Spliced - Background Info

[flighty_dreams]

I was thinking about how I mention all these different planets in Spliced, and how that might get confusing for readers. So the other day I decided to start writing this info down, both for my own use and for clarification for any readers who care. I'd consider this a glossary as well, depending on what I'm adding in here. Yeah, I'll be expanding this as I come up with more stuff to add.

And I'm still working on Chapter 6, don't worry! Just needed a break from the uhh... excitement. *grin*

The Allied Planets Galaxy:

The AP:  Loose conglomeration of 15 planets located within the same galaxy at varying distances from one another. Rather than an Empire, the idea is more like the EU, where the planets each have their own autonomy, and there are different levels of membership or involvement. They share a currency and economic ties as well.

Monlea: Moderate planet, some areas are more open-minded about slaves than others. Simmon Hollis is from one of the more abolitionist-leaning area, but moved to Alister to study law. Most Monleans believe in the Lady, the caretaker of their world.

Karta: Extremely isolationist planet. It is part of the AP and follows their rules, but most of its people do not venture off their planet. Kartans are very inward looking people, concerned only with what is good for them and their planet. Their society is stratified, and believes firmly in everyone having their place. Kartans believe sinners will burn in hell, becoming ashes.

Tyrra: Another moderate planet, whose views differ depending on area. Most of the population is distributed between two large continents, one in the north and one in the south. Listern is a major city in the north, near the area where Acto Trinaval is from. Kate Norrian and her family are from the southern continent. Tyrrans speak of the Flame, as in the Flame that created life in the universe.

Pyrun:  Biggest trade planet in the AP. Supports slavery heavily, as the slave trade is one of its biggest industries. Tolerant of religious beliefs, as it has regular dealing with people from all over the AP.

Festun: Being a fully abolitionist planet prevents it from having full membership in the AP, but it does have strong economic ties with the other planets through its cursory membership. Slavery is completely outlawed there, making it a popular destination for fugitives because of its more liberal policies. A few countries allow slave owners to retrieve their slaves if found there, but most do not. It is also the most recently settled planet, its history only going back 80 years. It welcomes all beliefs.

Calnith: Another big trade planet, and Cera Trinaval's homeworld. Slavery is well-integrated and widespread there.

Tamrik: A resort planet, luxurious and expensive.

Mikodra: The central government of the AP is located here, and the representatives from the other planets meet here. The HQ of APLE (AP Law Enforcement) and the AP military forces are also based out of this planet, making it well policed.

Tercotta: Originally a refuge for vagabonds, smugglers and criminals, it has become more respectable in the past century, gaining admission into the AP over 50 years earlier (AP Year 251).

Fontera: Hub for artistic expression. Most vid movies and shows are produced here.

The AP has 4 other planets, but they haven't been mentioned in the story yet. (*cough* I haven't thought them out yet.)

Non-AP Planets:

Kuo: Another isolationist planet, even more extreme than Karta in that respect. It's located in the same galaxy but firmly not part of the AP. The AP has no communication or trade with them.

Earth: Colonists made a decade-long voyage from Earth in order to reach the uninhabited AP galaxy several hundred years earlier. They first settled on Mikodra, and gradually spread to the other planets as their population grew. Originally communications were maintained between the colonists and Earth, but gradually these dwindled as the AP settlers recognized themselves as independent from the far too distant Earth.

AP Policies:

Time: Since calendar years differ depending on the planet, and days may be longer or shorter, all planets use a dual system. Upon first settling on Mikodra, the colonists used Earth time, and they coupled that with time as it functioned on their new planet. But as settlers branched out to different planets, they kept the old-Earth measurements as the standard, with the individual time measurements for each planet functioning as a secondary system.

Slavery: Legal throughout the AP and fully supported by the government. It's the backbone of the mining colonies that help create the fuel used by all ships to supplement their solar powered cells. (And allows faster space travel.)

Freed Clones: Within the AP, even if clones are freed they are still often given second-class treatment. They are not allowed citizenship or the right to vote, and are treated differently by law enforcement and courts, often being given harsher punishments.