Difference between revisions of "Eridani Federation"

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[[File:Eridani Logo.png|thumb|The logo of the Eridani Corporate Federation. It's motto is "For the Prosperity of all Eridanians"]]
[[File:Eridani Logo.png|thumb|The logo of the Eridani Corporate Federation. It's motto is "For the Prosperity of all Eridanians"]]


Eridani, or the '''Eridani Corporate Federation''', is a dystopic oligarchic republic in the Epsilon Eridani system dominated entirely by a council of mega-corporations that seek profit and expansion at any cost. It's capital is the planet of '''Oran''', inside a sprawling corporate headquarters the size of a small city. It's citizens are called Eridanians.
Eridani, or the Eridani Corporate Federation, is an oligarchic republic in the Epsilon Eridani system dominated entirely by a council of mega-corporations that seek profit and expansion at any cost. It has no official capital - government authority is exercised digitally. Its citizens are called Eridanians.


The primary languages are Sol Common and Tradeband for the upper class Corporates, and Gutter for the lower class Dregs.
==Government==
Eridani’s government is largely represented by the Board of Five - five representatives from various megacorporations. Each seat in the Board is tied to a sector, which the chairman’s corporation has full control over. Presently, however, all of the five sectors only include one planet. The positions in the Board are simply purchased, but they also stay extremely consistent because it takes a 4 to 1 majority to dismiss a member, opening the position up for sale - the current arrangement of seats hasn’t changed since the 23rd century. Sector Alpha is considered the most valuable, and its seat is the most expensive, and sector Epsilon is the least valuable of the five.


== Population and Planets ==
Sector α (Oran) - Hephaestus Industries
Sector β (Akhet) - Zeng-Hu Pharmaceuticals
Sector γ (Amon) - Zeng-Hu Pharmaceuticals
Sector δ (Set) - Einstein Engines
Sector ε (Nebthet) - Einstein Engines


The total population of the Federation is around 854 million based on the 2460 Census. This population is spread out over four worlds.
Eridani's status in the Sol Alliance is complex and esoteric, but that is by design. In favor of a constitution, Eridani holds the Alliance to a 303 page Terms and Conditions Treaty Regarding The Free Economic Zone of Epsilon Eridani. Very few politicians have actually read the entire text of the Terms and Conditions - not that it matters, as the Terms and Conditions may change at any time and for any reason.


===[[Akhet]] (εEri I)===
==Population and Planets==
The total population of the Federation is around 854 million based on the 2460 Census (although the census has only counted people who have an official address), which is spread over five worlds - Akhet, Oran, Amon and the twin giants Set and Nebthet. Whatever landscape all of these planets had before has been successfully terraformed into an universal arid climate with flat terrain and Earth-like gravity - ideal for transforming them into sprawling “office worlds”, consisting of skyscrapers upon skyscrapers connected by bridges from various floors. These enormous buildings don’t only consist of offices, contrary to what the name might suggest - rather, they function like miniature slices of cities, complete with floors dedicated to apartments, stores and various services.


Akhet is an Earth-sized oceanic world. It has limited infrastructure above the surface, but tens of kilometers below the tumultuous waves lie thousands of remote mining bases scattered about the shifting seafloor. Their purpose is almost universally the excavation and export of the various exotic elements located on the sea floor. Although this endeavor is highly lucrative, you wouldn’t know it from how the nearly two hundred million denizens of Akhet live. Most are packed like sardines into dank and aging facilities, constantly facing down incredible pressure and unpredictable seismic activity. The few who live topside, as it were, still contend with an unforgiving ocean and sweltering heat.
The beautiful image of tall cities, however, hides the ruthless exploitation of natural resources that happens on the ground level and below. Robots, constantly remotely controlled by organic operators, man the dirty mining, refining and manufacturing plants that exude clouds of black, yellow and purple smoke - ironically dubbed the “Eridanian Northern Lights”. While a beautiful sight, they render the local landscape uninhabitable, and no plant or animal life populates the surface of these planets.  


===Oran (εEri II)===
===Society===
The skyscrapers in which Eridanians live are much more to them than simple apartments and workplaces. The higher the floor one lives or works on is, the more prestigious and well-off one is considered to be - and usually is, considering that the lower floors are very undesirable, if not outright hazardous to the resident’s health. Nonetheless, they are often the only lodging a lowly clerk or a student can afford for themselves. The harmful effects of the polluted atmosphere are remedied by various tracheal augments, which often serve as an entry point into further body modifications.


Oran, formerly known as Satet is slightly smaller than Earth and quite arid. Vast wastes of worn silicates and jutting crags cover the majority of its surface. Despite this, the planet is by far the most populous in the system. Its six hundred million residents are packed tightly into the thin coastal ribbons of green enabled by massive desalination plants. Over several centuries, these swaths of land were sculpted and seeded to form beautiful enclaves for those favored by the governing corporations, surrounded by small supporting communities. The recent decline of fusion power, however, forced a huge wave of migrants to Satet from Set and Nebthet. This shook the most essential foundations of Epsilon Eridani’s economy, and Satet was rapidly redefined as a modern consumerist society. The idyllic landscape of the past has given way to an endless sprawl of automated factories, housing complexes, holotheaters, and superstores. Though this change has brought with it considerable opportunities and a burgeoning middle class, the control of the megacorporations remains ironclad. Home to the extremely exclusive and expensive resturant and bar the "Asmara".
Each individual sector is practically under the free reign of its respective corporation. Unbound by law, megacorps can conduct any business - no matter how unethical, as they have to respond to nobody. This has a dramatic effect on an average Eridanian’s life - and not solely negative. Many research facilities are set up here, in the heart of corporate activity. Upcoming products are tested and enjoyed here first, and some of them don’t even leave Eridanian borders. Many Eridanians relish in this luxury and exclusivity.


===Amon (εEri III)===
Work is also extremely easy to find, and often it pays somewhat better than average, even when working for the same corporation, in other governments. This, however, is often compensated by absurd working hours.


