#artidax

           Zakaz and Levato go hand-in-hand. They’re both located in vast, barren deserts and rely a lot on scavenging. They have naturally brutal conditions, but also have entertainment; Levato specializes in the arts, in sculptures, as well as board-games, and sports like Kolhii. Zakaz’s entertainment comes in the form of brutal gladiator matches and races, but it also has its own sports like Akilini, and of course theater productions, studios, and casinos as well.

           Nynrah goes with Kiniga! This one is less obvious, and that’s my fault; I never DID make my own separate post detailing Kiniga, but I may do that soon! I think I’ve finally begun to figure it out, so look forward to that…! Anyhow, Nynrah was and in some ways still is the sector of education, and Kiniga is where a lot of schools and textbooks are located! Medicine and healing is a big deal in Kiniga, and in Nynrah, the Nynrah Ghosts work specifically towards the anatomy of others and how to alter it. Water is the stuff of life, and it can sustain it… But with Nynrah, it was used to carry chemicals, mutagens, and Visorak into the bodies of others, horrifically transforming and distorting them.

           Finally, Artidax is the direct counterpart to Kokoro! Both involve knowledge and information; Kokoro stores past texts, deciphers them, and reads the stars. It is well-versed in the lost traditions and ancient culture and religion of Okoto. Artidax’s computer-banks store vast quantities of information, and both areas value the power of the mind and ‘thought’. Artidax’s satellites can read weather patterns just as Kokoro reads the stars, and it relays information and decodes data transmissions, just as Kokoro interprets past texts and forms predictions, and then brings that information to the rest of Okoto through the Gukko Airforce. Both have arctic locations in the north; Or at least Artidax did, but most of the snow and ice has melted. Some of it still remains, however. Finally, while the Region of Ice hosts another race of sapient beings, the Frostelus, Artidax hosts sapience separate from humans in the form of AI!

           Additionally, each Xian District in RaE has the same symbol as their corresponding Metrus from Metru Nui, you can probably guess which is which at this point. As G1 fans may have noticed (so basically, 99% of the Bionicle fandom), I took a LOT of inspiration from Metru Nui’s industrial, hi-tech city setting! If Okoto adapts the mythical, island parts of Bionicle, I wanted Xia to be an adaptation of the futuristic, sci-fi part of it, its later years; This includes the Bara Magna saga as well, which is somewhat represented in Zakaz and its Baran Desert. Naturally, Xia’s G1 namesake itself, as well as the districts’ namesakes, played heavy roles in influencing the island and its landmarks and locations, to varying degrees.

           Each district also takes heavy, direct influences in terms of aesthetic, function, and appearance from locatons in other forms of media as well! Stelt is based off of the images we have of Xia in G1, specifically its polluted air and its dark, mechanical skyline. Its whole deal with trade is also from G1 Stelt as well. It probably has the least fictional influences, in all honesty.

           Tametru is based off of G1 Ta-Metru obviously… But a lot of it is also inspired by Hotland from Undertale! In fact, everytime I think of Tametru, Another Medium plays in my head… Hotland is almost entirely responsible for my conception of Tametru as a location, not gonna lie, and I personally consider Another Medium to be my ‘theme song’ for Tametru! I love that song…

           Voymari is actually based not only on Mahri Nui (specifically with the Fields of Airweed and the semi-aquatic setting), but also the look of its towns and the skyline and shipyards come from Corellia’s Coronet City from Solo: A Star Wars Story! Sue me, I thought it was a cool movie with lots of cool locations that visually inspired me… Also, the idea of ‘Saltlung’ comes entirely from the town of Stain’d-by-the-sea from All the Wrong Questions.

           Zakaz is… literally just Bara Magna from G1, combined with Mad Max. Not much else to say here, honestly, other than that it also some adequately-developed cities and small nations, kind of like how G1 Zakaz had some urban areas before Spiriah ruined everything. Like G1, Zakaz has a LOT of conflict, and the Skakdi as well to boot!

           Nynrah started off as Fallout’s post-apocalyptic wasteland, but then it was combined with a lot of Resident Evil after I got into the series and realized just how well it fit; Specifically, the whole situation with Raccoon City and monsters roaming about the streets. In all honesty, Resident Evil’s monster aesthetic and whole corrupt scientist group schtick has overtaken as Nynrah’s primary influence. There’s also just a LITTLE bit of Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts, believe it or not. I went with the fact that G1 Nynrah had the Nynrah Ghosts, who are very science-oriented, and worked from there.

           Finally, Artidax is a combination of the aesthetic of Blade Runner and other cyber-punk settings, but is also blatantly ripped from Sanctuary Fortress, from Metroid Prime 2: Echoes! Brilliant game… Fun fact, Artidax was the last district to be planned and designed by me, by a LONG shot. For like three years, I didn’t even know what Artidax was supposed to be, what its function was, what it looked like; All I knew was that The Mountain existed within it, and that was about it. And even then, it wasn’t like I intended for The Mountain to have anything to do with Artidax’s lifestyle, as well! Occasionally, I even entertained just giving up and making The Mountain take up the entirety of Artidax…!

