Nefer
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Nefer (Planet)
History
Nefer is a windswept desert world in orbit around a too-hot G type star. With an orbital period slightly greater then that of Earth, the Nefertan year lasts longer then that of the interstellar standard. However, due to the planet's age and density of heavy metals, Nefer spins faster then Earth did, with a 'day' lasting no more then twenty two hours at the greatest.
Planetside, Nefer is primarily arid, with temperate belts encircling the poles. It's equator is uninhabitable, with temperatures typically in excess by anything sustained by human- or transgene life. However, with such temperatures comes an abundance of valuable resources that the Nefertans have set up numerous mining outposts and undercities in order to harvest.
Nefer has three seasons. 'Sky fall', 'The Great Scouring' and 'Marduk', roughly analogous to 'Fall, Winter, Spring. In the season of Sky Fall, the high altitude fungal colonies begin dropping out of the sky, a hundred million red gold leaves falling to the earth. Deceptively fragile, each leaf controls its flight by a near monomolecular edge, reading wind currents with an almost prescient instinct. Each leaf holds the seeds for the next generation of colonies, which dig into the Earth and mature over the course of winter. Like its name, the Great Scouring is a time of cleansing to the Nefertan people. As the temperature drops, the storm system shifts and stirs up tremendous dust storms that strip flesh from bone, and scour the mountains with cutting sand.
The Scouring is a hibernation period for both fauna and flora, for one cannot avoid the storms; only weather them. Marduk is a time of rainfall- of great monsoons, and raging rivers. The Great Scouring typically carries a significant amount of water-ice away from the poles, casting it across the entire planet. As the storms cease blocking the sun, and the temperature increases, this moisture is returned to the atmosphere where new storm patterns slowly return it to the poles. Where Marduk- the water of life- falls, life grows. New settlements are constructed. While Nefer is a beautiful planet, it is also a dangerous one, which will kill the unprepared faster then they can realize they're dead. This is particularly evident during Skyfall.
Modern Nefer
Modern Nefer is still every bit as dangerous as it was when the first colonists landed. But through hard work, and unbreaking determination, the Nefertans have tamed some of those dangers- or at the very least, they have learned enough to avoid them.
During the Magnate War, Nefer was struck by a kinetic impactor. Whether it was the result of Magnate planning, or just bad luck, is yet unknown.
Heliopolis
History
The City of the Sun, Heliopolis is a massive Posthuman constructed structure situated on Nefer's northernmost continent, occupying the border between the dust plains of the south, and the fertile waters of the north. Initially hidden from view, Heliopolis was uncovered during a particularly violent sandstorm during the first Great Scouring experienced by the early Nefertans.
To the people of Neferti, Heliopolis' appearance was a gift from the gods- and one they rapidly adopted for their own use. Moving their main colony population into the city over the course of the next several months, the Nefertains discovered a glut of active posthuman technology. Most served unknown or unknowable purposes, but some- a small select- were within the realm of understanding by the expedition's researchers and engineers. Theta Fountains produced valuable Theta Dust, and at the heart of the City, in a structure known as 'The Temple', there is a posthuman device. A weather machine, it serves to keep Heliopolis free of the effects of the Seasons, protecting those living in its environs.
Modern Heliopolis
Today, Heliopolis is a bustling megatropolis, and one that has been expanded upon significantly by Nefertan construction. While the original structure is still visible in its golden glory, the people of Nefer have taken advantage of its immunity to the seasonal cycles and so every year the surrounding suburbs slowly expand. This expansion was made possible in thanks to the work of a brilliant scientist formerly of the Magnate Continuum. One of several defectors during the final phase of the Magnate War, this scientist yearned only to study the technology at the heart of Heliopolis. And it was after a particularly long period of seclusion that he emerged with the answer in hand.
It had taken him a great deal of effort and resources, but with the help of PYRAMID's R&D division, and a generous government grant, he had been able to construct a series of pylons that would act to extend the weather control device's range. While still tremendously expensive, the ability to protect large swaths of surrounding land from Skyfall, The Great Scouring, or even the waters of Marduk, was of great importance to PYRAMID.
And so it is that today you can see many Nefertans wandering from the outer city to the inner city, free of the bulky encounter suits worn by their ancestors, or those who operate outside city limits. The freedom is idyllic- but it is also an illusion. Around every corner, and under every bench is a PYRAMID standard encounter suit. Every third building acts as an emergency shelter, and PYRAMID is relentless in the continued drills and training excersises to ensure that no man, woman or child will be caught unprepared in the event of a catastrophic failure of the Weather Device.
PYRAMID Heavy Industries
PYRAMID serves as both Nefer's defacto government, as well as its primary business. A chief proponent of capitalism, PYRAMID has nevertheless been accused of being a font of communism for its monopolic grasp on the Nefertan market. Taking the concept that 'everyone works for the government' a step beyond what most would consider reasonable, PYRAMID is nevertheless a great proponent of what were considered traditional western values on Earth.
