Assunzione

At the furthest edges of human space, within the mysterious region known as Light’s Edge lies a colony known as the Illuminated Cities of Assunzione. The inhabitants live in grand biodomes underneath a dead sun whose name has long since been erased. Guiding them through such a calamitous event was a religion known as Luceism, that proclaims control of the self and the return of the light to the star, and has largely taken up the mantle of ruling the planet. Under its watchful eye, Assunzione has become the scientific hub of the Coalition of Independent Systems and the gateway to Light’s Edge, where one can find mysteries far greater than even Assunzione itself has to offer.

History

Signs and Portents

Though most Luceists would insist that the history of Assunzione would begin with the creation of the system itself and the neighbouring Void, it is much more straightforward to begin with the colonisation effort. Though much of what is today the Coalition was colonised fairly late into humanity’s initial burst of exploration, Assunzione was an outlier, being chosen to more easily investigate the anomalies rumoured in the region of Light’s Edge. As such, a mission to settle the system was arranged by several interest groups from around the Mediterranean, who convinced renowned scientists from all across the world to partake in this journey. Strangely enough, in a survey conducted after the colonists were selected, the percentage of individuals who considered themselves deeply religious was way above average.

While the journey to Assunzione went off without a hitch, the colony found itself facing a myriad of problems. Unstable weather patterns would make growing crops and going outside an arduous task, the wildlife acted extraordinarily agitated for no reason in particular, and anomalous activity within the sun would create otherworldly patterns within the atmosphere. Scientists concluded that these problems would only get worse and that the safest solution was to encase the colonists beneath great biodomes. Over the course of the three decades after planetfall, a few dozen inhabitants would be afflicted with disturbing imagery of cities covered in frost, of moons crashing into planets, and of Assunzione’s star being shrouded in darkness. These visions would largely be dismissed until the year 2304.

When the star went out.

The Dimming

Despite all the protections Assunzione had put into place up until this point, none could prepare them for such a shocking event as what is now called the Dimming. The colony was thrown into chaos and many of the events that happened in the period of time known as the Dark Century have almost no records. During this time, a new generation of people with the gift of prophecy emerged, and it would be in this time that the first instances of the label “Foresayer” would be seen to refer to these individuals. According to Luceist scripture, these Foresayers would proclaim the word of Ennoia, the wielder of all light in the universe. Far from just proselytising to a hungry and dying people, they would offer guidance that, though it often seemed nonsensical, helped the Assunzionii through those difficult times.

As the Dark Century wound to an end and order was reestablished among the cities, this new religion of Luceism would spread through the populace like wildfire, and it was Luceists seeking to introduce the light of Ennoia to the other domed cities that would lead to the reestablishment of contact between all of them, though such travellers often found that Luceism was already spreading within those cities. In the year 2397, a government unifying all the cities on Assunzione was formed, albeit an explicitly secular one.

The Crusade of the Three

In the middle of the 25th century, all was going smoothly. The chaos that had defined the last century was but a distant memory and the cities were growing faster than ever, alongside the Luceist population. Assunzione would also formally join the Coalition of Independent Systems at this point. By the year 2453, the third and currently final generation of Foresayers would emerge, though this time they were only three in number. Despite this, their connection to Ennoia was stronger than ever before, and the messages they delivered were even more direct and often apocalyptic. They declared that Assunzione had lost its way, that too many parts of the cities were shrouded in darkness that would invite the Void, with the only solution being to illuminate all places where the faithful walked. Many officials, most of whom were devout Luceists, balked at the proposal, for it would put too much strain on the ageing geothermal generators. To the Three and their following, this explanation was not acceptable, and a few short years later, their last message would be delivered: replace the government with a more enlightened one. These Foresayers would be taken away soon after, never to be heard from again.

The response was as immediate as it was fierce. Luceists from all the cities would march on the capital in Malaga with the intent of capturing it in the name of Ennoia. Block by block they fought over the course of several gruelling months before eventually, in the year 2459, they would finally claim victory and formed the Illuminated Cities of Assunzione, appointing seven keepers to govern the seven cities. The institutions of old would be swept away, and the Luceists would accomplish what they had been instructed to do, enacting sweeping infrastructure changes in the process. It is often joked about that the lights of Assunzione’s cities have taken the place in the night skies of other systems that the star once held, as it was at this point that those cities were officially confirmed to be the brightest places in the Spur.

