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st_affWhen: 2/27-3/9
Where: Crystal Room
What: Asphodel Station
Who: Anyone
Why: Because it's way past time.
* * *
There will be an Adventurer's Guide to Asphodel sooner rather than later, but because I seem to be stuck on getting it done, here are the basics for planning and initial exploration purposes.
Essentials
Asphodel is a space station in a distant galaxy in a universe not unlike our own. Science and magic will operate the same as they do in the Inn. The primary caveat here is that station gravity is .75 G, or .25 less than human normal. For short trips, this means you may experience disequilibrium, fluid redistribution, and even standard humans will effectively have greater-than-normal strength. If you stay longer than two days at a time, you will begin to experience increased blood pressure leading to blood volume loss, muscle loss, with increased thirst, decreased urination, and fatigue on return to the Inn.
The dominant species on Asphodel, the Verineans, are humanoid, but strange, pallid, slender and highly xenophobic. They avoid interactions with other species insofar as it is possible and when they must interact, they will not meet gazes, refuse physical touch, and refer to people of other species simply as "creature". They use "creature" both as a description and a form of address. They will not ever share their own names and addressing them in any fashion other than "Ver" is grounds for penalties ranging from incarceration to death, based on a schema known only to them, but probably relates to the social status of the Ver in question.
While Asphodel was once a hub of galactic trade, it has fallen into disuse for anything other than a waystation and leave-destination for mining crews from nearby operations. As such everyone is a little xenophobic. That said, there is significant species variety on the station. The second most common species are the bipedal bandicoot-like Gunnii, who are lightly furred, marsupial, with striped bottom halves, extremely powerful sensory organs, tall ears and long snouts. They're clever, sociable, and tend toward hoarding. As such they can be acquisitive, and tend to run many of the businesses on station, especially any of the less reputable (and therefore more useful) ones.
Trovians are also common. No one knows what exactly the Trovians are, since they are never seen without their Marvin the Paranoid Android like spacesuits. They are short, no taller than waist high on a human, and are extremely instrumental in their dealings with other races. It is speculated among some scientists that they may actually be fully sentient AIs who developed these "bodies" for themselves.
The miners tend to be mole people, which is to say that whatever their original race, after many generations, they've evolved/been genetically manipulated to have extremely large eyes, strong hands and nails, broad backs and considerable physical strength. Almost all of them wear protective lenses on station. Hints of their original species may be noticeable in the presence of unusual features like tails, fins, fangs, and so on. As a collective, they're generally referred to as Diggers, but the Gunnii call them Moles.
Other species you might encounter include the vaguely feline Mikei, the amphibious froggy Eldons, the lavender, bald humanish Peris, androids of various shapes and sizes, and the extremely delicate Wisps who look peculiarly like dandelions in fluffy white form. Be careful if interacting with Wisps. They have powerful pheromones that can be used to induce other, more robust species to act as temporary slaves.
Station currency is credits, which are contained on computer sticks that are called "pistils". In the downbelow, pistils can be acquired for non-standard trade goods, but negotiations and navigations are perilous. Official pistils can be acquired at the Exchange, where known currencies are converted to station credits. As water and ice are key commodities, the ice machines in the Inn may provide useful sources of credit exchange.
Station Structure
The station looks much like the flower for which it is named: a long stalk that widens near the top, which supports a symmetrical six-petaled 'bloom'.
The stalk is composed of stacked circular docking rings. Each one contains a single docking port, station crew (mostly Miners and Peris), loading and offloading conveyors, and quarters for the crew and any visitors. While it is possible to access the docking rings via a transport shaft (multiple 'elevators') down the center, most Stationers live and die without ever visiting them. The ring crews are exogamous (meaning they marry out) with neighboring rings. Extremely promising children are sent upshaft to be educated on the station proper and may never return.
The Hub, which sits at the top of the stalk, is where 90% of station activity takes place. The Hub is a tri-level arcade arranged around an open core with suspended walkways across the core. Prices, quality, and the likelihood of encountering a Ver increase from the bottom level to the top. Above the top level is an enormous "open space" with bioluminescent gardens, a concert venue, and an expensively maintained pond with three gondolas that may be hired for an exorbitant sum to paddle you about. Access to the open space is tightly controlled. While it is nominally open, those seeking entrance will need substantial bribes for the Peri guards on duty at all entrances. Beneath the bottom level of the Hub is the open space's virtual opposite. A seedy border zone known only as Downbelow. You can get almost anything you want here, including a knife in the gut.
Finally, the six Petals. These are residential, commercial, medical, educational centers. All but Paidia are off limits to visitors to the station. Paidia is a six-level petal with guest facilities for rent. It's essentially a hotel with its own support systems.
Notes
Despite once being a thriving station, much of Asphodel has fallen into disuse and disrepair. Especially in the lower Hub, Paidia, and transitional zones, you might be as apt to run into space parasites as sentient species. Crossings can be dangerous, and while no one will give your species a second look (there are species other than those named), that doesn't mean you or any other new arrivals will be welcome. Expect prices to be jacked up unsubtly, the way to places to be barred, requests to be denied. You will need to be clever and careful to experience all the station has to offer.
There are, presently, no spacecraft available for piloting or pleasure-jaunting. As there's nowhere to go, this simply isn't done. Station maintenance is done by EVA or in small pods that move around the outer surface.
Feel free to make up NPCs to befriend, to fight, to study. I'll try to offer some more information before 2/26, but if you have questions, fire away.
