Serenity

We found it on the thirteenth day - an obelisk, shining in the shadow of a long-dead star. The pupil of a cosmic serpent, eyeing us all the way. The closer we got, the more exposed we became. It was as though our ship, our crew, our very minds, were lured ever closer into its stygian embrace, as one by one, the stars vanished from the sky. It was surprising, then, for us to drift inside the structure, and discover what we did. There, in the pitch-black halls of the station, colossal beyond belief, we found it. We found home.

— An excerpt from the diary of a long-dead explorer

Demographics

Serenity is the most diverse settlement in all of Ciraculum. The single largest species living on the station are the Sunlit'awkh, who make up 41% of the population. The Vi'dam make up a smaller 29%, the Brezi and the Ösös at 12.5 and 11.1 respectively. Humans, despite having arrived to the galactic scene within their own lifetime, make up 4.4% of the Serenity population, with the remaining 2% distributed amongst other sponsor races.
Serenity has a literacy rate of 97.8%. A fact that is lamented heavily by the Council and is planned to be remedied with each passing election. This proves difficult however, as the gap in the literacy and numeracy is caused by the rampant crime rate on Floor 3. Prosecution rates have been at a steady 78.5% for the past five years.

Government

The Serene Council is an interstellar organisation whose purpose is to ensure galactic peace, maintain positive relations between species and achieve widespread interstellar cooperation. While their authority spreads to all explored space, Serenity is their only official territory. The council operates more as a regulating body, ensuring all civilisations adhere to galactic law. The council is made up of four councillors - representatives of the four species whose members survived - along with several minor advisors. Advisors to the Serene Council belong to what are referred to as "sponsor species". These are species that wish to join the Serene council and thus the highest position of galactic government, but either lack an Ascended or have been denied on a different basis - most often their societal advancement, or lack thereof.

Defences

Serenity's main defence is the Silbar'an tower. Circulating the station at all times, this tower is a regularly maintained defence unit with the firepower of a medium sized fleet. Alongside it is an occupying defence force ready to defend the station at a moments notice.
For smaller threats, the walls of Serenity are equipped with turrets, and 28,000 S.I.F officers dealing with issues from hostage situations to customs.

Districts

Floor 1

The top floor of Serenity is where the upper class live and do their business on most days. Several expensive housing districts sit between the various governmental buildings and embassies for every known species in the galaxy. All this surrounded by a myriad of cultivated green spaces for the enjoyment of the general public. Weather is simulated in accordance with the Serenity calendar, creating pleasant warmth in the summers, and cool snowy landscapes in the winters.

• The Sunlit Promenade: What started as a small stretch of the city for people to enjoy an evening of shopping, has over a relatively short amount of time turned into a district that never sleeps, with shops, cinemas, nightclubs, restaurants and hotels on every corner. All legal thrills can be found here (and some illegal ones, if you know where to look). Now, traversing the whole district would take a solid couple of hours on foot, if one makes no stops on the way.
  

• Ponil Boulevard: Named after Ponil Hir'las, the first Vi'dam councillor for Serenity. This is the official government district of Serenity; here, one can find the Council chambers, the public services headquarters and the Serenity court. The Serenity Grand Library also has its home here, with tomes, data chips and even old stone slabs collected to be analysed by the cities greatest scholars.

• Upper & Lower Lork'lan: The two largest residential districts on the first floor. With day and night security, spacious apartment buildings and plenty of outdoor space, it is the domestic end-goal of many. Unfortunately for some, the prices of a home in either of the districts mean that only the very top of society get to live here, whether it be politicians, ambassadors, military generals or top end celebrities.

• The Exchange: If you're a company that deals in selling goods across Ciraculum, this is the place to be. A walking distance away from the Stock Exchange, the Commercial Taxation bureau and likely every competing business you need to worry about. Some would argue that the Exchange is more akin to several gangs operating in one small place. This is somewhat true depending on one's socio-economic views. Different parts of the district are unofficially split up between different corporations, with certain bars and outdoor spaces dominated by said corps. You won't get shot for stepping in as an outsider, but be ready for nasty looks, people asking why you're there and who you work for. Unless someone can vouch for you, you will be treated as though you're looking to steal corporate secrets.

• Port 1A: Most people arrive onto Serenity through here. Documents are inspected and stamped, visa's are handed out and informational brochures are distributed depending on the reason for visiting. The name and reason for stay are recorded for every individual who steps foot into the port. These records are kept for five years before being deleted, for safety measures.

