Idari
The Idari is a massive kasathan generation starship orbiting the Pact Worlds sun between Verces and the Diaspora. It originated from the planet Kasath and travelled the stars toward the Pact Worlds system, where it settled in orbit.1
Geography
The Idari's artificial gravity is provided by the rotation of a central cylinder, called the Drum. The Drum is around 2.5 miles long, has a radius of 0.25 miles, and slightly tapers at each end. Its surface area holds both urban areas and micro-ecosystems maintained by magic and technology; its builders recognised that plants require less upkeep than oxygen recyclers.2
In the central parts of the Drum's surface are forests and grasslands, similar to Kasath's oases, which provide both oxygen and psychological benefits. Near its ends, the Drum narrows and the floor rises up; these regions emulate old Kasath's deserts. Farther up, the slopes become cliffs.3
There are three bodies of water on the Drum: the Sternward Reservoir and Foreshore, which are busy, and the Lake of Memories, which is untouched except for the Pillar of the Homeworld, a visual reminder of Kasath. Two sets of small ponds exist: the tame, lightly forested, comfortable Lower Lakes, and the wild, isolated Upper Lakes.3
A zero-gravity transport tube called the Hub connects to the 'ground' of the Drum via elevator spurs located in all major areas of the Idari. The bridge and combat stations are located at the far fore of the ship, while the engines are at the opposite side, near the engineering bay, although they have been inactive for decades, their energies rerouted to the nearby Crucibles, an advanced state-run manufacturing sector that produces starships, electronics and nanotechnology. Other areas vital to the ship's function are scattered and accessible only to the crew.45
Solar collectors on the Idari's hull collect light, with which the interior of the ship is illuminated. Each artificial day is 27 hours long, divided into three nine-hour shifts. At both ends of the Idari are multiple airlocks, including large access points needed to automatically move goods to and from the ship's factories.4
Most of the Idari’s traditional and hydroponic agriculture is carried out in subsidiary farm pods outside the Drum. 4
Sectors
The Drum's inhabited parts are divided into sectors, each centred around an urban centre:3
- Almolar, an open air market, is crisscrossed by several small rivers, and its densely populated domes surrounding an open-air marketplace are reminiscent of the oasis settlements of Kasath. The domes are filled with garden-passageways, so residents of Almolar are always surrounded by lush plant life.3 This is the primary concentration of humans on the station, who prefer the verdant nature of Almolar, and many of whom are merchants in the markets. 4
- Paradise Village is the major urban relaxation destination for kasathas of the Idari. It is a domed area which receives a number of rivers and streams flowing in from Heravex down to the Sternward Reservoir. Built around these flows are a large amount of buildings in traditional Kasath architecture, from market squares to humble dwellings, interspersed with a profusion of kasathan flora. Kasatha find being this close to their ancestral society speaks to something deep within them in a way the habitation towers and natural preserves can’t imitate. No Hub elevators connect directly to Paradise Village. It is accessible only via corridors painted with murals of Kasath landscapes.6
- The outskirts of Almolar contain the Outland Markets, the primary home of non-kasathas on the Idari. The modest architecture of the underlying structures is decorated heavily to catch the eye of visitors, made up of small buildings, tightly-crammed stalls, wide bazaars, and pavilion tents stretching as far as can be seen. It is often traveled by people of many different species and cultures. The merchants of the Outland Markets run the gamut of Pact World species and even include some from farther afield. A thriving human community has carved a niche for itself in the neighborhood and has become tight-knit due to members’ shared inability to fully understand the intricate cultural ecosystem of the Idari’s kasathas. 78
- Notable locations within include:
- The Outlander is a bar catering to offworlders. It serves the most garish cocktails from Absalom Station to cater to this theme. Many humans seek it out for familiar companionship or being ushered to it by helpful kasathas. The proprietor is a human woman named Yuki Utsama, who knows most of the humans on the station, and their business, by sight. 7
- Alsuka's Tea House is a vibrant and very popular tea shop nestled in the center of Outland Markets, a circular metal structure marked by a scrolling digital sign above its doors. The facility serves some of the best tea on the Idari and is a common stop for offworld Kasatha returning home. It stands out for appearing untouched by many years among clusters of buildings which have been recently renovated including paint and lighting. It is ran by Alsuka, a well-connected female damaya lashunta. Customers can enjoy tea, sweets, and breads while sitting on low cushions either spread across the open space or in front of three two-foot high bars ran by the staff - an android, a female kasatha, and a young female lashunta.89
