User:Coldflame
draft of an improve lore page on humans
Humans represent the primary humanoid population of the galaxy, and are represented by the strongest political and economic forces to boot. Being the first species to develop advanced space technology, they quickly established a foothold (primarially under the flag of Sol Central), placing them in a strong position as other species came into play. Humans are perhaps the most diverse race in the galaxy, known for both terrible hatred and bloodshed, along with sparks of greatness; humans are generally regarded as wildcards by other species.
Game Mechanics
- Humans are a playable species with no karma price.
- Humans speak primarily Galactic Common (GalCom). Most humans can also be expected to have a working knowledge of Sol Common (SolCom).
- Humans can wear all standard Nanotrasen gear.
- Humans possess no extra-normal abilities, and can generally be considered the point of reference for other species.
Physiology
Humans are considered some of the most adaptable and resilient organisms in the galaxy.
Physiologically, they are incredibly standard, generally considered to be a galactic baseline, standing at an average height of 6 feet (1.82m). As with the majority of space faring life, humans require oxygen to survive, and collect their nutrients through eating. However, humans are notable for their ability to survive in almost any condition; short of an immediately lethal environment, humans can survive severe temperatures or environments which lack easy access to their needs long enough to formulate a survival solution. Although likely outmatched in any given environment by another, more specialized, species, humans are perhaps the most versatile.
Compared to humans of the 21st century, humans have largely remained the same. Racial diversity was seriously harmed by the closing centuries of human conflict, leaving caucasian humans the significant majority. The average human can expect to live around 120 years; humans leading healthy lives with access to advanced medical care have been known to live to 200 years, with the longest life so far being 273 years.
Society and Culture
Humans are generally represented by two main political powers- Sol Central, and Nanotrasen.
Sol Central (colloquially referred to as 'SolGov' or just 'Sol'), is a government formed by the remaining political powers following the wars that caused the destruction of much of Earth's infrastructure, political systems and ecology. SolGov is governed by a group of eleven elected chairmen, with no specific leader; each chairman controls a different area of society, and the board confers with regards to larger issues. Although not officially ineligible, no non-human to date has been voted onto the board. Learning from the failings of previous human societies, SolGov is focused on placing faith in its citizens and focusing on liberty over security. An extremely lax code of laws and limited regulations on trade and corporations have lead to the government's powers largely being delegated to private authorities, however it still plays an important role forwarding humanity's interests on the galactic playing field and ensuring the wellbeing of humans across the galaxy. Sol Central's controversial policy of acceptance towards aliens has led to division among humans, and despite official policy to the contrary, Sol-owned space can often be xenophobic and human-centric. SolGov also plays an important role in galactic politics as the controlling body of the standardised galactic credit, widely considered to be the main currency in the Milky Way.
Nanotrasen (colloquially referred to as NT) is (officially, at least) a research corporation founded on Mars approximately a hundred years ago. Beginning as a legal loophole to allow an investor to bypass tax, a mixture of luck and smart investments enabled its founder to corner the growing biotech market, successfully patenting cloning and selling the usage of it at extortionate prices. NT only grew from there- a series of buyouts and hostile takeovers established NT, indisputably, as the largest public corporation. Using their near-unlimited budget to explore space, NT claimed the majority of the galaxy's natural resources before anyone else even knew they existed. With the discovery of plasma and bluespace tech, NT have become an entity of great enough power to rival any political body in the galaxy; this led to a declaration of independence from human political elements, freeing NT from being subject to any ethical regulation or corporate taxation. NT remaining primarily human-led means that humans can generally expect preferential treatment anywhere they go in the galaxy.
Various smaller political elements and groups also proclaim human heritage. Generally, these are smaller groups (the approximate human population of splinter groups rests at around four billion across the galaxy.) based entirely on single planets or solar systems, who possess wide ranges of ideologies and values. The more notable groups in this category include Space Russia (a communist society based from variety of colonies constructed by Russia prior to its construction), and the Novus Rebels (A group of separatists who refuse to share a society with aliens, going as far as to engage in open war with SolGov at one stage).
Human society is generally based around merit; a person's value is considered based on how they can benefit others, be it through skills, possessions, or power. As such. rich humans generally lead far more luxurious lives than poor ones, though it is far from impossible for a human to climb the social ladder over the course of their lifetime. The values and morality of humanity are impossible to predict- human focus on individuality and liberty means each human tends to develop their own ethical code, though the majority of humans opt to avoid open conflict where they can, owing to a history of millennia of horrific, meaningless wars.
