v. 1.0
By Foxfire
Facts at a glance:
Population: 2,538,000,000 (approx.)
Human: 41%
Demihuman: 20%
Canids: 15%
Felinoids: 12%
Other: 12%
Per capita Income: 18,250 cr (conversion rate: 1 cr = $2.25 US)
Below Poverty Level: 8%
Education:
High School Equivalency: 45%
College Equivalency: 35%
Advanced Studies Certificates: 10%
Demographics:
Altered's population is an eclectic mixture of ethnicities and species. It is an immigrant planet; the 'native' population of Celestine's Children having only been living there approximately 2,500 years before it was colonized by Zeus' followers. Humans are the majority in comparison to any other individual race, but are outnumbered by a significant margin when the other races are combined. Because there are so many different sentient species living on the planet, for census purposes many of them are counted under general categories. For example, werewolves, wolfen, and kitsune would all be counted as Canids, and elves, dwarves, fairies, trolls, and Amberites would all be counted as Demihuman. Those sentients of an exotic nature, such as silicoids, androids, and sentient plants are considered Other.
Altered is a mostly standard class "M" planet, the second of seven planets in a system tucked away in a quiet corner of the galaxy. From the star Ellis outward, the planets are: Azure, Altered, Umber, Vermilion, Viridian, Sage, and Celadon. It orbits the sun at a distance of roughly 93 million miles and it takes 367 days to complete one orbit. It has one moon, called Kari or simply 'the moon', which orbits around Altered in a counterclockwise direction. For this reason, the moon's phases are reversed in comparison to the Earth's moon, and it stays in the sky longer. It takes 28 days for a complete dance of the moon.
The planet itself is climatically similar to Earth, with approx. 71% of its surface area covered with water, five distinct climates and many more sub-climates. The land is broken up into five continents and a host of island chains. The five continents are named Nostawn, Relkawn, Wendras, Sardew, and Nivek, after the five ships that brought Celestine's Children to the planet. Altered is also somewhat geologically active, though almost all of the volcanoes are of the shield variety (meaning that they spew lots of thick slow lava and little ash - much like Earth's volcanoes on Hawaii).
The most unusual thing about Altered is that life on the world has existed for a relatively short time -- about 7,000 years. As far as scientists have been able to determine, before that time, it was a 'dead' world, a rock orbiting a star. How and why Altered became the rich world it is today is a mystery. Theologists use this as a major argument for divine intervention, but others maintain it is a product of terraforming by an unknown race that has since moved on to another part of the galaxy. At any rate, since life has existed for such a short time, Altered has no fossil fuels to speak of. This has led to tapping other sources of power, including geothermal energy, wind and solar power, and the use of plant oils and extracts for motor fuels (see Economy). Otherwise, Altered is rich in metals and mineral resources, including iron, copper, tin, aluminum, and silicon.
According to the most ancient texts kept in the Order of the Rose monastery, the followers of the goddess Celestine (hereafter called the Celestians) were the first settlers of the planet. Upon their arrival in 2A4410 (some 3,900 years before the Fourth Age), they named the world Dal'Cia, meaning "Place of Changes". They had come here to abandon their space-faring ways and revert to a pre-industrial way of life. Over the centuries, the Celestians learned how to harvest and channel the planet's abundant "mana" energy, using that in place of more conventional, polluting energy sources. Magic became in integral part of their civilization, and the technological knowledge of their ancestors was quietly forgotten.
In the spring of 3A3071 (About 100 years before the Fourth Age), a tremor rumbled through Dal'Cia, both through the mortal and astral planes. A great storm, the likes of which had never been seen, erupted across the valley east of the Kaniksa mountain range. For a brief moment, time and space parted, and a rift between dimensions opened. When the storm abated, it left in its wake ten million weary people, refugees representing hundreds of races from another world. They were followers of the god Zeus, and they had used the last of their magics and science to escape their corrupted, dying planet.
