NEW UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
DEPARTMENT OF
STATE
CIVILIAN SERVICE CORPS
OFFICE of CULTURAL RELATIONS
Welcome to Luz!
Congratulations! If you are
reading this, you have been assigned to join your fellow Service Members and
Commissars as part of the joint CSC diplomatic outreach to the world of
Talveras to be stationed in the city of Luz
-LOCATION:
Luz was built in the center of a vast savannah on the Shavitessen continent. It
commands the Yetrenya
River
-FOUNDING:
The first novum who would become Luzine had established a great many nomadic
tribes along the banks of the Yetrenya. Due to the aridness of the land, there
was little in the way of farming that could be accomplished. It was not until
an exploration party from the lands of what would become the Golo province
brought the gernaki –a fruit that thrives in hot, arid weather that requires
little water- that more permanent settlements could be established. One of
these settlements, built upon the fork of the Yetrenya and the Kasur’n, became a
major destination for all civilizations conducting overland travel across
Shavitessen. Offering brothels, taverns, gambling houses, as well as legitimate
trading posts and currency exchanges; this settlement soon became an economic
powerhouse. The natives called their settlement Lukuru’oda’ven’hasemuz (Warm
place of family/friendship by the river’s fork), but of course the foreign
travelers simply called it: Luz.
-EARLY HISTORY: The city officially named ‘Luz’ was founded 515 BHII(tv), the
circumstances of its founding came about during a great drought that had driven
away much of the wildlife. Famine became rampant. Even the established animal
farms were unable to meet the water demands of their livestock, and tens of
thousands of heads of morntenitril (A large fury herd animal similar to a water
buffalo) died in their pastures. To combat this crisis, several inventive
Luzine engineered radical agricultural constructs whose basic utility still
endure today. The first of these were ‘vertical farms’, constructs that might
actually be considered the first ‘skyscrapers’ to appear on Talveras.
Resembling large cylinders or tiered pyramids, these wildly successful
agricultural facilities made use of imported sea water from the Goloine coast
artificially evaporated to provide the much needed moisture to the plants
within. Mirrors and greenhouses were able to direct the requisite amounts of
sunlight into the buildings without drying the plants, allowing Luz to field a
variety of fruits and vegetables apart from the hardy gernaki for the first
time. Eventually, domed ranches and even domed parks and artificial ‘beaches’
began springing up all over the town. These boom times were not without their
cost, however.
-GOLOINE VASSALHOOD: Though the sea water being regularly
shipped to Luz was basically worthless to anyone except the Luzine, the first
Goloine Empire capitalized on Luz’ vulnerable circumstances and threatened to
cut off the supply unless Luz became a protectorate of their empire. With the
southern route to Alo’ashi blocked by dense jungle, and no other nations nearby
willing to put forth the resources, the loose council that governed Luz had no
choice but to accept. Thus in the middle of the driest wet season the Luzine
had ever known in the year 515 BHII(tv), the settlement on the fork of the
Yetrenya and Kasur’n officially came to be called Luz: vassal territory of the
First Goloine Empire.
-INDEPENDENCE
-PRE-INVASION LUZ: The Luzine were the first to develop
shot-and-powder weapons on Talveras, securing their sovereignty as an
unassailable power for many years. However, despite their ability to defend
their territory against any incursion, the Luzine were unable to field
sufficient supplies or personnel for a single successful invasion into any of
the adjacent nations or kingdoms –despite trying. In time, Luz found that there
was more profit as the economic powerhouse it had always been than as an empire,
thus it became the business and academic capitol of Talveras for several
centuries right up until the day of the Hilean Imperial invasion.
* * *
-WHAT TO EXPECT: Novum of all color and caste reside in Luz,
and any where you should travel on Talveras; you are bound to find a few people
who speak Luzine despite the Empire. There are no shortages of things to do in
Luz, as it fields a number of both indoor and outdoor parks and recreation
areas. Its many theaters, both of stage and screen, regularly feature shows and
stories from around the Talveran globe. The populace, in general, has proven
friendly enough to American personnel, but there is a certain social strata
with which one must become familiar. Talveran culture is very much defined by
one’s facial features, and while more nuanced details are available in the data
base, the highlights are as follows: Red or maroon hair means one is a
descendant of the original Luzine and should be identified as such. Differing
hair colors (such as blue or green) denote ancestry in different provinces.
Though such people may have been born or raised in Luz, they are to be
identified by their ancestral lands (again, the data base is your friend). In
general, you need not be too specific about the city or sub-climes, so long as
you are able to identify traits from the main provinces, due respect will be
considered given. However, there is one trait you should familiarize yourself
with that exists regardless of ancestry: grey eyes. The novum tend to prize
their vibrant hair and eye color, and having grey eyes is considered a very
undesirable trait. Such people are usually at the bottom of the social order,
and extended interactions with them will not be encouraged by the populace at
large. In case it needs to be stated, official CSC policy is to treat the
ENTIRETY of the novum people with respect and deference. Americans may,
understandably, feel compelled to step in upon witnessing certain excesses;
however the Secretary of State and the Senior Commissars of your respective
offices have all agreed not to interfere with interactions between novum unless
requested by lawful authorities. If you feel it necessary, you may request an
interaction be stopped or suggest an alternate resolution but BY NO MEANS are
you authorized to physically intervene or impede.
-APPROVED ACTIVITIES: While all leave from the Commissariat
must be pre-approved by the Senior Commissar, you are limited to only a certain
amount of interactions as a member of the Civilian Service Corps both in and
out of uniform. (This is an over-view, consult the DB for more)
-YOU MAY: Attend shows in any of the pre-approved theaters,
enjoy parks or recreation areas respectfully, dine or shop in any of the
pre-approved districts, fraternize and accompany any member of the novum
populace (upon approval from your SC) for as long as they are comfortable with
you, partake in any non-wagered sport or contest, discuss matters of history
and culture with anyone interested.
-YOU MAY NOT: Consume the services of any brothel,
tavern/bar/saloon, casino, or establishment offering prominent services in erotic
content, gambling, or alcohol or other inebriants. You may not spend the night
in the company of a novum individual or family (your SC cannot authorize you to
do so), nor make use of a hotel, inn, hostel, or lodging of any kind
(exceptions are made for hospitals if injured). There will be no haggling over
prices in any authorized establishment (you must assume that the price is the price
and if it is too expensive; you cannot afford it). You may not lend, bet, or
gift any portion of your stipend or allowance. Further, you may not consume any
service for free, nor accept a loan, wager, or gift from a novum (exceptions do
exist, consult your SC). Intimate contact of any kind with a novum is strictly
prohibited without express written consent for both you, your partner, a CSC
witness, and your Senior Commissar upon completion of the proper forms. Do not
discuss your personal religion or politics on any issue under any
circumstances. You WILL NOT threaten, strike, intimidate, extort, assault,
curse at, deceive, or impugn any novum.
-REMEMBER: You are about to enter an alien culture that is
rich and varied, but is not your own. Be respectful, polite, sensitive, attentive,
deferential, professional, and friendly. Most importantly, however, remember
that you are the first taste of humanity the novum will have. Make a good
impression.
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