Gledig

A quote here about them probably a stereotype.

Gledig is a colony world of the Alliance Colony Bureau, with a status of Indentured. It is the homeworld of Svetlana Karishenikov and Dylan Brushnie, and the world where the events of Sword of the Alliance took place.

Vital Statistics (At a Glance)

Pronounced [pronounce here]. Possessive is Gledig's. Demonym is a Gledig colonist, person of Gledig, or, poetically, son or daughter of Gledig.

• Major Populations: Primarily Asanii, but with some humans and Hinichi, and a smattering of other races.
• Type: Alliance frontier colony, Indentured initial status
• Population: 12,000
• Gravity: [low, medium, or high, with Terra as baseline]
• Native Language: Speech in Universal is common, but there are pockets of those who speak the original language, which appears be at least partially based on Welsh. (See Local Language)
• Current Allegiances: Alliance indentured colony world

History

Located in Sector Koph, at the time of Sword of the Alliance it had been settled for fifty-seven years. The original settlers were a mix of Asanii (composed primarily of a few ethnic groups from Asanao's first colony), Hinichi, human, and a few other races. They registered as an Indentured, which means they relinquished the rights to all of their export profit until they paid off the debt incurred by the settlement. The fact that it had not paid off its outlay capital within those fifty-seven years was considered unusual. The colony was beset by pirates in its early years: one in the first year, one a few months later, and a third a year later; these raids took slaves.

Due to some combination of piracy, the perceived lack of response by Fleet, and government corruption, a disaffected minority arose and waged a bloody civil war which involved a high number of civilian casualties, due in part to bombings and the use of mines. By the time Svetlana Karishenikov was eleven, there was a cease-fire, and a treaty when she was twenty. Four years prior to her return to Gledig, however, the pirate raids suddenly returned, and with greater frequency, though they did not take slaves. This was particularly puzzling, as Gledig was too poor to attract that degree of piracy; the pirates should have hit once and realized that there was nothing to come back for. At approximately the same time, the UAV Voidsong ceased reporting skirmishes, despite the frequency of the pirate attacks. It would eventually come to light that this combination of events was a tragic clash between Governor Kerenkev's bribes to Baerut Flait of the Voidsong to ignore Gledig, and Brad Courtland's bribes to Kamaney Foster and Pwyll Mansey (disaffected former Fleet members framed by Baerut to take the fall for his own accepted bribes) to repeatedly make pirate raids in the hopes of gaining the attention of Fleet. Between Kerenkev's bribes for the Voidsong to ignore them, and Courtland's bribes for the pirates on the Scythe to attack frequently, the planet was at the complete mercy of Kamaney and Pwyll's pirates.

The Secessionists were not aware of the bribes and the no-win situation the planet had been put under, but in part due to the frequent piracy, Fleet's lack of attention, and in part due to Kerenkev's no-tolerance policy for dissent, they became active again. They re-formed ostensibly as a legitimate political party under Dylan Brushnie, though terrorism came alongside it (ostensibly by a radicalized faction and not the majority of Secessionists). There was also a more aggressive and militarized pro-Accord faction, led by Maire. Most of the population remained Pro-Accord, though increasingly dissatisfied with Fleet's lack of response. Four years after the pirate raids began again, Alysha Forrest, captain of the UAV Stardancer, was sent to the colony to investigate a potential concealed civil war.

The arrival of Forrest (and the return of Svetlana) precipitated an uptick of tension, as Kerenkev became afraid that his careful plan to hide the planet's issues would fall apart; the Pro-Accords resented the sudden appearance of the people who had abandoned them; and the Secessionists wanted to exact revenge on the symbol of the government that had failed them. After a disastrous dinner including an attack on the council and the visiting Fleet members, and the capture of Kerenkev, Svetlana, Taylitha, and Laelkii remained on the planet to travel to the pro-Accord base. Alysha and Alastar returned to the ship to rendezvous with the Voidsong and its captain Baerut Flait, who ultimately refused to meet with them.

This set into motion a series of events that resulted in the capture and interrogation of Svetlana, the capture and torture of Svetlana by Gavin Medearin, the attack on and destruction of the Pro-Accord base (and the loss of many Secessionists) at Maire's instructions,, and the precipitation of a new and more violent attack by the Scythe's pirates. After Pwyll Mansey chose to initiate a deliberately suicidal attack on the Stardancer using "hedgehogs", obsolete physical missiles armed with nuclear warheads, the Stardancer destroyed the Scythe, killing Pwyll in the process and alerting Kamaney that her easiest escape route had been cut off. Dylan Brushnie elected to switch tactics and fight off the pirates already on Gledig; he was attacked by Medearin, and killed him.