Present Day

As the 26th century draws to a close, Assunzione prepares for a turbulent future. Their relations with the Coalition have suffered since the church took control of the planet, as greater effort has been placed on proclaiming their way of life across the nation, much to the displeasure of others who are quite pleased with what they already believe. Another notable factor is their refusal to provide manpower or resources for the Medina Conflict, especially since it is likely that the Coalition would have defeated Elyra if Assunzione contributed.

At home, many are preparing for what will likely be a massive shakeup to the church. In 2586, one person was imbued with the gift of the Foresayers for a few moments, during which they declared that the Last Foresayer will arrive soon and pave the way for the reignition of Assunzione’s star. Many have taken this prediction as fact, though others have dismissed the entire chain of events. As the predicted year draws nearer, the church looks closer to fracturing day by day, and it is anyone’s guess what will happen, and when.

Environment

Out of all the inhabited planets in the Spur, Assunzione likely has one of the most extreme environments. The Dimming has left the surface outside of the cities a frozen wasteland that requires a pressure suit in order to travel safely. To make matters worse, the lack of sunlight leaves the majority of the planet constantly shrouded in darkness, making trips to remote regions a dangerous affair. There is also no surviving flora or fauna outside the cities, save for one species, known as the luce vine. This bioluminescent plant covers much of the area immediately surrounding the cities, and is known to grow over the massive domes, creating an ethereal sight for those approaching from the outside.

Life within the cities is much more abundant, though their dense nature leads to the more compact species thriving the most. Thanks to the absurd amount of artificial light sources, plant life can be found around every corner and even extending up the sides of buildings in some cases. Various animals also roam the twisting corridors, the most common of which being the domesticated house cat. They are by far the most popular pet and the planet’s primary predator, keeping the population of species like the artificially created “glowrats” in check.

Luceism

Assunzione’s main religion of Luceism is so intertwined with every level of society that it is nearly impossible to describe the latter without understanding the former. Emerging from the syncretising of the colonist’s various faiths as well as the trauma of the Dimming, Luceism is followed by the overwhelming majority of the population. It centres on the worship of the genderless, omnipresent, non-anthropomorphic entity known as Ennoia, who contrary to outsider belief, does not represent Assunzione’s star. Rather, the star itself is referred to with the epithet of The Shrouded One.

Light(or any form of electromagnetic radiation, though visible light is the holiest) and stars are the main driving aspects of the Luceian faith, and many go to great lengths to lighting up houses of worship, altars, or in the case of Assunzione, entire cities. Artificial and natural light are of equal precedence, though natural sunlight, being a foreign concept to Assunzione, is often revered as having fantastical properties to followers, with many Luceians travelling abroad having awe-filled reactions to seeing daylight for the first time in their lives. Regardless of its origin, all light symbolises the concepts of clarity, knowledge, protection, and nature. In fact, it is so vital that all Luceists travelling abroad will carry a warding sphere, a crystal sphere containing a bulb from a luce vine. To let this sphere break or be taken by another invites terrible curses until one travels home to acquire another, so the sphere is often surrounded by a metal frame to mitigate the former.

The Four Flames

The Flame that deals with a person’s self-image and ego. It is through this Flame that one understands their soul, and it is only through living life, rather than meditating in seclusion, that one understands who they truly are. The Aspect of Light(Self-Reflection) is one of understanding one’s own flaws and learning how to work around them, while the Aspect of Darkness(Misery) emerges when one puts too great an emphasis on their flaws over anything else, creating a permanent roadblock in their development. Many Luceists have made it a habit of admonishing anyone they see using self-deprecating humour.

Luceism places heavy emphasis on selflessness and giving to the community, and this Flame embodies the spirit that helped the population through their darkest hour. Those who were selfish found themselves perishing alone, but those willing to aid those around them often brought about a collective reward. The Aspect of Light(Charity) is embraced when one gives without expecting anything in return, but when one aids the community as far as they alone stand to gain something from it, they find themselves taking on the Aspect of Darkness(Patronage).

In the modern times, when a rational, scientific explanation is desired for everything, this Flame defies that thinking by pushing past the limits in pursuit of a knowledge of Ennoia and the universe that defies words. Through the Aspect of Light(Truth), a Luceist finds their faith taking on characteristics of mysticism, something completely absent from the Aspect of Darkness(Surrender), where one acknowledges some mysteries of the universe as unsolvable, the first step on the path towards that dreaded scepticism. This Flame in particular is responsible for why the papers written by Luceist scientists often read more like religious texts.

