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The Interstellar Medium
 Author
Join Date: May 2008
Location: [SWE]
Age: 34
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Instead of posting together with Chapter 9, it will be a seperate post. The Index has most info about the world of Cancri and it's contents, although it's not thouroughly done just yet. Some parts are done, but might get small changes, and some parts are under construction.
Spoiler for Wall of text:
- Timeline explanation and description (Done)
- History (Under construction)
- The Uncertain Times
- The Creation of the Beskanti civilization
- The Founding of the Four nations
- The Nightmare War
- The discovery of the Himalaya
- The Revolution
- Locations (Done)
- Planet Cancri
- Capital cities
- The Four nations
- The 3 seas
- The Dragon Empire
- The Forbidden Nation
- Magic Systems (Done)
- North system
- South system
- Knight system
- Important figures (Done)
- The Six
- The Council
- The Four Kings
- The State Government
- Technology (Under Construction)
- Prior and during the Uncertain Times
- After the Foundation of the Four nations
- After the discovery of the Himalaya
- Current status
- Terms and explanations
- Miscellaneous (Under Construction)
- The People
- Religion
- Market
- Politics
- Judiciary
- The Cancri State Fleet
- TBA
- TBA
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- Timeline explanation and description (Done)
The current calendar was started at the formation of The Council and that year is called 00AC (After Council). Before this time there wasn’t a common calendar for the various kingdoms or nations so they all had different methods of counting time.
00AC – The Council is formed and the civilization of Beskanti arises.
193AC – Technological advances raise them past something similar to the Middle Ages and straight into the Industrial Age.
387AC – After almost 200 years of prosperity and advancement, tensions begin to show between the six leaders which is kept hidden from the people.
433AC – Two of the six leaders are assassinated and the information leaks to the people. Chaos ensues for a brief time and the remaining leaders try to sort it out while also being suspected for the crime.
435AC – A solution is worked forward that drastically changes everything. The Council is split and the four leaders split the entire Beskanti between them, forming four independent nations. All four nations are then divided into smaller states with a minor power of their own.
500AC – International relationships is in danger as two Northern diplomats on visit in Southern Beskanti disappears. It is thought they have been kidnapped and the Norfolk immediately retaliates with their political power. After some investigation the two diplomats shows up, dead, ending the conflict. Investigations yield no suspect.
The aftermath resulted in loss of political trust. Northern Beskanti cut a few ties with Southern and their relationship got worse.
547AC - Evidence is found that the Southern political structure has been infiltrated by NKGG (Northern King's Guard Group) spies. An outrage ensues and Southern Beskanti investigates the matter further. Northern Beskanti rejects the accusations.
565AC - Tired of spies and infiltration, Southern Beskanti declares war on Northern Beskanti. The two sole superpowers prepare their forces for the first major war on Cancri since the dawn of the Council.
Eastern and Western Beskanti immediately declare neutrality in exchange of technology and support to both sides.
602AC - The war, now under the name of 'The Cancri War' comes to an end when both sides run out of resources and manpower. The result is devastating to both sides' economy and they sign a temporary peace document.
Western and Eastern Beskanti retain their neutrality and helps their neighboring countries to rebuild.
630AC - Despite the peace declaring still being in effect, various militias and resistances arise in a few individual states, opposing either their own country's King, or their enemy's. Both nations denies involvement, despite evidence showing they might be behind it.
635AC - The states conducting the coups and minor conflicts are taken under supervision and stopped before they escalate.
700AC – The Space Age begins and the societies over the planet have a high standard of living with a lot of high-tech everyday hardware. Despite a few coups and attempted assassinations, the political connection is held and remains stable.
Space stations and various other spacecrafts are being designed and planned for population of space.
720AC - The first spacecraft makes its maiden voyage. Thanks to the cooperation of Western and Eastern Beskanti they are given the right to further develop and produce, to sell to the other two nations.
750AC - The first space stations begin to be constructed in Cancri's orbit. They are still experimental but are planned to be international.
760AC – A foreign spacecraft crashes on the island of Eastern Beskanti and thanks to the technology kept within, Beskanti magic system advances further, intelligent devices are developed and the Knight of Beskanti program is initiated.
