Mars

Mars is the fourth planet from Sol and the second-smallest planet in the Sol System. It is the capital of the Sol Central Government and the first planet ever colonized by humanity.

Summary

Mars - ESA Rosetta, 2007. Image Credit.

If your time is short, here's some primers on the essentials:

Basics

• Mars is the current capital planet of the Sol Central Government.
• The planet's capital city is Olympus, built near its namesake - the dormant supervolcano Olympus Mons - with underlevels extending far below the surface.
• Today, Mars is considered to be among the most prosperous and significant planets in human space.

Geography

• Mars' atmosphere is thinner and generally colder than Earth's, but terraforming has allowed it to become survivable for humans and other life.
• All of the plant and animal life on Mars were imported from Earth, and many gradually evolved over many generations to adapt to the new conditions.
• The habitable part of Mars is a single continent, surrounded by the vast Northern Sea. It features a wide variety of habitats and ecosystems - snow-capped peaks, rolling plains, and towering forests, to name a few.

Culture

• Mars is dotted with many city-states and innumerable smaller communities. Some rural areas still feature old infrastructure from the early days of colonization, like climate-controlled agricultural domes.
• Hundreds of unique cultures and groups can be found on Mars, but most can be placed into a collection of just under a dozen groups based on demographics, region, and ancestry.
• Every city-state on Mars has subterranean levels to it - colony infrastructure from the days when the Martian surface was uninhabitable. Some city-states have only a few, while Olympus boasts a staggering eighty sublevels beneath the surface. Tunnelers - the demographic of people that live in these underbellies - are by far the largest demographic on Mars.

Trivia

• As the capital planet of a human superpower, Mars is both a nerve-center and an economic powerhouse, vital to the smooth functioning of the SCG. The planet's vast tracts of arable land and acres of habitable seas allow it to support a thriving agricultural industry, and it also exports quartz and iron in sizable quantities to other SCG worlds.
• The SCG claims that Mars (specifically, Olympus) is the safest place to live in all of human space. Quality of living does remain high, although the tunnels beneath city-states are more prone to crime the cities they're beneath.
• It's quite likely that Mars is the most important planet in current human history. As the cradle of interstellar expansion, it proved that colonization and terraforming were not only possible, but also fantastically successful.

History

The first human, Jimmy Gideon, stepped onto Mars in 2052, making it the oldest terraformed colony within the Sol Central Government. Much of its early history was shaped by economic needs, mass immigration, and conflict with Earth powers. Several minor wars, led by the early Martian government against different coalitions from Earth depending on the decade, took place over the course of much of Mars' first few centuries. Now in a state of relative stability, and incredible power, there remains a few extremist factions that believe Mars should be an independent colony rather than the hub of the SCG that it has become.

Government and Politics

The Capital of Sol Gov, Olympus, sits on Mars, causing much of local government to be impacted by SCG policy and making it incredibly difficult to differentiate between the two.

The Martian government is split into Administrative Districts which represent different areas of Mars, with the powerful City-States at their centers. The City-States are controlled by the elected Governors and Small Assemblies. The Small Assemblies are representative bodies for the districts that are "in charge" of handling the welfare of their district. There are 15 major districts, and in each district are numerous City-States and countless smaller communities. Smaller communities mirror the style of working-class, small town country America from the 21st century, with local elected leaders for numerous aspects of community administration.

The City-States are often dominated by oligarchic leaders from the oldest and wealthiest families, often with them having seats in an assembly, or being a Director at one of the many corporations with seats on Mars.

Defense and Law Enforcement

Mars is often considered one of the best, and safest, places to live in Sol Gov, but that doesn't mean it's free of crime. Olympus itself is considered (by SCG) the safest city in the entirety of Sol Gov space given its federal level policing and strong military presence. Outside of Olympus, local police and militia forces handle most of the law enforcement matters of their respective City States or small communities.

In the subterranean networks beneath the city states, known as the under-cities, crime increases. Police Forces are often less able or willing to patrol eighty levels of tunnel systems and city-complexes to deal with minor crime, so they often go unhandled or forgotten. Violence, racketeering, drug trafficking and more are rampant in the lowest levels and spread upwards with several criminal enterprises possessing ties to the Oligarchs and Governors.

Geography

Mars has changed greatly since the early days of terraforming. Most of the terrain is like Old Earth, but with different colours and mineral make-up. The habitable landmass consists of a single continent with the great Northern Ocean surrounding it. Mountain peaks are higher on average, with Olympus Mons being visible across vast distances. Long mountain ranges like Earth's are nonexistent, but great craters and caverns dot most of the landscape, causing a hilly, uneven landscape. A large sea known as the Hellenic Sea sits in the southeast of the continent separating the Hellenic region from the northern part of the continent. The Elysian Island sits almost directly on the equator, marking the easternmost point of most Martian maps.