The last of the Flames, and one that determines how one presents themself to the world. Not only does this depend on how one embodies the three other Flames, but also how dedicated they are to proclaiming Ennoia’s light. The Aspect of Light(Ignition) can be found in those who embody all that is mentioned above, the ones who burn like the stars themselves. Those who fail to cross the threshold have taken on the Aspect of Darkness(Embers), and are unworthy of bringing that light into the world, at least for now. They are often likened to brown dwarfs, the failed stars who lacked the conviction to shine brightly. Though mighty compared to the rest, they cannot reach even a fraction of what their illuminated brethren can achieve.

The Nature of Reality

Ennoia is described in Luceist texts as the representation of all light in the universe, and holds no form beyond that. Rather than being a discrete sentient entity, they are a fundamental part of the universe, albeit one that can be communed with for guidance and wisdom, though their guidance rarely takes a follower down the easy path in life. Most attempts to depict them usually fall back on abstract symbolism, whether through the simple eye on the Luceian square, or as a series of interlocking wheels.

While Ennoia may be the provider of all light in the cosmos, it is the responsibility of some to protect that light. Hence, the Guardians, protectors of the star and the celestial bodies orbiting them. Not every system is home to a Guardian, but all those that produce multicellular life will have one. Every Guardian was at one point a human soul that went through lifetimes of work to become worthy of protecting a system.

In Luceism, when one dies, they undergo The Rest, a process where souls commune with each other in the star of their home system. The length of time this takes is unknown, as they exist outside of time itself. Once they are ready, or when Ennoia deems it is time according to some interpretations, the soul is judged. If they are considered worthy of continuing on the path to True Ignition, they reincarnate and go through the process once more. Those who have finally crossed the threshold of Enlightenment over the course of multiple lives are able to become Guardians.

Those who follow the Aspects of Darkness in all their lives are eventually barred from returning to life, and descend into the Void, a region of space that Assunzione lies on the edge of, where no stars burn, and where absolute darkness reigns. The very concept is terrifying to Luceists, and to stare at it in the night sky too long is to risk losing your very soul. When one is lost to the Void, they lose all identifiers and become utterly consumed by their own shortcomings and rage at the light. These Voidlost seek any means to lash out, often at unaware trespassers, and sometimes at the only accessible system, Assunzione itself. It is said that Ennoia knew the star that would become The Shrouded One would be consumed, and that soon every source of light would follow, so they guided the ancestors of the faithful to the system so that one day, their practice of the Flames might reignite the star and reveal its name once more, a name that will reveal all the mysteries of the universe.

Venturing into the Void is a dangerous affair, and only scientific and rescue vessels blessed by the Church are permitted to travel into it, with the caveat that no journey may last more than 60 days and that EVA is strictly prohibited. Those within the Void find that every other star seems to disappear from view within it, and that travel in such absolute darkness is quite dangerous. In the direction towards Assunzione, though lying far beyond it, there is one thing that breaks the uniformity of the Void: a single, blood-red dot.

The Radiant Church of Assunzione

Though many interpretations of Luceism exist, one takes precedence over all others. Though heavily structured, the Radiant Church boasts no single leader besides Ennoia themself. Instead, it is operated by a council consisting of members from each branch of the church. Regardless of what path one takes, rigorous education is required, so that they do not inadvertently lead the congregation astray. Those undergoing this education are referred to as Stewards and once they are ready, they move on to one of the many positions in the church, or join the monastic order known as the Fellowship as a Lightseeker. Rather than remaining in seclusion much of the time, they serve the public and attempt to experience what life has to offer, only returning to their monasteries when it is time to reflect on their experiences.

Within the church proper, there are many different branches. The Keepers are the ones most will interact with on a regular basis, as they are the priests and counsellors of the Radiant Church. Protecting and managing the holy sites are the Wardens, who may either keep watch over the places of worship, the monasteries, or even protect the system itself from the Voidlost. The church itself is also the sole non-corporate scientific institution in the system, and it is the Revealers that conduct all research and expeditions, as well as the closely related Preservators, who maintain the solar arrays through ritual and preventative maintenance, in preparation for the day the star reignites. Finally there are the Luminaries, a person chosen by all of a city’s Keepers to govern that city.