Space technology gets a major boost and development is sped up.
786AC - Numerous states, on both sides, suddenly attacks each other. Again the nations denies involvement and the states go at it. While the numbers of deaths rise, they plan to stop it as soon as possible to retain political relationships.
788AC - The conflicts are stopped after negotiation. Some states lose their control while others gets their reinforced.
803AC - What would be known as the 'Nightmare War' begins after a failed assassination of the Southern Beskanti's King. Investigations show Northern Beskanti is behind it and war breaks out. With the help of new tech and military hardware it escalates to a global conflict, despite the two other nations claiming neutrality. New weapons capable of long-range firing and mass destruction plague the planet.
The two smaller nations continues their development of space and military technology despite being under attack at times. They have a weak military and keep themselves hidden or uninvolved as best they can. They are not a primary target and therefore spared the most destructive powers.
849AC - The Nightmare War comes to an end with no victor. Both sides has suffered heavy losses and their economy is once again unstable. Only ruins remains of most of the landscape. The general populace is extremely unsatisfied with the ruling caste and shows it through riots and protests.
850AC/MC84 – The end of an era. The nobles controlling the states under their King's command are being chased by the people, towards their respective capitals where they make a last stance. They are forced to choose between fighting a lost cause or to flee the planet. Most choose the latter and flee into space with whatever they can. The Joermungandr was one of the battleships being used in the escape.
Knight of Exodus begins.
After 850AC – A new leadership is established with democracy as its primary focus point and they reform the four nations under the name of the Cancri State, retaining the smaller states but without individual leaders.
Resistances formed by nobles and people that support them still remain and takes control of a few locations and an amount of military power. The complete overtaking conducted by the Cancri State has yet to be completed.
- History (Under construction)
- Locations (Done)
- Planet Cancri
The homeplanet to the Beskanti civilization, Cancri is located in a solarsystem several hundred light years from Sol. Its star is a yellow dwarf, much like Sol’s, and it has five major planets orbiting it.
The planet closest to the star is a lump of rock about half of Cancri’s size. The second planet is Cancri itself. The third planet is very similar to Cancri but it cannot sustain life due to not having an atmosphere. The fourth and fifth planets are massive gas giants that can be seen from the surface of Cancri on a clear night.
The orbit of Cancri is largely similar to that of Earth with very few differences and its age is also very similar. It has one moon which orbits it in a large elliptic shape, named Elisa.
The climate on Cancri depends mostly on the region, but when compared to Earth, Cancri is a tad bit cooler overall and has harsher winters all over the planet.
- Capital cities
There are four major cities on the world of Cancri and before the events of 850AC, they were the capitals of their respective nations. After 850AC they still hold an importance thanks to their size and power.
Oruvenne is the largest city known on Cancri with a population of about 67 million. It has a number of different suburbs gathered under the same name and it stretches over a wide area on the northeastern continent. It’s also heavily guarded towards the south and west.
It was the capital of Northern Beskanti and was named after their founding king, Kanika Oruvenne.
The location of the capital is in its favor, as it’s on an artificial elevated plateau in a valley. It has an adequate defense force and is very hard to attack.
Carusa is the second largest city and was the capital of Southern Beskanti. With a population of about 53 million it’s not far after Oruvenne. It’s also a harder position to defend, which they solved by having a larger army reserved for the capital.
Its name comes from their founding king Rakva Carusa.
The area surrounding it is very flat, allowing it to expand in a lot of directions.
Akus was the capital of Eastern Beskanti and is much smaller than the two previously mentioned. It has a population of about 9 million. It’s less technologically advanced than the two much larger capitals, but they don’t see a need to have it most of the time and is pleased with the beautiful architecture of their city.
Being located on an island between the other nations, it’s a huge and important trading hub.
Nikila Akus was its founding king.
It’s a busy metropolis with a lot of activity and a very important harbor used for transporting goods and trading.
Illitir has the same population as Akus, but is located on the mainland. It also serves as a trading hub, transporting goods from Akus to the bigger nations which it has contact over land with or trading from the bigger nations to Akus. The relationship between these two capitals is extremely good and generous.
The name comes from the king called Eraya Illitir.