Amon’s weak magnetic field, freezing temperatures and fractional gravity have made it quite unattractive to colonists, and its lack of substantial mineral wealth only ensures that it remains unsettled. Far above its barren surface, however, drift Neith and Sais, its two moons. Despite being similarly inhospitable, both harbour sprawling military complexes and shipyards operated by various components of the Eridani Federal Navy. The atmospheres of Neith and Sais were stripped long ago by Epsilon Eridani’s powerful solar wind, and paired with their negligible magnetic fields that makes them convenient places to anchor the advanced sensor arrays that monitor the system’s interplanetary traffic. The orbit of Amon is such that the vast majority of Epsilon Eridani is visible from at least one of the two moons at any given time, and they correspond to detect the faint and ephemeral traces of bluespace travel. Tracking down smugglers and unceremoniously seizing their assets has proven to be a lucrative pastime for the Federal Navy.  
Going up the corporate ladder, however, other difficulties start to arise in the life of a typical Eridanian. Corporations having absolute control over its citizens means that there is absolutely no privacy - everything that one does is collected as data, and then processed by advertisers, HR managers and law enforcement. Even a slightly odd Extranet search may earn one quite an unpleasant talk at work, which may often end in an employee’s dismissal. Because of this, common Eridanians avoid even slightly falling out of the norm, being lawful as well as visually and verbally inoffensive.  


===Set and Nebthet(εEri IV & V)===
The ones that are fired, however, are immediately kicked out of their apartment and refused the right to any other services - as well as the right to be re-employed in the Federation at all. Without having the monetary means to travel elsewhere, they are stuck on the polluted surface of the planet, having to eke out a meager existence. On paper, these wretched folks do not exist at all, as they no longer bring profit to the corporations which dominate the skyscrapers - but their existence is no secret, and they are called '''Dregs''' by the ones living in skyscrapers - whom the Dregs call '''Corporates'''.


Set and Nebthet are the twin ice giants that, until quite recently, provided the majority of Epsilon Eridani’s wealth. Both contain substantial reserves of the various isotope gasses required to initiate the fusion reactions that powered humanity’s galactic expansion until the advent of phoron power in the 2410s. It was for this reason that, in the latter half of the 22nd century, Einstein Engines constructed colossal gas harvesting platforms in the toxic atmospheres of the pair. In the scramble to adapt to new technologies, however, the platforms were rapidly abandoned. What remains are gargantuan shells, derelict superstructures sinking slowly into the cerulean clouds of the nearly identical words. Now their only residents are small communities of salvagers trying to claim any remotely serviceable devices before the giants are lost forever. A large population of [[Offworlder Humans]] dwell amongst the platforms.
Of course, there are people who also choose to go to the surface also simply out of spite towards the large corporations. They usually become the leaders of various criminal communities found all across the Federation. These communities often form settlements underground, or if they are especially lucky, in abandoned buildings or manufacturing plants, and gladly welcome newcomers. A sense of antiestablishmentarianism is a common ideal in these territories, with many choosing or being convinced to express it with outrageous appearances, extreme body modifications, and even criminal activity.


== Societal ==
===Ethnicity===
 
'''Ethnic Groups:'''
* 73.8% Eridanians (Colonial Central & West African)
* 23.3% Other (Humans of other heritage)
* 3.9% Alien (Skrell, Tajara, Dionae, Other)
 
Eridani is a secular society with a variety of beliefs, but a majority of the elite are avowed athiests or agnostics who are more occupied with the pursuit of profit than heavenly rewards.
 
===[[Languages]]===
Sol Common and Freespeak are in equal parts the most common languages in the Eridani Federation, with Tau Ceti Basic being learned mainly by those seeking to live abroad. Sol Common is more common amongst the upper classes of Eridanian society, with Freespeak being more prevalent amongst the lower classes. Tradeband is uncommon in Eridani, with it being seen as a novelty to learn, mostly by those in the upper classes with too much time on their hands.
 
=== Corporates, Dregs and Tunnel Runners ===
Eridanians are unspokenly split up into two major groups: Corporates and Dregs.
 
Corporates are lawful, visually inoffensive, and and usually very well dressed. Many people who fall into this group have high paying jobs and hold positions of authority, being everything from local law enforcement, doctors, and government officials. Your average Corporate holds appearance and societal norms in very high regard - they will not dye their hair wild colors or augment themselves in ways that people would find "unusual" and often do not sport tattoos of any kind. The most popular form of augmentation for a Corporate are biomechanics that serve practical purposes (and do not look out of the ordinary) and ones that enhance their natural appearance, usually to fit a standard of beauty.
 
Dregs are the counter-culture to the prim, pretty, stifling capitalism of Eridani. They are more likely to choose personal freedom over high social standing or a promotion in the workplace, leading to Dregs making up for the vast majority of the lower rungs of society. Due to this, they will also fall into gangs (hence the name) to have a belonging and funds. Outrageous body modification is popular among Dregs, sporting tattoos and peircings, in addition to more unusual alterations that require surgery to achieve. The more outlandish a Dreg looks, the better, in their perspective - to spite their Corporate overlords.
 
The lowest of the dregs are known as "Tunnel Runners" or "Filth" in dreg slang. These wretches eke out a living in the maintenance tunnels in the numerous Eridanian industrial hubs. Sporting pale (for an Eridanian), sickly complexions and low quality augments, they're notorious for their poor hygiene and violent ways. Many a dreg has been supposedly lost to these denizens, dragged off into the maintenance tunnels to have their augments or even organs removed and sold. That being said not every Tunnel Runner is so vile with many attempting to lift themselves or of squalor. Tunnel Runners tend to prefer dark places and are known for their tendancy to repeat monosyllabic words when speaking ("Go-go-go","Rats-rats", "Fek-fek-fek" etc.) and their  bizarre "Tunnel Squat" in which a Tunnel Runner will squat down to the ground and lean on one hand or arm; this being a hold over from ample times spent in low maintenance tunnels. For a people with such a freakish history, Tunnel Runners tend to be very level headed and hard to phase having dealt with the worst standards of living humanity has to offer and as such tend to make very good EMTs, Janitors and CSIs. Their gallows humor is also considered legendary.
 