The churches themselves can be found in all sizes, from single rooms to opulent cathedrals. A few things can be found in every place of worship, such as a large warding sphere in the centre of a room surrounded by a raised platform, placed there to represent the Shrouded One and the system that surrounds it. It is said that one who is able to read the shadows it casts is able to predict the future, albeit not to the same extent as a Foresayer. Formal churches follow an X-shaped pattern with a single tower rising from the centre, holding a constantly lit flame. The interiors of the churches are much more opulent, with the walls covered in passages from Luceist scripture as well as stained glass windows, albeit ones that use abstract or geometric designs, as the depiction of any figure within a church is forbidden. The worship room is often empty save for the sphere and the platform, so as to ensure as many people are able to fit as possible. Services are held at dawn and dusk, and consist of guided prayer, music, and moments of quiet contemplation.

Society and Culture

Unsurprisingly, Assunzionii society has been deeply affected by the Dimming. The often densely packed nature of life underneath the domes has led to a space conscious lifestyle, and the inhabitants tend to be quite clever about finding places to store things. To most, this crowded lifestyle is infinitely preferable to creating more dwellings underground, as even the most well-lit tunnels have a tendency to make any Assunzionii extremely anxious at best. Space travel often has a very similar effect, effectively forcing anyone seeking to travel beyond the planet to undergo extensive counselling, especially when it comes to long term voyages.

The teachings of Luceism have also extensively influenced the behaviours of its followers. There is an overwhelmingly collective bent to society within the cities, albeit not to the same extent as the Tajara. Generally, when one needs help, they can often expect to receive it, often with little compensation required in exchange. Assunzionii are also mostly accepting of outsiders, albeit in an almost patronising way, for they see it as their responsibility to enlighten the masses of the Spur, no matter their species.

Architecture

The evolution of Assunzione’s post-calamity architectural movements is one closely watched and catalogued by contemporary anthropologists. The planet’s boom in religious fervour and subsequent Luceian rule have since spawned several eccentric urban regeneration projects - each designed to further cement the faith as an integral part of Assunzionii culture; and, less explicitly - to capitalise on the uptick in tourism the planet has begun to experience since the demise of its star.

The result of said projects has been a wholly unique, densely packed fusion of old-earth gothic architecture and urban sprawl; soaring vertical proportions used to circumvent the inherently limited space offered by the domes, while intricately carved stone and massive flying buttresses serve as idle reminders of the seven cities’ status as holy sites. Black and gold accents feature prominently throughout - abstract representations of light and dark - and large, bulbous lamps bathe the streets in dazzling light.

Science

If one were to ask any child in Assunzione what they wish to be when they grow up, most would likely express their desire to become a scientist. The sciences have long fascinated the Assunzionii and as a result, the planet can easily be considered the research powerhouse of the Coalition. The field as a whole is heavily tied to the Radiant Church, however, as it is the sole scientific institution on Assunzione, aside from corporate facilities. This relationship had been in place long before the church became the planet’s government, as the Third Flame of Luceism heavily encouraged the sciences.

Paradoxically, the scientific community of Assunzione is both respected for their prowess and scoffed at for how they present themselves by foreign observers. Papers from Assunzione are notorious for their tonal differences as well as frequent theological musings from the writers. More controversial, however, is the treatment of divination as a valid scientific field. While especially common among the wider populace of Assunzione, mainly through the use of objects like warding spheres and tarot cards, scientists who specialise in it take a much more elaborate approach. Most of their work is centred around the act of replicating the abilities of the Foresayers, often to limited success, save for the successful experiment in 2586, though this too is disputed.

The Radiant Church also organises expeditions into Light’s Edge and beyond, mainly through the Order of Illuminated Explorers. The Order has feverishly spearheaded expeditions into the strange and barely charted areas of their corner of the Spur - becoming a focal point for urban legends, conspiracy theories, and more, fueled in large part by their insular nature. They are often romanticised in Assunzionii culture, braving the dark for the benefit of all mankind, frequently leaving out the treacherous nature of their work and exceedingly poor mental health that follows. Members of the Order are frequently rotated out behind closed doors if they make it back home, leading to an ever-present demand for bright Luceists to don their distinctive dark voidsuits, adorned by a cloak with Luceist scripture inscribed in gold.

The Arts

Prevailing movements in visual arts tend to stick around for much longer than usual on Assunzione, and even when a new one is adopted, it tends to take heavy influence from its predecessor. Many hypothesise that after a certain amount of time, a movement gains traction in religious contexts, leading to extra significance being attached to a certain style, which carries over to the next movement to go through the cycle. Particularly widespread right now is a revival of art deco, defined by its geometric, streamlined shapes and simple colouring. People are rarely portrayed in the Assunzionii version, mainly due to the attitudes around depictions of living things in art.