• The Serenity University: The young minds of Serenity are sharpened here in a wide range of topics. From inter-stellar law to fine arts and molecular biology. The district has everything a student could ever hope for. 24 hour libraries and café's, student nightlife, housing, spacious lecture halls and state of the arts workshops. Needless to say, thanks to the varied student lifestyles, this place is simultaneously beaming with energy and strangely sleepy at all hours of the day.

• The Serenity Interstellar Force: The Largest organisation on Serenity, with special task forces built for different purposes. Anything from policing the streets of Serenity, to performing research on behalf of Serenity to infiltrating warring planets to resolve conflict.

Floor 2

The people living on floor 2 would argue that this is the real Serenity. A mid-way point between the pristine, high class floor 1 and the squalor of floor 3. Weather is still simulated throughout the district, but the architecture and general feel of floor 2 is much more a mish mash of the different species and cultures making their home there. Floor 2 is also home to the more eccentric souls of Serenity; those who wish to express their individuality and uniqueness. The fact that the rent is much cheaper is only a benefit.

• The Myriad: A collection of smaller districts that have been collected into one. The Myriad has sections for the various different species living on Serenity; small pockets of home away from home. All ready with native foods, schools and even clinics catering their respective people.

• Barner Park: The largest green space on floor 2, with a wide variation of plant life gathered from around the galaxy. Endangered species are often grown here in small specialised "plant domes," allowing folks to observe the fascinating flora whilst still keeping it in the most optimal conditions for growth.

• Olander Square: Independent music, nightlife, and the favoured haunt of most aspiring musicians. The local scene is very welcoming of new talent, whether it be musicians looking to make a name for themselves, dancers, painters and street artists or anything in between. Thanks to the rather eccentric feel, this is also the best place to get one's hands on hallucinogenic and psychoactive drugs.

• Port 1B: Ships with a Serenity Registration number can enter the station through here. It is mostly reserved for people who live on Serenity permanently, and are coming back home. No need for a visa, but all arrivals and departures are logged just as on the level above.

Floor 3

The third floor is the unofficial slum of Serenity. Officially speaking, it was supposed to be a place for temporary accommodation; a stopping place for those who were looking to settle in serenity. Corrupt officials and illicit dealers have carved out this place for themselves however, and officially, it belongs to no-one. Entering is on a 'at-your-own-risk' basis, and leaving, whilst possible, is often pointless, without the resources to stay out. Those who cannot afford to go anywhere else find themselves here, digging through junk to recycle for pennies or working for one of the several gangs present, fighting for dominance over the floor. It is not a good place to be, and anyone with any option to get out, is likely to take it.

Floors 4 - 8

The warehouses of Serenity, where all goods are held in appropriate environments. Most goods can be found stored here, from food, to medical supplies, to weaponry and newest technology. Some wealthier corporations have purchased warehouses and own them directly with their own security, whilst others rent them for a fee from the Serenity Council.

Floors 9-12

Here is where most cargo is dropped off and stored. Most corporations will have a bay on one of these floors where their goods are kept before being shipped off to warehouses above. All cargo has to be inspected and signed for, although if rumour is to believed, there are some inspection officials in the pockets of gangs on Floor 3, allowing goods to enter that way.

History

Serenity Streets by Rusalka

According to Vi'dam records, the Serenity station was discovered by an explorer vessel. Abandoned and in some disrepair, it was shortly after settled by Vi'dam scholars. With the discovery of other species, Serenity became a common trading hub between the different space faring people's of Ciraculum. After The Star Rebellion, it became a neutral space station, under the protection of the newly found The Serene Conclave.

Whilst all of Serenity has been fully explored, the origin and purpose of Serenity is still widely disputed amongst scholars. Some argue that Serenity belonged to the same civilisation that created the power sources absorbed by the ascended. Other's would point out that its architecture is too dissimilar, and as such must have belonged to a different people altogether.

Tourism

There are plenty of reasons to come visit Serenity. Political students and enthusiasts come to observe the council proceedings, whilst history buffs and archaeology teams visit the more obscure parts of the station, hoping to be part of the team that finally gets solid proof of its original purpose. Art aficionados spend their days visiting the locals clubs and pubs, hoping to get a signed album or a commissioned piece from someone who will become the next star.

Founding Date

01/01/00 ps

Alternative Name(s)

The Galactic Centre

Type

Starbase

Population

12.8 million

Inhabitant Demonym

Serenite

Owning Organization

The Serene Conclave

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