           But, I held on; I waited for inspiration, and lo it came to me with Sanctuary Fortress! I love Metroid Prime 2, it’s a great game and you should seriously play it! Metroid’s hi-tech, mythical settings are VERY conducive to Bionicle in general, and I have much to thank Retro Studios for their creative influence on me! Once I saw that mountainous region, with the hi-tech facilities of drones and computers, with coding that seemed to come from the skies… It all came into place!

           Other kingdoms and tribes saw the advantages of this industrial nation, and learned its trade secrets before inevitably adopting them. Attention turned towards colonization, of harvesting natural resources in bulk and producing large quantities of products. And while this industrial revolution was certainly helpful for many, the greed and heartlessness of many Xians took it to unnatural steps. Labor and workers were exploited in horrific factory conditions, deemed replaceable and switched out after collapsing from exhaustion like yet another cog in the machine. Smog was pumped out into the air, turning it toxic, while pollution funneled into rivers and poisoned the surrounding nature. Forests and fields were burned down to make room for new machines, and the very land itself was over-turned to access its precious metal veins underneath- Metals such as the valuable Exsidian, or the indestructible Bohrok.

           Several more centuries of this process happened, spreading across the island of Xia, until it became the brutal, technological industry it is today. Ruled by various corporations, dictators, oligarchs, and criminals, the highest class of Xia, those who control the stock market and own the higest shares, are known as the Powers that Be. They pass the laws, influence policy, broker between nations and take advantage of conflict, all in order to stockpile maximum amounts of capital in their insatiable hunger and greed.

           Weapons are the go-to market for many Xian industries, and warfare is a natural facet of existence. Crime rates are high and rampant, as is poverty and ghettos. A major chasm is only widening between the rich and the poor, who enforce their dystopia with the help of the robotic Vahki, controlled by the dictatorial Turaga Dume. To survive, many have resorted to crime, mercenary work, and assassinations to make a living, with many criminals joining the infamous Dark Hunters, situated in the allegedly haunted Odina Fortress. Organizations such as Vortixx Industries, or the fabled Nynrah Ghosts exploit lives and meddle with them for material gain and/or knowledge, and a cruel cynicism has overtaken the Xians in order to ensure their survival. Attempts at revolution are pointless, fruitless, and futile.

           Xia is divided into six districts, each serving a major purpose in its economy and the way life is organized. They are, as follows;

           The Stelt District, where the Xian market is located and the vast majority of its population lives. The Stelt District is where shops, stock markets, banks, super-markets, and other ludicrous ventures take place. Ghettos are rampant here, and materials, products, and even slaves regularly pass through Stelt. The district is the center for all transport and commerce, with packages frequently shipped through the electro-magnetic chutes scattered throughout the cities. Stelt is the preferred homeland of crime lords and gangs, with the ludicrous black market and its smuggling rooted firmly here, and is the location of the infamous Odina Fortress. Land and real estate in Stelt comes at incredibly high prices, forcing most to live either on the streets or in crowded tenements. The primary bulk of Xia’s agriculture and livestock is grown and processed within air-filtered buildings to prevent smog contamination, although food and cleaning regulations are nevertheless suspiciously lax. Crops are almost entirely lab-grown within cramped, mechanical confines, with the only exceptions reserved for wealthy aristocrats at exorbitant prices. Stelt’s food production is intensely guarded, and many have died trying to break in to steal something to feed themselves and/or loved ones.

           The Tametru District is the industrial, mass-manufacturing heart of all of Xia. Here is where the vast majority of mechanization and production takes place, with factories constantly active 24/7, grinding and smelting materials. Mechanical parts used in just about anything all come from Tametru. The temperatures are high from the massive furnaces constantly molten-metal being processed and refined into products, to later be shipped and distributed throughout Stelt. Weapons are frequently made, tested, and exported. While machinery has replaced many workers in Tametru, engineers are still prized and welcomed, as are individual guilds and blacksmiths. Smog is a constant presence in Tametru, even amongst other districts, and workplace conditions are especially hazardous thanks to the threat of heatstroke, factory accidents, and molten materials accidentally being let loose. While some factories are cold and abandoned, others have been reactivated by illegal bootleg operations.

           The Voymari District is where most of Xia’s raw materials comes from. The lowest district topographically, this has enabled Voymari to be constantly washed over by a high-and-low tide, which over the centuries has contributed to the softening and eroding of the land. Combined with massive mining operations, Voymari is now a rocky, barren land that is regularly flooded by the high tides. Once the water recedes, miners flock in to harvest precious veins of Exsidian, Bohrok, and other ludicrous metals to be shipped to Tametru. A large population of orphans lives here, and salt-lung is a real and common ailment. The constant floods and tides make Voymari ideal for establishing shipyards, and many Xian nobles own extravagant, if impractical, ships and yachts from which they sail out of Voymari and into the oceans surrounding Xia for lavish parties.