Alysha Forrest, along with nagivator Felsha Rennagan and Darya Darteriov, destroyed the pirate shuttle that had been wreaking havoc on the planet. She then faced Dylan Brushnie, who ordered Langorn to bring out the hostages, Kerenkev and Courtland. Under pressure from Alysha, Kerenkev verified that he had bribed Baerut to leave Gledig alone and ignore any issues. Alysha then won (through determination rather than skill) a fencing match against Dylan to settle the conflict.

When the topic of secession was finally brought to a vote, the citizens almost unanimously elected to remain in the Alliance, and voted Maire, the underground pro-Accord leader, governor. Maire led a funeral ritual to provide closure, after which satellites were planned to be re-launched, and the Colony Bureau would make a much overdue visit.

Geography

The inhabited parts of Gledig are temperate with cold winters. From space, "Icy white whorls blanketed the upper portion of the globe. Beneath the clouds, a dark brown land mass spread spiked edges across a rich blue ocean."

Landmarks

Daleth

The capital city, and home to most of the planet's population. It is visibly shrinking, with most of the outlying buildings abandoned. After the pirate attack by Kamaney Foster, enormous pieces were missing from Daleth's skyline, leaving bare girders behind.

Cafe Oumphorus

A restaurant on the top floor of a three-story building, the type with linen tablecloths. Its size implies that once it was more well-populated, but (like the rest of Daleth) its clientele had shrunk considerably by the time of Sword of the Alliance. It was attacked by the terrorist faction of the Secessionists, but not significantly damaged beyond broken windows and furniture.

Governor's Mansion

Surprisingly well-appointed for an impoverished colony, and lavishly (ostentatiously) decorated, with a wine-colored carpet, forest green velvet curtains, and an abundance of statues. For formal parties, he dresses his staff in high-class Alliance fashions, complete with swords (even for the waiters). Has an enormous bed in Governor Kerenkev's bedroom. A trapdoor in the cellar leads to a network of tunnels that ends at the storehouses.

Graveyard

Contains dozens of headstones, willowblend trees, and a bench.

Pro-Accord Base

An old mining base east of Daleth. The base is underground, accessible by tunnels from Daleth or by mining car from the outlying regions. Littered with stacks of storage cabinets, food stores, industrial equipment, and munitions, its main area is a vast cavern that serves as a control center providing direction to satellite sites. The base was ultimately attacked by Secessionists, and Maire, the leader of the pro-Accords, deliberately collapsed it by detonating munitions around the support pillars.

Outwilds

Wilderness areas, scattered with small hamlets and single-family steadings.

Adderey

A small town, whose gutting by pirates prompted Svetlana Karishenikov to go to ground. It was nearly destroyed to its foundations, though some wounded were rescued to a clinic in Daleth.

Dunli

The settlement nearest the Karishenikovs, about ten minutes from Adderey. An hour and a half from Daleth by sparrow.

Karishenikov Steading

Breana and Roman Karishenikov's steading, near the settlement of Dunli, where Svetlana Karishenikov grew up. A warm and inviting place, lovingly maintained, and softened by thoughtful choices of decor, with a welcoming smell like cinnamon and woodsmoke.

Flora and Fauna

Flora

• Willowblend trees
• Pine trees

Fauna

• Bingbats

Government and Politics

Planet is a republic. The planetary governor is elected every two years, along with the chamber of five representatives. Based in the capital Daleth, one court services the entire planet. At the time of Sword of the Alliance, the politics had polarized into two aggressive camps: the Pro-Accords (whose face was Governor Kerenkev and to a lesser extent Brad Courtland), and the Secessionists (whose face was Dylan Brushnie), leading some mixed cohort of Secessionists who wanted a peaceful solution and those who leaned to terrorism.

The planet is governed by a constitution. It is the duty of the elected officials to bring popular referendums to a vote, though Kerenkev did not do so in the matter of the Secessionists.