The Celestians, understandably fearful of these unexpected immigrants, chose to hide while they decided a course of action. They used their magic to conceal their towns and farms, allowing the Zeusians to believe that they had no neighbors, and to spy on them to discover their intentions. They soon learned that, although many of Zeus' people practiced the forbidden sciences, they were hardly an army. The people of Zeus had no interest in conquest, only in survival.
When it became apparent that the Zeusians meant no harm (and in fact were in need of aid), the Celestians allowed themselves to be found. Monks from the Order of the Rose met with Lord Alex and Lady Foxfire of the Zeusians to parley. The resulting accords granted the Zeusians formal permission to settle on Dal'Cia and promoted peaceful coexistence between them and the Celestians. At that time, a "separate but equal" philosophy was adopted by most, as the two cultures were so radically different that neither side wanted to reconcile them right away.
As the years passed, the Celestians and Zeusians learned how to share the planet, and the mutual exchange of ideas and cultures benefited both sides. The Zeusians settled mostly in the valley on which they first appeared, naming the area Arcadia and its principal city Arcadia Springs. The Celestians impressed upon the settlers the need for preserving the environment, but otherwise allowed them to rebuild their civilization as they would. During this time of transition, the Wizards acted as arbiters and mediators between the two peoples, keeping the peace and preventing any disputes from becoming wars of more than words.
Also during this time, it became evident that the mass migration of the Zeusians had another lasting effect on the planet. The fabric of time-space around the system became warped, the weave growing loose enough to allow people from other dimensions to easily slip through. Unfortunately for the accidental travelers, this journey was usually only one way. Those trapped on Dal'cia were accepted and assimilated into the social order, much like the Zeusians had been. Though the stream of accidental immigrants never became a torrent, it was steady enough that special centers were set up in the larger communities to help them adapt to society.
In the year 3A3173, the two peoples of Dal'cia decided to institute a new government, effectively combining the two separate political systems into one. Over the course of the next two years, a new constitution was written to set up the legislative, executive, and judicial bodies known today (see Government). A new currency and non-denominational calendar were also adopted. The Harmony Charter, as it came to be called, was signed and ratified in the spring of 3A3176, and went into effect at the end of that year. The new calendar began, thus starting the Fourth Age.
The next few centuries saw the continued integration and expansion of the Celestian and Zeusian peoples. The Many Zeusians migrated out of the valley, joining communities on the other continents. Though the population grew, careful planning kept Dal'Cia from experiencing the same "baby booms" often seen on other worlds. Celestian influence kept the growing Republics from expanding too far or too fast at one time, and also ensured that the natural world did not suffer at the hands of civilization. Technological development was slow in comparison to other worlds, as production methods had to be environmentally sound. As a result, the so-called Industrial Revolution was drawn out over centuries, not a few short decades. In contrast, the development of magic was strongly encouraged, and advances in magical theory and application came at a rapid pace. The social sciences were also developed, and society saw a renaissance of philosophy and art, particularly in the latter half of the first millennium.
Though Dal'Cian civilization was hardly a utopia, there was a distinctive lack of armed conflict. Most disputes between Republics were settled through negotiation, and those that spilled into violence were rarely drawn-out affairs. War was generally perceived as a waste of resources in comparison to what could be gained. While the study of martial arts continued, it was encouraged only as a form of mental and physical discipline.
In the autumn of 4A1160, everything would change. It began with the alliance of the alien warbot CSM-225 with the dragon-spirit Ahren. Together they constructed an army and set about conquering Altered. This conflict has come to be known as the Robot War. The Wizards who still lived returned as promised and fought alongside their people in defense of their world. After nearly two years of savage war, CSM-225 and Ahren were defeated, but at a heavy cost. Every major city on Altered was reduced to rubble, and over a billion people lost their lives.
In the years that followed, the people of Altered struggled to rebuild their world and their lives. Other outside groups attempted to take advantage of the planet's weakened state, most notably the Eden Consortium and the android warlord named Forte. Neither was successful in their conquest, but they further instilled anti-technological sentiment in a large section of Altered's population.
The common language of Altered is an amalgamation of several languages, drawing heavily from the Greek dialect once spoken by the Zeusians and the original Celestian tongue, with a smattering of words from the host of languages spoken by transplanted immigrants. The written language uses a character set similar to the Greek alphabet used on Earth, and is written from left to right from the top to the bottom of the page.
Several other languages are spoken on Altered, including English, Elvish, and Japanese. Ancient Celestian and Old Zeusian (ancient Greek) are considered 'dead' languages but are commonly taught in schools for historical reasons. It is not uncommon for the average Altered citizen to be bilingual.
The current calendar system was officially adopted the year after the signing of the Harmony Charter. It is a non-denominational calendar in which the months are named after natural gemstones and the days of the week named after the directions and celestial bodies.
| Month # | Julian Calendar | Altered Calendar | Days per month |
| 1 | January | Garnet | 30 days |
| 2 | February | Amythyst | 30 days |
| 3 | March | Jade | 30 days |
| 4 | April | Diamond | 30 days |
| 5 | May | Emerald | 30 days |
| 6 | June | Pearl | 30 days |
| 7 | July | Ruby | 30 days |
| 8 | August | Peridot | 30 days |
| 9 | September | Sapphire | 30 days |
| 10 | October | Opal | 30 days |
| 11 | November | Topaz | 30 days |
| 12 | December | Onyx | 30 days |
| 13 | ------- | Solinde | 7 days * |
* Solinde is the New Year celebration. It lasts for 7 days. with the new year beginning on the fourth day.
| Day # | Julian Calendar | Altered Calendar |
| 1 | Sunday | Sunday |
| 2 | Monday | Moonday |
| 3 | Tuesday | Eastday |
| 4 | Wednesday | Westday |
| 5 | Thursday | Northday |
| 6 | Friday | Southday |
| 7 | Saturday | Starday |
Dates are written in the following format: day, date, month, age, year. Ex: Eastday, 1 Garnet 4A1165.
Readily available technology extends to the equivalent of early 21st century (Tech level 8 for those familiar with GURPS). The Celestian dislike of advanced technology coupled with the lack of mass production facilities has prevented the relative level of technology from rising for the past several decades. Higher tech is available, but only if one has the connections and the resources. Non-imported cybernetics, spare parts for mechs, and the like are produced by a very small but thriving 'cottage industry', comprised mainly of immigrants from high-tech dimensions. Magical items are also common, some of which are as good or better then their tech counterparts. Light-spelled lamps, for instance, are in high demand. While items that can be more easily created by mass production are usually made in that fashion, magical equivalents are usually available (though these are more expensive). Items considered 'tow-tech' on other worlds are also commonly available, due to its demand among certain peoples. Blacksmiths, for example, are never hurting for work.
Magic is as prevalent as technology on Altered; while not everyone has the innate talent required for the craft, those who do have little trouble finding an instructor. Almost all areas of the planet have the mana levels required to cast most spells, the polar caps and places in the deep deserts being the notable exceptions. There are also 'pools' of higher mana, but they are only to be found on some of the most difficult and isolated places on the planet. One such spot is rumored to be somewhere in the Kaniksa mountains, but this has yet to be proven. A talented mage should have no trouble finding work, as they are in high demand in the business and manufacturing sectors. Healers are also much sought after, especially in smaller communities. Even a minor talent will be able to earn some coin.
The most unusual aspect of Altered from a magical standpoint is the instability of the fabric of space-time. Something, no one's exactly sure what, has a drawing affect towards the planet, much like a magnet. This makes it very easy to dimensional-gate to Altered, but more difficult to gate from it. It's possible to do so, but it usually takes more preparation and energy from the mage(s) than it would elsewhere in the multiverse. The same goes for more technological ways of creating dimensional gates - more energy is required to power the device.