           The Zakaz District is where warfare and conflict truly shine. While the rest of Xia naturally flourished and developed, the desert conditions of Zakaz made it unprofitable and unwanted, resulting in the area lagging behind in terms of development and technological advancement. Zakaz is essentially where the ‘third-world countries’ of Xia exist, constantly fighting in open warfare and ruled by dictators who hope to join the Powers that Be. Machines of warfare and weaponry are constantly shipped here and utilized. The one truly neutral and safe place in Zakaz is Lake Tajun, the primary source of clean water in Xia. Zakaz is also home to Xia’s ‘entertainment’ sector, with gladiator matches being common. Disputes are often settled in these matches, as well as within brutal races and other competitions. Theaters and movies are produced within certain locations of Zakaz, most of them owned by the charismatic and unusual Kratakal, Xia’s top celebrity.

           The Nynrah District was once the center of the fishing market, as well as the sector education, research, engineering, and science. Headed by the Nynrah Ghosts, an elusive organization of Xia’s most brilliant minds and researchers, it was at one point a prosperous district. But one day, a mutagen was leaked into the water supply, spreading rapidly throughout Nynrah and infecting the population, killing many and mutating others into horrific creatures dubbed as Vorox. Infrastructure collapsed in this outbreak, and as the Vahki scrambled to contain the chaos, destruction ensued that released horrific Xian bioweapons into the area. With the situation rapidly deteriorating and falling apart, Turaga Dume ordered a complete and total quarantine of the district, erecting massive walls around Nynrah to seal it off from the rest of Xia. Countless citizens and Vorox were trapped inside, and now the district is a post-apocalyptic wasteland of mutants and rejects. The Nynrah Ghosts continue to operate here from within the shadows, releasing experiments, testing them, and gathering test subjects from the unfortunate population as bands of Vorox war over resources and supplies.

           The Artidax District is the AI mind of Xia. Here, massive servers, computers, broadcasting towards, and satellites are situated and launched regularly. A cold, sterile environment, Artidax is the very heart of programming, where code is sorted, machines are programmed, and the primary location of the Vahki Hives. Cameras are ever-present, turning Artidax into a Surveillance State underneath Dume’s command. Just about all internet and communication passes through the massive towers and satellite dishes present. Due to the massive heat expenditures of Artidax’s computers, the district was established in the frozen north, which eventually melted due to the massive heat pollution. In Artidax, computers sort through algorithms and calculate stocks, while Vahki and Exo-Toa gain sentience. Massive data-banks store precious information. Workers are constantly suited to prevent dust contamination of computer chips, and the district, while deemed ‘safer’ than the rest, is highly oppressive and quiet with eyes watching every step.

           For your average Xian and more, Xia is a hopeless, heartless land. It is a cursed land, the soil awash long ago and even now by the blood of innocents- Perhaps this is the reason for Xia’s horrible conditions? Is the land haunted by massacres and bloodshed? No one can say for sure. All anybody knows for certain is that Xia is a horrible, unhealthy land, a disheartening fact that leaves many yearning for more. And to get more, most Xians will do anything to escape their horrific, squalid conditions.

          Whatever the reason for The Mountain, it is certainly alive. Historical records and anecdotes allude to it being around centuries ago, as early as the beginning periods of Xia’s industrial age; Curiously, such records allude to it being much smaller than it currently is today. As of now, its growth seems to have halted, but nobody can say for sure.

          Regardless of its past, The Mountain’s current status is absolute and definite. On first appearance, it resembles just about any regular mountain, with some vegetation along its base, which begins to thin out further along its peak. At the very top is snow and ice, accumulated from the soaring peak’s unmatched altitude. All along the sheer cliff-faces and rocky slopes, one can find a couple of animals, from mountain goats to birds, to Cliff Screechers and Necrofinches and so forth.

          But scratch the gilded, seemingly-peaceful and natural surface of The Mountain, and one learns the truth. When cut, its grasses leak corrosive, burning acids. As for The Mountain itself… It does not feast too often. But when it does, it will suddenly shudder. A poor, hapless animal or any other victim on its side will be searched for, selected… And then the cliff-face will open. The stone itself will begin to absorb the body of its prey, folding in to ensnare its legs before curling in and crunching up the animal. Despite its cries for help and struggles, the prey will be unable to escape as it is slowly but surely absorbed into the face of The Mountain. The stone will close up permanently, and all that can be heard is the continued, muffled crunches of The Mountain from beneath its rocky surface.

