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Evernat Sector (ONI 3)

"Even more important than getting the job done is impressing everyone in the room while doing it." — Ogrika manufacturer motto

Overview

Deep within ONI space lies Evernat, a sector that whispers tales of ancient origins. Believed by many scholars to predate even some regions within the High-Risk Zone, Evernat is the homeworld of the Punaab species and the economic engine of the ONI Consortium. Its crown jewel — the planet Akenat — is one of the oldest inhabited worlds in the galaxy, governed by a unique dual monarchy that balances flamboyant capitalism above the clouds with methodical craftsmanship below the earth.

Within ONI, the Punaab contribution is captured in one phrase from the Maharog: "Gilded by Punaab gold." They provide the wealth, the trade networks, and the galaxy-spanning merchant infrastructure that transforms ONI from a military alliance into a functioning civilization.

Akenat — The Hourglass World

Akenat's geography defines its civilization. The planet is layered like an hourglass:

Layer Environment Inhabitants
Upper World Enormous bountiful forests on giant clamshell plateaus — the Skygroves of Yointalie High Punaabs — Merchant Princes
Sea of Mist Ever-present, ever-shifting layer separating upper and lower worlds Neutral zone — City in the Middle
Lower World Labyrinthine spore caves, deep mines, bioluminescent tunnels Profound Punaabs — Noble Craftsmen

The Sea of Mist — Akenat's Lifeblood

The Sea of Mist is not weather — it is a planetary circulatory system:

  1. Underground spores from mushroom beds mix with hot currents from the planet's core
  2. Rise as geysers enriched with gases and minerals at the Geyserfields of Belpraakatu
  3. Form the Sea of Mist
  4. Absorbed by upper-world plants → exhaled at the Skygroves → cools → falls as rain → cycle repeats

The Origin Secret

"~2100: An alien traveler transported TED — the creature that would become the God of Mist — to planet Akenat. TED formed the Sea of Mist."

The Sea of Mist — and by extension, all life on Akenat — exists because an unknown alien deposited the creature that became the Punaab god onto the planet. The Punaab do not know this. Life in Evernat began after TED's arrival.

The God of Mist — A Living Deity

"In the Punaabs' darkest hours, this immortal entity rises to guide and shield them."

The God of Mist is the Punaab's supreme religious figure — and unlike most galactic deities, this one is real, alive, and sleeping.

Detail Description
Nature A colossal squid of immense proportions — immortal
Activity 99.9% of the time sleeping inside the Sea of Mist
Awakening Rises ONLY in the Punaabs' darkest hours to guide and shield them
Summoning Called at the Mistheart Sanctum during existential crises
Origin Actually a colossal HRZ creature (designated "TED") transported by an unknown alien (~2100)

Since Evernat predates the HRZ, the God of Mist was already on Akenat before zone boundaries were drawn. It is a living fossil from an era when all of Galia was dangerous.

The Puri — Offspring of the God

The Puri are physical offspring of the God of Mist — small aquatic creatures with enormous eyes and a dumpling/octopus-like appearance. Every Punaab ship carries Puri as living symbols of the God's blessing. Puri are also used in the Puri Ritual — the official method of settling inter-branch disputes, where a released Puri swims toward one of two alternatives to determine the winner.

Secret: Since Puri are carried on ships across the galaxy, the God of Mist maintains the largest passive sensing network in Galia through its residual connection to its offspring.

The Dual Monarchy

Two kings rule simultaneously, mediated by a neutral figure:

Role Current Holder Branch Function
King of the Merchant Princes Rikkaatovaalu High Punaab Trade policy, external commerce, galactic relations
King of the Guilds Guildmaster Duumakkerund Profound Punaab Production, mining, craftsmanship, internal governance
Governor of the Mists Saaleesivaan Hybrid Governs the City in the Middle. Mediates disputes

The High & Profound Divide

Branch Appearance Culture Habitat
High Punaabs Dog-like (~60cm), white/golden fur Capitalism, flamboyant style, merchant journeys Skygroves above the mist
Profound Punaabs Rat/meerkat-like (~40cm), gray fur Medieval guild system, stoic craftsmen Silver Caverns below the mist

The rift between the two branches remains palpable, but The City in the Middle — a unified metropolis at the Sea of Mist's thickest point — represents hope for the Mist-Born generation: young Punaab who reject rigid High/Profound labels while honoring both branches.

Key Locations

Location Description
The City in the Middle (City of Mist) Capital at the thickest point of the Sea of Mist. Collaborative metropolis — trade, culture, diplomacy
Ogrika Harbors Ship manufacturer HQ in the City. Built to prevent civil war; now builds for the galaxy
Mistheart Sanctum Sacred site where spores and moisture converge. Where the God of Mist is summoned
Geyserfields of Belpraakatu Mist inception point — energy harvesting
Silver Caverns Subterranean resonant tunnels. Profound mining territory
Skygroves of Yointalie High Punaab aerial agriculture and creative retreats
Convergence Market Galaxy's most chaotic and productive bazaar

Cross-References

Species

  • Punaab — Full species canon (biology, branches, religion)

Factions

Geography

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