History:
Born during the breakdown, PYRAMID started as a group of powerful individuals with interests across the board who came together during the economic recession that followed the loss of standard FTL effectiveness. With smaller companies no longer able to continue daily operations due to the cessation of trade, or even contact with the neighboring powers, many flocked to the banner of PYRAMID for the hope it embodied. While primarily a business concern, PYRAMID does appear to care for those in its employ and their dependents, going out of its way to ensure they are treated with a respect above the grade compared to its more coreward rivals.
Made up of five major corporations that unified in order to maintain their interests and that of their workers during the Breakdown, PYRAMID Heavy Industries supplanted the shattered remnant of Nefer's government, gradually picking up the slack left by the politicians and social workers whom had relied so greatly on foreign contact and trade to maintain their positions.
The Founding Interests
- Toha Heavy Industries
- Reliance Electrical Incorporated
- Firebird Metalurgy
- Ibrahim Aeronautics
- The Khemet Agricultural Corporation
Modern PYRAMID
Modern PYRAMID is still a business- but it has also expanded into the role it took during the Breakdown, and later the Magnate War. As a full fledged government, it has generated social outreach programs, military spending, and spent a significant amount of time ensuring the safety of its dependents. While PYRAMID is naturally concerned with the continued growth, expansion, and wealth generated by its business operations, it also takes great care in managing the responsibilities that fall outside its corporate oversight.
Strengths
PYRAMID, like any other corporation, has areas of professional expertise, and areas in which its advancement has been hindered by lack of spending, or restructuring. Currently PYRAMID invests a considerable portion of its infrastructure into the production of naval vessels and armament, and uses the lessons learned in the Magnate War wisely. Taking advantage of their engineering knowledge, PYRAMID engineers build vessels that are larger and better balanced then those used by other powers- albeit with an increased cost that comes from employing such skilled labour.
Similarly, PYRAMID has a healthy focus on stealth technology, as it was used in many significant strikes during the Magnate War- and later during acquisitions of new territory- business or otherwise. While PYRAMID is an old hand at the industrial espionage game, it has taken particular care to apply that know-how to its military structure, using a combination of stealth vessels and spynets to ensure the safety of it's dependents and its interests.
Another strength of the corporation is, perhaps, the most obvious. During the BREAKDOWN, and the subsequent restructuring of the Nefertan goverment by PYRAMID, many efforts were made to discover a more potent means of faster than light locomotion- and these efforts climaxed in the PYRAMID effort to crack the posthuman FTL drives utilizing the potent Theta Dust. As Heliopolis produced a moderate amount of the valuable material for no discernible purpose, researchers and engineers harvested it and set to work on producing a viable drive. While the first such engines were crude, hand crafted experiments, eventually PYRAMID managed to crack the secret to producing the drive efficiently and safely. This expertise became crucial during the Magnate War conflict, as the mere potential for the existence of Theta on Neferti was enough to draw a sizable Magnate strike force to invade in their search for it. Only by their superior mastery of faster than light travel was PYRAMID- and by extension Nefer, able to push back the Magnate forces.
The 56th Layer
The 56th Layer is the public name of PYRAMID's main intelligence arm. Running counterespionage in both domestic and industrial theaters. Taking advantage of a mastery of stealth technology as well as a highly trained, highly elite military force, The 56th Layer is a subtle, if constant reminder of PYRAMID's everwatching gaze.
Element 01
Element 01 is the 56th Layer's primary special task force. Operating primarily in local theaters, they are well known in the industrial sector, if not by name, then by occasional appearance. Rarely traveling offworld, they are nevertheless well respected by the military strata. Most frequently, it is Element 01's job to deal with terrorism, as there has been a sizable movement in recent years to depose the government. With a growing threat of terrorism by Magnate infiltrators that were left behind at the end of the war, Element 01 is rarely without a job to do.
Element 06
Performing as the 56th Layer's primary offworld operations unit, Element 06 is typically used to suppress foreign propaganda, procure technological and politcal secrets, and eliminate potential terrorists before they have a chance to become a real threat. Working extensively with PYRAMID's military apparatus, Element 06 is well respected for its professional nature, as well as its dedication to finding the truth. It is quite often that in the event of a legal disagreement between two parties, that one or both parties will invoke the right to representation from an Element 06 operative. While such legal disagreements are not common in the military, they do occasionally happen- and there are few better then Element 06 at locating the specific truth they are searching for.
Element 16
Element 16 is the 56th Layer's closest thing to a full military force. Serving as a secret navy, Element 16 is typically employed when the normal military cannot be trusted- either because the task involves something classified, or because the task involves something that could be considered amoral in the extreme. Element 16 was employed during the war in several operations that remain classified to this day. In addition, it remains the only element of the 56th Layer to maintain naval units with equal authority to that of the actual navy. While the other elements have employed aeronautical units before, it is traditional that Element 16 has authority over any naval vessel with a functioning jump drive under PYRAMID's colours. In this way, they also serve as the recognized face of Naval intelligence.
