The System
Favont has implemented a security system across the nation to ensure the safety of its citizens, maintain social order, and enforce the hierarchical structure of its society. This system uses a network of cameras and scanners to monitor movements and activities with the aim of preventing crimes, controlling the population, and managing the slave class, making sure they remain within their designated societal role.
Mechanics & Inner Workings
The system includes over a thousand cameras on streets, public transport, buildings, workplaces, factories, hydrogen stations, and select domestic houses, ensuring comprehensive coverage. These cameras, wired into the National Aetheric Grid with backup systems for uninterrupted operation, offer continuous 360-degree vision and are equipped with accurate facial recognition to track all citizens' movements.
Slaves must wear SIN bands, silicone wristbands containing tracking data, for constant monitoring through trigonometry-based systems. Scanners on buildings and public transport necessitate slaves to scan their bands for access. System-operated barriers on public transport facilitate free population movement while restricting slave access, with penalties for non-compliance. Attempts to remove or tamper with SIN bands immediately alert authorities, triggering punitive measures. Slaves with prior offences receive additional scrutiny, as do Ananans in general as the band records, and with their owner's request, alerts the authorities to any use of Ananan magic.
At its core, the AI performs complex data analysis, distinguishing between Magi, Nightwalkers, humans, and slaves, applying different surveillance intensities accordingly. It uses algorithms for behavioural pattern detection, facial recognition, and potential security threat prediction. The AI's learning capability and decision-making autonomy, bordering on sentience, necessitate a review panel from the Strategic Defence Agency for security threat assessments.
The system maintains extensive databases on individuals, vehicles, and businesses, along with a catalogue of forbidden external and internal media, actively censoring material offensive to Favont's culture. Magi have read-only access to the database, limited to viewing cameras near their property, accessing personal and immediate family files, and reviewing slaves under their possession. Further access requires Strategic Defence Agency permission.
History
Although the concept had been considered for many years, the necessity of a national database and security system became urgent after The Reconstruction to help with the transition of 62% of the Favontille population from free to enslaved. Favont Analytics, a guild specialising in technological research and development, took up the challenge and created "the system," which tapped into the already existing National Aetheric Grid to monitor all citizens of Favont for their safety and reassurance. By recording data, crime was significantly reduced, particularly by slaves who initially attempted to escape, attack their owners, destroy property, and commit other crimes.
Significance
The security system in Favont reflects societal control and stability among different social classes and races. Its significance varies among the inhabitants. The Magi view the system as a symbol of their authority and superiority. It helps them monitor and control Favont, solidifying their position as indispensable leaders who protect and govern society.
Nightwalkers have mixed feelings towards the system, both revering and being wary of it. They operate in secrecy and are challenged by surveillance but recognise the importance of the system in preserving law and order. They are skilled at navigating Favont's politics and society, finding ways to work within or around the system to maintain their freedom and influence.
Humans have a dual perspective on the system. The majority view it as a safeguard, a protective measure that ensures their safety from external threats and internal disorder. However, for those on the fringes of society, the system represents a looming threat of enslavement. It constantly reminds them of the precariousness of their status and embodies the fine line between freedom and servitude. This pushes them to conform to the societal norms dictated by the Magi.
For slaves, the system is an unyielding shackle, a daily reality that monitors their every move and curtails any hope of liberation. It reinforces their subjugation, reminding them and the society at large of their place in Favont's hierarchy.
The Ananans view the system as the ultimate manifestation of their oppression. The system restricts their physical movement and suppresses any traces of their cultural identity and magic, effectively erasing their autonomy.
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