- The Four Nations
Northern Beskanti
The cities located in Northern Beskanti, and their culture as a whole, shares a common interest of displaying their technological might in their design. Despite showing off as much as they do, their current level is the same as their southern counterpart. They actually rely more on magic than technology and prefers integrating the two with an emphasis on magic.
Their military is probably the most powerful, but not the largest, on Cancri. They have a ‘Code of Honor’ which is individual for all the nations, but the Norfolk put a stronger emphasis on it than most and are not allowed to break it, most of the time.
Their primary trading partner is Eastern Beskanti who is the closest located trading hub, just a few hours trip on boat from the capital.
Spires, sharp edges and low buildings are a trademark for their architecture. However, that doesn't make the buildings any less imposing as they also often features ornaments or are massively big.
Southern Beskanti
With no doubt having the largest military force on Cancri, Southern Beskanti is a big threat for the Norfolk. They use technology more than any other nation, save for Western Beskanti, and they often focus on that when developing various weapons or defense systems, leaving magic second-hand but still a vital part. Their soldiers, in similarity to the Norfolk, are trained depending on how they can master their Linker Core’s and they are all as adept as their counterpart, but lacking in some departments.
They don’t have a specific ‘Code of Honor’ and prefers to act as the situation suits them. This leaves a bitter taste for the Norfolk who put a great weight to honor. That’s one, albeit small, reason among many as to why the two nations disliked each other.
Their architecture and design shows in a lot of things, buildings especially. Complicated curves, large empty areas and building standing high up in the air is very recognizing among them.
Eastern Beskanti
A peaceful nation that don’t want any violence on their turf and only want to trade or play on the market and gather wealth. As they are located on an island, intrusion is difficult anyway, and none of the other nations have tried to invade it. They don’t see the point of trying as the nation doesn’t cause trouble anyhow.
They are somewhat after the other nations in terms of technology and prefer traditional design within their nation. They trade with the other nations, develop new technology which they then sell and they provide their harbor for cross-sea trading between Western and Northern Beskanti.
Their focus on the market is everyday equipment, construction vehicles, boats and aircrafts. They also have a high export of various resources.
Western Beskanti
Similar to Eastern Beskanti, they are a trading hub with Southern Beskanti as their primary partner, although they do also trade with the other two nations. They are the most technological advanced nation on Cancri, as they are not willing to share most of their ideas despite huge numbers of capital being offered. They do not however have a military to speak of as, again in similarity to Eastern Beskanti, no other nation is interesting in invading them just for the sake of technology. They would probably rather die before helping an invading nation.
They, also, enjoy showing off their technological might and that shows in their design. Smooth curves, hanging buildings and reflecting surfaces is easily spotted from a distance.
They have a large area of expertise on the market focused on weapons, weapons systems, devices, spacecraft and various other military equipments.
- Cancri States
With the split of the four nations, states controlled by nobles grew forth to extend their respective King's power. They remained even after the Revolution but lost most of their power and is currently governed by the Cancri State, although they do have a say in the government.
There is a total of 24 states. 10 of them was part of Northern Beskanti, 8 belonged to Southern Beskanti and the remaining 6 split evenly to the other two nations.
- The 3 Seas
As seen on the map, a lot of the surface of Cancri is drenched in water and there are three major oceans.
Lodbrok’s Sea
The northern ocean was named after the fourth sibling of the Council, Lodbrok Bodánne. Most of it is covered in ice and is treacherous to sea-faring vessels. Countless lives have been lost to the cold and extreme weather. It’s the main obstacle between Northern Beskanti and the Forbidden Nation.
The Kamban Ocean
The third sibling of the Council, Kamban Bodánne, gave name to the ocean in the south. Thanks to its hot climate it doesn’t have any ice, but it is widely known for its storms and typhoons. It provides a way from Southern Beskanti to the Dragon Empire.
Heretic’s Passage
The only ocean not being named after one of the siblings, this is instead named after its general nature. As it stretches upwards, with Eastern Beskanti on a lone island in the middle of it, the two weather systems of the north and south often collide. This produces extremely violent thunderstorms, rain mixed with hail, high waves and strong wind. It depends on the season on when it happens, but almost through the whole year the passage is occupied by these weather systems. There is a one month window in early spring when it’s especially calm however, which allows a safe way over the sea.