The snow-capped Gideon Peaks that reach high into the sky separate the Tharsis Basin, and the entirety of the Fourth District, from every other nearby District besides the Seventh. The Gideon Peaks themselves isolate the region, creating a great patch of tundra.

Olympus Mons still sits high above all other mountains, but now with the cosmopolitan city of Olympus wrapped around and through it. The Delphi Mountain dominates most of the Northern coast, with seas of forest and jungle going to the shores. Swamps and jungle fill the interior shores of the continent, with great plains stretching south.

Grasslands in the Hellenic Region around the Hellenic Sea contain most of the remnants of the AgriDomes of old, now built into multilayered super-farms to feed the City-States and smaller communities. Elysian Island to the northeast on the map is much like a paradise, and its citizens live with extravagance.

Large, boreal forests with trees the size of the ancient Earth redwoods fill the south of the continent, forming a great ocean of green foliage and wilderness dotted with smaller communities and the odd City-State.

Flora and fauna

All flora and fauna were imported from Earth. Wheat, corn, oak trees, wolves, and hundreds of other species were brought over to help feed the rapidly growing population and to create an ecosystem for new creatures to thrive in. The animals still around today are often referred to as a 'Martian X', such as the Martian Moose or the Martian Beetle. Most have adapted to their new conditions and diverged from their Earthen equivalents, an example being the Martian butterfly. Martian Butterflies have grown larger in size, and those that use camouflage in their wings have taken to the new colors and hues of Mars. Most flight animals and insects have gone this route, growing larger and changing color to fit their new environments. Most flora has grown larger too.

Climate

Climate varies from place to place with the north of the continent generally being warmer than the south due to their proximity to the equator of Mars, but temperatures are, on average, lower than those of Earth. The dry and wet seasons dominate most of the Martian landscape, except in the southeast or the Hellenic Region, where there is a four season rotation similar to earth.

Culture

Ethnic Ties

There are hundreds of cultural groups across the surface of Mars, but most of them can be placed into one of ten main groups: Monsian, Tharseese, Delphin, Tunnellers, Hellshen, Charusian, Classical Aresian, Ascrasen, Gideons, and Elysian.

Each of these groups is either named for the region of the continent they inhabit, or for their ancestors. Monsians are commonly from the Olympus Mons regional area and the Administrative District, and with it being the most populated region, they make up the largest above ground portion of the population. Tunnellers, on the other hand, make up by far the largest part of the overall population (as every City-State has an under-city). The next two largest groups are the Tharseese and the Delphins, named for the Tharsis Basin, the economical and industrial heartland of Mars, and for the area around the peak of Delphi. The Hellshen are from the 11th District which covers the whole of the Hellenic Region. The Argyriots, Ascrasens and Elysians are all named for the regions they come from. The Classical Aresians and the Gideons are those named for their ancestors. The Classical Aresians hold their ancestors in high regard due to their control of early Martian government and are often highly supremacist and nationalistic with extreme distaste for non-Martians and immigrants. Gideons are the smallest part of the demographic, made up of those who can trace their lineage to the earliest colonists on Mars.

Tunnellers

The Tunnelers are the residents of the many under-cities of Mars. Tunnelers are typically tall and pale, and often require Vitamin D supplements for much of their life. The Tunnelers are not a defined group of people, and inherit the traits of the cultures of the cities above them. Despite this, a sense of community has developed between them, with a distinct tunneler identity forming within. Despite a reputation as a dangerous place, the under-cities are extremely varied, with some being well-kept with a high quality of life, and others being neglected and run-down. It is no surprise that the under-cities in need of support are the ones with higher crime rates. Due to the number of under-cities, the Tunnelers vastly outnumber every other demographic on Mars, but as an insular culture, similar to Space-Adapted, they are not often seen off Mars, due to thier dislike of Off-worlders, and Aresians.

Monisians

Monsians are from the Olympus Mons region, as well as surrounding areas. The Olympus Mons Megalopolis is the largest city on Mars, and Monsians make up a sizable portion of the Martian population. With a high quality of life, education, and job prosepects, they are seen as the average Martian. The Monsians also make up a sizable portion of Martian emigrants, having been involved in many of humanity's early interstellar colonial attempts. Aresians, Gideons and Hellshens are not fond of the Monsians due to this cultural dominance. Most oligarchs in the northwest of the continent are Monsians.