          The Mountain’s living, all-devouring nature was discovered early in Xia’s industrial age, and for those reasons it was immediately left behind and forsaken as a spot for settlements. For the most part, it was left untouched, isolated to the frozen north; But eventually, development of that region for the computers of Xia began. The ice began to melt from massive swathes of heat pollution, but when progress made its way to The Mountain, now as large as the rest of its peers, explorers found themselves quickly eaten alive.

          Tales spread of The Mountain, but nobody could be bothered to kill it at the time. There was plenty of other space and real estate to use, and so The Mountain was left untouched as factories were set up elsewhere. Other peaks were used to establish broadcasting towers and satellite dishes, and The Mountain continued to be left unscathed.

          By the time of Turaga Dume’s rule as a dictator, he began to consider destroying The Mountain, finding the sight of it to be ugly; It was free and uncontrolled menace, rebelling against the very order he sought to maintain in Artidax. By then however, The Mountain was the largest peak in all of Xia, and a challenge much too difficult for him; A brief attempt to kill it by firing a Xian Heart of Fire into its side resulted in The Mountain suddenly trembling in pain. Due to its immense size, the tremors spread throughout Artidax, resulting in powerful quakes that devastated surrounding cities. If one continued trying to kill it, The Mountain’s thrashing death throes would tear apart and level most of Artidax. Humbled and defeated, Dume finally recognized the risk and power of The Mountain, and ceased any and all attempts to eradicate it henceforth.

          Besides- Even if he could destroy it, it was unlikely for Dume to be allowed to by many powerful Xians. For among certain circles of the Xian elite, there is a dark tradition, spanning back a few centuries… While most kingdoms that formed from the disappearance of the Barraki eventually industrialized, not all of them did so quickly, and not at the same time. Those near the north, within what was once Pridak’s domain, began to worship and deify The Mountain. They saw it as the embodiment of nature itself, here to test the power of Xians to survive at all odds.

          Enemies and death-row prisoners would be sacrificed to The Mountain, feeding the beast and enabling its growth. Not only that, but a tradition arose… Those who wished to ascend to the throne, either by slaying the current ruler or by inheriting it, must ascend its peak and return to prove their worth. If a Xian warrior could conquer The Mountain, then they had the ruthlessness and determination necessary to lead themselves and others to victory.

          Although this rite of passage was initially reserved for Xians in the region seeking political power and authority, as a means of proving themselves, it eventually spread throughout all of the societies surrounding The Mountain. Now, it became a rite of passage, a coming-of-age trial for the young of these groups to scale The Mountain. Those who returned were celebrated and hailed as adults; Those who didn’t were simultaneously mourned and disgraced posthumously. The Mountain itself gained religious significance and even deified by some.

          As the region developed into the Artidax District and the area industrialized, the tribes, kingdoms, and other groups around The Mountain followed suit. While many were relegated to thankless workers in factories, some were elevated to further status thanks to the accumulated wealth. As they had families that later inherited their wealth, the tradition of scaling The Mountain continued.

          Now, this dark tradition has persisted amongst certain members of the Xian elite. These ruthless members were either descendants of the original groups that practiced this rite, or were ‘inspired’ and chose to participate anyway. Amongst some noble families, it became required for an heir to scale The Mountain in order to earn their wealth; Likewise, it was also viable for siblings and relatives to compete for inheritance, by racing to the top of The Mountain and back. The first to come back received the most wealth; And if their opponent didn’t return, then they gained all of it! An overseer on a flying vehicle, and in later years a floating drone, would survey progress to test the legitimacy of an ascension and return, to ensure competitors did in fact go all the way up and down.

          For some companies, such as Vortixx Industries, ascending The Mountain became a requirement. If one intended to become CEO of the business, they needed to survive the journey; Competitors, if they returned alive, would be relegated to lower positions amongst the board and so forth. Unless the CEO was proven to be truly negligent and incompetent, they could not be fired; But someone else could challenge them for their position through The Mountain. The current CEO of Vortixx Industries, Roodaka, once ascended the peak with a friend during her youth- But when the friend’s foot was stuck in the cliff of The Mountain, which had just now begun to take notice of them, Roodaka was left with a choice;

          Save her pleading friend, and lead Vortixx Industries together as originally planned…

          …OR, take all of the power, wealth, and prestige for herself, and leave them behind, in turn not risking gathering The Mountain’s attention as well.

          Roodaka made a decision that day; And The Mountain enjoyed a new meal.

          Some tradition-bound Xian nobles will grant positions of wealth and prestige amongst the Xian elite to even the lowliest of commoners, but only if they successfully scale The Mountain. To these ‘Old Money’ folk, The Mountain is the true divider between the strong and the weak, and if a poor Xian can ascend it, then they deserve ascension on the societal level as well, or so the traditions claim at least. According to legend, those who reached the peak of The Mountain would grace the very surface of the heavens, closest to them than anyone else, before returning with their divine blessing to Xia below.

          Auditions to become a Xian noble are very few and far-between, and the elites who host such competitions can be rather picky and arbitrary about their choices. To be invited to compete is an incredibly rare opportunity, akin to winning the lottery; Especially since many races have ended with all competitors devoured by The Mountain anyway, no winner left to seize their respective portion of the prize.

          Due to the way wealth is distributed amongst those who successfully scale The Mountain, it is inevitable that most competitors would seek to sabotage, and even assassinate one another. The Mountain’s massive size means that it isn’t aware of everything happening along its body- It has to selectively search a location with its senses before settling on prey, and devouring it. Those who are stealthy and make little noise and don’t disturb The Mountain’s rocky surface can ideally get past without being noticed, so obviously Xians will sabotage one another by yelling, making noise, digging into the mountain-side, planting explosives, and so forth. Some will resort to outright killing one another in combat, or pushing them off the side of a cliff to be killed by the fall- The Mountain can sense blood and its attention is immediately drawn if so much as a drop lands on its surface.

          Some Xians will team up with one another, agreeing to help each other in order to guarantee survival and some degree of wealth, but of course the greedy will try betraying others at the last second, usually as they near the end of a descent. Some attempted betrayals have backfired, either from the greedy Xians being killed themselves by their betrayed comrades, or by The Mountain after its attention was gained through violence and bloodshed.

          Those who have earned the ire of a powerful noble will sometimes find themselves wrapped up and offered to The Mountain as tribute; But amongst such unfortunate Xians, some will be given the chance to survive on The Mountain for a certain period of time, and if still alive, will be granted either a lesser sentence or total amnesty. Unsurprisingly, Kratakal the celebrity has hosted a few brutal competitons on The Mountain for entertainment. Kratakal himself is immune to The Mountain, able to easily escape its grasp, and is unpalatable for it anyway, lacking any nutritional value and being too difficult to chew thanks to his invulnerable bohrok armor. Kratakal is amongst the small group of wealthy Xians who utilize The Mountain as a means of ascending select Xians to the nobility.

          Smaller predators still exist among The Mountain, furthering the danger; Animals continue to live on The Mountain, not only because it is possible to avoid its attention, but also because it is one of the few areas in Xia untouched by its industrial expansion. The Mountain itself is not gluttonous and will selectively desire a few meals every now and then to feed itself, but will otherwise leave its animal populations intact to breed and provide further steady streams of sustenance.

          Once The Mountain has a hold on someone, they are more-or-less screwed. It IS possible to break free of its grasp, but once its attention has been drawn, it will continue to pursue its prey by opening up massive chasms in its face until the meal inevitably falls in and is crunched apart. Victims that can fly have a decent chance of survival, but usually they’re much less weighty and nutritious than other meals, so they tend to be ignored by The Mountain anyway. Still, it’ll scavenge a dead corpse if given the chance. The Mountain hydrates itself with the blood of prey, but also with the snow and ice on its peak that melts into water.

          Although it was much more voracious in its younger years, happily devouring passing animals unaware of its true nature, as well as sacrifices and tributes, it has since settled down a bit more. Its massive form has become stable and hopefully reached the extent of its growth; Now, it requires surprisingly little to sustain itself, usually remaining in a deep slumber before periodically awakening to feed. The Mountain occasionally has feeding periods, where it remains awake for a certain amount of time, devouring plenty; It is during these recorded feeding periods that many ascensions up The Mountain are usually planned, to truly test Xian challengers.  

           Although their main parts and chassis are mass-produced in the Tametru District, a Vahki only truly ‘comes to life’ in their primary headquarters within the Artidax District. Computer chips are given the intricate, AI programming and loyalty to the law that Vahki are know for before being inserted beneath their translucent head-cases. Vahki can constantly radio one another from afar, and access the Vahki database that regularly updates them on criminal statuses and locations, recent crimes, and any updates to laws and regulations. Vahki are constantly recording live video-footage of whatever they see, to be later submitted to more advanced models back at the Hives, evaluated, and then submitted as either evidence or sent into a ‘trash can’ to eventually be deleted. Recordings of high value and priority are viewed directly by Turaga Dume himself.

           Vahki are typically assigned and organized within squads of a dozen, with one designated squad leader with slightly more advanced programming thanks to recent patches in the Hives. Vahki in squads are programmed to prioritize the orders of their local squad commanders, followed by other squad commanders. Likewise, advanced models have a higher status than local squad leaders, and Dume himself has the highest authority of all amongst the Vahki.

           The Vahki can communicate to Xians with regular speech, as well as communicate with one another with high-frequency transmissions that convey information much more quickly and accurately than regular speech. In the Vahki Hives, scattered throughout Xia but especially prevalent in Artidax, Vahki are regularly hooked up to generator units to recharge after about a week. Minds and programming are evaluated alongside recordings, and patches are regularly installed into programs to prevent viruses and enhance Vahki efficiency. Some criminal organizations, such as the Dark Hunters, have attempted to hack into the Vahki mainframe or reprogram units, necessitating frequent patches to evaluate the potentially-compromised from the rest.

           Vahki possess almost no free will, due to their nature as machines- Their programming only allows for the strict upholding of the law. Some creativity is allowed, especially for squad leaders, in order to enhance Vahki operations regarding more complex situations. Generally speaking, however, when it comes to evaluating whether or not a crime is being committed or if someone is suspicious, Vahki programming tends to favor playing the safe route and resorting to a search, seizure, and/or arrest.

There is some debate as to how sapient Vahki truly are, with Advanced Models more easily meeting such prerequisites, and all generic ones of question; Most Vahki are emotionless and lack fear, and have no desires beyond upholding the law. Given the tendency for unpredictable AI to allow problem-solving and creativity in individual Vahki units (which when combined with a long record of successful missions and few incidents can lead to promotion), it is not too unlikely for Vahki to possess personhood or at least the capacity for it. However, due to their cold, mechanical nature and feared reputation as ruthless law enforcers, just about nobody is seriously considering advocating for Vahki rights- Especially not the Vahki themselves!

Some Vahki come with certain modifications for specific situations. Vahki Enforcers are more heavily-armored, with their staffs designed to transmit shocks throughout multiple targets at once in a chain reaction. Other Vahki are designed for aquatic travel, equipped with scuba gear, turbines, flippers, and sealed tubing to prevent leakages. In the Tametru District, especially around the Great Forge, Vahki models are equipped with a specialized coating of armor that allows them to better resist the high temperatures to ensure optimal operations.

           The Vahki were created in order to better provide a more uniform, efficient law enforcement system for Xia and its chaotic criminal underbelly. They are constantly active, 24/7 at various posts. They operate almost like private police contractors, with corporations, oligarchs, tyrants, and many others forming agreements with Turaga Dume, laying out individual laws and codes within areas underneath their jurisdiction, and allowing Dume to enforce these laws through the Vahki while providing the financial resources necessary to maintain the machines, as well as access to some documents, evidence, control over prisoners, and authority over other law officials.

Some contracts allow for more flexible interpretations of individual area laws, others don’t. In order to prevent Dume from having too much power, various organizations and the Powers that Be have a wide variety of stocks invested and owned that directly relate to the Vahki, including control over the Hives and routage of power for them- Thus, if Dume were to revolt, the Powers that Be could simply shut off his access to energy, resulting in the Vahki quickly depleting themselves after a week or so. Different groups have different amounts of control over the Vahki power grids. Dume himself has little desire for usurpation, preferring order and control, and generally speaking he is satisfied with the strictness of many rulers’ laws. That being said, he is also most at peace with his own control over large swathes of the Artidax District and its policies and law enforcement, operating practically as the primary dictator of that region.

For advanced and extreme situations, specialized, advanced Vahki models are required. These Advanced Vahki are typically manufactured and designed individually, with unique, sapient AI that nevertheless remains fully loyal to Dume’s authority. This advanced AI with concepts of creativity allows for a more efficient enforcer. As a result of the higher-level coding, many of these Advanced Vahki have inevitably developed personalities, and even given themselves names to reflect their higher status and power. For example, an Advanced Vahki capable of dissolving itself into billions of silicon nano-machine particles has named itself Kranua; Another, consisting of electro-magnetically connecting parts that can separate and reconnect at will has chosen to go by Kraahu.

Generally speaking, the Vahki do not operate as soldiers, just police. However, some nations in Zakaz, where they are less common due to the chaotic, lawless nature of the district, will purchase Vahki models to help enforce their own laws, or use for combat and warfare purposes. Dume has invested plenty of effort into extending the reach of the Vahki into Zakaz’s war-torn regions. While some dictatorships need and appreciate a ready supply of disciplined machines to enforce their will, others are suspicious, wanting to maintain Zakaz’s general freedom at whatever cost.

           Those arrested by the Vahki face multiple, potential fates. Executions for the particularly despicable are not out of the question, as is prolonged jail-time combined with prison labor in order to get away with slavery (as if it isn’t already prevalent due to its legality). Many prisoners are interrogated by the Vahki and subject to torture methods. Cases labelled ‘extreme’, or most found in Artidax, can even be subjected to reconditioning in the Artidax district. Such fates are extremely unpleasant and leave subjects’ minds scrambled alongside their memories and even personalities. Mind-scans within Artidax and the Vahki Hives are not uncommon, regardless of whether or not they are successful- Almost without fail, victims are left with minds scrambled and damaged like those subject to reconditioning.

           Artidax prizes cleanliness, sterility, and control; And in combination with its reliance on AI, it’s not the least-bit surprising that it’s also the primary home of the Vahki. Here, Turaga Dume has the most control over the district than anywhere else, and while other officials technically exist, Dume exercises the most power due to having a robotic army with which he can actually enforce his will with. Only the Powers That Be and their control over energy sources reins him in.

           Cameras, either affixed to buildings or roaming the streets and skies as floating drones, monitor just about every movement, and are equipped with frequently-patched and updated facial recognition software. Worker ID cards are mandatory at all times, and transmit signals showing the exact movements and paths taken by individuals. Because everything is technological in Artidax, just about any interaction with the environment, from opening a door, to even flushing a toilet, is liable towards being known by the Vahki and other overseers.

Artidax is a surveillance state that monitors every move, a genuine dystopia, and while many giant screens advertise products, others also show off Dume’s visage while emblazoning his propaganda and speeches; Mantras such as “Trust in Turaga Dume”, “Obedience is Happiness”, “A busy Xian is a happy Xian”, “Quick work is good work”, “Turaga Dume sees all”, “Thoughts can be dangerous”, and “Might makes right” are well-known, repeated, and despised, but not openly in the latter of course.

As far as anyone is concerned within Artidax, Dume is ALWAYS watching; As a result, the District is not nearly as heavenly as one may assume, and the presence of Vahki around every corner ensures that they are quick to respond, but often brutally.

           Factories constantly create computer chips that require skilled labor, making Artidax more difficult to move into as credentials are required. Computers are everywhere, controlling the fully-automated movements and actions of facilities, processing security footage, closing and opening doors, etc. Laser-grids are a prominent defense system, and the latest in AI and simulations are frequently developed and tested.

          Many Xian engineers and technicians work day and night to truly replicate the power of the mind, but with none of the pesky individuality and free will that comes with it; Of course, one may argue that such things are inseparable from the human mind’s greatest assets. Thus, it is not uncommon for AI programs to develop self-awareness and their own personal will; Such incidents, amongst Vahki or consumer products, are to be quickly reported, detained, and reprogrammed, set to a blank slate through factory settings.

           Machines are not the only things repurposed in Artidax, either; Simulations are useful, not only for training and entertainment purposes, but also brainwashing. Dume has invested plenty of resources into simulation technology and other forms of brainwashing that can allow him to totally over-write a person’s mind. Computer chips are developed that can be implanted into a host’s brain, controlling their thoughts and helping monitor them.

          Political dissidents, criminals, and other deviants are frequently sent to Artidax to be ‘reconditioned’, and many have had their minds permanently damaged in both botched and successful brainwashing attempts. Many who are brainwashed are often used as spies, infiltrators, and saboteurs, leading the Vahki towards rebel and criminal cells and ratting them out.

           Artidax technicians are also fascinated with the realm of the bridge where machine and living interact; Improvements are made on interfaces, including those that can interact with the neurology of a living being. Cybernetics are another vital part of Artidax’s industry and economy, with engineers working tirelessly, day and night to perfect mechanical limbs. Such limbs are of course already a technological feasibility, but they are generally restricted.

           For many, prosthetic limbs are incredibly expensive. Most can’t just ‘own’ one, so they must resort to renting it out… And of course, this means selling one’s soul to a company. Because the company still owns the cybernetic limbs they grant a Xian, and if payments are not on time, they can come and revoke them. Likewise, Xians can be monitored both visually and with audio through their prosthetics, and Dume is interested in potentially mechanizing all of Xia’s workforce; Not necessarily by replacing them with machines, but replacing their bodieswith machinery. Control over a Xian’s mostly-cybernetic form can allow Dume to easily shut down or restrict power, and improve Xians to be more obedient, easier to keep track of, and become more efficient workers who lack sleep and nutrition.

           There are already plenty of ‘converted’ cybernetic Xians who have had the vast majority of their bodies replaced with machinery, their brains implanted with various chips. These poor, brainwashed individuals are almost completely loyal to Dume and other masters, and like the Vahki can be subject to mandatory reconditioning. It is not uncommon for such mechanized Xians to be bought and rented as mercenary forces in Zakaz. Thankfully, the Powers That Be and other powerful Xians are wary of this total mechanization, if only because it can be turned against them through hacking.

           And speaking of hacking- Such an industry is popular, although in many ways illegal, within Artidax. Hidden, back-alley shops and criminals rely on powerful hacking and ways of forcefully interfacing with technology to commit crimes, disable cameras, and hide internet movements. While Dume himself has official hackers to intercept radio transmissions and listen to them, others work to do to the same, but also interrupt HIS hacking, and even broadcast messages to the rest of Xia, messages of rebellion.

           Viruses are also used by many in Artidax, and manufactured. Two types of Viruses are present; Computer viruses leak information, damage computers, sabotage and alter AI, and so on and so forth. There are people who are hired to test fire-walls in data to guard against viruses, or even employ such things, alongside worms, to commit crimes either in Artidax or beyond it.

