To help you understand your way around the Astral Astoria , here is a glossary of words, terms, 'technologies', and other useful bits of information you'll most likely comes across during your stay.
Bear in mind this can and will change , as people start to RP more, there will be more things to add...
If you have something you would like to contribute to the glossary either post up in the OOC forum , or send me a PM (Personal Message).
Ambassadorial suites
A section of the station where important visiting Ambassadors and dignitaries are placed for the duration of their stay.
Astoria Bazaar
Located on the One-Hundred and fiftieth floor, (roughly about halfway), sits the huge Astoria Bazaar. A massive market place which fills an entire open level across the whole breadth of the station. Where all manner of items are brought and sold, and all types of stalls and shops, from the expensive to the humble can be found. Its an area where all types of residents and visitors can, and do, mix.
Astorian(s)
This term is used to describe the inhabitants of the station, usually referring to those who were either born on the Astoria itself , or those who have lived their for most of their lives. This is a point of pride for most Astorians, a sign of status usually used to differentiate between themselves and those who just happen to be passing through. Most hold the view that one can not truly claim to be Astorian unless they were born there.
Banking Zone
The banking zone is a level devoted to making money onboard the station, here the Astral Astoria even has its own independant stockmarket, located the next floor above the Astoria Bazaar, (151st floor) . Further proof that the station practically runs itself.
Bar district
Located on the 111th floor, the Bar district is a whole level devoted to nothing but a melting pot of different bars and drinking establishments , all offering drinks as exotic , alien and sometimes even as dangerous as some of the station's residents themselves.
Bonadan Lounge, The
The second largest Casino onboard the Astoria, owned , maintained and run by Vinda-Corporation. Situated in the Casino Level, this luxurious club is the newest addition to the station's already high number of Casinos.
Caretaker Prime
The name given to the manager or manageress who runs the station's day to day needs. The current Caretaker Prime is simply known as Ayan, no-one seems to know her origins, and she does not talk about them. No-one knows whether she was appointed the job or just took it upon herself to the task. There are even rumours that suggest she is as old as the station itself.
Only the Caretaker Prime is acknowledged by the Astoria's onboard computer as being the person capable of directing certain commands, and only the Caretaker Prime is allowed to access the 299th floor where the Command centre is situated.
Although the station effectively runs itself, the Caretaker Prime has the last word on anything that happens onboard the station...(or does she?)...
Casino level
Found on the 162nd floor, this level is devoted purely to those residents who preferr to indulge in gambling . Many Casino houses line the pallasaides offering a huge and varied range of games to suit even the hardest and choosiest of gamblers. Including the two biggest Casino's , the Astoria's own; The Excelsior, and its latest addition; Vinda-Corp's The Bonadan Lounge. From Sabacc to Roulette, there is something for everyone.
Celestial Gardens
Situated on the 281st floor, and Encompassing the entire breadth of it, residents can find the Astral Astoria's beautifully maintained exotic Gardens. A miraculous achievement , as rolling green hills, wild flowers , trees and even a wide range of animals can be found. A delicately balanced mini-ecosystem in itself. A perfect place for the resident to hide from the daily excitement and noise of the station.
Command Centre, The
Situated on the 299th floor , this houses the giant network mainframe that is Janus, which controls every aspect of the Station's running.
Department, The
A large private-investigation firm that employs regular detectives as well as freelance operatives. They primarily receive business from people who have already gone to the Police, or from people who for some reason or another do not wish Police involvement.
The Department has an unofficial rivalry with the station Police. Although The Department is considerably smaller than the Police force, the competition is fierce and tough, often to the point at which certain detectives refuse to speak to the Police, and vice versa.
Downport, The
This is the spaceport and cargo areas of the station located in the lower section. During late at night and the very early hours of the morning, when the Downport is quieter than usual, residents are urged to avoid the area for their own safety.
Excelsior, The
The Astral Astoria's own Casino situated on the Casino Level. It is the biggest, but also the most oldest Casino onboard the Station.
Firm, The
A shadowy, organisation that are rumoured to run the Astoria's criminal underworld. Every place has its element, and the Astoria is no exception. Who exactly runs this group is a mystery, speculation ranges from certain prominent businessmen , to the Caretaker Prime herself, (though most, of course is gossip).
Hades Hive, The
This bar is located on the 111th floor, within the bar district, and is run by a twin horned , chain smoking, surly Astorian by the name of Calibos. An alien of unknown origin.
This particular bar is notable mainly because, despite its somewhat rough and ready decor , its probably the most visited and popular around.
This is due to it being one of the oldest onboard the station and as a result many regulars frequent the establishment. Most of whom Calibos knows by name, because of this it has become the place to find people who are in the know.
This includes Calibos himself ,who is always on the pulse, and probably the best source of information on the station. Its rumoured even both the Police and the detectives check in now and then when they are in dire need of information.
Suffice to say gossip and rumour is usually the number one pastime, that and the odd illegal Sabacc game. It is said that no rumour can be given any credence unless you heard it from the Hades Hive first.
Janus
The huge, automated and virtually sentient computer mainframe which runs the Station. The mainframe has multiple control panels scattered all over multiple areas on all decks of the Station should the residents / visitors need to access the complicated onboard network for day to day needs, (such as communications like the universal translators, or domestic applications, like heating or lighting).
