Claslat

(adj: Caslati)

History

• “Claslat stands as the largest and loudest Autochthonian nation. Based on its vast size and enormous wealth, its people claim a position of preeminence in the Octet—first among equals.”
• “Largest and greatest of the Eight Nations, mighty Claslat is the powerhouse that drives the Octet. Claslat’s symbol is the smith’s hammer—the tool that imparts shape and meaning to that which is otherwise inert and useless.”
• The trade nation in Vanilla, the entertainment and industry in Gunstar.

Culture

• Alchemicals: “As the largest and most boisterous of the Eight Nations, Claslat has historically had some difficulties with Exalts whose collective incarnations from more restrained nations or even earlier, less exuberant times within Claslat itself catalyzed into fairly conservative personalities. To combat this, the nation actively cultivates a spirit of fierce competition in its Champions. State propaganda reports do not simply promote the exploits of its heroes, but actively compare and contrast them. This competition generally has the desired effect of goading its Alchemicals on to greater feats of heroism and patriotism. It also produces the less desirable effect of promoting some degree of infighting among the Chosen.
• The relatively recent institution of the Gladiate has done much to alleviate this problem by incorporating the Exalted of foreign nations into Claslat’s spirit of competition. Even the most reluctant Champion of Claslat is loath to let any Exalt from a foreign nation show him up.”
• Claslat created a token system where those who went above and beyond the line of duty were given a 'glot' (industrial scrap glass) to exchange for luxuries such as better food, admittance to exclusive performances, or even extra relaxation shifts. But that was three centuries ago, and very few glots make it back to the government, now it has become a de facto currency used to trade among the Populat for favors and services, and given the lack of regulation of the trade many unscrupulous fellows came in and started controlling what became as the glass market.
  • Example products and services offered through the glass market are detailed on p. 23 if you have any interest in translating it over.
• Corrupted with organized crime in Vanilla, likely to have similar problems in Gunstar.
  • Businesses and factories might be owned largely by a few select individuals, who might be Exalted wanting to dip their hands in deeper, or might be capable mortals (Space Guild!?).
  • “Refectories, commerce-catherdrals where most workers eat, are generally longer than wide, with high, flowing ceilings, and ample lighting. They are considered holy places, and as such are semi-formal environments; workers must wait in line to enter the dining hall. Outside the hall, they must remain stone silent, in contemplation of Autochthon. As they cross the threshold into the refectory, a customary prayer of thanks to the Maker is spoken. Once inside, the refectory is much like a great cafeteria, with service lines and rows of tables. Here workers may sit where they please and are allowed to converse openly with one another, so long as they maintain a decorum befitting a place that is both holy—a place of communion—but also a place of relaxation.
  • Autochthonian cuisine may seem bland to the Creation-born, but the Autochthonians have a great interest in their food, especially in Claslat, which is the largest producer and exporter of foods in Autochthonia. Claslat’s refectory-technicians—chiefly members of the Harvesters—picked up thaumaturgical food-preparation techniques from Jarishite gourmets hundreds of years ago. These techniques allow Claslati kitcheners to turn the different types of slurry into a variety of foods. One particular procedure converts the nutrients into a grainy flour-like substance which can be used to make several kinds of bread. Another involves hardening a certain kind of slurry over a live flame from one of Autochthon’s capillaries until it becomes a greasy jelly that makes a stock for many kinds of soups. Yet another refines multiple different kinds of slurry into a powder and syrup mix that, when baked, becomes a jerky-like substance called kampui, an energizing meat-snack that is immensely popular across the whole of Autochthonia.
  • Claslat boasts the largest number of workers devoted strictly to the development and production of slurry into more distinct food substances. There are hundreds of thaumaturgically-produced grains, soups, and even meats, and the Claslati Harvesters have perfected the preparation of these products into practical meals—nutritious, easily prepared, and easy to ship as well as store. Ironically, Claslat exports more processed foods than it actually consumes, with the bulk of its refectories serving mostly basic, lightly-processed mush on six out of seven days of the week, and more elaborate meals on the seventh day and on Autochthonian holidays.”
• Claslat also houses an upstart cult of Tripartite members who seek to live forever, and believe they have found the answer in thaumaturgy, killing themselves in such a way that they still walk and think without biological necessity. Unfortunately, what they've actually done is turned themselves into hungry ghosts, inevitably, it just depends on when their soul becomes agitated enough. “They are based primarily in Harmegis, where the group is preparing to make an offer to the city’s Populat director; but they also have significant cells in the metropoli of Jandis, Turon and Goll, and the patropolis of Kur. They have only a few agents in Arat at present.”
  • A fairly interesting hook I wouldn't really figure out how to develop too strongly in Vanilla, this is very tempting if we use Abyssals at all.
• Gunstar: “The nation-district caters to the Chosen like no other: within its technicolor cities, the Chosen feast on fine cuisine, enjoy the company of courtesans, and cheer for competitors in the arenas of the Gladiat. Miles below, workers toil in a churning maze, cranking out crossbows, armor, and other implements of war. When the shift-whistle blows, some filter to the upper decks, hoping that one of the Chosen will see something desirable in them—whether that something is wit, strength, intelligence, or even simple sex appeal. While the Exalted and their mortal followers occupy two very separate social strata, Claslat is a mixing pot, where an off-duty Solar general can play sports with his troops and an overworked Sidereal can enjoy a good conversation and a cup of kaff.”

