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kybele [2019/05/07 12:34]
gm_tilda
kybele [2019/06/11 17:28] (current)
gm_tilda
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   * Formerly the cultural powerhouse among [[:​the_seven_systems|the Seven Systems]]   * Formerly the cultural powerhouse among [[:​the_seven_systems|the Seven Systems]]
   * Population centres at poles of planet in the form of massive cities, hotbeds of intrigue and hedonism   * Population centres at poles of planet in the form of massive cities, hotbeds of intrigue and hedonism
-  * Kybele avoided the War for a whilebefore becoming embroiled. They are now effectively the only state holding out against Eunomia and Kedalion.  +  * Kybele ​broadly ​avoided the War, accepting some refugees from other planets but not directly involving itself in conflict
-  * Now motley collection ​of warring micro-states ​whose inhabitants live amongst blasted skyscrapers+  * However, while they may have avoided interplanetary conflict, Kybele is in constant state of internal conflict between various ​warring micro-states.
  
 =====A history of Kybele===== =====A history of Kybele=====
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 {{ :​futuristic-skyscrapers-338521.jpg?​400|}} {{ :​futuristic-skyscrapers-338521.jpg?​400|}}
  
-If you made movies, music or games, the capitals of Kybele were where you wanted to be. Crystalline skyscrapers,​ jutting out of the streets, housed millions of office workers every day in the megametropolises at the planet'​s poles. Though the slums, the suburbs and acres of crop fields technically outdid these cities in size, in the memory of the Seven Systems the culture would always loom the largest. The entire planet was devastated by the loss of the [[the ananke conference|GSS Ananke]], boarded as it had been by the most important musical talents across the planet. Three groups of singers and their handlers left, to perform in a highly competitive showcase; none would come back, and the agencies that managed them would never be the same again. The last known communication of the musicians would later be recovered: a cryptic joint interview, released online, in which an interviewer stated that he was a traveller from the future and that their careers "took unexpected turns"​. Several websites trying to decode possible hidden messages in this video have since sprung up.+If you made movies, music or games, the capitals of Kybele were where you wanted to be. Crystalline skyscrapers,​ jutting out of the streets, housed millions of office workers every day in the megametropolises at the planet'​s poles. Though the slums, the suburbs and acres of crop fields technically outdid these cities in size, in the memory of the Seven Systems the culture would always loom the largest.
  
 Besides media and celebrity, the other thing Kybelians valued most was money. The planet was a plutocracy; those who accrued money accrued power. For this reason, displays of conspicuous consumption were not only frequent amongst the political class, but an active means by which power would be consolidated and defended. There was, for this reason, a ritualised culture of gift-giving and patronage between citizens; it is hypothesised by contemporary sociologists and historians that this is part of the reason the family structure became so solidified later in the planet'​s life. Feasts and balls were commonplace occurrences,​ especially among the ruling and upper-middle classes, and these would be elaborate and colourful affairs. Nevertheless,​ there would always be the unspoken assumption at these ostentatious social gatherings that they were affairs of business and politics. Mysterious deaths at and immediately after these gatherings were very frequent. Besides media and celebrity, the other thing Kybelians valued most was money. The planet was a plutocracy; those who accrued money accrued power. For this reason, displays of conspicuous consumption were not only frequent amongst the political class, but an active means by which power would be consolidated and defended. There was, for this reason, a ritualised culture of gift-giving and patronage between citizens; it is hypothesised by contemporary sociologists and historians that this is part of the reason the family structure became so solidified later in the planet'​s life. Feasts and balls were commonplace occurrences,​ especially among the ruling and upper-middle classes, and these would be elaborate and colourful affairs. Nevertheless,​ there would always be the unspoken assumption at these ostentatious social gatherings that they were affairs of business and politics. Mysterious deaths at and immediately after these gatherings were very frequent.
  
-While generally a relatively peaceful and isolationist planetKybele and [[Eunomia]] have always been hostile. Shortly after the formation of [[the Galactic Syndicate ​of Planets]] ​the two ended up at warThis conflict was echoed in the later [[the_war|war]] ​which followed ​the Ananke explosion. While Eunomia originally avoided attacked Kybelethe planet’s refusal to cooperate ​with Eunomia’s quest to destroy Selasi scientific progress was the excuse Eunomia needed to invade Kybele. They bombarded all major settlementsripping apart Kybele’s fragile ecosystemHowever, the Kybele people proved a more fierce opponent than expected and continues ​to hold out against Eunomia’s. Howevera recent threat of total obliteration may change this within ​the next month+Over the past twenty yearssome of the tensions that were seething under the surface ​of Kybele have risen to the surfaceTurf wars between ​the micro-states ​which formed Kybele civilisation because more and more common as the War progressed and ended, with the House of StoneRed Moon and Blue Carnation emerging as dominant factionsOf the three, the Blue Carnation appears ​to be nudging into the leadits involvement in the Achelian situation having paid dividends in terms of cultural capital and military support
  
-There is also known to have been a short period towards the start of Kybele’s involvement in the War, in which anyone with the surname '​Stone'​ was detained (and presumably executed) by the government. Already, however, the Kybele government is known to have been splintering and decomposing into the factional groups which would characterise the year after the war ended. Nobody knows, therefore, quite what the purpose of this action might have been. 
  