While not every Eridanian will fall into either extremes on this category, it is extremely likely that the very wealthy will be a Corporate, and the very impoverished will be a Dreg. '''It is fashionable for both groups to have bionic eye replacements and neural implants with which the Eridanians can use to interface with their work terminals and computer systems for both licit and illicit purposes in Eridani space.''' Sadly these interfaces do not exist in Biesel as of yet.
 
== Ethnicities in the Federation ==
 
 
===Eridanian===


The average Eridanian look is:
The average Eridanian look is:
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Average Female Height: 5'2" - 5'8"
Average Female Height: 5'2" - 5'8"


For Corporates, black or dark brown hair. For Gangers, any primary color.
For Corporates, black or dark brown hair. For Dregs, any primary color.
 
For Corporates, dark brown to black eyes. For Gangers, any primary color.
 
== Government ==
 
Eridani's status in the [[Sol Alliance]] is complex and esoteric, but that is by design. In favor of a constitution, Eridani holds the Alliance to a 303 page Terms and Conditions Treaty Regarding The Free Economic Zone of Epsilon Eridani. Very few politicians have actually read the entire text of the Terms and Conditions - not that it matters, that the Terms and Conditions can change at any time and for any reason.
 
====Executive Branch====
The '''executive branch''' is ran by the '''Board of Five''' hosts five representatives from the largest megacorporations present in Epsilon Eridani alongside its current CEO, [https://wiki.aurorastation.org/index.php?title=Notable_Humans#Emanuel_Alimayu_.28Born_2418.29 Emanuel Alimayu]. The distribution of these seats has been more or less constant for over a century (this is no surprise, as it takes a 4 to 1 vote to dismiss and replace a member); two are occupied by '''[[Einstein Engines]]''', another two are held by '''[[Zeng-Hu Pharmaceuticals]]''', and the last seat is held by '''[[Hephaestus Industries]]'''. The second piece of the ECF is the Corporate Interests Board. Although the majority of the CI Board’s seats are allocated to the aforementioned three megacorporations''', other interstellar businesses are also given some input.
 
====Legislative Branch====
 
The '''legislative branch''' is ran by the Corporate Interests Group. While it currently has 145 seats, that number changes regularly to reward or punish different members as necessary. This brings up an interesting point: the CI Board is not intended to function as a check on the Five. Instead, it extends the power of smaller subsidiaries and independent Eridani-local corporate power and deals with many of the everyday problems a state must contend with (taxation, regulation, etc.). All appointments and dismissals are handled by the Five, which also can superseded any of the lower board’s decisions. They rarely do so, however. Having a significant presence in the CI Board is financially advantageous, and the Five would very much like to keep it that way.
 
====Judicial System====
 
The '''judicial system''' of Epsilon Eri is quite easy to navigate if one has money, and exceedingly perilous if one does not. Most petty crimes are only punished by an escalating series of fines (though recidivist or especially heinous criminals may face harsher treatment). If a person is unable to pay their fine, which becomes increasingly costly with time, they can face what are effectively debtors prisons. Most often, the only avenue of escape provided to those who find themselves in these “correctional facilities” involves protracted work for the owning mega-corporation on Anket or (until recently) Set-Nebthet. Unsuprisingly, many lower class elements of society elect to simply flee the system, seeking refuge in [[Tau Ceti]] or out in the [[Frontier]].
 
==[https://wiki.aurorastation.org/index.php?title=Eridani_Federation_Military Military]==
 
The Eridani Federal Navy (EFN) is unlike most of its contemporary counterparts. Most prominently, it acts both as the ECF’s army and as its police force. Secondarily, it is far from unified. Instead of being commanded directly by the ECF, its individual components are employed and operated by the members of the Board of Five, to the extent that each can afford it. When the Five’s interests aline, everything generally proceeds smoothly; riots are suppressed, smugglers are deterred, order is maintained. When they are at odds, however, the Federal Navy becomes another piece to be integrated into the megacorporations’ constant machinations.
 
== History ==
 
The Eridani Corporate Federation is an Inner-System local government in charge of most of the system of Epsilon Eridani, about 10 Ly's from Sol. While a member of the Sol Alliance, the Eridani Federation has been granted a large degree of independence. 
 
The Eridani Corporate Federation is an extremely privatized state, currently residing in the  Eridani system and is a major supporter of NT through both trade and political support. An oddity arises from the fact that the military forces of the state are separate from the government, sometimes acting of their own volition, and enforcing the laws should the civil government fail to do so.
 
The Eridani Corporate Federation began as a major colonization operation undertaken by a multitude of private corporations with the goal of exploiting several of planets strong resource deposits. The system was settled in 2105 and steadily built itself up over the next 250 years. The system managed to remain under the control of the corporations, even as the population swelled in the 2200's, and eventually the Sol Alliance officially granted the corporations, together, the right to govern the planets under their control. By the year 2257, a loose coalition of corporations was formed under the banner of the Eridani Corporate Conglomerate, which controlled colonies on Eridani 4, 5, and the moons of Eridani 4 and 7. Following a terrorist attack in 2361, which rendered  Eridani 4 uninhabitable, the Eridani Federation was formed from the politically and economically collapsed Conglomerate.
 
The most descriptive factor of the Eridani Corporate Federation’s society is the economic divide that exists between the middle class and lower class. The middle and upper class enjoy relative safety and state support, while the lower class are relegated to the lower levels of the state’s cities, and are often despised by citizens living on the higher levels of the cities.
 
The Eridani Corporate Federation favors an extremely open market approach, with state interference staying at a very low level. The state and military will only interfere when the minimal laws applied to free trade are broken, otherwise, the two forces governing the Eridani Corporate Federation provide the corporations and citizens with an extreme amount of freedom. This leaves the state’s economy greatly attached to the open market, and susceptible to the tides present.
 