- The Dragon Empire
The mysterious Dragon Empire is an individual, neutral and recognized nation, home to the powerful dragon race native to Cancri. No human except a few has ever set their foot there, and those who did were only allowed entry on the dragons’ command. Any other human trespassing will get eaten or worse.
All the dragon race wants is a peaceful piece of land and they don’t want any trouble. To the knowledge of humans, there are three primary castes ruling the lands; the White Ones, the Crimson Dragons and the Golden Wings. It’s unknown if the names fill any purpose or if the dragon race has any leaders.
There are records of those being allowed passage into the empire bringing back eggs that hatch a year later on. They then train the hatchling and it becomes a loyal servant to that human’s family. Since dragons lives a lot longer than any human, it’s usually passed down for generations. Why the dragons would allow such a thing in the first place is also unknown, as the people bringing the eggs have all swore an oath never to tell anyone.
- The Forbidden Nation
North of Northern Beskanti is Cancri’s northern pole. This area is a harsh environment with extremely low temperatures and strong winds. Despite that, there are signs of another civilization having lived there, as ruins expose themselves all over the area. There are theories that these ruins stretch below the surface, under the ice.
However, there is a reason this area, or continent, is called the Forbidden Nation. Numerous research expeditions have been sent there consisting of Norfolks and Ostfolks, but none of them have ever returned with their minds kept intact.
As the stories go, they keep contact even after they reach the land but after they have gone a certain distance, and passes a few ruins such as on the picture below, contact becomes more static until it stops. Those left on the landing site don’t know what has happened until several days later when the expedition returns. Those few returning, that had not succumbed to the harsh weather and the cold, were lunatics and completely out of their minds, rambling about visions and the mysterious creatures they had encountered.
None of their stories has ever been confirmed. Arial observations are impossible to conduct due to the harsh weather. Even satellites can’t get a clear picture of the area because, for some reason, it’s always occluded by clouds.
Even today it remains a mystery of what exactly inhabits the Forbidden Nation, commonly known as The Zone in everyday speech.
- Magic Systems (Done)
- North system
This system puts a large focus on melee and using a soldier’s body coupled with magic to inflict injury upon an opponent. It has a weak defense but a very strong offense, making this system ideal to break through enemy forces or other defensive measures.
As it puts a greater emphasis on magic and one’s own strength, it uses mana and stamina to a higher degree and that could be a problem for those soldiers who haven’t trained to optimize those two factors. That’s why the Northern Beskanti military is divided into several divisions, each counting its members powers, both magical and strength-wise.
Before the switch to the Knight system, it was famous for the harshness of the training involved. Individual rights were removed, torture as training was normal and cutting the recruits off from the rest of civilization was common. Everything to make sure that those being trained could make optimal use of their powers, bodies and devices.
- South system
The South System is ironically enough the opposite of the North. It puts a higher emphasis on its defensive power and sacrifices its offense. It’s also more focused on ranged attacks, but that depends on a soldier’s specialization. It’s quite a flexible system and melee specialized soldiers is not rare.
What sets it more apart from the North system is that it focuses a lot more on using technology to further enhance its user, leaving magic more to power the technological systems. Powered shields, cloaking devices and the like are given to those who prove themselves in the use of them.
However, that doesn’t mean magic isn’t used for anything else. It’s still a vital part of the system, no matter what tech they throw in.
In similarity to the North, this system was also harsh concerning its training. However, it focused more on overall knowledge than pure combat ability, since the technology used required it.
- Knight system
The Himalaya spacecraft crashing on Cancri gave birth to the Knight System, which revolutionized the usage of technology and spellcasting. The two neutral nations, Western and Eastern, shared the technology and managed to reverse-engineer a few things from it, most notably intelligent devices and new spells.
From thereon, devices replaced the old weapons as they proved much more efficient for spellcasting and combat as a whole. Soldiers of both armies got their own devices to use and some were chosen into the ‘Knight of Beskanti’ program, a special education system designed to produce elite soldiers with extreme knowledge of their devices, how to use them and possessing a huge combat ability. These individuals were chosen into private squads to make the most effective use of them and to protect important assets. They are also used for special offense ops, such as recon or infiltration.
