 2066 by the Union of Gla’orr, Wrath’s Anvil is the first non-Consortium colony to be established by the other members of the Commonwealth of Hieroaetheria. Brought to the Grand Assembly, the Union had detailed their desire to expand off Hieroaetheria, and formally stake a claim to Bellstep IVa – and in a unanimous vote, was allowed to commence their off-world colonisation. Largely assisted by the Consortium and the Commonwealth Naval Authority, Wrath’s Anvil is geared towards resource extraction, particularly those capable of being used for fuel in warpdrives. It is headed by Paladin Forlorn by the Loss of Unity, who seeks claims that although Wrath’s Anvil shall be part of the Union of Gla’orr, it must also develop itself to be semi-independent. Currently, it is considered off-limits to non-Dionae and has only one population centre: Cyclops’ Rest, which perches itself within the sprawling canyons of the planet, allowing for easy access to other minerals besides those being harvested from the parental gas giant.