Мольперсон

МОЛЬ

Мольперсон

Род: Lepidoptera Maiorem
Родной мир: The Grand Nomad Fleet
Центральная власть: The Admiralty Board
Ограничение ролей: Command Roles
Руководства: No external guides
Языки: Galactic Common, Moffic
Цитата: N/A

"Bug-Eyes. I think you got the wrong door, the outfitters is two blocks down" - Анонимные моли рассказывают о том, как они стали первыми представителями своего вида, зашедшими в ресторан, ранее предназначенный только для людей, после принятия Закона о видовом равенстве.

Mothpeople are an alien species similar to the Earth moth insect, found throughout the galaxy (including Nanotrasen Space Stations). Originally hailing from a planet that has since been lost, the Moths now reside aboard the Grand Nomad Fleet, travelling space on an eternal hunt for a new homeworld.

Описание

The Moths originally hail from a world that has since been lost, though how exactly the moths came to forget where their own planet is confuses everyone- everyone, it seems, except the moths. Apocryphal tales of the planet are passed down through generations, describing its remarkable geography- it was tidally locked, and split into two halves as a result- upon the sun-facing side grew a vast jungle, full of life, while on the dark side an arctic wasteland formed, bitter and cold year round. And from these two sides, came two different types of moth- the hardy, cold resistant frost moths, and the lighter, fun loving moss moths. The cultural and physiological differences between the two sides run deep, however they have come to reconcile their differences due to their new living arrangements, aboard the Grand Nomad Fleet.

Mothkind now mostly lives aboard the Grand Nomad Fleet, an impressive armada of thousands of ships, from tiny shuttles to hulking capital ships, kept afloat by the combined efforts of every moth living aboard the vessels. In order to keep them running, the moths trade resources harvested from regions the fleet passes by to other civilizations in exchange for crucial parts. Many moths, in support of the fleet, thereby depart from it to work within the ranks of corporations, with the intention of sending money and resources to their families back home. And this is how moths came to live and work alongside the other species of the galaxy.

The moths have had a bumpy past with humanity- following first contact, raids on human vessels by moth pirates were common, however the nature of the attacks was anything but. The moths would arrive, disable the ship, and board, taking as many salvagable parts as they could, all while doing their best to harm nobody aboard their target vessel. Particular preference was given by these fluffy raiders for particularly glowy parts, including (most notably) the ships' uranium power cores, which led to an epidemic of ships being stranded on minimal power in the outer rim for some time. As contact between the two species increased, their piratical ways gave way to trading (most of the time, anyway). In the decades since, moths have become easily the most accepted xeno species by humanity, likely due to their amicable nature and humanlike mannerisms.

As to why the moths have not settled down and founded a colony to serve as a new homeworld, many speculate. Some believe that they are just happy aboard their fleet, and see no need to settle. Others reckon that they're searching for their home planet, to reclaim their lost heritage. Others still believe that the moths are perfectionists, and will accept only a perfect substitute for home. Regardless of their true reasoning, one thing is clear- the moths are here to remain on the galactic stage, and few seem to want this to change.

Разнообразие культуры молей

Имена

"Whatever." -The first moth to be granted Terragov citizenship, Whatever, choosing their legally recognized name

Names hold significant importance within moth culture. According to folklore, names are inextricably bound to the owner, like a key to their soul that must be protected or face terrible consequences should anyone with ill intentions discover it. In more modern times, revealing one's own name has become a symbol of great personal trust. It is a matter so rarely discussed that it's not unheard of for some moths to forget their own name.

For this reason, no official name is recognized on the fleet. Every citizen is assigned an identification number that will be used for all official matters. Colloquially moths address one another in various ways such as by nickname, rank, occupation, the ship they are serving on, physical attributes or mannerisms (examples: "Stutters", "Rude Bartender", "Ship Engineer", "One-Eye Captain"). Ironically, this means moths will have not just one but several different names each depending on a specific context and you may even hear conversations between two moths talking about the same person using different names. This tends to cause confusion with outsiders, though the moths seem very well accustomed to this method, sometimes even using it with other races out of habit.

To allow identification within human society, moths are eventually required to pick their own legally recognized name. Some regard this as a meaningless formality and will pick at random, while others, seeing it as an opportunity to further exploit their amicable appearance, may choose a name that humans could find cute or amusing, much to the chagrin of the officials that have to approve the requests.