- Brispex is the spiritual center of the Idari, home to temples and churches of many faiths from Kasath, as well as a few newer ones. 3
- Gesilad is populated by kasathas dedicated to preserving the knowledge of their home world no matter where its children might roam. Most of the population of Gesilad lives underground, which causes this sector to look like one expansive garden on a hill punctuated by temples, reflective pools and ceremonial spaces.3
- Pradulex Monastery is an imposing structure located on an artificial desert hill just outside Gesilad. Transportation only travels to the edge of the artificial desert, with an hour-long walk through the desert and up the hill the only way to the facility. It is characterized by great gates which open as newcomers approach, light flickering through from within, wehre columns of marble-like stone stretch to the height of the building’s roof, with ancient statues of armored and robed kasathas staring down on entrants. It is a facility focused on ancient kasathan traditions to focus on the Cycle, a major component of training for solarians. Kasathas originally brought the philosophy of the Cycle to the Pact Worlds, and to this day, many kasathas are solarians. Instruction takes several years of study and meditation, but solarians who complete their instruction at Pradulex Monastery are some of the most contemplative and disciplined warriors in the Pact Worlds. Those who wish to enter the monastery must recieve advance approval from one of the masters of the facility. Known among these is Master Boojan, a male kasatha.6810
- Heravex, where military barracks lie, is built on a highland ridge in the style of one of Kasath’s military installations. The land between its towers and walls is as red and dry as both Kasath and Akiton. 3
- Khovi, the residential center, has habitation towers are home to nearly half of the Idari’s population, and this sector has few of the wide vistas and lush gardens of the other sectors. However, Khovi is a vibrant center of culture and entertainment, with many corridors turned into art galleries or gaming spaces.3
- Mesacand is an agricultural center featuring compact, high-tech vat-farming operations. Work at the vat farms requires more technical knowledge than sweat, but the ceremonies and traditions of kasathan subsistence farming continue, with the whole Mesacand community coming together at daybreak and dusk for elaborate communal rituals.4
History
Shortly after the Gap, the witchwyrds visited Kasath and told the kasathas of Akiton, a perfect planet to colonise after they have fled their dying homeworld. Determined to settle this promised land, the kasathas began construction of the Idari, a great, slower-than-light generation ship.11
In 240 AG, the Idari arrived at the Pact Worlds and prepared to colonise Akiton. However, the kasathas found that Akiton was too populous and local technology has become too advanced, rendering an invasion risky. A diplomatic delegation from the Pact Council, backed by the entire Pact Worlds fleet, dissuaded the kasathas from their original intent. Instead, some of them emigrated peacefully to other worlds, while the Idari was placed in an orbit around the sun, between Verces and the Diaspora, and was admitted into the Pact Worlds as a member.21112
References
- ↑ Logan Bonner et al. (2017). Starfinder Roleplaying Game Core Rulebook, p. 446–447. Paizo Inc. ISBN 978-1-60125-956-1
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 James L. Sutter et al. (2018). Pact Worlds, p. 68. Paizo Inc. ISBN 978-1-64078-022-4
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 James L. Sutter et al. (2018). Pact Worlds, p. 69. Paizo Inc. ISBN 978-1-64078-022-4
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 James L. Sutter et al. (2018). Pact Worlds, p. 70. Paizo Inc. ISBN 978-1-64078-022-4
- ↑ James L. Sutter et al. (2018). Pact Worlds, p. 73. Paizo Inc. ISBN 978-1-64078-022-4
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 James L. Sutter et al. (2018). Pact Worlds, p. 75. Paizo Inc. ISBN 978-1-64078-022-4
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 James L. Sutter et al. (2018). Pact Worlds, p. 74. Paizo Inc. ISBN 978-1-64078-022-4
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Shahreena Shahrani. (2018). Truth of the Seeker, p. 6. Paizo Inc.
- ↑ Shahreena Shahrani. (2018). Truth of the Seeker, p. 7. Paizo Inc.
- ↑ Shahreena Shahrani. (2018). Truth of the Seeker, p. 8. Paizo Inc.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Logan Bonner et al. (2017). Starfinder Roleplaying Game Core Rulebook, p. 47. Paizo Inc. ISBN 978-1-60125-956-1
- ↑ Logan Bonner et al. (2017). Starfinder Roleplaying Game Core Rulebook, p. 427. Paizo Inc. ISBN 978-1-60125-956-1