Territories
Earth
Earth is the home planet of humanity. Once known for having rich ecosystems, an excess of water, and a variety of different environments, it has now been rendered seriously damaged and inhabitable in places by both industrialism and the use of superweapons. Despite the damage, Earth remains mainly livable; whilst Asia, Oceania, and the majority of Africa and Europe have been left barren and devoid of natural life, the remainder of the world still maintains a present, if diminished, state of life. Outside of the cities, the Earth's atmosphere is livable but presents a health risk to humans over the longer term and is not pleasant, owing to a lower oxygen concentration and the larger presence of toxic trace elements in the air. Few aliens opt to live on Earth, as few would choose to reside there out of choice.
Human presence on Earth is almost entirely within cities, as they possess machinery to maintain an artificial atmosphere which allows for humans to lead normal lives. The cities are largely build, and contain almost entirely housing blocks and commercial areas- The cities are devoid of all but the most basic of production, outsourcing both power and supplies. Most humans in the city either work off-planet or via proxy. The general quality of life in the cities is below the galactic average, but generally acceptable, with a variety of imported luxuries available and access to galactic networks.
Earth remains ingrained as an important part of human culture, however is generally considered little more than a housing situation for humanity. The majority of Earthborn humans live in the Americas, whilst the richer residents reside in the more comfortable cities in Europe. Smaller pockets of civilization reside in less-damaged areas of the largely destroyed areas.
Mars
Mars is the capital of SolGov, and is generally considered to be the heart of human society. Once uninhabitable, mars has been rendered livable to humanity through centuries of terraforming (as opposed to the artificial atmospheres opted for by most human colonies), and now ecologically resembles Earth prior to humanity laying waste to it. Mars is one of humanity's largest industrial spaces, but has been largely drained of its exploitable resources. Mars is also home to a variety of educational institutes, being one of the prime academic destinations for humanity.
Mars is notable for its large NT presence. Although remaining a Sol-owned territory, NT owns a significant portion of provides land upon mars and runs the majority of its industry, as well as basing a variety of corporate offices from the planet.
Luna
Luna is considered to be one of the most upper-class territories in human possession. Even before the advent of modern space colonization, living on Luna was relatively commonplace for the rich- It was the ultimate display of wealth, and offered refuge from the social problems plaguing human society. Luna's low gravity compared to the majority of locations inhabited by humanoids means that movement and going about day-to-day business is far more efficient and easy. However, this has often led to a degradation in strength relative to humans living on Earth or Mars- generally compensated for by those living on Luna favoring intellectual and economic pursuits regardless. Extremely high costs of living and limited space mean only the social elite can live on Luna (approx. twenty-four million humans, three million non-humans).
The atmosphere on Luna has been artificially modified to support human life- a air mixture scrubbed to remove toxins or harmful trace elements combined with advanced medical treatment means that those who live on Luna generally experience longer and healthier lives than most humans.
Military
Humans are represented by three main military bodies.
Sol Central Military [WIP]Sol Central's military forces are based primarily upon the former military human forces before human society was reformed. The concept of an air force has largely been abandoned with the advent of space travel, leaving three main branches- Sol Central Infantry Force, Sol Central Navy, and Sol Central Marine Corps,
Humanity Defence Force [WIP]The Humanity Defence Force (HDF) is a registered charity which operates under the donations of a variety of parties interested in the preservation of Earth. Supplied with the best equipment by a variety of benefactors (primarily SolGov, NT, and a variety of larger corporations run by humans), the HDF operates as a neutral force with the sole goal of protecting humanity and its colonies from anything that threatens them. The HDF's questionable track record in dealing with aliens is largely overlooked by funding bodies, due to their sheer effectiveness in averting damage to human interests.
HDF soldiers are extremely well-paid, and hand-picked from recruits with military experience. They operate in smaller groups, and generally work using covert action and surgical strikes.
Nanotrasen Military [WIP} Upon Nanotrasen's declaration of political independence, they began to construct their own military. Based upon their already sizable emergency response forces, NT's military makes up for what it lacks in training with numbers and equipment that mean they can overwhelm any foe.
Other Forces
Relations with other Species
Historically, humans are not accepting of other species. In most cases, their prejudice causes violence. However as time has passed humans have become more accepting, in part due to human's affinity for shrewd diplomacy and trade.
Diona
Kidan
Tajarans
Vox
Vulpkanin ((no lore so this is based on conjecture and the general direction vulp lore's taking))
Grey
IPC [WIP]
