Calicosa
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| Capital: | New Nevada, Sector A |
| Motto: | N/A |
| Founded: | 2XXX |
| Type: | Corporatocracy |
| Leader: | Alexandra (SPI) |
| Languages: | Common |
Calicosa is a planet colonized by Starpath Industries in 2XXX, where they founded Calicosa Outpost. The Outpost consists of three large, air-filtered domes. Sector A remains under the control of Starpath Industries, whose local headquarters are located in New Nevada. Within Sector B is Whispering Gulch, the hub of the Corporate Crushers Coalition. Sector C is home to the Steinites, headquartered in Silverdune.
Sector A
Capitol Square
Within Sector A, Calicosa's largest terraformed dome, and framed by an imposing crescent of colossal orange rock formations, you'll find the Capital city and thriving heart of the planet's civilization: New Nevada, affectionately referred to as "Newvada" by most. In comparison to Earth's sprawling metropolises, Newvada may seem downright petite… but on this fledgling world, with a population and amenities surpassing any other place on the planet, it stands as the only settlement that could be called a “city.” At the core of this city, where native stone, steel, and reclaimed materials coalesce into a distinctive urban tapestry, you’ll find Capitol Square. This bustling epicenter is surrounded by storefronts, hastily assembled market stalls, and a medley of businesses catering to the needs of the burgeoning populace.
Prominently positioned within Capitol Square is a raised stone platform, presumably intended to showcase a monument designed by the Starpath conglomerate to serve as a decorative centerpiece of dubious sincerity. However, with the platform being vacant for the time being, it has instead been adopted as a popular meeting spot, place to rest, impromptu stage for local musicians, and soapbox for impassioned individuals eager to share their fervent views with the public.
Starpath Industries - Calicosa Headquarters
Situated just beyond Capitol Square, nestled against the copper backdrop of the city's encircling rock formations, stands the Calicosa branch of Starpath Headquarters. Its gleaming black and white facade offers a stark contrast to the rust-colored surroundings and the haphazard, rustic appearance of the rest of the city. Stepping inside, one could easily forget they were on Calicosa at all. The interior is meticulously maintained, a detail that might border on the uncanny for those accustomed to the ever-present dust and sand that defines the planet's landscape.
The exterior structure housing the lobby and the majority of office spaces is expansive and open, while the core of the headquarters is integrated into the natural rock formation itself. Jutting white metal and glass structures punctuate the cliffside surface, creating a harmonious fusion of architecture and geology that looms over the city.
Within the pristine, white corridors of Starpath HQ, one will discover a myriad of research and development labs and facilities, alongside minimalist residential suites designed to accommodate many of the employees who live and work here. You may even run into the Branch Manager (and by extension, Starpath appointed leader of the planet), the exhausted CTO himself, Zachary Vance.
Starpath HQ also serves as Newvada's City Hall of sorts, with the ground floor structure being open to the public.
Wildstar Saloon
The Wildstar Saloon in New Nevada is undoubtedly the most popular hangout spot in the city, not to mention the safest and best stocked bar around!
It's practically a rite of passage for Calicosans – pretty much everyone's stumbled in there at least once. And if you're a Newvadan local, chances are you're a regular. Even the brainy science types and stern Enforcers are drawn by the irresistible allure of relaxation, libations, and whatever entertainment may be gracing the Wildstar stage that night.
Sure, some folks might gripe that Wildstar's gotten too crowded, too tame, or that it's become the haunt of the "Starpath crowd", but for the average Joe just wanting a good time without all the potential risk you find elsewhere, or for those who want to let loose but not too loose, Wildstar's the place to be. It's like.. the bar you'd go to with your wife and kids, y'know? If your kids could go to a bar, that is.
Just be sure you don’t do anything stupid to find yourself on the no-entry list…
Sector B
Whispering Gulch
Calicosa's smallest terraformed dome, Sector B, once held paramount significance in the planet's industrial landscape. Originally designated for the vital task of harvesting Calicosa's most precious resource - Helium - Sector B was strategically dotted with towns along its periphery. Beyond these settlements are the Heliospire farms. In the strange labyrinthine canyons and rugged gray terrain that surrounded the sector, these towering helium-filled flora are densely cultivated within their unforgiving native habitat. The majority of Sector B's inhabitants braved the planet's toxic atmosphere and poisonous wildlife daily, to carefully extract helium from these plants' large, gas-filled chambers. This helium, once poised to be Calicosa's primary export, was meant to fuel its future expansion.
