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Table of Contents
EXOHUMAN SETTLEMENTS IN THE BETA AGE
Overview
During the Beta Age, the establishment of ExoHuman settlements on VOI 700 D was orchestrated by the Free State of Settler's Settler's Council, based on the guidelines outlined in the Human Settlement Plan (HSP). Unlike the strict limitations imposed in the later Gamma Age, ExoHumans initially enjoyed relative freedom in settlement selection, land ownership, and mobility, though practical challenges significantly shaped their settlement patterns.
The execution of the HSP proved challenging due to two primary factors:
- The ExoHumans crash-landed unexpectedly on the tidally locked planet VOI 700 D, rather than their original intended destination. This unforeseen circumstance significantly disrupted the original settlement strategy.
- VOI 700 D was already inhabited by a significantly larger population of Native Tribes, whose existing settlements and territories severely limited available land within the planet's narrow Habitual Belt.
Main ExoHuman Settlements in the Beta Age
Settlements founded during this period were driven by immediate practical needs, resource availability, and exploratory findings rather than ideal planning conditions.
- Established: August 8, 2625
- Location: Near the crash site of the Last Frontier, located in the Asari Region of the Habitual Belt.
- Reason for Foundation: Proximity to salvaged spaceship materials for initial housing construction. Despite lacking proximity to rivers, lakes, or other strategic resources, this site became the administrative and commercial hub due to necessity rather than optimal planning.
- Housing: Built primarily from recycled spaceship components due to resource scarcity after the crash landing.
- Established: February 17, 2627
- Location: In the cold, permanently dark Ralar Region on the planet’s Dark Side.
- Reason for Foundation: Discovered copper resources essential for ExoHuman technological needs.
- Housing: Constructed primarily from volcanic stone due to harsh environmental conditions and lack of other suitable materials.
- Established: March 24, 2627 (first farms developed earlier)
- Location: Fertile farmland near the Arla River in the Asari Region.
- Reason for Foundation: Initially emerged as agricultural farmland rather than a formally planned settlement. Infrastructure gradually developed to support farmers’ daily needs, eventually establishing Hope as a recognized settlement.
- Housing: Mostly basic homes built from local stone and wood, integrating living quarters directly into the farming landscape.
- Established: June 15, 2626
- Location: Within the densely forested region of the Atrana Mountains.
- Reason for Foundation: Timber resources necessary for construction, heating, and industry.
- Housing: Predominantly wooden structures and communal lodges, adapted to mountain terrain limitations.
Security and Defense
Due to rising tensions and disputes with the Native Tribes, as well as the constant threat from environmental hazards and wildlife, the Settler’s Council mandated the construction of protective perimeter walls around New Kourou, Firetown, and Morningstar. These perimeter walls initially intended to safeguard inhabitants later became known as the infamous “prison walls” during the Gamma Age, symbolizing confinement and lost freedom.
Mobility and Settlement Dynamics
In contrast to the restricted mobility of the Gamma Age, Beta Age settlers enjoyed relative freedom to travel and relocate between settlements, fostering trade and cultural exchange. However, this mobility was still constrained by practical and security considerations, such as the limited safety outside walled settlements and conflicts over land rights with Native Tribes.
Psychological Impact of Settlement Conditions
ExoHumans, many of whom had spent their entire lives aboard the confined Last Frontier spaceship, initially experienced the settlements on VOI 700 D as an opportunity to finally realize their dreams of open space, independence, and exploration. However, the harsh reality of limited resources, environmental constraints, and conflicts with Native Tribes rapidly tempered this enthusiasm. The initial optimism of frontier life gradually gave way to frustration and disillusionment, setting the stage for conflicts that culminated in the Great War.
Tactical Advice for Dungeon Masters
The Beta Age settlements provide rich settings for adventures emphasizing survival, frontier challenges, and cultural tensions:
- Resource Conflicts: Players might manage disputes over limited resources such as timber, copper, or agricultural land, requiring diplomacy or strategic combat.
- Settlement Defense: Encounters involving wildlife attacks, Native Tribe incursions, or environmental hazards highlight the settlers' ongoing struggle for security.
- Exploration Missions: Players could join discovery expeditions to establish new settlements or identify critical resources, encountering both environmental dangers and unexpected Native Tribe interactions.
Related Pages and Further Information
Exohuman settlements within the Federal Confederation:
The Ages of ExoHuman History: