Location Bio Competition [CLOSED]

Hi.

Great to see this one back, as I said in the other thread I'm a huge fan of these sorts of things and I love the idea of contributing writing to the game.

Just one thing though, would it be possible to briefly describe the images of the planet? I don't mean anything big, just a couple of words such as "icy landscape" "rocky with purple sky" or "jungle" so that myself and other vi players could write a convincing description, since obviously it would be a little silly if I wrote a description saying how a terraforming program had gone wrong leaving the planet a waterless desert if the picture showed a rolling ocean.

of course I could always wait for someone else's attempt and then use that information in whatever I was writing myself, but A, that feels a little too much like cribbing off someone else, and B, obviously I don't know what information the other entry is basing just on the picture.

This wasn't an issue for the previous competition featuring a starbase, since a space station is pretty much the same environmentally speaking and it's just the history that will be different, but in the case of planets there is the distinct possibility of getting it wrong.

Sorry to be a pain about this, but this sort of competition is right up my alley, and I love the idea of contributing writing to the game so would very much appreciate the chance to participate, ---- as I'm sure would Sid, JAmes T kirk, Rosco, Holliday, and all our other Vi players as well.

Located in the northern sector of Furnace on a popular trading route, between the metropolises of Aurelia to the west and the systems in the eastern spirals of Furnace.

ARK-14, one of a string of 'ARK' stations scattered across Furnace. Maintaining the high ARK safety standards while encompassing the individuality and warm welcome that tourists enjoy.

Hosting many galaxy class restaurants with clear views of the infamous Zergian pirate stronghold. A must see for any discerning galactic tourist.

Thanks Bebeb, that's great.

here's my entry:

Nobody is exactly sure who founded the religion now known as Noah's rising, though it's said some of the basic beliefs go back millennia to the dawn of human civilization.

However it started, in the dark, chaotic days after the Core closed its borders, the spread of the faith was exponential across the Furnace galaxy, and the Arc stations now stand as a monument to its popularity.

The basic tenet of Noah's rising is that history is a series of disasters, one after another, and that the duty of humanity is to preserve a small amount of life and order throughout each disaster, and each person can show his or her closeness to divinity by the life he or she preserves.

On a small scale this means much time spent gardening and caring for animals. As however the faith grew in popularity, so did the possibilities to achieve its goal of preserving life.
The arc stations are a vast statement of that goal, each able to preserve a population of humans and animals in a self sustaining environment against all planetary or even solar disaster. Indeed, some more radical Nohanites claim that the Arc stations will survive the end of the universe itself.

Be that as it may, it is certainly true that the Arc stations are well constructed and maintained, and always ready to welcome visitors, with a well stocked promenade and docking facility. Though the gardens of Arc stations are held to be some of the most beautiful and well kept off planet, few visitors stay long to enjoy them, probably due to the constant chanting and ringing of bells. Sceptics also claim this is why so many arc stations can exist free of molestation in pirate controlled territory, though the fact that the Arc stations have nothing especially worth stealing and also extend the same welcome to privateer captains as anyone else is probably closer to the truth.

Arc-14 is a very typical arc station in every respect, though given its place in pirate territory you can expect some less than savoury characters to be prowling some of the public corridors. Fortunately, though the Nohanites are welcoming to all and tend to smile far too much, they are very efficient at ejecting anyone who disturbs the peace of their arcs, ---- often out of the nearest airlock, meaning that they're some of the safest places in pirate controlled systems, and often serve as a haven to more law abiding captains.

When the Furnace was first opened to explorers many centuries ago, so also came the many religious ambassadors to spread the word of their chosen deities to the new denizens. The Church Of Coops was no exception and it is highly unusual not to run across one of their great ARK space churches during one's travels throughout this region of space. While many atheists scoff at the idea that an all-powerful being named Coops created this universe and everything in it, ARK space-churches are a testament to the will and faith of those who devoutly follow, and ARK-14 is no exception - with its winding spires and stained plasteel panels depicting images from the religion's holy book.

Although these behemoth stations are primarily used for worship, many commercial stores can be found throughout an ARK's main promenade; their taxes used to fund the maintenance and upkeep of each ARK.

W.W.C.D?

ARK-14, due to its location along the Ungoliant-Felis route into the "northeast" quarter of Furnace, is a lively stopover point. Because of this, ARK-14 has a high proportion of mercenaries, pirates, scammers, and vagabonds. One would think that this place would have an extrememly high crime rate, but the ARK authorites take a dim view of violence. In fact, the last violent crime to take place here were more than two decades ago; Valtred Hornstar murdered a family of seven after abusing the mother and three daughters. His punishment was, according to the denizens, a rather exemplary one. Those who were present at his execution still shudder to speak of it, but suffice to say that even the usually brutal agents of the Con-Fed took notice, and found it to be too much even for them to see through to the end.

Lesson taught: Come to ARK-14 and act like you were taught some sense and morals, or don't come, if you wish to keep your body parts and organs in their proper places.

When the Furnace Galaxy was first discovered, long before its presence was common knowledge to the public, it was realized that the galaxy had a higher than average pirate population, which had been terrorizing the native inhabitants for generations. As the military powers of the Sphere Galaxy were busy keeping each other in check, it was proposed to send a less confrontational mission to try and pacify the galaxy in preparation for the eventual opening of trade routes to the general public.

The strongest proposal was made by a mysterious organization known only as "The Salvation", who offered to supply a large number of (apparently already constructed) ARKs, which would be distributed throughout the galaxy, offering safe haven to any captains seeking supplies. Their secondary purpose would be to try to convert pirates to the so-called "Universal Truth".

ARK-14 was the fourteenth constructed ARK, and remains one of several still operational ARKs after the initial rounds of pirate raids. It was sent not far into the Furnace Galaxy, to the Zelfry system, as one of the initial waves sent to establish a foothold in the galaxy. Later ARKs were sent further into the galaxy in directions that met with the largest amount of success. While not in the most exceptional region of the galaxy, ARK-14 has proven to be one of the most successful. Some believe this to be in part due to its proximity to the planet Sanctum, which explorers have reported to possess miraculous healing vapors lying like low clouds over the surface of the planet.

The inhabitants of ARK-14 see their current purpose to be the conversion of the pirates of the nearby frigate, Rage Nest, in the neighboring Zergian system. If full conversion is not possible, they will be content with the isolation of the system. Of course, the Zergian pirates have their own agenda, and have been established far longer than the upstart ARKs, so conflict within the region may continue for some time. Visiting captains should always be prepared for possible pirate raids, both while on the ARK and while in the shipping lanes throughout the system.

During the early days of the Exile, massive numbers of people were caught on the systems nearest the Gates, living in lumbering tent cities. An engineering firm designed the first Astral Relocation Craft to move larger numbers of people than the few ships available could possibly manage, to move population masses to the outer, barely explored systems in neighboring galaxies. The designs included huge vaulted spaces to carry arboreal specimens that would need overhead for the long, slow journeys across inter-galactic space, as well as to reduce the claustraphobia of multi-year space travels. Due to the ability to handle numbers of specimens, and the need to bring as much along as a population could muster, (both to sooth the travel-weary psyches, as well as to transform and inhabit barely probed planets) the original acronym ARC was changed by common exile slang to A-R-K, as the Great ARKs soon became known.

ARK-14 was financed by the wealthy consumer gadget designer and known recluse Pyrim Brine, and his brother Stevyn Brine, the retired All-Star Zero-G Baseball League star. The Great ARK was actually the sixth one finished, but they bribed officials at ARK Central for the ARK-14 designation as that was Stevyn's player number. The ARK mission was to reach Zelfry, a system that showed quantities of both basic and rare resources on preliminary probe scans, and establish a working production-based planet. Due to Stevyn's fame, the ARK berths were packed quickly with exiled fans wanting to rub elbows on the "cruise."

By the time ARK-14 arrived in Zelfry, many of the now-expanding population were suffering from the ARK Fever Syndrome that was prevalent at the time, and chose to head straight to the surface of the mineral-rich planet Arizona. Pyrim, ever-reclusive, stayed on the ARK with a following of engineers and folks less thrilled with the somewhat barren surface of Arizona. Over the ensuing years, much of the space on the Great ARK was re-purposed into work areas and design labs that produced many of the goods needed by the planet's new and ever-growing population. It is rumored that the great-grand father of the Mero Brothers was born on ARK-14. However, no documentary evidence exists, pro or con, due to generally poor record-keeping by the creative geniuses who inhabited the ARK. In any case, ARK-14 was one of the earliest known locations for a Mero Brothers franchise. ARK-14 continues to this day, in the footsteps of Pyrim Brine, to be a center for various technology innovations that find their way into the daily lives of exiles throughout the Furnace.

It should be mentioned that the Ark-14 Salts have won the quadrant Zero-G Baseball Championship a record 37 times. They have made the Galactic League finals 14 times, winning 9 championships there. No other Great ARK has accomplished such an outstanding record

ARK-14 orbits its host star at 37.4 degrees above the stellar equator; perpendicular to a region of abnormally high stellar activity. As such, the station is routinely struck by immense bursts of charged particles. These interact with the station's EM-shielded windows where the uneven distribution of charged particles cause sections of the windows to vibrate and glow. The differing vibrations running through the structure create a dissonant hum that listeners have described as "a chorus of children singing out of tune." The glowing often manifests in ribbon-like shapes playing out all across the outer surface of the station in patterns reminiscent of terrestrial aurorae.

This spectacular natural light and sound show has made ARK-14 a popular tourist destination in the sector. While some have raised concerns over possible health risks of being present during the spectacle, the ARK-14 tourist board is adamant that there is no danger from radiation or any other source. Over forty studies have been conducted by various independent research firms on possible harmful effects of the phenomenon, yet only seven of them have ever published their results. None of these seven reports detailed any reason for concern.

Numerous injunctions have been filed to have the remaining studies released to the public, yet thus far none have surfaced.

Ark-14?
Placed in the route between Aurelia and b, it is a busy port of call. Beeing theonly manmade structure in the system makes it a important reloading point.
The most spectaculare with Ark-14 is that it is one of very few Arks that is more or less in original layout. The big docking bay with its air lock is still in use. Up to 10 ships might use it at one time, wich in itself is well worth a visit to see.
As of the origin of the Arks not much is known. We leve it to the so called "Arkeology" department at the Akar institute to give information about that.