The Eridani Federal Military is a force largely removed from government control, a Board of High Commanders being in control of any and all actions undertaken by the Eridani Federal Military forces. This creates an odd relationship between the civil and military governments, one that can result in a lot of strain and potential conflict. The Board of Five are able to recommend actions to the High Commanders, however, the High Commanders are not required to adhere. However, due to the military’s own unwillingness to involve themselves in civil affairs, the High Commanders take little issue with listening to the Board of Five.


A second oddity would be the autonomy provided to the Eridani Federal Military. The Eridani Federal Army can be held responsible for multiple assassinations and detentions of Eridani Federal Citizens suspected to be involved in anti-national activities. These actions can be carried out without approval from the civil government.
For Corporates, dark brown to black eyes. For Dregs, any primary color.


== Life in the Federation ==
Eridani also has a notable alien population - around 5%. [[Guide to Citizenship|Any species, except Dionaea, can receive a citizenship here.]]
Eridanian quality and style of life varies wildly between the upper and lower classes, however some parts are similar. Heavy use of augments and other forms of technology are a necessity for all ways of life in the Federation in order to interface with most machines and tools. Much of Eridanian life revolves around maintaining, acquiring, and developing augments, of varying quality depending on means. The quality of life for the wealthy is very high, similar to other wealthy areas of the Sol Alliance, and they enjoy the best opportunities and lifestyles. For those on the bottom of society, like the Dregs, their opportunities for advancement outside of corporate employment are far lower, often living in what are little better then slums.  


===Slang and Colloquialisms===
==Augmentation==
 
====Corporates====
Due to the immense economic stratification the extreme upper and lower classes of the Federation have developed their own slang terms and colloquialisms. Though those of the middle classes may not use slang in their common parlance they would be aware of the key sayings and terms. Examples of Eridanian slang can be seen below:
Cybernetic modification is an integral part of Eridani’s cultural ideal. Simple tracheal augments are usually the first and the mildest step into augmentation, as they are needed for a lot of people to simply survive with Eridani’s thoroughly polluted air. Having other bionic enhancements is considered a symbol of wealth and prestige. Most electronics in the Federation is specifically designed to interact with augmented eyes - but they are also very functional on their own. A typical Eridanian eye implant can completely replace, or even surpass, a typical hand terminal in functionality - being used to browse the Extranet, communicate on chat relays, and more. As is typical for Eridanian technology, it is also swarmed with ads and is proven to constantly send data about the user’s activity to advertisers, making them somewhat unpopular outside the Federation.
 
====Dregs====
'''Suit Slang'''
Dreg societies take the Eridanian fascination with augmentation technology to an extreme. While a typical Corporate may have no more than an augmented respiratory system, bionic eyes and a few neural implants, a Dreg may maim themselves to replace their flesh with superior, more durable metal - often at the expense of looking presentable. Sleek eye augmentations are removed from former workers by barely qualified surgeons to be replaced with crude prosthetics that do not aim to imitate the human form, but to simply provide functionality - often being, for example, completely filled with one color, or having colored scleras. The more brave may opt into removing their limbs for a metal replacement, which is often made “in the house”, and is of fairly low quality.  
==Life in the Federation==


===Languages===
The official languages of the Federation are Sol Common and Tradeband. A lot of Dregs hold onto Freespeak as a piece of cultural identity.
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:99%; overflow:auto;">
Corporate Slang
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
Esteemed colleague - ''A friend or superior.''
Esteemed colleague - ''A friend or superior.''


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(“Did you hear? She’s going to go broke after what happened, and I’d bet on it.”
(“Did you hear? She’s going to go broke after what happened, and I’d bet on it.”
“Are you done being rude? Like I said before, gossip isn’t worth my time. If anyone’s acting poor, it’s the one talking with me in such poor taste.”)
“Are you done being rude? Like I said before, gossip isn’t worth my time. If anyone’s acting poor, it’s the one talking with me in such poor taste.”)
</div></div>


 
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:99%; overflow:auto;">
'''Dreg Slang'''
Dreg Slang
 
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
Boss - ''Moron, an extreme insult.''
Boss - ''Moron, an extreme insult.''


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“Verbed with patcher Gonzales’ ma last debt; kickin’ pure bonny at my own ma fekkin’ off. Krok’s drier than a suit’s amino; spit riccy the max shake. Def sets lunch, though probbo suit-smilin’ about her biz.” (I talked with doctor Gonzales’ mom last shift; Makes me really glad that my own mom left. She’s dry as a suit’s wife; talked rich the whole time. She mixes with suits, though she’s probably lying about her business.”)
“Verbed with patcher Gonzales’ ma last debt; kickin’ pure bonny at my own ma fekkin’ off. Krok’s drier than a suit’s amino; spit riccy the max shake. Def sets lunch, though probbo suit-smilin’ about her biz.” (I talked with doctor Gonzales’ mom last shift; Makes me really glad that my own mom left. She’s dry as a suit’s wife; talked rich the whole time. She mixes with suits, though she’s probably lying about her business.”)
</div></div>
===Food===
Soy products absolutely dominate Eridanian space - from cheap vendor snacks to high-class dishes alike. It is often bombarded with flavorings, giving Eridanian food a unique feel. It often has very strong salty and umami flavors, while the soy itself is cooked in a variety of ways to create all sorts of different textures. LiquiRations are sometimes called the Eridanian national dish.
This doesn’t necessarily mean that the food here is hazardous or low-quality, however. On the contrary, many Eridanians quickly accustom and begin to even take pride in this type of cuisine, calling it “the food of the future”. Many native Eridanians are also meat intolerant due to a mostly plant products-based diet, although this doesn’t spread to all of them.
==History==
First colonized in 2199 as part of early colonization efforts by the fledgling Sol Alliance, by 2255 settlements had been established on the five planets that now make up the Eridani Corporate Federation. These planets were in the process of being terraformed during the Great Depression, when funding from SolGov for the project was cut short. Rights to the area were sold to a group of corporations which provided the credits required to begin the transformation of the planets into the sprawling skyscraper-filled worlds seen today. By the start of the 23rd century, the Board of Five solidified into the distribution that it has held since. As a member of the Alliance of Sovereign Solarian Nations, the Eridani Corporate Federation has been represented diplomatically by SolGov representatives, though the Federation has a degree of autonomy due to its unique contract of governance signed in the 23rd century.