Altered's economy runs the gamut, from agriculture-based in many regions to information-based in the larger cities. While the lack of fossil fuels (see Geography) was at first a stumbling block to a true global economy, recent advancements in fuel technologies and the prevalence of transport/teleport spells have made it possible. However, due to Altered's isolation, little interplanetary commerce takes place. There is a small interdimensional market controlled by those with the magical or technological ability to create (relatively) stable dimensional gates.
The official currency of Altered is the credit (cr). The government issues notes in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20, 25, 50, and 100 credits for public circulation, and mints coins in denominations of 5, 1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/10, and 1/20 credits. 1/100 credits were minted at one time, but have since fallen out of circulation.
While there a variety of religions practiced on Altered, the vast majority of people worship Zeus and/or Celestine. Zeus is the God of the People, and Celestine the Goddess of the Planet.
Zeusian worship for the most part is loosely organized; aside from the Wizards, there are no priests or other religious leaders of that nature. Religious services are led by a member of the congregation, which usually changes from service to service. Said services may be held anywhere, usually a member's home in the outlying regions or in a temple dedicated to Zeus and Celestine. There are no formal religious texts, but there are some common prayers and rules of conduct which have developed over the centuries. Members of this religion are expected to follow the laws of the planet, and act in ways that cause no harm to themselves or others. Becoming a member is very simple: one need only live on Altered and express the desire to have Zeus as their God. Zeus accepts all, regardless of species or origin.
In recent years, especially after the reemergence of the Wizards, there has been an upswing in the worship of Zeus. In fact, some noises have been made about formalizing aspects of the theology and the training of actual ministry/clergy. How this will develop remains to be seen.
A note about Wizards: they are considered the living avatars of Zeus, and are considered the leaders of the religion. While most of the known Wizards prefer not to be called by titles, they are often referred to as "Lord" or "Lady". They act out Zeus' will on Altered, though apparently the methods of acting out that will are left to discretion of said Wizard (i.e. they still have free will). From a legal standpoint, the Wizards have been granted limited diplomatic immunity, are permitted to ask for assistance from the government and military, and may bend and occasionally break the law if a greater good will come of it. According to the planetary constitution, "Those recognized as the Children of Zeus are free to act where and when they will, so long as these acts are in the interest of Zeus and the citizens of Altered."
Celestian worship is much more formalized than Zeusian worship. They have a clergy, members of which are called 'monks' (a misnomer, as both women and men may become monks). Members of the clergy are addressed as "Brother" or "Sister". Their holy text is entitled The Book of the Rose. Regular religious services are held in temples, with Staryday being the usual day of worship. Members of this religion are expected to follow the laws of the planetary government, to help their fellow members in times of need, to maintain the temples, and to treat the planet (Celestine's gift) with gentleness and respect. Members are also expressly forbidden to use cybernetics in any form, the use of genetic alteration, and from traveling off-world except in the most extenuating circumstances. Nonmembers who participate in such activities are not reviled so much as pitied. Contrary to popular belief, Celestine worshippers are not forbidden high technology outright, but they are encouraged to lead as simple a life as possible. Celestine tends to attract mages and farmers, those who are tied most closely to the planet's rhythms.
Currently, there is a fringe group of worshippers that believe all technology higher than Earth-medieval period should be banned outright, along with any activities that could possibly cause irreparable damage to the planet. Originally this group was peaceful, working through lobbies and rallies, but since the end of the Robot War they have become more militant in nature.
It should be noted that Zeus and Celestine are not jealous of each other, and most of Altered's people pay respects to both. Many of the temples are dedicated to both gods, and services are held jointly. Weddings and funerals especially tend to have both gods included. Generally speaking, Zeus is included in all social holidays, and Celestine in seasonal-cycle holidays.