День флота и Праздник странствующих огней

Старая молиная пословица гласит

«You can't be lost if you don't know where to go. So follow the wind, for it knows the way.»

Fleet Day, one of the most anticipated festivities of the fleet, sees all of the fleet mothkind congregate around the various capital ships for a rare day of merry leisure. It is also a rare occasion for outsiders to witness the fleet's bustling life, as during the festivities they tend to be more tolerant than usual to tourists. Closing the festivities is the so-called Festival of the Errant Lights, a symbolic reenactment of the start of the fleet's journey towards the vast unknown. Each moth is encouraged to bring a lantern (or any other light-emitting device) which will be jettisoned out of the ship along with thousands of others. Although most will contribute simple lanterns, each year some of the most creative and ingenious fleet members compete to create the most beautiful and impressive lighting contraption, with competition seemingly becoming more and more fierce each year as the creators try to one-up each other. Those lucky enough to witness the festivities are often impressed about the spectacular lightshow created by the thousands of lights drifting out into space. Finding one of these festival lanterns out space is said to bring good luck, a rare occurrence for the fleet as they tend to not linger in the same area for long. It is, however, a sentiment rarely shared by those "lucky" enough to have the newly formed debris field smash into their hull.

Искрящаяся трава

"They sure know how to throw a party, I tell ya what. The speed they go through the stuff... if you told me they needed it to survive I'd believe it. Then again, with those work hours, maybe they do." -Testimony from a former smuggler

One of the few surviving plants originating from the moth homeworld and arguably the most obiquitous, the fleet is known to produce an enormous quantity of Sparkweed thanks to it's many uses as a recreational substance as well as the speed and ease with which it can grow in the right conditions. It is an aquatic plant growing on a central stem with pinnate leaves and a purple-reddish color, it requires a minimum temperature of 45°C to grow and can survive up to 120°C. The otherwise prohibitively expensive amount of heating required for any conventional hydroponic setup was no match for mothic ingenuity: by hooking up the hydroponic tanks to the to the ship engines' cooling systems, Sparkweed became nearly cost-free to produce. Even outside of dedicated hydroponic ships, some of the more enterprising captains occasionally jury-rig their own small scale production. Sparkweed stems and leaves can be either chewed or dried and steeped in hot water, while the roots are smoked akin to a cigarette (called "Afterburners") thanks to their spongy structure acting as a natural filter. It has a mild euphoric effect and gives a feeling of warmth. High dosage poses no particular danger, although long term excess tends to cause "the shakes", a persistent sense of anxiety and shivering. This condition can be easily remedied by stopping consumption for a few days, though it is widespread enough to have contributed to the moths' reputation of always being on edge. What little is known about its origins has been passed through generations: it would grow exclusively in the scorching waters of volcanic geysers and was a staple for enduring the freezing temperatures of the planet's colder side.

Расовая напряженность

Racial tensions with the Moths have dramatically declined since the initial conflicts of first contact, however this does not mean that everything is peachy between them. Many surveys find that humans are much more positively inclined towards Moths than other xeno lifeforms, and the feeling is mutual. This may be why Moths have managed to dodge the racially-motivated violence that is common to the other xenos.

Технологии молей

It is no secret that moths are at the forefront of ship technology. Having a culture that breeds excellence in engineering (mostly because keeping deathtraps running is a tricky prospect) alongside a flat societal structure that means anyone with an idea is capable of attempting to put it in practice means that mothic ship engineers are amongst the best in the galaxy. To this end, most systems on vessels of the Grand Nomad Fleet are tinkered with and optimised to incredible degrees- although at the cost of being tempramental and difficult to repair for almost anyone except the moths themselves.

Жизнь на борту флота Великих Кочевников: «Авторитарность по необходимости»

For the moths, life is very different to what we experience on Earth, by the necessity of living aboard a massive fleet of old, scrappy ships.