== Potential Character Concepts ==
== Potential Character Concepts ==
Line 416: Line 377:
*Nde is 5’9” and has a lithe frame, about 140 lbs. He has perfect posture and a professional gait. He has dark brown, mechanic eyes and curly, black hair kept in a professional cut.
*Nde is 5’9” and has a lithe frame, about 140 lbs. He has perfect posture and a professional gait. He has dark brown, mechanic eyes and curly, black hair kept in a professional cut.


*Nde is a contractor, having moved to Biesel for work. He lives with his pet cat, Kumari. Nde is agnostic. He sways toward the more Democratic side of politics, though ultimately declares himself neutral.
*Nde is a contractor, having moved to Biesel for work. He lives with his robotic cat, Kumari. Nde is agnostic. He sways toward the more Democratic side of politics, though ultimately declares himself neutral.


*Nde is fairly neutral about non-humans, but has a distaste for Tajarans.
*Nde is fairly neutral about non-humans, but has a distaste for Tajarans.
Line 422: Line 383:
*Nde speaks Tau Ceti Common and Tradeband, and he knows Sign Language.
*Nde speaks Tau Ceti Common and Tradeband, and he knows Sign Language.


'''Special thanks to Doxxmedearly, Sargentdsod and Elianabeth for the Dreg slang.'''
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Revision as of 23:10, 17 August 2019

Eridanian
H. Sapiens / Human
Corp410x320.png
Home System: Epsilon Eridani
Homeworld: Oran
Language(s): Sol Common / Tradeband
Political Entitie(s): Eridani Corporate Federation / Sol Alliance
The logo of the Eridani Corporate Federation. It's motto is "For the Prosperity of all Eridanians"

Eridani, or the Eridani Corporate Federation, is an oligarchic republic in the Epsilon Eridani system dominated entirely by a council of mega-corporations that seek profit and expansion at any cost. It has no official capital - government authority is exercised digitally. Its citizens are called Eridanians.

Government

Eridani’s government is largely represented by the Board of Five - five representatives from various megacorporations. Each seat in the Board is tied to a sector, which the chairman’s corporation has full control over. Presently, however, all of the five sectors only include one planet. The positions in the Board are simply purchased, but they also stay extremely consistent because it takes a 4 to 1 majority to dismiss a member, opening the position up for sale - the current arrangement of seats hasn’t changed since the 23rd century. Sector Alpha is considered the most valuable, and its seat is the most expensive, and sector Epsilon is the least valuable of the five.

Sector α (Oran) - Hephaestus Industries Sector β (Akhet) - Zeng-Hu Pharmaceuticals Sector γ (Amon) - Zeng-Hu Pharmaceuticals Sector δ (Set) - Einstein Engines Sector ε (Nebthet) - Einstein Engines

Eridani's status in the Sol Alliance is complex and esoteric, but that is by design. In favor of a constitution, Eridani holds the Alliance to a 303 page Terms and Conditions Treaty Regarding The Free Economic Zone of Epsilon Eridani. Very few politicians have actually read the entire text of the Terms and Conditions - not that it matters, as the Terms and Conditions may change at any time and for any reason.

Population and Planets

The total population of the Federation is around 854 million based on the 2460 Census (although the census has only counted people who have an official address), which is spread over five worlds - Akhet, Oran, Amon and the twin giants Set and Nebthet. Whatever landscape all of these planets had before has been successfully terraformed into an universal arid climate with flat terrain and Earth-like gravity - ideal for transforming them into sprawling “office worlds”, consisting of skyscrapers upon skyscrapers connected by bridges from various floors. These enormous buildings don’t only consist of offices, contrary to what the name might suggest - rather, they function like miniature slices of cities, complete with floors dedicated to apartments, stores and various services.

The beautiful image of tall cities, however, hides the ruthless exploitation of natural resources that happens on the ground level and below. Robots, constantly remotely controlled by organic operators, man the dirty mining, refining and manufacturing plants that exude clouds of black, yellow and purple smoke - ironically dubbed the “Eridanian Northern Lights”. While a beautiful sight, they render the local landscape uninhabitable, and no plant or animal life populates the surface of these planets.

Society

The skyscrapers in which Eridanians live are much more to them than simple apartments and workplaces. The higher the floor one lives or works on is, the more prestigious and well-off one is considered to be - and usually is, considering that the lower floors are very undesirable, if not outright hazardous to the resident’s health. Nonetheless, they are often the only lodging a lowly clerk or a student can afford for themselves. The harmful effects of the polluted atmosphere are remedied by various tracheal augments, which often serve as an entry point into further body modifications.

Each individual sector is practically under the free reign of its respective corporation. Unbound by law, megacorps can conduct any business - no matter how unethical, as they have to respond to nobody. This has a dramatic effect on an average Eridanian’s life - and not solely negative. Many research facilities are set up here, in the heart of corporate activity. Upcoming products are tested and enjoyed here first, and some of them don’t even leave Eridanian borders. Many Eridanians relish in this luxury and exclusivity.

Work is also extremely easy to find, and often it pays somewhat better than average, even when working for the same corporation, in other governments. This, however, is often compensated by absurd working hours.

Going up the corporate ladder, however, other difficulties start to arise in the life of a typical Eridanian. Corporations having absolute control over its citizens means that there is absolutely no privacy - everything that one does is collected as data, and then processed by advertisers, HR managers and law enforcement. Even a slightly odd Extranet search may earn one quite an unpleasant talk at work, which may often end in an employee’s dismissal. Because of this, common Eridanians avoid even slightly falling out of the norm, being lawful as well as visually and verbally inoffensive.