Solinde: New Year's celebration...basically a week of feasting, parties, and fun. Stems from the observation of the Winter Solstice, which on Altered is the beginning of the new year and is the 4th day of the celebration. On this day gifts are exchanged, and resolutions are made. Engagements and beginnings of new businesses common during this time.
Verna: Held on the spring equinox, it is a celebration of the coming of spring. In places where it's warm enough for plants to be blooming, it's common to have a 'flower walk', where everyone goes outside to view the flowering plants. Those in colder climes have to content themselves with indoor-grown flowers. (Note: this holiday is reversed with Sabriel in the southern hemisphere).
Midyear: One of the more favorite holidays, it is an observation of the summer (or winter) solstice. It's also considered a prime day to get married; more couples join in the two weeks before and after the holiday than the during rest of the year. Parties are also common, as are fireworks and lavish floral displays, anything that gets people out of doors to enjoy the weather. (Note: This holiday is held at the same time, regardless of hemisphere.)
Labor day: A day in late summer where everyone celebrates work by taking the day off.
Founding day: A holiday commemorating the joining of the Zeusian and Celestian peoples into a common community. Though it's not as an important holiday as it used to be, most communities still have parades and fireworks.
Sabriel: A two day holiday, the first day (on the autumn equinox) celebrating the harvest and the second remembrance of the dead. Think combination of the US' Thanksgiving and Mexico's day of the dead. Celestine figures prominently in this holiday, as Celestine's gift to all is the planet and its bounty. An old tradition is for a family who has lost a loved one in the past year to plant a tree or other favored plant in the person's memory. (Note: this holiday is reversed with Verna in the southern hemisphere).
Altered's system of government is a global republic democracy, comprised of 467 republics, 18 territories, and 15 protectorates. Republics are Altered's answer to states or countries. Territories are areas that lack either population or interest in incorporating into a republic. Protectorates are areas set aside for environmental conservation and/or possible future settlement.
In order to take part in elections, one must be a citizen of Altered and have reached majority for one's race. The highest government in the land is the planetary government, which is made up of the Upper and Lower Houses (legislative), the High Council (executive), and the High Tribunal (Judicial). The Lower House is made up of roughly 1000 popularly elected officials, the number of seats given to any republic depending on its population. The Upper House has 500 members, one for each republic, territory, and protectorate. Representatives of the republics and territories are elected; however, those representing the protectorates are appointed by a special council and ratified by the High Tribunal. The seven members of the High Council are elected 'at large', meaning any citizen on Altered may vote for any one person running for a council seat. All officials serve 5 year terms; there is no limit to the number of terms one may serve. The High Tribunal is something of a misnomer, as there are now nine judges who sit on the bench. These judges are nominated by the High Council and ratified by the Houses. They serve for as long as they feel they can perform their duties; in the cases of the longer-lived races, they tend to serve 15-20 years before stepping down. Due to the size of Altered and its governing body, the system tends to work at a slow (some would say glacial) pace.
The republic governments follow the planetary government as a model, with governors and councils elected by the residents of those areas. The organization of the government on a local level is left to the discretion of the residents. Most of them have an elected mayor or a council of some kind, but in the cases of tiny communities a chieftain or communal system is not unheard of.
The laws of Altered are similar to that of any other civilized land, with some noteworthy exceptions.
Because of the unusual instability of Altered's dimensional fabric, and the accidental permanent visitors that result, becoming a citizen of Altered is relatively simple. Anyone who can prove that (s)he is a former resident of another dimension and has no feasible way of returning to his/her world of origin may apply for citizenship immediately. This provisional citizenship lasts for one year, and if (s)he has not committed any crimes (s)he is granted full citizenship with all of its rights and responsibilities. For those who travel to Altered and do have a way back to their homeworld may apply for provisional citizenship after one year of continual residence on the planet. There are no 'illegal aliens' on Altered, only citizens, provisional citizens, and resident aliens.
