The Zonko are an enigmatic and advanced civilization, feared and revered by the native inhabitants of VOI 700-D. Nobody knows their true name or the origins of their species. The name “Zonko,” meaning “dark demons” in the Native language, reflects their near-mythical status as supernatural beings. To the Natives, they are figures of terror and awe. To the Humans, they are an unsettling glimpse into a possible future—what humanity might become if progress overtakes empathy and connection.

The Zonko's technological prowess is unrivaled. Their mastery of energy, matter, and dimensions places them thousands of years ahead of both the Natives and the ExoHumans. Scholars among the settlers speculate that the Zonko are between Level 2 and Level 3 on the Kardashev scale of civilization:

They have long since harnessed the energy of their star and other planets in their solar system. They are on the verge of controlling energy on a galactic scale. This superiority manifests in their weaponry, capable of overwhelming any resistance, and their ability to shift between dimensions, making them appear and disappear at will. Their technology is so advanced that it seems like magic to less-developed species, reinforcing their aura of mystery.

The most unsettling aspect of the Zonko, from a human perspective, is their appearance:

• They look exactly like Humans, albeit more advanced—fitter, stronger, and seemingly ageless.
• To the Natives, this similarity is terrifying, as it reminds them of the Zonko’s experiments and domination.
• To the Humans, it raises existential questions: Are the Zonko what humanity could become? Are they descendants, ancestors, or something entirely different?

The Natives’ creation story speaks of the Zonko as gods who shaped their world and bodies. But this reverence is tinged with deep fear and resentment, as the Natives view the Zonko’s experiments as acts of violation.

The Zonko’s genetic connection to the Natives adds tension to their interactions, as the Natives struggle with the duality of their origins—part miracle, part horror. This fear extends to the Humans, whose arrival on VOI 700-D initially sparked panic among the Natives due to their resemblance to the Zonko.

The Zonko represent a potential future for humanity:

• Their detachment and technological mastery could be seen as the ultimate outcome of progress, stripped of empathy and moral grounding.
• Alternatively, they could serve as a warning of what happens when a species prioritizes power and knowledge over connection and meaning.

This duality makes the Zonko not just an external force but a mirror for the Humans, forcing them to confront their own trajectory.

While the Zonko themselves rarely make direct appearances, their presence is felt through the strange and inexplicable remnants they leave behind. These traces, often dismissed as myths or exaggerated tales, offer glimpses into their technological and dimensional mastery. To the Humans and Natives, these remnants are both a source of awe and unease—a haunting reminder of a force far beyond their comprehension.

One of the most unnerving Zonko phenomena is the cloaking field, an invisible barrier that disrupts visibility and perception.

• Effect: Exohuman settlers report companions vanishing into thin air, only to reappear moments later as they cross the field. These fields often serve as protective barriers, concealing Zonko structures from prying eyes.

Deep beneath the surface of VOI 700-D, ancient Zonko-built stations and tunnels lie dormant, their purpose and origin shrouded in mystery.

• Description: These underground networks are marked by seamless, smooth walls that seem unnaturally carved from the rock. The tunnels glow with a faint, greenish light, and magnetic capsules hover silently over invisible tracks.
• Speculation: Some believe these tunnels were part of a larger planetary infrastructure, perhaps an experiment to simulate interconnected ecosystems or a controlled environment for research. Others whisper that the tubes serve as escape routes, allowing the Zonko to move unseen.

Certain locations on VOI 700-D emit strange, residual energy that defies human understanding.

• Signs of Zonko Activity: Metallic cones that hum faintly and vibrate at irregular intervals.
• Objects and surfaces that seem to glow faintly in darkness, often with a green or blue hue.
• Unexplained gravitational anomalies, causing objects to hover or move unpredictably.
• Impact: Humans who linger near these sites often report dizziness, nausea, or vivid, inexplicable dreams. Natives avoid these areas entirely, calling them “the cursed zones.”

Rare Zonko artifacts occasionally surface, often in the possession of Outlaws or scavengers.

Examples:

• A handheld device that generates brief holograms, often of unfamiliar star maps or alien symbols.
• Tools that emit strange lights and seem to heal minor injuries or repair damaged equipment.
• Fragments of machinery that defy Earth-based materials science, resisting all attempts at reverse engineering.

• Significance: These items are often traded in secret and jealously guarded, with rumors that they attract unwanted attention from the Zonko themselves.

The Zonko are a powerful narrative tool for mystery, tension, and awe. Their presence in the campaign should feel overwhelming yet enigmatic, pushing players to question their own understanding of progress and power.

• Keep the Zonko mostly unseen; their influence should be felt through traces, rumors, and unexplained phenomena.
• Use their technology and remnants as narrative hooks, leaving players to speculate about their motives and power.

• Introduce hints of the Zonko through environmental anomalies—strange lights, cloaking fields, or faint vibrations.
• Build suspense with encounters that suggest the Zonko are watching or testing the players without revealing themselves.

• When the Zonko intervene directly, ensure the moment feels monumental. Overwhelm players with their power, making it clear they are outmatched.
• Use brief, impactful encounters to reinforce their technological and dimensional superiority.

• Tie the Zonko’s presence to questions of humanity’s identity and potential: Are the players following a path that could lead to becoming like the Zonko?
• Allow the Zonko’s actions to challenge players’ values, forcing them to weigh ambition against empathy.

• Use Zonko remnants—artifacts, underground stations, or genetic experiments—as focal points for quests or mysteries.
• Let the Zonko’s actions drive conflicts between factions, such as Natives and Humans, amplifying the stakes for the players.

• ExoHumans
• Native Tribes
• VOI 700 D