The ones that are fired, however, are immediately kicked out of their apartment and refused the right to any other services - as well as the right to be re-employed in the Federation at all. Without having the monetary means to travel elsewhere, they are stuck on the polluted surface of the planet, having to eke out a meager existence. On paper, these wretched folks do not exist at all, as they no longer bring profit to the corporations which dominate the skyscrapers - but their existence is no secret, and they are called Dregs by the ones living in skyscrapers - whom the Dregs call Corporates.

Of course, there are people who also choose to go to the surface also simply out of spite towards the large corporations. They usually become the leaders of various criminal communities found all across the Federation. These communities often form settlements underground, or if they are especially lucky, in abandoned buildings or manufacturing plants, and gladly welcome newcomers. A sense of antiestablishmentarianism is a common ideal in these territories, with many choosing or being convinced to express it with outrageous appearances, extreme body modifications, and even criminal activity.

Ethnicity

The average Eridanian look is:

Skin Tone: 120 - 200

Average Male Height: 5'5" - 6'2"

Average Female Height: 5'2" - 5'8"

For Corporates, black or dark brown hair. For Dregs, any primary color.

For Corporates, dark brown to black eyes. For Dregs, any primary color.

Eridani also has a notable alien population - around 5%. Any species, except Dionaea, can receive a citizenship here.

Augmentation

Corporates

Cybernetic modification is an integral part of Eridani’s cultural ideal. Simple tracheal augments are usually the first and the mildest step into augmentation, as they are needed for a lot of people to simply survive with Eridani’s thoroughly polluted air. Having other bionic enhancements is considered a symbol of wealth and prestige. Most electronics in the Federation is specifically designed to interact with augmented eyes - but they are also very functional on their own. A typical Eridanian eye implant can completely replace, or even surpass, a typical hand terminal in functionality - being used to browse the Extranet, communicate on chat relays, and more. As is typical for Eridanian technology, it is also swarmed with ads and is proven to constantly send data about the user’s activity to advertisers, making them somewhat unpopular outside the Federation.

Dregs

Dreg societies take the Eridanian fascination with augmentation technology to an extreme. While a typical Corporate may have no more than an augmented respiratory system, bionic eyes and a few neural implants, a Dreg may maim themselves to replace their flesh with superior, more durable metal - often at the expense of looking presentable. Sleek eye augmentations are removed from former workers by barely qualified surgeons to be replaced with crude prosthetics that do not aim to imitate the human form, but to simply provide functionality - often being, for example, completely filled with one color, or having colored scleras. The more brave may opt into removing their limbs for a metal replacement, which is often made “in the house”, and is of fairly low quality.

Life in the Federation

Languages

The official languages of the Federation are Sol Common and Tradeband. A lot of Dregs hold onto Freespeak as a piece of cultural identity.

Corporate Slang

Esteemed colleague - A friend or superior.

Colleague - Neutral term or an insult if the person is a friend or superior.

Blue sky thinking - A very good idea.

Dreg - A member of the lower social classes.

No can do - Polite form of "no".

That's a big N O - Neutral or negative form of "no".

Do lunch - To meet up or hang out.

Eight thirty res at Asmara - A humorous way of saying good bye/ the impossible, based on the extremely exclusive Asmara restaurant on Oran e.g. "Gotta go, I have an eight thirty res at Asmara" or "uh huh, and I've got an eight thirty res at Asmara."

Call me - Dismissive form of "bye".

I'll call you - Friendly form of "bye".

You got it - Said in response to "Call me" or "I'll call you."

Pierced and Dyed - A dreg. Could be someone who lost everything/became poor. (“What happened to Mr. Holloway?” “Made a bad investment; now he’s pierced and dyed.”)

Ink under his/her/their suit - Associates with dregs more closely than is socially acceptable. It implies that under their nice clothes, their body is tattooed. Insult.

That is a shame - Don’t really care. “Oh, the dregs are going hungry? That is a shame.”

Out of my scope - Not my problem or, dismissively, “I can’t/won't help you.”

I would sign that - I’d bet on it/it’s a sure thing.

Blue dye thinking - A very bad idea. A play on “Blue sky thinking,” but “Blue dye” refers to dregs.

I’ll pen you in - Good/Positive response to “Let’s do lunch.”

I’ll have to check my schedule - Negative response to “Let’s do lunch.”

Read the fine print - Be careful/Stay safe.

Sign blindly - Dangerous or stupid. As in signing a contract without reading it.

His/her/their contract expired - Polite way to say someone has died. “Fired” is another, but more casual, and sometimes considered rude.

Partner - Good friend/Significant other. From “Business partner.”

Good Investment - A high compliment. “You’re a good investment” could mean that someone is dependable, respectable, a good friend, and/or loved, depending on the context.

Across it - Understand it. “I’m across it” or “I’m not across it” would be to understand or not understand something, respectively.

Per my last (message/note/transmission) - A way to indicate they are repeating themselves in either a frustrated way (“Bitch can you read?”) or cocky way (As in “I told you so” or “If you had listened to me.”)

Bought (a tie/heels), shipped (a tie/heels) - Trans person. “They bought a tie but were shipped heels” indicates the individual is a male but placed in a wrong body.

A single credit - Not worth my time.

Clip-on - Fake. (From a clip-on tie). Usually refers to a person.

Poor Posture - Unsightly/bad taste.

Proactive - Kind/thoughtful.

Engaged with - Spoke with/talked to.

Get the memo - Hear/heard.

Draft/Drafted - Write/wrote.

Push it forward - Give it a shot.

Tongue-pierced - Rude/Insulting. As in “He’s tongue-pierced” (He’s rude) or “Is your tongue pierced?” (Indicating that someone just said something rude, insulting, or like a dreg).

I trust you understand - Indicates “you had better listen to me” or is said before something to indicate it’s dire or serious. “I trust you understand the gravity of the situation” would mean, loosely, “You need to take this seriously.” Can sometimes be considered a veiled promise or threat.