Due to the restrictions placed on space for growing food and manufacturing, much of the supplies necessary to maintain the populations' needs and health must be sourced from outwith the fleet, and as such a rationing system has been put in place to give everyone their fair share. Each citizen is given a weekly ration of 7 main meals served at a licensed canteen (1 for each day), 5 smaller mid-day meals served at a licensed canteen (1 for each workday), and a package of discretionary credits which can be redeemed at a commissary for snacks, breakfast supplies, and luxury items. In cases of illness, injury, or rearing young, two full meals will be provided each day. The licensed canteens where these meals are supplied are communal areas and generally garner a convivial atmosphere, as the moths gather to eat their food with friends and family and forget the harshness of life aboard the fleet for a short while. Alcohol is qualified as a luxury and can be purchased with discretionary credits, either at the canteens or at specialised bars. There are a few days on which restrictions are relaxed: on public holidays workers are relieved of their duties and food is served without a need for ration tickets.

All aboard the fleet must contribute to keeping it running, be that via maintenance, service jobs, medical work, or (in rare cases) working outwith the fleet to gather cash which can be used by the fleet for purchasing supplies. Typically moths will be trained in more than one area of expertise, allowing them to be flexible to the needs of the fleet. Those who do not contribute receive only the barest essentials of rations, and if their mooching goes on for too long, they will be dragged before the Admiralty to be forced to accept a career, or face exile from the fleet- there is no room for leeches.

At the age of 12 moths will enter the workforce assisting with light tasks that are generally safe alongside vocational training for their future career and their education. Later, at the age of 18, they will transfer to their new career and begin working. Those who stay closer to home to work will transfer ship upon turning 18, in an effort to maintain genetic diversity amongst the species. They will stay aboard their new vessel for life in most cases, forming a close bond with their new neighbours.

Living arrangements aboard the fleet are suitably spartan: the best possible place to live is aboard the ex-colony ships or old civilian vessels, as they have larger, more spacious crew quarters which are purpose built for comfortable living. More commonly, however, moths can expect repurposed rooms shoddily divided into individual apartments, with shared bathroom facilities and very little actual privacy. In the worst cases, they may need to share these spaces, or even worse, have to live in dorms with a number of other moths. While they are a communal species, moths do appreciate some privacy every now and then.

Given it is made up of thousands of old vessels, and the Moths' legacy of piracy, the Grand Nomad Fleet has a number of vessel types making up its ranks: everything from old colony ships, to military vessels, ancient trade haulers, entertainment barges (where moths can go on their days off to enjoy themselves), engineering and construction ships, and hundreds of smaller vessels which carry only a small crew.

Контрабандисты и частники

"Some of your cargo is being requisitioned. Stay put, do not approach the cargo bay and we'll all be on our merry way soon. Your vessel's systems have been disabled until then. Have a nice day." -Recorded hail from an unidentified mothic pirate ship

Despite criminality in the fleet being almost absent, partially thanks to lax regulations in regards to narcotics and contraband, the same can't be said about the numerous pirate and smuggler crews that operate from within it. Although officially operating outside of its control, the fleet will often turn a blind eye to their activities as long as they keep contributing to the fleet's upkeep.

Unsurprisingly, this has often put a strain on diplomatic relations. In an effort to remain under the radar, most crews adhere to an unofficial "honor code" that most importantly forbids any type of violence, which has contributed to the moths' reputation of being peace-loving to a fault. Yet the truth is much less glamorous: it is a code followed not for honor, but self-preservation as the fleet will immediately rescind any support and outlaw any crew found guilty of violent crimes to avoid any major diplomatic incidents.

But outside of these caveats the fleet is remarkably tough on criminality, which has greatly contributed in maintaining its mostly crime-free status.

Изгнанники Флота

"Criminals and traitors are one and the same. Those who go against our cause in favor of their egoistic desires have no place in the fleet." -Captain Sabresplit, high ranking fleet officer

As the fleet does not include long term imprisonment as a punishment, disciplinary action ranges from having discretionary credits docked or temporary suspension from other fleet benefits, while major offences may result in permanent exile. Punishments for repeat offenders typically become exponentially more severe.

The fleet has been often criticized for seemingly weighting judgement around the collective interests of the fleet more so than what human society would call a sense of just punishment, with disproportionate sentences for underperforming members while capable crew may be able to get away with a slap on the wrist for something that would have put the former at risk of major disciplinary action or even exile. Yet most of its members still defend this practice as being a necessity, as the tough life on the fleet does not allow the luxury of harboring troublemakers who can't pay back for their misdeeds.