Physical Descriptions

• "Central Claslat contains the nation’s older settlements, including nine cities and countless towns. It is a single massive, low-ceilinged open cavity half the size of the Wavecrest Archipelago."
• "Outer Claslat is a series of smaller chambers adjoining Central Claslat, connected by tram lines. It contains over thirty towns and two cities, Kur and Anket."

Cities

Harmegis: ('Centropolis', originally Harrowing Meteoric Aegis, Starmetal Caste?)

• Harmegis is compromised three rings, built towering upwards. The smallest city, shows no interest in expansion.
• Lowest is Maker's Anvil, the factories and Populat housing, so cramped most live in five hundred paces from where they live. Also housed here are starmetal coils and baffles that rise up above the smog, a Municipal Charm known as the Resonant Chorus that raises the sound out of the Maker's Anvil, protecting workers' hearing.
• Maker's Hammer is above that, where food is made and Alchemicals of the Nation are maintained, and most of the Tripartite's of the nation largely lives, performing their duties.
• Finally is the Maker's Eye, so high up it's past the Resonant Chorus, a starmetal ring of temples and theaters to appreciate the city, housing the Theomachracy. Every citizen must ascend it via lift once a week to appreciate Harmegis in full. Also houses the sarcophagus of Claslat, which according to legend speaks blah blah blah.
  • Clearly someone's gonna fight up there sometime.

Arat: (Patropolis, originally Arms and Armor Triumphant, Soulsteel Caste)

• The largest and oldest of Claslat cities, values weapons over army size and stratagem and the Octet's chief weapon manufacturer.
• Akin to Vegas in its entertainment and cityscape, vibrant but exploitive, uncomfortably hectic to outsiders.
• “Observed from atop its highest buildings, Arat is a sea of light pushing back the eternal darkness of the Realm of Brass and Shadow. Great towering blocks of iron-faced tenements push up out of the press and bustle of the city, their fronts decorated with gaudy banners and luminescent paints. Signs and blandishments have been affixed to the sides of the patropolis’s buildings, and alleys glow like lurid arteries where off-shift factory workers have set up tents and shops to display their wares and talents. The towers of the Tripartite wear different colors, no less bright or loud lest they be lost among the visual din, although their signs exhort the workers to piety and productivity, rather than advertising skill at massage, games of chance, or the availability of cheap sex.”
• In Vanilla has the highest crime rate, easily still a problem.
• Also constantly shoves old layers into the pits of Autochthonia, which are inhabited by the poor near the surface and exiles and mutants on the lowest.
  • It's hard to decide if that's still a thing, due to the Gunstar having a much more capable force
• Luminors hold the least power here due to so much lighting done by others, while Scholars are held most highly for their weapon design.
• “While the entire city is dedicated to building the weapons of war, the Munifactory is the pride of Arat—a great, black, undecorated and unpainted fortified bunker pushing up from the city’s middle to uppermost layers. . . . The Munifactory is Arat’s artifact workshop, a massive Municipal Charm devoted to the expedient manufacture of military wonders that rivals the earliest workshops of militant First Age Twilights. The lower levels of the Munifactory are given over to the methodical, ritualized production of daiklaves, assault crossbows, light power armor, and an array of expendable military wonders designed for use by non-Essence channelers. The Munifactory’s newer, higher levels are devoted to experimental new designs and the personal workshops of resident Alchemicals given leave to study and contribute to Flames Dancing’s great military think-tank.”

Jandis: 'The Furnace Unlimited' (Metropolis, Jade Caste)

• Big physical selling point is glowing metal furnace in the center, over which the city's industrial complexes are supended with adamant chains. Ore rolls into Jandis from all across Claslat, and is shipped out as basic finished products.
• Big historical selling point is where Gladiate started.

Cinshan: (Town)

• Major shipping hub, built between the Central and Outer segments.
• Due to its location, it is also where the black market is the strongest in the nation.

People of Note

Flames Dancing on the Battlefield: Orichalcum Caste, Colossus, stationed in Arat.

• Dude does testing and design of experimental weaponry.
  • Can't really see much beyond that.

Seven Eyes Unblinking: Moonsilver Caste, stationed in Yugash as a spy

• Keeping an eye (or seven) on the progress of Project Razor in Yugash, keeping them up to date and sabotaging and bringing back what she can if it gets close to completion.
  • Not much for Gunstar other than a possible name in passing unless you get creative!