But that was before. Following the anomaly's appearance and the factional divisions that ensued, Xavren set his sights on Sector B, establishing the largest helium producing settlement, Whispering Gulch, as the base for his cause. Whether driven by concern for the particularly dire working conditions endured by non-human settlers here, or by the desire to piss off Zachary Vance by disrupting Starpath's helium supply (perhaps both?), remains a matter of speculation.
Since Xavren's arrival, most of the helium farming settlements in Sector B have transformed into ghost towns, halted production, or become dominated by like-minded HERFFs. Nevertheless, a few persist in harvesting helium for Starpath, though they must endure a vigilant presence of Starpath enforcers…
Whispering Gulch is the absolute last place you’d want to be if you have any affiliation with Starpath. Starpath employees face either indefinite imprisonment or death within its boundaries. While human visitors enjoy a slightly less precarious existence, they must avoid holding any position of power or expressing any sentiments that could potentially label them as human supremacists. Non-human settlers are welcomed with open arms, provided they can tolerate the incessant anti-Starpath rhetoric and racial prejudices that seem to pervade all conversation…
Nova Kansy's Motel
At the heart of Sector B, a small settlement stands like an oasis amidst the dark, otherworldly sands. To call it a "settlement" might be a stretch; it's more akin to a collection of establishments that serve as a midway rest stop for those traveling between helium farming towns. Positioned approximately a 30-minute drive from any town within the sector, its most prominent structure bears the unmistakable appearence of an old Starpath barracks kit, now ingeniously repurposed into a sort of makeshift motel.
Within, the atmosphere is one of neglect— dimly illuminated, dust laden cobwebs draping from the ceilings, and each corner packed with accumulated grime. The drink options available are sparse, and what is available isn’t exactly top-shelf. As for the furnishings, no two appear to match. Rather, the decor is a motley collection, some of which look as though they could have been scavenged from a refuse heap.
Within, the atmosphere is one of neglect— dimly illuminated, dust laden cobwebs draping from the ceilings, and each corner packed with accumulated grime. The drink options available are sparse, and what is available isn’t exactly top-shelf. As for the furnishings, no two appear to match. Rather, the decor is a motley collection, some of which look as though they could have been scavenged from a refuse heap.
Nova Kansy’s Motel, Calicosa’s largest brothel, was originally intended to lift the spirits of weary helium farmers, but now is visited even by those outside the sector. All manner of lovely ladies, lads, and everything in between can be found here, poised to be your companion for the evening— for a reasonable fee, of course.
Here, no matter what tickles your fancy, you’re likely to find what you’re looking for. However, it’s worth noting that the workforce is disproportionately non-human, and the human workers have been a bit worse for wear as of late…
Nevertheless, the diversity of options here remains unmatched for the price.
Alternatively, if indulging in paid pleasures isn't your preference, Nova Kansy’s also boasts a reputation for discretion. It's the ideal spot to share an intimate evening with your beloved… away from the prying eyes of your spouse.
Or, dust off a seat and kick back with a diluted whiskey while you simply enjoy the scenery provided in the bar area. Rooms and beds are available for rent, whether you require them for the night or by the hour. So, why not treat yourself and pay a visit from time to time? Come get handsy at Nova Kansy’s!
Sector C
Silverdune
In the southwestern area of Sector C, Calicosa's second-largest dome, you’ll find a weathered township known as Silverdune. Here, the climate offers a bit of respite from the scorching heat of Newvada, and the land stretches out in expansive, gently undulating plains. Unlike the familiar deep rusty orange of the Capital, the sands of Silverdune take on a unique silvery white hue, adorned with generous stretches of imported green and gold desert grasses. Occasional bands of obsidian rock cut across the landscape like rugged scars, their contours ever-shifting in the whims of the winds.