Due to the variety of races and languages to be found on Altered, signatures in and of themselves are not considered legal and binding on official contracts. In addition to signing a document, a person must also stamp his/her personal 'seal'. This seal is meant to be unique, and its imprint is kept on record in the planetary database. Because minors cannot enter legal contracts, a person is not expected to have a seal until (s)he reaches the age of majority. The design of the seal may be designed by its holder, but more likely it will be created by a professional artist.
Every citizen of Altered is issued a Citizen Identification Number (CIN) and a CIN card. The card acts as legal ID, passport, driver's license, medical record, and weapons permit. The card itself has a photo of the person, the assigned CIN, current or most recent residence, a list of the vehicle classes (s)he is permitted to operate, any weapons registered to that person, and any important medical conditions the person has (such as diabetes, heart condition, cybernetic implants, asthma, etc.) By entering the CIN into a government database, one can call up a medical history, the person's personal 'seal', and any outstanding warrants or other police records. While the credit bureaus do use CINs to track credit holders, those records must be requested from them by the creditor or the CIN holder. The military does not use CINs for their purposes, although a soldier's CIN would be on record.
Weapons may be carried in public, except in government buildings, provided one has the proper permits. Permits are relatively easy to obtain; in order to register a weapon, one must be able to demonstrate a proficiency in its use and pay a yearly fee, typically 100 cr for a dagger to 1500 for a broadsword or revolver to 20,000 for exotic weapons like cyberware or magically enhanced weapons.
Weapons of an obviously military use only, such as full machine guns, chain guns, rail guns, heavy lasers, anything meant to be mounted on a vehicle, grenades, etc. are forbidden to anyone without a special military permit, and even then the local authorities are unlikely to allow them in unless there is a very good reason for the person to have them. Concealed weapons are likewise forbidden. Vehicles of a military nature (including mecha) are generally not for sale to civilans, though trans-dimensional residents in possession of such vehicles often can reach an agreement with the government about retaining them. Using a weapon as part of a crime is a severe offense, and the crimes of murder and manslaughter can carry extremely stiff penalties.
Since the Robot War, many of the laws concerning weapons have not been as heavily enforced, and are outright ignored in the less populated areas. The world has become a much more dangerous place, and many feel that being armed is the only way to protect themselves.
Magical forensics are admissible in a court of law, and most police departments do have at least one mage-detective. Due to the laws against self-incrimination, mental probes either by psionic or magical means are not accepted as evidence, nor is playback from an android's or cyborg's memory cache. Familiars and summonable creatures (such as spirits) cannot give testimony, as they are not considered reliable witnesses.
Overall, the prison system focuses more on the rehabilitation of the criminal rather than excessive punishment. The goal of the system is make the criminal a productive member of society. Altered does not normally carry out death sentences, though the laws are still on the books. Only the most heinous of crimes (treason, whole-scale slaughter) would warrant such a punishment. Violent criminals are typically sequestered in isolated prison facilities where they repay society through hard labor. Nonviolent criminals are sent to slightly less isolated prisons where they perform skilled and semiskilled labor. Lesser crimes like petty theft and vandalism are punished by community service and restitution to the affected persons. Drug addicts are placed in detox and rehabilitation programs as part of their sentence.
Altered also has very stringent antitrust and antimonopoly laws in place, making it very difficult for corporate conglomerates and mega-merged companies to come about like they have on other worlds. Local chains, family farms, community banks and small businesses are still the norm, though large franchises are not too uncommon.
Due in part to the Celestian religion, Altered has stringent environmental protection laws. Manufacturing plants are expected to generate as little hazardous waste as possible, and they are responsible for the treatment and safe disposal of said waste (usually by breaking it down into something inert). Recycling is the norm virtually everywhere. Toxic waste dumps and strip mines are unheard of on Altered. This, coupled with the lack of fossil fuels, has resulted in cleaner air, soil, and water than one would expect to find on a world this advanced.
Altered's military consists of two divisions: The Altered Security Force (ASF) and the Altered Defense Corps (ADC). Both military forces report to the High Council.
