Temperate Zone

A little piece of paradise

Demographics

Many Verthani remain, but are being driven out to the various Outlaw Kingdoms as other, bigger corporations bring their multi-planet clout against the natives. Those that enter this exile are often forced to turn to crime, bringing the curious benefit of a high socioeconomic status within the Temperate Zone - but a dismal, threatening society outside of its influence.

Government

Government legislation ensures that no gigarich magnate can purchase land simply for a house - all buildings in the Temperate Zone must support a certain number of citizenry, whether through renting several floors to a cybernetics production yard or hosting a soup kitchen that encompasses the entire ground floor.

Defences

The Temperate Zone is protected by a layered pattern of thick walls, forcing both everyday traders and would-be attackers into choke points. While this rarely, if ever, causes problems for day-to-day life it is a significant obstacle in a combat situation - and that is not even taking into account the various guard towers armed with detection magic and the best technology credits can buy.

Infrastructure

The Temperate Zone is filled with a variety of structures specifically constructed for sustainable height above all. Real estate prices are at stupendous prices and those who own the skyscrapers themselves are often powerful people with status and income far above the commoners they rent the building out to.

The Rails

Sometime during the Gap, the Ring of Nations commissioned a public transport system, cannibalising old rail systems into a standardised monorail and building new rails and stations as needed. This construction project took many years and was almost shut down several times, but all prejudice against the project was forgotten the moment the Gap ended. While other planets floundered in uncertainty the people of the Temperate Zone united under this one common venture: get the Rails working.

Today, the Rails stand as both a symbol of Vercite unity and as a more practical transportation utilised by rich and poor folk alike. Factories export their wares along its gleaming metal rail, and children catch carriages to school alongside senior executives.
The Rails also carry with them a peculiar respect for peace - no native of Verces will ever cause trouble aboard a carriage. Arguments will be paused silently while the carriages glide to their destination, only to be resumed with their full fury the second feet are off the sacred ground. A popular urban legend that has recently appeared is that an outlaw would step onto a carriage with a bounty hunter inches behind, only for both to sit on a seat together and wait for their destination before resuming their life-and-death pursuit. Whatever the truth, the unspoken law on Verces is: respect the Rails.

Geography

Due to the planet's unusual rotation and their location upon it, the entire metropolis is locked in an eternal evening, the whole way around the globe. Streaks of colour in a constant, yet slowly changing, sunset have lead to many romantic evenings, and businesses catering to dreamy getaways for newlyweds can be found scattered throughout the Zone.

Alternative Name(s)

Known as the Goodlands by the Outlaw Kingdoms

Type

Metropolis

Location under

Verces

Included Locations

• Nabokon
• Skydock

Owning Organization

Ring of Nations

Related Materials

• Qezun