Deal - Depending on context, it could be the literal definition, or it could be like “thing,” loosely. “This is a bad deal” could mean that something is a bad plan. “I love this deal” could be said when talking about a favorite food, song, book, etc.

Plain writing/Plainly written: Being honest and/or being blunt (“I’ll present it to you in plain writing”). However, it can also be used in a condescending manner.

Foreign Merger - Interspecies relationship.

Subpar/Not optimal - Very bad/dire."This situation is subpar, contact ERT."

Examples:

“It’s blue-dye thinking, but I’ll push it forward. I trust you understand that it’s out of my scope if this deal leaves you pierced and dyed.” (“It’s a very bad idea, but I’ll give it a shot. You had better know that I won’t help you if this plan makes you lose everything.)”

“Plainly written, foreign mergers are simply poor posture. I’m not across why anyone would sign so blindly.” (“Honestly, interspecies relationships are disgusting. I don’t understand why anyone would consider such a bad idea.”)

“Did you get the memo? She’s going to end up dyed after that deal, and I’d sign that.” “Is your tongue pierced? Per our last conversation, gossip is worth a single credit to me. If anyone has ink under their suit, it’s the one engaging with me in poor posture.” (“Did you hear? She’s going to go broke after what happened, and I’d bet on it.” “Are you done being rude? Like I said before, gossip isn’t worth my time. If anyone’s acting poor, it’s the one talking with me in such poor taste.”)

Dreg Slang

Boss - Moron, an extreme insult.

Suit - A member of the rich upper class.

Extra - A hacker.

Heavy - Serious or dangerous.

Plus - Good.

Rats - Food, derived from "Rations".

Soy - Food, derived from the ever present soy products in Eridani space.

Chew the rats: Eat.

The office - Prison.

In my turf: Up in my business/In my face.

Pad: Place.

Boy/Girl - Male/Female friend or neutral person.

Man/Woman - Male/Female partner, lover or romantic interest.

No phone - A derogatory response to a suit slang bye e.g. "I'll call you" "No phone boss."

Chief - Boss, but not disrespectful.

Signed the dots - Being imprisoned/enslaved. Comes from the idea of signing a contract.

Tie and slacks/Leisure suit - Half-dressed in a suit i.e. a dreg that either associates with corps, or maybe a dreg who has a corp parent. Either way, it’s a big dreg insult.

Sets lunch - A play off of the suit slang “let’s do lunch.” Basically someone who associates with suits (“Yeah, he's the type to set lunch.”)

Suit Smile / Suit promise - A lie. Fake.

Knabo/Knabino/Knab - Guy/Gal.

Talpo/Talpino/Talp - Shady person.

Kroko/Krokino/Krok - Outsider. Someone who isn’t part of their community. Non-dregs.

Bovo/Bovino/Bov - Cow/Bull. Used for really good pals, kind of like calling your friend “The shit” or “My bitch”

Amo/Amino - Cute version of Boyfriend/Girlfriend

Orano/Oranino/Oranges - Person from Oran.

Scrapper/Ruster - Person from the twins, Set/Nebthet

Verb/Verbed/Spit - Say/Said/Told. Can also use “Spit” (Spittin’ words)

Gabbed - Chatted/spoke with.

Audit/Audited - Hear/Heard.

Vide/Vided - Saw/look/seen.

Scrib/Scribe - Write it down. From “Scribble.”

Tool/tooled - Fix/fixed. Maintenance. Etc.

Mapped it - Been there. Also “Understand” or “Saw it” (ex: “Do you know how to set the shields?” “Yeah, I mapped it.”)

Arctic/Sly/Slick/Iced - Cool, great. Basically a positive term. (“That’s arctic” / “Lookin’ real sly.”)

Riccy - Rich. Mostly derogatory. “Riccy-tongued” would be talking like a rich person/suit. Same as “Riccy-glibbed” or “Riccy-spittin’”

Fek - Fuck. Simple replacement.

Knob - Fuck. Usually kind of like “Fuck me, didn’t expect THAT to happen.” I’ve used “Knob me sideways” and “Knob me offways” to express disbelief, joy, or frustration. Also used “Knob me halfback to Eri.”

Debt/Debted - Work/worked. Debt can also be job or shift. “Debted last night,” “Where do you debt?”

No debts - No frets, no problems, don’t worry about it.

Bonny - Good. Derived from the “Bon-“ root, which means good. Can also use “Bones,” ie “It’s all Bones” to mean “It’s all good.”

Dolly - Kind/Nice/Sweet. From “Dolce.” You can call someone a dolly or say an action was dolly, or even use “dolled.”

Creaky/Rusty - Dangerous. I use it mostly since salvaging is dangerous, and those words would indicate that the area isn’t safe. Rusty can also mean that something went bad.

Pure/Straight/Right - Really or Very. “Pure Bonny,” “Straight Riccy,” “Right Dolly,” etc.

Milk - “Something” or “Anything.” (Loosely). “His name is Erik or some milk” = “His name is Erik or something like that.”

Lasso - To hook someone on something, usually drugs.

Cark it - Die. IE: “Don’t cark it out there” could mean “Don’t die” or “Be safe.” “Carked it” = Died. Also used for “Fucked up” ie “Yeah I carked it.”

Crease/creased: Kill/killed. Alternative to “Cark it.”

Arbo – Dionae (From tree).

Serpo/Serpino/Serp – Unathi (From snake).

Rano/Ranino – Skrell (From frog.)

Borgo – IPC or stationbound.

Cino – Vaurca (From Bug).

Hopper – HoP.

Badge/Blue – Cop, security, law enforcement.

End game - Counter hacker/ murderer.

Patcher – Doctor.

Wrencher – Engineer.

Mixer – Bartender.

Mainlaned – Mainline (aka Shooting up drugs).

Bleed ‘em - Hurt them/Make them pay. Used for encouraging fights as well as encouraging suits to waste their time or money.