Tastes in music tend to be much more mercurial. Though the songs of Assunzione’s churches are far and away the most recognisable and long-lasting, there is a thriving scene of music for use outside of worship. The most prominent at this time is a spin on the neofolk genre. A far cry from the avoidance of instruments within worship songs, this genre combines trappings of folk and industrial music in varying levels for a somber tone. Most artists in this genre display a fascination with Luceism and spirituality in general, which can be reflected in both the lyrics as well as a musician’s presentation.

Government and Economy

The Illuminated Cities of Assunzione are rather unambiguously a series of city-states united under a theocratic government. Each city is run by a Luminary, a Keeper who is elevated to this seat of power through the vote of every other Keeper in a city. This Luminary serves for a term of five years, before stepping down and returning to their role as a Keeper, unable to be reelected. The Luminaries don’t have absolute authority over the matters of the church, and are not directly represented in the Council, either. They exist for the sole purpose of managing the city itself, no more, no less.

The economy of the Republic is intrinsically tied to Light’s Edge due to its position upon the very edge of the region. Its proximity to the rest of Light’s Edge allows it to not only serve as the primary economic hub of the surrounding frontier, but also makes it the primary point of entry for scientific expeditions or missions (often corporate-funded ones) seeking to examine the phenomena of the area or chart unexplored territories beyond known space. In order to continue its status as the best place to launch treks into Light’s Edge, the Republic’s economy is specialised into producing survey and sensor equipment ranging from a variety of sensor suites to exploratory and surveying vessels. Curiously, expeditions outfitted (and in some cases blessed for a price) by the denizens of Assunzione have a significantly higher survival rate than those that are not. Whether this is due to local expertise or something beyond that is unknown.

Major Cities

Assunzione is not a very diverse planet compared to others in the frontier. For a developed and highly connected world, its population is small and overwhelmingly human, with a small population of offworld humans and some positronic frames. Travel between the cities of Assunzione is primarily conducted via aboveground magnetic rail lines inside protected (though transparent, to avoid darkness seeping in) tubes. The overwhelming majority of planetary residents reside within the seven great domed cities of Assunzione, which have been developed far beyond what was originally planned. Far from just being one dome, the cities have multiple smaller domes surrounding them.

• Triesto is the capital of the Republic and the largest settlement on Assunzione, playing host to 20% of the planet’s population beneath a massive array of domes. Often referred to as the “Beacon of Light’s Edge” by its residents, the domed city is the single largest port in the entire interstellar south-east of the Orion Spur. Travellers from across the known space can be found beneath the domes of Triesto as they await their chance to brave Light’s Edge. Being a major regional port, and manufacturing hub of some of the most-capable deep-space survey sensors in the Orion Spur, Triesto has become a launching ground for expeditions run by corporations and church alike.

• Malaga is the birthplace of Luceism and is, arguably, the cultural centre of the Republic. Making up 16% of Assunzione’s population, the grand domes of Malaga are dominated by the centrally-located Grand Cathedral of Our Holy Light - the heart of Luceism.

• Iraklio stands nearby Triesto and Malaga along the equator of Assunzione. Prior to becoming sealed, it served as a major blue-water port on the planet due to its deep natural harbour. Following the Dimming, it has been repurposed into the planet’s primary shipyard and has recently seen investment from Hephaestus Industries.

• Makarska is the primary research hub of the planet (and, by extension, Light’s Edge). Zeng-Hu Pharmaceuticals operates a significant research facility in this domed city, and many of the sensor suites that are eventually used across Light’s Edge were originally developed under these domes.

• Guelma is another major site for the Luceian faith: the great domes of the city are located at the geographical north of the planet, upon its pole. Due to this positioning it is considered by the faith to be the “nearest city to the Star” and has had a very unique permission given to it. It is the only location in the Orion Spur where Luceism’s holy warding spheres (both normal and greater) are produced, and many followers journey to Guelma to receive one before travelling abroad.

• Dalyan, making up a mere 7% of the population, has the boring distinction of being Assunzione’s breadbasket domed city. Beneath the lights of its domes grow a stunning variety of plants and animals that feed the Republic, and help give it a higher standard of living than many other locations in the far frontier. Dalyan exports a sizable amount of food to the larger Coalition and some of its cuisine can find its way even to the core worlds.

• Said, with a population fairly similar to Dalyan’s, is the secondary port of the planet. While it is not nearly as well-trafficked as Triesto, the smaller nature of Said’s port and cheaper costs of docking permits has made it attractive to many independent vessels not affiliated with a megacorporation. It remains to be seen whether or not Said will be able to use its port to become more prevalent in the future.