After being sentenced, exiles are afforded transportation to a nearby settlement of their choice. Although not explicitly against the law, keeping contacts with exiles is frowned upon and likely to negatively affect social standing within the fleet, causing most exiles to end up being left to fend for themselves. However, for some it can be the start of a new life of greater individual freedom, for others an opportunity to continue their life of crime unshackled from the influence of the fleet.

Nowadays many small communities of moth exiles and their descendants exist, some well adjusted to life among the other races, others preferring to keep for themselves. While the descendants of exiles are able to request membership into the fleet, they will be required to completely sever all ties with their family and friends should their request be approved.

Спекуляции

As is to be expected of any group which can provide exceptional services, mothic engineers often travel from the fleet to take up positions with the other species of the galaxy, usually demanding a king's ransom to do so. In return, the hiring organisation will find themselves with the highest quality of ship designs that money can buy- at least until their contract expires, at which point they had best hope they've trained the rest of their engineers sufficiently well to keep their systems at peak capacity.

Mothic Engineers have been behind many successes from many companies, including making designs for Azik Interstellar, Cybersun Industries, Donk Co, and even Nanotrasen- for whom the moths were responsible for several station innovations.

Забавные факты

• Moths are quite sociable, particularly amongst members of their own species, due to living in the tight quarters of the Grand Nomad Fleet.

• The antennas of a moth serve as a receptor for their keen sense of smell.

• Moths have a very keen sense of smell. It is their primary sense for perceiving the world, and they are often big fans of perfumes which they can coat themselves in. Their antennae serve as their main olfactory receptor, as they have no noses. (How do they smell? Like whatever they doused themselves in.)

• Moths are very cute and fluffy, which tends to make them adorable to humans. They are very aware of this fact, and often tend to use it to their advantage.

• Their "fluff" is more akin to scales than human hair. It is used for sensory input and will glimmer upon falling off. As a show of dramatism, Moths are known to shake themselves violently to throw off a cloud of shimmering, glittery scales.

• Moth wings are near useless outside of low gravity environments- this does not stop them from priding themselves on their wings and flaunting them around. This is because their wings are particularly precious to them, and most Moths will defend them with their lives.

• Moths are generally not very good in fights. They shock easily, they're susceptible to bright flashes, and so on. Most opt to take the peaceful route instead. When forced to fight, they instinctively scratch rather than bite.

• Some of the more isolated moths have their own religion which is based around space moth deities. These deities appear to represent positive ideals that shine through the darkness of existence and the moths frequently call themselves lightseekers. This religion calls for isolative exploration of the self, which leads adherents to live isolated lives in solitude, counter to moth nature, and very hard to find aboard the Fleet.

• Moths by nature are very considerate of others and this extends to other species. They often think about their companions before they think about themselves. As a result, they also tend to avoid confrontation, and will frequently use flowery or deceptive language when saying negative things about other people.

• By no means do moths believe they can physically intimidate other creatures and instead opt for underhanded tactics.

• Mothra is a very popular hero among the Moth community and most conflicts in Kaiju conventions are usually caused by uppity Moths.

• Despite being slightly taller than humans on average, moths accustomed to the relatively higher human standard gravity compared to the fleet tend to develop a somewhat hunched over posture due to the weight of their wings, making them appear much shorter. Although they can adapt without ill effects, long term exposure to high gravity tends to make this posture change permanent, making fleet-based moths a rather standout sight in human territories.

Gameplay

Mothfolk are an optional playable race. You can make a mothperson character in the character panel, and change aspects of its appearance such as markings, antennae and wings.

Moths attack with their claws to slash and hack people, though this does not deal any additional damage. They are shown to "flutter" when speaking and have unique names (usually joke names that revolve around being a moth). Moths can also speak in their own language, Moffic (preceed your speech with ,m), although doing so in front of the human crew might cause problems (for you).

For gameplay purposes, moths can flutter around in pressurized low-gravity environments (aka the grav gen dies). However, they get crushed by electric damage, fly swatters and pest spray. Their wings easily burn off too.

Note that as a moth, the AI does not consider you human and is not obligated to listen to you. Centcom also maintains a strict "Human-Only" policy for Command Staff appointments. Fortunately for you, mothfolk are one of the races less likely to be discriminated against by other players. Relax and work on assembling cyborgs while assistants harass the lizardman janitor.