The Knight system is now the primary magic system used all over Cancri. The two other systems still exist but on a noticeable smaller scale and those who still practice it are extremely knowledgeable about it. They are sometimes even considered above the elites of the Knight system.
- Important figures (Done)
- The Six
Commonly known as “The Six”, these were the six siblings that established the name of Beskanti and its civilization. It’s uncertain how they exactly gathered the influence and power to gather all Cancri natives under one flag, but it’s been proved that they had a large following that probably helped them.
They were a family of two females and four males, and each of them had descendants that took over their place when they died. This continued for several years.
- The Council
The Council was the first established ruling power in the early days of Beskanti and its leaders was the Six and their descendants.
- The Four Kings
The last descendants of the Six that took the initiative to split the Council after two of their fellow leaders got assassinated by an unknown part. They established the four nations and helped the people to continue their everyday lives without the Council ruling over them.
In similarity, the thrones were succeeded by descendants. However, it didn’t matter if it was a male or female that acquired the throne, they still got the title of “king”.
- The State Government
A true democracy established after the revolution. It consists of publically appointed leaders and a voting system so everyone can have a say, major cities or states alike.
A Chairman exist and is appointed by the leaders. He is more of a public figure than authority.
- Miscellaneous (Under Construction)
- The People
There are numerous names for the people living on Cancri's surface and they all have their different groups and ethnic belongings.
Norfolk are located in Northern Beskanti most of the time and is a proud people of magic, religion and warfare. They follow their traditions and religion, seldom straying off their chosen path in life, even though no one would stop them if they would. They would only lose respect from people holding it in high regard which to the Norfolk is very important.
They hold magic as an important building stone in their society, even though technology is a vast part of it. Those who have a strong potent Gift are usually the ones rising in power and wealth, often becoming nobles. It borders on monarchy like the old empires.
However, everyone has their place in Norfolk society and they seldom leave any of their own outside in the cold. They are a gentle people with the heart in the right place... When it comes to their own that is.
Sydfolk lives in Southern Beskanti and prefers technology in front of magic. They are also a secular people with a very free way of living.
Compared to their northern counterpart they focus a lot on the use of technology and military power, bordering to pure militarism. The nation's military establishment is the most powerful in the nation and anyone getting a position there is heightened above those who do not work within it. Again, these people are called nobles much the same as those of the Norfolk.
Still, they do have respect for each other and outsiders, even if they have a rough grudge against the Norfolk.
Ostfolk populates Eastern Beskanti and is very carefree. They are mostly pure pacifists and often offers aid to nations in need, either with medical knowledge or simple trading to get their economy going. They care of their fellow humans and will never reject a person in need, regardless of their belonging.
Their belief of technology or magic is not very strong and that sets them apart from the other people. They are 'a frozen picture in the painting of history' so to speak. They stopped at one point developing at a giant pace and are taking it slowly.
A large majority belongs to the same religion as the Norfolk.
Vestfolk have their own nation of Western Beskanti. Much like the Ostfolk they believe in peace and are very similar to them.
They are, however, developers and scientists regarding technology and a majority devote their life to it, keeping their ideas secret and sell themf or a high price to anyone who wants it.
Religion doesn't matter to them and they go by their own wills in their lives.
The Maksis is an extremely religious people living in the mountains dividing Northern-, Southern,- and Western Beskanti. They stray away from the other nations but occasionally makes a pilgrimage to a statue located at the western shore of Kil's Lake. The statue is of an unknown origin but is apparently the shape of their god, Vergol.
Living on an island northwest of Northern Beskanti is the Frostans, a people used to the extreme cold conditions of their island. Travelers rarely approach their land as it's unforgiving, but the Frostans do not have anything against visitors as long as they leave within a week of their arrival. A close relationship with Northern Beskanti has been somewhat under procedure but it never develop into something akin to trading.
There are the six biggest 'groups' of people on Cancri. Minor groups does exist but most of the time they exist within these six.
There is also a map existing which have gone through numerous revisions. It's mostly done, I will need to implement a few more names.
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