Rules & Mechanics
- A1: Late National
- A2: Dominantly Baseline
- A3-A4: Hell World | Make Do
- B1-B3: Military Action | Training Ground
- C1-C4: Artifact Find | Active Machinery
- N1: Corporate Direction
- D1-D2: Isolated | Experimental Drives
- E1-L1: TZO | Make My Own Bloc
- L1: Be Interventionalist
- L2: Regional Port
- L3: Magnate Killteams
- CE: Cut to the Bone
Totals:
- 420 Pop
- 300 Dust
- 450 Theta
- 810 Wealth
- 910 CIP
- 910 PIP
Other Bonuses (not counting starting apps)
- Scraphunters
- +Tech
- +Stealth Tech
- +FTL Tech
- ++Shipbuilding Application
- ++Sneaky Stuff
- ++Logistics
- ++++Doctrines
- +2500 Military
Penalties
- -Ground Tech
Ships
Export Designs
Qebehsenuef class Support Frigate
- Mobility: 3
- Evasion: 3
- Armour: 16
- Structure: 5
- Hits: 18
Internal Components
- 2x Fusion Thrusters (-8 Spaces, -16 Power, +2 Mobility, +1 Evasion)
- 2x Jump Drive (-0.5 Spaces, -4 Power)
- 2x Fusion Reactors (-2 Spaces, +30 Power)
- 2x Belted Armour (-4 Spaces, +4 Armour, +1 Structure, +4 Hits)
- 4x Laminate Armour (-8 Spaces, +10 Armour, +2 Structure, +4 Hits)
- 24x Hangar (-24 Spaces)
Armament
- 1x Small Naval Rifle (-5 Spaces)
- 2x Charge Launcher (-4 Spaces)
- 2x Vulcan Point Defence (-4 Spaces)
Kebechet Class Cruiser
- Mobility: 3
- Evasion: 2.5
- Armour: 18
- Structure: 8
- Hits: 36
Power and Propulsion (28.5 Spaces)
- 3x Fusion Thrusters (-24 Spaces, -48 Power, +3 Mobility, +1.5 Evasion)
- 2x Jump Drive (-0.5 Spaces, -8 Power, +2 FTL)
- 4x Fusion Reactors (-4 Spaces, +60 Power)
Defences and Internals (28 Spaces)
- 2x Belted Armour (-8 Spaces, +4 Armour, +1 Structure, +8 Hits)
- 4x Laminate Armour (-16 Spaces, + 10 Armour, +2 Structure, +8 Hits)
- 2x Latch Points (-4 Spaces)
Weapons & Armament (63 Spaces)
- 4x Vulcan Point Defence (-8 Spaces)
- 2x Anti-Air Missile Launcher (-10 Spaces)
- 1x Large Naval Rifle (-20 Spaces)
- 1x Heavy Anti-Ship Missile Launcher (-10 Spaces)
- 3x Anti-Ship Missile Launchers (-15 Spaces)
Domestic Designs
Nep Class Medium Corvette
- Mobility: 8
- Evasion: 6
- Armour: 17
- Structure: 4
- Hits: 8
- Space: 36.5/37 (4x Patroller)
- Power: 26/30
Internal Components
- 6x Fusion Thruster (-6 Spaces, -24 Power, +6 Mobility, +3 Evasion)
- 2x Jump Drive: (-0.5 Spaces, -2 Power)
- 2x Fusion Reactors (-2 Spaces, +30 Power)
- 6x Laminate Armour (-6 Spaces, +15 Armour, +3 Structure, +3 Hits)
Armament & Active Defences
- 2x Vulcan Point Defence (-4 Spaces)
- 4x Flak Cannons (-8 Spaces)
- 2x Anti-Air Missile Launchers (-10 Spaces)
Akhen Class Heavy Battleship
- Mobility: 3
- Evasion: 1.5
- Armour: 22
- Structure: 17
- Hits: 112
- Space: 279.5/280 (4x Battleship)
- Power: 150/150
Internal Components
- 3x Fusion Thrusters (-60 Spaces, -120 Power, +3 Mobility, +1.5 Evasion)
- 3x Jump Drive (-7.5 Spaces, -30 Power)
- 10x Fusion Reactor (-10 Spaces, +150 Power)
- 2x Structural Reinforcement (-40 Spaces, +6 Structure, +40 Hits)
- 2x Belted Armour (-16 Spaces, +4 Armour, +1 Structure, +16 Hits)
- 4x Laminate Armour (-32 Spaces, +10 Armour, +2 Structure, +16 Hits)
- 4x External Latch (-8 Spaces)
Weaponry & Active Defences
- 4x Vulcan Point Defence (-8 Spaces)
- 2x Charge Launcher (-10 Spaces)
- 6x Anti-Ship Missile Launcher (-30 Spaces)
- 2x Anti-Air Missile Launcher (-10 Spaces)
- 4x Flak Cannon (-8 Spaces)
- 2x Large Naval Rifle (-40 Spaces)