Delphin & Tharseese

The Delphins and the Tharseese are the descendents of Levant peoples who migrated to Mars in the late 21st century. The biggest difference between the people is that the Delphins migrated to the planet first, and then assisted the Tharseese in their acclimation to the planet. The two cultures have had a consistent friendly rivalry that they celebrate yearly. Having put aside historical differences in the face of adversity, the combined Delphin and Tharsis districts are amongst the most peaceful on Mars. They are also considered the most religious on Mars, having Christian, Islamic, and Jewish heritages.

Hellshens

The Hellshen are the most rural of the Martian people. Settled as an agricultural hub, the entire region is geared towards food production, and has thus received a negative stigma of being home to rednecks, country-folk and hillbillies of Mars. The Hellshen are a hard-working people, living among HEB mechs, AgriDomes, and super farms. The terraformed Hellas basin is a vast and hospitable sea, though much of the sea's surface has been covered with aquaculture facilities. Content and conservative, the Hellshen people are often stubborn and reclusive, though they exist in numbers off-world.

Charusians

Argyriots come from the southern Argyre Planitia Region and make up much of the rural southern districts of Mars. They are some of the oldest city states, outside of Olympus, and the region is most known for its vast Martian national parks, dedicated to the historic Martian landscape. The Argyre Planitia Sea takes up much of this region, being a prime fishing spot, much of the Argyiot coast is dedicated to this industry. The City-States are very ancient and underdeveloped, with many using the biodomes of the earliest colonists.

Ascraesens

Ascraesens live mostly in the high mountains of the Gideon Highlands, located around Ascraeus Mons and are a historically reclusive people. The Ascraeus districts are seen by outsiders as an authoritarian and rough place to be, and its people have done little to dissuade this stereotype. Often, they come into conflict with the Aresians and many minor conflicts have occurred between the two. Despite this, they are often found off-world, with many younger Ascraesens choosing to find a place more welcoming to them.

Elysians

Elysians come from the large island in the northwest of the continent, and are known for their tolerance and progressive (for Mars) views. They are viewed differently by the other Martians. Most see them as the home of Martian art and culture, but some a minority see them as too progressive. The Elysium Isles are considered a social democracy, with an emphasis on the arts. Culture is seen as more important to them than industry, and many of the greatest musicians and artists from Mars have come from Elysium.

Classical Aresians

By far the most secluded demographic on Mars, Classical Aresians exist all across Mars, typically in close communities with limited interaction with outsiders. Historically, they were a dominant culture of Mars prior to the founding of the SCG, colonising Lordania, where they diverged to become New Aresian. In the years following, their beliefs, which many would call extreme and intolerant, found them many enemies within the greater Martian community, who eventually forced many off-world or out of dominant political positions. Many Aresians fled Mars to Lordania during the reign of the New Aresian People's Republic of Lordania, a fascist state that collapsed in 2280. By many in Sol Gov they're considered a remnant of the past, and an extremist, dangerous one at that.

Gideons

Gideons are a unique ethno-religion originating on Mars. While commonly assumed to be the descendents of the first person on Mars, it is a popular misconception. They are the many descendents of the first Martians who followed Jimmy Gideon and his teachings. Their beliefs -known as Gideonism- were influenced by Gideon's childhood passion, "To boldly go where no man has gone before", mixed with Gideon's own beliefs of polygamy and charismatic leadership. Despite this, Gideons on Mars are few and far between, often thinner and taller than the average human. Their most defining feature however, is that they make it very clear they are a Gideon. With an organised council of Gideons, led by Jessica Gideon, Jimmy Gideon's granddaughter, being considered a Gideon is an extremely difficult thing, reserved only for those who pass their criteria.

In some City-States, Gideons often possess a minor celebrity status and often get elected Governor of smaller communities, cities and townships simply for being a Gideon. They are the only other cultural group on Mars that the Aresians accept with somewhat open arms, due to their connection to the founding of the Red Planet.

Founding Day

Martians are now what Originals once were (Originals referring to those that come from Earth). They're varied in many ways, from the hard-working men and women that grow the crops of the Hellenic Region that feed the big shots in Olympus, to the classical painters sitting idly on the shores of Elysium. The one thing they all have in common is Founding Day.