           But there is also another kind of Virus; A volatile, energy-based substance. These substances come in a wide number of varieties, with miscellaneous effects, properties, and results when mixed together or applied to different subjects. Some can cause a person’s being to liquefy, while others grant flight; Others enhance a person’s bio-electricity to shocking degrees, while others simply cast a person into a coma. These Viruses are properly refined, programmed, and crafted within various Virus Foundries across Artidax, and some are concentrated into powerful Xian Hearts; massive crystals that when detonated unleash massive elemental damage. A Xian Heart of Stone can petrify and fossilize all surroundings, while a Xian Heart of Poison burns and corrodes all away.

           Transmission towers, satellite dishes, and computer banks both ferry the passage and transit of information, but also store it. Precious, vital information on economic records, individuals, and so forth are stored within heavily-guarded computer banks across Artidax. Flying drones that stray towards the atmosphere monitor weather movements and transmit data to towers and satellite dishes, where they are then relayed to news stations. Many of these news stations, unsurprisingly, are underneath Dume’s control and exist to transmit propaganda to the populace, although thankfully most Xians are distrustful of them anyway.

           Xia possesses an ‘internet’ of sorts, from which Xians can contact with one another online through an internet whose servers are located entirely within Artidax. This internet is mostly used for communication, but has also been used to store information, videos, articles, and so forth; Many Xian technicians are intrigued in advancing the prevelance of the internet in Xia.

           Messages travel through transmission towers, and most of them are carefully encrypted. It takes a skilled decoder and/or AI to translate many of them, as secrecy is both prized but also infiltrated regularly. Knowledge, information, and forecasts are calculated and discerned in Artidax, before transmitted to the rest of Xia. High-flying satellites and levitating probes scan and take overhead images of Xia to be analyzed and recorded on the daily.

           Artidax is the AI mind of Xia, and many machines are ‘birthed’, gaining thought, sentience, and sapience here. While the occasional robot rebellion is not unheard of, most AI is made as products to be shipped and sold from Stelt, to aid companies in calculating profits, deciding the least risky venues, etc. Tactician AIs are sold to Zakaz, devising the most optimal combat strategies, and unsurprisingly, Dume has once again used these AIs as his own spies as well. Exo-Toa models are frequently designed, and improved within Artidax, with the technology that goes into them useful for cybernetics, as it interfaces with the very ‘soul’ of a person. While the physical bodies of Exo-Toa are crafted within Tametru, their ‘minds’ and complex programming, delicate circuitry, and neurology are manufactured within the neat, sterile, and bright rooms of Artidax. If Tametru specializes in the ‘body’ and hardware of Xia’s mechanization, then Artidax programs its ‘mind’ and software.

           Due to the high level of advanced technology, but also as a result of Dume’s insistence of surveillance, bright lights are everywhere and there are few shadows. This makes hiding from the Vahki more difficult, and contributes towards massive light pollution. Massive glass-panes and mirrors help to expand visuals, but can be confusing for some. The work hours and days of Xians are rigidly organized and mandated. People wake up, eat, head to work, head back home, and go to sleep exactly as Dume intends, with mandatory curfews imposed upon areas of Artidax.

           Originally, the region that would become the Artidax District was a cold, frozen, barren north, an ice-capped, mountainous area. However, the massive heat expenditures of computers and other technologies, combined with their relative fragility to such temperates, necessitated the movement of computer facilities in Artidax, where the colder temperatures could help off-set the heat and act as natural cooling fans. As more facilities were established within Artidax, more heat was generated, and while the ice helped cool it down, it began to melt… Until eventually, most of Artidax’s ice has since completely melted away. It is not completely gone, thankfully; Some areas have been set aside as real estate and homes for Xians who like the clean air, allowing for the natural accumulation of some nature and snow.

          If one goes particularly high-up, near the atmosphere, they can encounter snow-flakes that eventually dissipate as they go lower. Atop Artidax’s peaks, the highest roof-tops, skylines, and transmission towers are water-proof to deal with the light snow-fall that lands atop them. Additionally, The Mountain exists within Artidax, devoid of settlements due to its living, devouring nature; Snowfall has been allowed to naturally settle on The Mountain’s peaks, with melted ice helping to hydrate the living fixture.

          Artidax’s mainframe helps to transmit and allocate power amongst the district’s facilities, while the Vahki Hives themselves are connected to a massive mainframe that helps keep track of data, reconditions drones, and transports information to one another. No one AI or Super-Computer controls all of Artidax, thankfully, and the same can’t be totally said for Dume; such power would be disastrous and prone to abuse, and the Powers That Be know it could be used in the form of rebellion against them and the rest of Xia.

          The Powers That Be have all agreed that Artidax’s securing of the vast majority of Xia’s information and records makes it incredibly vital; Knowledge is power, and so many individuals and groups contribute resources towards ensuring the protection of Artidax. If the District were to fall, it would not be from external forces, but likely internal ones; Be it computer Viruses, rogue AI, and skilled hackers.