The Altered Security Force is the larger division, and it is charged with keeping the peace on Altered. It often takes a National Guard type role, supplementing local police forces and responding to natural disasters and emergencies. They maintain a fleet of watercraft and an air force in addition to ground troops and transport.
The Altered Defense Corps was the original military force of the first Altered, founded by the Wizard Alex Summers. By the middle 4A1100's, it had become a mostly ceremonial force, charged with the protection of the government and defending the planet from outside invasion. Since there had not been any interplanetary or interdimensional threats for well over two centuries before the Robot War, they were caught woefully unprepared by Ahren and CSM-225. Since then, the ADC has redefined itself, transforming into a series of elite/special forces units. It's rumored that Lord Alex has taken personal interest in the ADC, but this has yet to be substantiated.
Relations between the two divisions is usually friendly, if a little competitive. Due to its larger size and greater resources, the ASF is usually mobilized first to respond to an emergency. In cases where a more specialized force would be best for the job, the ADC is called in.
Caldwell Republic
Arcadia Springs
This city of about five and a half million people is the largest city on Altered and the seat of the planetary government. The First Bank of Altered makes its home here, and the planetary stock market is located near the downtown area. It is also a major cultural and spiritual center; the Great Temple, the largest dedicated to Celestine and Zeus, is also found here. Located along the Dark Gem River, it is in a comfortable climate, with summertime highs in the high 80s and wintertime highs in the mid 30s. Spring and winter tend to be wet, summer and autumn still seeing some rain but not as much.
Connolly Republic
Old Town
Though it has been rebuilt several times, this city of about 20,000 beings has remained virtually unchanged since its founding in 4A15. Architects have faithfully followed the original building plans, keeping the same Earth-American Colonial facade in place. It is also home to O'Malley's on the Corner, which has become /the/ spot for Altered's elite to gather. Nestled in the foothills northeast of Arcadia Springs, the weather is cool for most of the year, though the temperatures are moderated by nearby Erce Lake. Summer temperatures rarely exceed the high 70s in summer, and hover around the low 30s in winter.
Starfire Point
Arguably one of the most spectacular views Altered has to offer, this tall cliff joins the foothills north of Old Town with the Kaniksa Mountains. According to legend, the Wizards blessed the very heart of the stone outcropping, so that it would remain unchanging for all time. Another legend points to Celestine as the source of the blessing. Either way, the area has been ensorcelled to prevent it from any lasting harm. Though blood has been shed there more than once, the rock seems to somehow heal itself. Any scarring, craters, gouges, etc. are soon erased, sometimes as quickly as overnight.
Willow Grove
This is a small farming community of about 4000 people located about 100 miles southeast of Arcadia Springs. The lands around the town are exceptionally fertile, and the apple cider produced here is considered the best in the region. It has also recently become home to a Repliforce base.
Gugin Republic
Shan in Sseth
This is the newest city on Altered, having been constructed by the H'arconin people upon their immigration to Altered in 4A1164. Though relatively isolated from the rest of the world, there has been some recent progress in adding the necessary infrastructure. Located in the tropical zone, the weather is often warm and somewhat muggy, with temperatures averaging 80 degrees year-round. Its rainy season stretches from Ruby to early Topaz. The city is also off-limits to non-H'arconin for the week of Verna.
Kauf Territory
Stonecrest Isle/Stonecrest Keep
Stonecrest Isle is not so much an island as a stone outcropping jutting out of the arctic ocean, a basalt remnant of the core of an ancient volcano. Its remote location and potential for geothermal energy made it a prime spot for Ahren's forces during the Robot War. Stonecrest was also exploited by Forte during his game to conquer Altered. It was later liberated by Zero and has now become a haven for androids and technology-oriented people. The island has recently declared its independence from the United Republics of Altered, a move that has raised tensions between the pro-technology and anti-technology factions.