Where: Crystal Room
What: Asphodel Station
Who: Anyone
Why: Because it's way past time.
* * *
There will be an Adventurer's Guide to Asphodel sooner rather than later, but because I seem to be stuck on getting it done, here are the basics for planning and initial exploration purposes.
Essentials
Asphodel is a space station in a distant galaxy in a universe not unlike our own. Science and magic will operate the same as they do in the Inn. The primary caveat here is that station gravity is .75 G, or .25 less than human normal. For short trips, this means you may experience disequilibrium, fluid redistribution, and even standard humans will effectively have greater-than-normal strength. If you stay longer than two days at a time, you will begin to experience increased blood pressure leading to blood volume loss, muscle loss, with increased thirst, decreased urination, and fatigue on return to the Inn.
The dominant species on Asphodel, the Verineans, are humanoid, but strange, pallid, slender and highly xenophobic. They avoid interactions with other species insofar as it is possible and when they must interact, they will not meet gazes, refuse physical touch, and refer to people of other species simply as "creature". They use "creature" both as a description and a form of address. They will not ever share their own names and addressing them in any fashion other than "Ver" is grounds for penalties ranging from incarceration to death, based on a schema known only to them, but probably relates to the social status of the Ver in question.
While Asphodel was once a hub of galactic trade, it has fallen into disuse for anything other than a waystation and leave-destination for mining crews from nearby operations. As such everyone is a little xenophobic. That said, there is significant species variety on the station. The second most common species are the bipedal bandicoot-like Gunnii, who are lightly furred, marsupial, with striped bottom halves, extremely powerful sensory organs, tall ears and long snouts. They're clever, sociable, and tend toward hoarding. As such they can be acquisitive, and tend to run many of the businesses on station, especially any of the less reputable (and therefore more useful) ones.
Trovians are also common. No one knows what exactly the Trovians are, since they are never seen without their Marvin the Paranoid Android like spacesuits. They are short, no taller than waist high on a human, and are extremely instrumental in their dealings with other races. It is speculated among some scientists that they may actually be fully sentient AIs who developed these "bodies" for themselves.
The miners tend to be mole people, which is to say that whatever their original race, after many generations, they've evolved/been genetically manipulated to have extremely large eyes, strong hands and nails, broad backs and considerable physical strength. Almost all of them wear protective lenses on station. Hints of their original species may be noticeable in the presence of unusual features like tails, fins, fangs, and so on. As a collective, they're generally referred to as Diggers, but the Gunnii call them Moles.
Other species you might encounter include the vaguely feline Mikei, the amphibious froggy Eldons, the lavender, bald humanish Peris, androids of various shapes and sizes, and the extremely delicate Wisps who look peculiarly like dandelions in fluffy white form. Be careful if interacting with Wisps. They have powerful pheromones that can be used to induce other, more robust species to act as temporary slaves.
Station currency is credits, which are contained on computer sticks that are called "pistils". In the downbelow, pistils can be acquired for non-standard trade goods, but negotiations and navigations are perilous. Official pistils can be acquired at the Exchange, where known currencies are converted to station credits. As water and ice are key commodities, the ice machines in the Inn may provide useful sources of credit exchange.
Station Structure
The station looks much like the flower for which it is named: a long stalk that widens near the top, which supports a symmetrical six-petaled 'bloom'.
The stalk is composed of stacked circular docking rings. Each one contains a single docking port, station crew (mostly Miners and Peris), loading and offloading conveyors, and quarters for the crew and any visitors. While it is possible to access the docking rings via a transport shaft (multiple 'elevators') down the center, most Stationers live and die without ever visiting them. The ring crews are exogamous (meaning they marry out) with neighboring rings. Extremely promising children are sent upshaft to be educated on the station proper and may never return.
The Hub, which sits at the top of the stalk, is where 90% of station activity takes place. The Hub is a tri-level arcade arranged around an open core with suspended walkways across the core. Prices, quality, and the likelihood of encountering a Ver increase from the bottom level to the top. Above the top level is an enormous "open space" with bioluminescent gardens, a concert venue, and an expensively maintained pond with three gondolas that may be hired for an exorbitant sum to paddle you about. Access to the open space is tightly controlled. While it is nominally open, those seeking entrance will need substantial bribes for the Peri guards on duty at all entrances. Beneath the bottom level of the Hub is the open space's virtual opposite. A seedy border zone known only as Downbelow. You can get almost anything you want here, including a knife in the gut.
Finally, the six Petals. These are residential, commercial, medical, educational centers. All but Paidia are off limits to visitors to the station. Paidia is a six-level petal with guest facilities for rent. It's essentially a hotel with its own support systems.
Notes
Despite once being a thriving station, much of Asphodel has fallen into disuse and disrepair. Especially in the lower Hub, Paidia, and transitional zones, you might be as apt to run into space parasites as sentient species. Crossings can be dangerous, and while no one will give your species a second look (there are species other than those named), that doesn't mean you or any other new arrivals will be welcome. Expect prices to be jacked up unsubtly, the way to places to be barred, requests to be denied. You will need to be clever and careful to experience all the station has to offer.
There are, presently, no spacecraft available for piloting or pleasure-jaunting. As there's nowhere to go, this simply isn't done. Station maintenance is done by EVA or in small pods that move around the outer surface.
Feel free to make up NPCs to befriend, to fight, to study. I'll try to offer some more information before 2/26, but if you have questions, fire away.