Much like its neighboring settlement, Quagga, Silverdune was originally established as a livestock town. While it continues to fulfill this role to some extent, recent times have witnessed a significant shift in its purpose. It has quickly evolved into the primary base of operations for the Steinite cause, as well as a home for the majority of Steinite rebels. Under the unyielding leadership of Chel Steinmann herself, the town has become a tightly-run operation. Outsiders are still permitted, welcomed even, provided they bear no allegiance to Starpath or any association with the corporation. Those foolish enough to venture into Silverdune with such affiliations are likely to receive harsh consequences from it’s denizens, ranging from a severe beating to incarceration or even finding themselves buried beneath the unforgiving sands…
For this reason, most residents of Quagga tend to steer clear of Silverdune altogether, preferring to keep to themselves in the hopes that the denizens of Silverdune reciprocate this discretion…
Nebula's Nest
On the road somewhere between Silverdune and Quagga, there stands a large weathered structure that, in the daylight, could easily be mistaken for an abandoned derelict- with it’s peeling paint and grimy, cracked windows. Yet, as the sun begins its descent, the faded neon sign flickers to life, revealing the name “Nebula's Nest”, casting an eerie glow over the parking lot and surrounding white sands.
Inside, the furnishings looks rather clean and comfy, save for occasional stains on the upholstery and empty bottles and plates scattered on a few of the tables. The air, however, is always thick with the smell of stale alcohol and tobacco smoke, which settles as a visible haze against the ceiling, diffusing the warm yellow light from the fixtures.
What’s unique about this establishment, is that most of the staff seem to be replaced with shoddy robots or automated systems. Small cleaning robots bump into walls and slide under tables, drinks at the bar are automatically mixed and dispensed from taps, and robotic dining carts roll their way across the dingy carpets on squeaky wheels, delivering food, drink, and interactive menus to the diners. The rooms meanwhile, are all located upstairs, and are available to rent via touchscreen located at the entrance by the base of the staircase. The rooms are as surprisingly clean as the furniture downstairs, albeit small, tacky, and equally saturated with the same stench of cigarettes and beer. Whether or not there’s kitchen staff at Nebula’s Nest is anyone’s guess.
However, the automation does lend a certain level of anonymity and privacy for it’s patrons that many appreciate… for good reasons or bad.
Outside
Prickleshit Pit
In the deadly expanse of Calicosa's untamed wilderness, far from the safe, terraformed sectors and the sprawling Heliospire farms, you'll find a settlement that goes by many names — "Nowhere," "Outsidesville," "Hell's Half-acre." Yet, the one name that seems to stick, spoken with a blend of affection and irreverence, is "Prickleshit Pit." (Or simply “The Pit” for short.)
Here, nature presents a deceptive facade of lush desert beauty, distracting from the harsh reality of Calicosa's toxic atmosphere, unpredictable weather, dangerous wildlife, and an expanse of thorny, unforgiving flora.
The dwellings in this unconventional settlement are predominantly fashioned from decommissioned space vessels, each one grounded indefinitely beneath the enigmatic anomaly visible in the night sky. Residents utilize the spacecraft's airtight construction, decontamination airlocks, and advanced air filtration systems to maintain a semblance of comfort in this harsh environment. While protected within their homes from the planet's inhospitable atmosphere, they must still don themselves in protective gear and gas masks if they want to venture outside.
Their collective desire to reclaim the life of true freedom they were promised and evade the looming shadow of Starpath's influence, has forged a tight-knit yet defiantly individualistic community. Most Calicosans consider them as outlaws, rabble-rousers, crazy, or at the very least, fuckin’ weirdos… and truthfully, they aren’t entirely wrong. Periodically, daring groups from The Pit set out on audacious train heists, targeting trains as they traverse the harsh landscape between Sectors. Despite Starpath's concerted efforts to deter them with bounties and strategically stationed enforcers, these train robberies have grown in frequency. The remote and deadly terrain surrounding the settlement has made it challenging for authorities to apprehend these elusive outlaws, and Prickleshits have a tendency to defend their own.