The onboard network controls and regulates everything from the Stations huge power reactor systems , to its day to day operational running.
The Main control deck, is located at near the very top of the Station, (and only the Caretaker Prime has access to it. Visitors or residents can communicate with the computer system by calling its name.
There are subtle rumours whispered in darkened corners that indicate Janus, is in fact completely sentient, and controls far more than what the average Astorian sees or realises, of course, no-one pays any heed to rumours and most regard those that propagate these tales as either bored wind-up merchants or nut-jobs to be avoided.
Levels
The Astral is composed of a multitude of floors, each stacked on top of one another in the typical manner. While some of these levels are dedicated soly to a single occupation (details below) the majority of them contain a healthy mix of housing, facilities, shops, and shifters. Housing is in the majority for most of the levels.
Lower Levels, The
When residents talk about these levels they are referring to the fiftieth and under floors / decks of the station. They are considered to be quite dangerous during certain hours. There are no living areas in these decks apart from a few low-key service and personnel workers on the 32nd floor.
Med level
Should any resident need medical assistance, the Station's advanced Medical facility located on the 77th floor offers a wide ranging service to attend from minor complaints to major surgery, a complete and fully operational hospital.
Police
The Astral has its own well-staffed and well-equipped Police force, which does an excellent job at keeping the station relatively clean and orderly. The force is large, well-diciplined, and efficient, almost to a fault.
There is a considerably strong rivalry between the official Police, and the private organization called The Department. This rivalry results in a great many heated confrontations, as the Police resent The Departments seeming ability to always have one up on the Police (this feeling is mutual). Although The Department is considerably smaller than the Police force, the competition is fierce and tough, often to the point at which certain detectives refuse to speak to the Police, and vice versa.
Troublemakers new to the station are surprised when they see the Police aren't armed, (apart from the odd stun-stick), and sometimes take this to mean they can do what they want without any real danger to themselves.
This is a big assumption, and a big mistake, and those that push things too far, find this out to their cost.
No Astorian would tangle with the police , because they know better.
Police Ranks
- Police Constable
- Sergeant
- Detective Inspector
- Detective Chief Inspector **(Kesser)
- Superintendent
- Deputy Chief Constable **(Fitch?)
- Chief Constable / Comissioner **(Farley?)
There are usually several ranks of sergeant, each corresponding to greater experience and responsibility for the daily lives of the soldiers of larger units. Although even the highest sergeant is officially lower in rank than the lowest lieutenant, an experienced sergeant will have considerable personal power and know how to exercise it. A wise junior officer will heed the advice of the senior sergeant. (Sgt or PS) (three point down chevrons
A chevron (also, especially in older documents, spelled cheveron) is a V-shaped pattern or insignia used in military or police uniforms to indicate rank or length of service, or in heraldry.
A Superintendent is an individual that has executive oversight and administration rights, usually within an educational entity or organization.They are typically given overall responsibility for personnel selection and appointment, preparation of operating budgets, and implementation of school policies and regulations.
Section C-15
Located on the 213th floor, this section is rumoured to be haunted.
Section J
A section located on the mid-rim zone of the station on the 144th floor, this area has accommodation for those at around the mid-range pricing bracket.
Shifters
The Astral Astoria's primary method of transport onboard the huge station. Believed to be Instant matter teleporters, though no-one really knows for sure, and although many have theorized, no-one onboard the station actually knows exactly how these devices work, including (some of the more worrying rumors report), the onboard mechanics. There are thousands upon thousands of single-person shifters scattered about the station, as well as multiple hundreds of multi-passenger shifters that are located near the more heavily populated areas.
Housed in a booth, not unlike an elevator, the passenger must step inside and close the door, then decide on their destination. This is done by either one of two methods. The first can be achieved by keying in the appropriate reference number which pin-points exactly your destination anywhere on the station's network of booths , as each booth has its own unique ID reference number. (this method is usually only used by those who have been residents for quite some time and know exactly where they are going).
The second and most widely used method is where the passenger merely speaks their intended destination aloud to the computer. (This is for those who are less exact with their directions, for example; stating a floor or level, rather than selecting a specific Booth) Doing it in this way means the passenger will always be automatically placed in what is considered the 'entrance' of a particular level or section.
With either method the passenger is instantaneously transported to the shifter closest to the desired destination, as shifters can only transport from one shifter to another.
(note: in the downport docking section of the station there are considerably larger Shifters to enable the movement of larger cargo)
300th floor, The
The highest level onboard the the Astral Astoria. No one onboard the station knows what is on the 300th floor, and as far as anybody knows, no-one has access to it. This is a source of constant speculation and rumour.
Typhoid 7
A group of seven misfit Ugnaughts led by a piggy named Scratch, that are known to operate onboard the station and whose area of expertise extends to (mostly) petty crimes, like pick-pocketing, robbery, etc...
Other notable members include (so far),
Preacher (real name unknown)
Ritchy (the runt)
{To be updated, once other members are known} - Ayan
Zone RF-3
A section where rumours persist of an aligator hiding in the depths of its airvents.
{to be added to as and when} - Ayan
[Updated Janus entry ] - Ayan.