Sniffs/Sniffer - Brown-nosing. Dregs who suck up or listen to suits/authority. Also for cops who are putting their noses in your business.

Band - Gang. Bando/Bandino would be a gang member.

Banded - Married/Life partners. Best friends, marriages, etc. Not a coincidence it uses the same root for gangs.

Idio/Drongo - Idiot.

Half-eared/Half-eyed - Hard of hearing/seeing. Mostly said out of frustration (“What the fek are you, half-eared?”)

Just hands - Said of a person who can only communicate in sign language because they are either deaf or mute. Might be called No-eared or No-tongued, to mean Deaf or Mute, respectively.

Fair shake - Fair enough.

Pointed/Pointy - Horny. Mostly as a joke, to tell people to relax. (“Don’t get all pointy”)

Affirmed - Got it. Confirmed. (“Did you set the engine?” “Affirmed, boss.”)

Tick/Shake - Second or minute. Like “Hold on a tick” Or “Back in a hot shake.”

Biz - Kind of like how people use “Shit.” Bad biz, I mapped that biz, etc.

Callsign - Name.

Clacker/Starfish - Asshole. “Crank the rod from yer clacker” = Get the stick out of your ass.

Not(Ain’t) my prints - Not my fault. As in, my fingerprints aren’t on that. This is one of my favorites.

Running your trail - Got your back/following you/I’m with you.

Dry as a suit’s wife - Boring, dull, lacking substance. Implication is that suits barely fuck or have mistresses (Or both), depending on who you ask.

Ice the (bricks/pipes/glass) - Vandalize.

Wrong (shoes/boots) - Trans person. “Born in the wrong shoes” means born in the wrong body. NOT derogatory.

Night wishes - Dreams.

Spillin’ Honesties: Being real, being truthful.

Examples:

“You vide that rano mixer? Knab’s pure iced.” (Have you seen that skrell bartender? Guy’s real awesome.)

“Affirmed; right dolly, mixes plus brews.” (Yeah. Real sweet, and makes good drinks).

“Fekkin’ knob me sideways, that arbo boss is a pure badge sniffer. Ain’t even my prints that the biz got rusted.” (Fuckin’… fuck me sideways, that Dionae moron sucks up to the cops. It’s not even my fault that the shit went bad.)

“All bonny, amino; you ain’t signin’ the dots. Maybe rusty biz, but I’m runnin’ your trails, no debts.” (All good, love. You’re not going to prison. Maybe it’s uncertain(dangerous) shit, but I have your back, no worries.)

“Verbed with patcher Gonzales’ ma last debt; kickin’ pure bonny at my own ma fekkin’ off. Krok’s drier than a suit’s amino; spit riccy the max shake. Def sets lunch, though probbo suit-smilin’ about her biz.” (I talked with doctor Gonzales’ mom last shift; Makes me really glad that my own mom left. She’s dry as a suit’s wife; talked rich the whole time. She mixes with suits, though she’s probably lying about her business.”)

Food

Soy products absolutely dominate Eridanian space - from cheap vendor snacks to high-class dishes alike. It is often bombarded with flavorings, giving Eridanian food a unique feel. It often has very strong salty and umami flavors, while the soy itself is cooked in a variety of ways to create all sorts of different textures. LiquiRations are sometimes called the Eridanian national dish.

This doesn’t necessarily mean that the food here is hazardous or low-quality, however. On the contrary, many Eridanians quickly accustom and begin to even take pride in this type of cuisine, calling it “the food of the future”. Many native Eridanians are also meat intolerant due to a mostly plant products-based diet, although this doesn’t spread to all of them.

History

First colonized in 2199 as part of early colonization efforts by the fledgling Sol Alliance, by 2255 settlements had been established on the five planets that now make up the Eridani Corporate Federation. These planets were in the process of being terraformed during the Great Depression, when funding from SolGov for the project was cut short. Rights to the area were sold to a group of corporations which provided the credits required to begin the transformation of the planets into the sprawling skyscraper-filled worlds seen today. By the start of the 23rd century, the Board of Five solidified into the distribution that it has held since. As a member of the Alliance of Sovereign Solarian Nations, the Eridani Corporate Federation has been represented diplomatically by SolGov representatives, though the Federation has a degree of autonomy due to its unique contract of governance signed in the 23rd century.

Potential Character Concepts

Characters from the Eridani Federation are likely to:

  • Have a great like of NanoTrasen.
  • Have a corporate background.
  • Have an extreme air of corporate professionalism.
  • Speak Tradeband.

Here is an example character from the Eridani Federation:

  • Akem Obiteng, 23, is a Freelance Reporter currently on the NSS Aurora. She is naturally curious and a bit callous.
  • Obiteng is 5’8” and has a thin, lanky build, likely 120 lbs. She has laid back posture and swinging movements. She has bright yellow, mechanic eyes and a bright red mohawk.
  • Obiteng moved to Mendell City in hopes of an easier life. She lives with three roommates. Obiteng is an atheist. She is also a strong supporter of New Republicans.
  • Obiteng is a passionate fan of Unathi culture, though the worse subjects are scrubbed out. However, she does hate Vaurca just as much as she loves Unathi.
  • Obiteng speaks Tau Ceti Common and Freespeak.

Here is a second example character from the Eridani Federation:

  • Kenjo Nde, 36, is a psychologist working for Nanotrasen. He is pleasant and a stepford smiler.
  • Nde is 5’9” and has a lithe frame, about 140 lbs. He has perfect posture and a professional gait. He has dark brown, mechanic eyes and curly, black hair kept in a professional cut.
  • Nde is a contractor, having moved to Biesel for work. He lives with his robotic cat, Kumari. Nde is agnostic. He sways toward the more Democratic side of politics, though ultimately declares himself neutral.
  • Nde is fairly neutral about non-humans, but has a distaste for Tajarans.
  • Nde speaks Tau Ceti Common and Tradeband, and he knows Sign Language.