Pro-Accords

Pro-accords in the sense of "people who are in favor of remaining with the Alliance" are the majority (see Majority, below), but the underground Pro-Accord faction functions as the opposite to the Secessionist faction, and participates in militarized actions. The Pro-Accords are led by Maire and have a base beneath and to the east of Daleth.

Secessionists

Originally terrorists, now with an ostensibly peaceful political arm led by Dylan Brushnie, but with continuing violence from a "radical faction." Many of them prefer, if possible, not to kill their fellow citizens, but have no such compunctions about killing Fleet members.

Majority

Most of the population is pro-Accord, but the excuses for the lack of Fleet presence are wearing thin. Many citizens seem simply terrified or cowed, leading to deserted streets and an atmosphere of anxiety. Most families, even during ostensible peace, are unwilling to give up their weapons caches.

Economy

Very little heavy industry build-up, remains (as of the time of Sword), unprofitably agrarian. Few exports and no tourist traffic. There are three satellites in orbit: two multi-purpose satellites for global communication, weather and positioning, and one Well satellite specifically for FTL communications with the Alliance. There is no orbiting station. There have been no space capable vessels registered. Most things shipped to Gledig in an attempt to build up production and industry never make it to people who purchase it, due to Governor Kerenkev diverting it to fund his bribes and lavish lifestyle.

Technology

Since Gledig has no space-capable ships, nor reliable means of calling for assistance, the satellites are not maintained. Many of the functions of the three satellites don't respond properly, either because of lack of maintenance or because they were disabled; among other things, this means that they cannot reliably communicate with the Alliance. In addition, Well feeds are not available except through libraries, and the lines to access them are long, further cutting off the populace.

Gem grids are not universal (perhaps not even present?), and things are powered via cord, which Laelkii Takara Lifeweave considered "crazy." Energy is provided by geothermal taps, which, on the other hand, are sturdy and have not stopped working for more than a few minutes since the colony began.

Transportation across the planet it facilitated by a monorail system, though some citizens still have (or have access to) small flight-capable vessels, including Brad Courtland and Dylan Brushnie. There is at least one Pad that can transport people to ships in orbit; its records are not difficult to forge.

Building materials in Daleth are primarily stone, brick, and mortar, originally as an aesthetic choice but later because builders had no means to import or manufacture more modern materials.

The planet originally had ground-to-air and ground-to-space defenses, but they were destroyed by pirates.

People and Society

The planetary population is around twelve thousand people, mostly clustered in the capital and two outlying townships. There are people scattered in small hamlets and single family steadings. The low population is officially attributed to low birth rate, but in truth the population is shrinking due to attrition from violence.

Stereotypes

• "Differences in opinion don’t have to lead to blows, if you trust one another, and the process,” Dylan said over the lip of his mug before taking a sip.
  “They have on Daleth,” Taylitha said.
  Dylan nodded slowly. “Yes. But there is no trust on Daleth. Those in power have demonstrated time and again they don’t deserve it.”

Customs

Gledig has a strong tradition of hospitality, especially in the Outwilds. There is a brief, ritual hospitality exchange: the guest who has been welcomed says "For the comfort of your hearth, I thank you," and the host replies "Hearth to hearth, we're kin."

When Svetlana Karishenikov lived there, there were holoblade competitions, and provinces would cheer on their local champions.

Common Family Structures

[If different from species 'norm.']

Religions

[If specific to the location or different from species 'norm.']

Native or Common Dress

Due presumably to Gledig's relatively cool climate, trends include coats (rather than the cloaks that are perennially fashionable in the Alliance) and scarves, sometimes worn over the head. Women also wear long woolen skirts and dresses. Elected representatives wear stoles.

Naming Conventions

Names trend Welsh (Rhys, Maire, Dylan, Owen) or Russian (Svetlana, Kerenkev, Ivan, Langorn), presumably in reflection of the groups that chose to settle there.

Local Language

The conlang appears to be based on Welsh and perhaps some other Celtic (or possibly Russian?) languages. It was used specifically by the Secessionist movements, as the pro-Accord tended to use Universal words like 'alet' and 'arii.' There are still pockets of truly bilingual speakers, but most of those who use the language seem to keep it to specific words.

cariad (cah REE ahd)

beloved

sihfaill (sih FILE), plural sihfaillen

compatriot/companion; "more than 'alet' but less than 'arii.'"

Is rarely used by Alliance loyalists who prefer alet and aletsen.

Appearances

• Sword of the Alliance