Founding Day is always on the 10th of December as that was the day James Archibald Gideon first stepped foot on the red planet, being the first human to ever stand on another planet. Fireworks, parades, and celebrations occur on this day to celebrate Martian Pride. Christmas is largely unpracticed on the planet due to the differences between the Earth and Martian Calendars, but many faithful have taken to celebrating it on the Founding Day alongside the traditional New Year’s celebration. The Founding Day is New Year’s Day for Mars. Most Martians use the Martian Calendar when on the planet, and switch to the Earth Calendar when they leave.

Vorcha Day

In the Aresian City-States or communities, Vorcha Day is celebrated. Vorcha Day takes place on the 18th day of the Martian Calendar, as that was January 2nd on Earth when the Vorcha Treaty was signed, bringing an end to the last of the wars between Earth nations and the Martian colonies. They celebrate to honor those who died many, many years ago and to remember what Martians gave for all future colonists.

Religious Practices

The New Roman Catholic Church has the St. Bingham's Basilica on the northern side of the Delphi Mountain, just outside the City-State of Hamilton. This is the seat of Catholic Power on Mars and the holiest place you can find on the Red Planet. Though there is no Mecca on Mars, followers of Islam tend to face towards the sun when taking part in their prayer. Mosques can be found in almost all of the major city-states, with the largest (and most ornately-built) of them being in the capital of the Tharseese Region.

Cuisine

Martian food is vastly like that found throughout the SCG with some exceptions for cultural tastes. Cuisine is primarily based on that of Earth, and many of the same ingredients from 21st century Earth are around today, with the only difference being how they've cultivated on Mars. The "Frouka" dish is a traditional cuisine from the early days of Mars that is still eaten today for the Founding Day: Frouka is hard-boiled eggs that are fried and served with a spiced mustard paste and potatoes (the first food sources to be grown on Mars). Hellenic Beer is known across Sol Gov for its refined taste, and is often considered one of the best alcoholic drinks produced by humans.

Economy

Imports

Mars doesn't import much of anything besides specific common goods, computer systems, and ship parts. Mostly economically independent in this regard, Mars does not have a significant reliance on imports to sustain itself.

Exports

Food, silica, and iron oxide are Mars' most common exports, and usually only go directly to other SCG planets. With the economic base of Sol Gov sitting in Olympus, it's safe to assume that Mars has the strongest economy within the SCG. If Mars were to collapse, Sol Gov's Federal economic strength would fail much in the same way the First Great Depression hit in the early 20th century.

Habitation

Mars has some of the best city planning of any colony in Human Space. The great cities on the surface are planned, with some of the far older ones still having domes over them, though most are inactive. The under-cities support an entire second system of infrastructure that extends for many miles beneath the surface. The rural communities are their own beast entirely. Diversity of where you can live is plentiful in the Bastion of Sol.

Notable features

The Monument

The Monument is a statue in a large field of tall, red grass in the Aresian Planes of the Fourteenth District. The Monument is a giant slab of rock sticking out of the ground, the centerpiece of the graveyard of all the Martians who died in the Colony Conflicts, splayed out across the land around the Monument, each one without a name. The slab itself details every single name of every soldier who died, and at its base talks of what happened in the Wars, and what they accomplished. Many Aresians and Gideons take a pilgrimage, of sorts, to the Monument every year on Vorcha Day. It's lit with red candles on Vorcha Day by people in the nearby towns.

Olympus

Built into, around, and on the plains surrounding the extinct super-volcano Olympus Mons, the city of Olympus was originally a research station, terraforming center, and spaceport. Due to its location, and relative lack of development, it was selected as the capital for the Sol Central Government in the waning days of the Terran Commonwealth and was built up into a massive diplomatic and governmental center. Both assemblies are built into the volcano itself, along with the offices of many other organizations, the High Court, the Embassy Complex, and power generation and medical facilities. Massive transit tunnels crisscross the mountains interior and its surroundings. Olympus has grown significantly out around the mountain and onto the plains around it, though most government facilities remain in the volcano itself. The inside wall of the caldera is lined with landing pads and government apartments, and the very bottom of the caldera is home to a massive park, showcasing a unique ecosystem imported from Earth.

The Under-Cities

The under-cities were born from a plan to safely develop Martian colonies underground while terraforming took place above, leaving enough room for expansion. With the advent of superior tunneling technology in the late 21st Century, the under-cities were becoming vital to the early stages of the Martian colonial development. Every City-State has an under-city to it in some form, with some like Olympus going down eighty levels and others going down only three. The under-cities have everything the surface world does besides real sunlight, using artificial day and night cycles instead and a hefty supply of Vitamin D supplements and amenities. The Tunnelers are the largest demographic on Mars due to the size and cheap nature of the under-cities, but these subterranean zones are not meant for those who are claustrophobic.

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