 =====Kybele now===== =====Kybele now=====
  
-The climate was, of courseruined; it's difficult to get anything to grow in Kybele now, and what preserved food was left was looted long agoTo that endit's not uncommon to see glass trapdoors, shoved haphazardly into pavements, covering underground greenhouses. There is network of tunnelsmiles long, underneath ​the biggest city on the planet - some old hypersubway ​systems, others just capillaries built on top - and this is often where urban-born Kybelian children will grow up, and Kybelian farmers grow their crops. Above ground, skyscrapers (glitter now lost) have been fashioned into collective homes, their girders twisted into high bridges. Survivors ​and their families live in clusters around the planet; often a single dwelling-place will start deep underground and climb all the way up the still-usable half of an old apartment building.+While the last few years of conflict have worn some of the populace downthey haven't removed the glitter from the skyscrapersWhile everything may be a little worn down, a little less efficient and a little less shiny, the hypersubway ​still runs and the people still gorge their minds on bright ​and shiny entertainment.
  
-By far the most land on Kybele ​is owned by the group known as the **Blue Carnation**, ​though various pockets ​are taken by other, ​much smaller groups ​who squabble amongst themselves. All these groups are not necessarily the same: some are biological and adoptive families, others military outfits led by a pretender warlord, others still new religious groups or even artistic collectives. ​Towards the end of the War, there was a surge in inter-factional conflictwhich only added to the existing death toll and is credited with leading to Kybele’s loss of ground against Eunomia. The Blue Carnation rose to prominence thanks to remarkable efficiency and, by the end, sheer volume of resources. Other micro-states exist in loose coalition against Eunomiagenerally paying tribute to the Blue Carnation, but intra-planetary conflict is currently on of the biggest hindrances ​to the Kybele war effort, and there is a concern that even if they intend to submit to Eunomias demands, the squabbling factions will not be able to gather the organisation capacity to do so as a group.+The two most prominent micro-states in Kybele ​are the **Blue Carnation**, ​a focused and driven militaristic outfit, and the **House of Stone**, a very old and very close family living in secrecy and decadence. These two groups take up the majority of the land on Kybele, and are constantly at loggerheads with each other. For this reasontheir territories - especially those near the borders - are very unstable. After these two, the largest faction is the **Red Moon**, an order of monk-like people ​who live, and work to preserve old Kybele culture, in giant libraries. Other micro-states exist too, taking up little pockets not considered strategically significant. All these groups are not necessarily the same: some are biological and adoptive families, others military outfits led by a pretender warlord, others still new religious groups or even artistic collectives. ​A micro-state may be as small as a single tower blockor as large as thousands ​of square miles. 
 + 
 +The Tungsten Roses have significant presence on Kybeleworking with the Blue Carnation. They are noted for their artistic approach ​to military matterswith many former stone strongholds planted with flowers ​and graffitied with artistic slogans such as ‘SHATTERED STONE’ and ‘ROSE THROUGH THE ROCK.
  
 =====The people of Kybele===== =====The people of Kybele=====
-For most of those who lived before [[the ananke conference|the Ananke disaster]]there is strong feeling of nostalgia towards ​the era of lustrous skyscrapers ​and unbelievable celebrity. Vintage ​movies and music are frequently hoarded and watched with reverence among the survivors. That said, there is also a significant undercurrent of skepticism and resentment, ​particularly ​from the planet'​s younger population. Was it not that extreme ​focus on money and power, ​they arguethat created the Kybele of today - a planet wracked by near-constant turf wars and power grabs, fighting a war of attrition? There is a decently large subculture of people who believe in accepting and understanding that Kybele is changed ​for good, and creating ​mode of art entirely different ​to the old culture and beliefs.+ 
 +Kybele has changed over the past few yearswith contemporary media taking on slightly grittier tone. Many people prefer ​the old fashioned ways, and vintage ​movies and music remain incredibly popular. That said thoughmany people - particularly ​those who have associated themselves with the anarchical Tungsten Roses - think that Kybele has changed, and not for the worse. They resent the focus on money and power, ​and argue that it is time for a more organic media to flourish.
  
 {{:​cyprus_ayia_napa_flags_monastery_medieval_architecture_stone_built_window-792821.jpg?​300 |}} {{:​cyprus_ayia_napa_flags_monastery_medieval_architecture_stone_built_window-792821.jpg?​300 |}}
  
-Devotion to the state of which you are a part is also deeply important to almost all Kybele citizens. ​For most, this will mean wearing blue and revering your local Carnation mayor. For others ​those who choose to live on the fringesin chosen familiesartistic collectives ​or even religious movements - clan life is just as importantThey will tend to cluster in less strategically important ​pockets of land, living on single compounds ​(perhaps converted farmhouses or burnt-out mansions).+Devotion to the state of which you are a part is also deeply important to almost all Kybele citizens. ​Many micro-states have their own coloursor a uniform, or some other insigniaBecause of this, expatriates originally from other planets ​tend to cluster in their own small pockets of land. In generalmovement through the territories is tolerated - though rival groups may take (sometimes violentoffence at members passing through each other'​s turf. Tiny wars over territory are still relatively frequent  
  
  
kybele.1557232463.txt.gz · Last modified: 2019/05/07 12:34 by gm_tilda