Gamemaster Culture (IF) - Revision history

Starfox at 14:48, 12 March 2026

2026-03-12T14:48:56Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:48, 12 March 2026
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	; Arrival & customs		; Arrival & customs
	On arrival, customs care less about goods than about people and pathogens. Identity, residency, warrants, and quarantine matter most. Most habitats welcome immigrants who bring skills or education — the right licenses can open doors quickly.		On arrival, customs care less about goods than about people and pathogens. Identity, residency, warrants, and quarantine matter most. Most habitats welcome immigrants who bring skills or education — the right licenses can open doors quickly.

	~~== Trade ==~~
	~~[[Gamemaster Trade (IF)\|Full article on trade]].~~

	Trade in the Solar System is governed less by money than by physics. Mass, delta-v, and orbital timing determine what moves and why. Habitats require continuous imports of water, gases, and chemical feedstocks to sustain life support, shielding, and propulsion, while extracting local resources.
	Planets and larger habitats export technology, services, and specialized goods in return. The Asteroid Belt supplies most of the system’s water and volatile materials, Venus dominates the production of nitrogen and atmospheric buffer gases, and Mars contributes propellants and industrial by-products. Earth and cis-lunar space export culture, skilled labor, finance, and advanced equipment rather than bulk materials. Cargo travels slowly along predictable orbital lanes using fusion burns for departure and capture with long ion-drive cruises in between. Because transport is slow logistics networks are chains of incoming loads more than a conventional market.

	== Trade ==		== Trade ==
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	Trade in the Solar System is governed less by money than by physics. Mass, delta-v, and orbital timing determine what moves and why. Habitats require continuous imports of water, gases, and chemical feedstocks to sustain life support, shielding, and propulsion, while extracting local resources.		Trade in the Solar System is governed less by money than by physics. Mass, delta-v, and orbital timing determine what moves and why. Habitats require continuous imports of water, gases, and chemical feedstocks to sustain life support, shielding, and propulsion, while extracting local resources.
	Planets and larger habitats export technology, services, and specialized goods in return.		Planets and larger habitats export technology, services, and specialized goods in return. The Asteroid Belt supplies most of the system’s water and volatile materials, Venus dominates the production of nitrogen and atmospheric buffer gases, and Mars contributes propellants and industrial by-products. Earth and cis-lunar space export culture, skilled labor, finance, and advanced equipment rather than bulk materials. Cargo travels slowly along predictable orbital lanes using fusion burns for departure and capture with long ion-drive cruises in between.

	The Asteroid Belt supplies most of the system’s water and volatile materials, Venus dominates the production of nitrogen and atmospheric buffer gases, ~~Cisluna is the heavy materials provider of the inner system.~~ Mars and Earth export culture, skilled labor, finance, and advanced equipment rather than bulk materials. Cargo travels slowly along predictable orbital lanes using fusion burns for departure and capture with long ion-drive cruises in between~~. Bulk cargo are sent by accelerators on multi-year trajectories~~.

	Because transport is slow, logistics networks resemble chains of incoming loads more than a conventional market. Ice and gas shipments from the Belt may spend years in transit, and their trajectories and arrival windows are known long in advance. Trade therefore centers on contracts, futures, and delivery rights rather than auctions of warehoused goods. The system is not completely rigid, however: major hubs such as cis-lunar space and the Jovian system maintain large stockpiles of water, gases, and propellants, allowing local markets to absorb delays and smooth the long rhythms of interplanetary trade.		Because transport is slow, logistics networks resemble chains of incoming loads more than a conventional market. Ice and gas shipments from the Belt may spend years in transit, and their trajectories and arrival windows are known long in advance. Trade therefore centers on contracts, futures, and delivery rights rather than auctions of warehoused goods. The system is not completely rigid, however: major hubs such as cis-lunar space and the Jovian system maintain large stockpiles of water, gases, and propellants, allowing local markets to absorb delays and smooth the long rhythms of interplanetary trade.

Starfox: /* Trade */

2026-03-12T14:43:56Z

Trade

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	[[Gamemaster Trade (IF)\|Full article on trade]].		[[Gamemaster Trade (IF)\|Full article on trade]].

	Trade in the Solar System is governed less by money than by physics. Mass, delta-v, and orbital timing determine what moves and why. Habitats require continuous imports of water, gases, and chemical feedstocks to sustain life support, shielding, and propulsion, while ~~exporting~~ technology, services, and specialized goods in return. The Asteroid Belt supplies most of the system’s water and volatile materials, Venus dominates the production of nitrogen and atmospheric buffer gases, and Mars contributes propellants and industrial by-products. Earth and cis-lunar space export culture, skilled labor, finance, and advanced equipment rather than bulk materials. Cargo travels slowly along predictable orbital lanes using fusion burns for departure and capture with long ion-drive cruises in between. Because transport is slow and ~~propellant costly~~, ~~ports~~, ~~depots~~, and logistics networks ~~shape~~ the ~~economy more~~ than ~~speed or distance~~.		Trade in the Solar System is governed less by money than by physics. Mass, delta-v, and orbital timing determine what moves and why. Habitats require continuous imports of water, gases, and chemical feedstocks to sustain life support, shielding, and propulsion, while extracting local resources.
			Planets and larger habitats export technology, services, and specialized goods in return. The Asteroid Belt supplies most of the system’s water and volatile materials, Venus dominates the production of nitrogen and atmospheric buffer gases, and Mars contributes propellants and industrial by-products. Earth and cis-lunar space export culture, skilled labor, finance, and advanced equipment rather than bulk materials. Cargo travels slowly along predictable orbital lanes using fusion burns for departure and capture with long ion-drive cruises in between. Because transport is slow logistics networks are chains of incoming loads more than a conventional market.

			== Trade ==
			[[Gamemaster Trade (IF)\|Full article on trade]].

			Trade in the Solar System is governed less by money than by physics. Mass, delta-v, and orbital timing determine what moves and why. Habitats require continuous imports of water, gases, and chemical feedstocks to sustain life support, shielding, and propulsion, while extracting local resources.
			Planets and larger habitats export technology, services, and specialized goods in return.

			The Asteroid Belt supplies most of the system’s water and volatile materials, Venus dominates the production of nitrogen and atmospheric buffer gases, Cisluna is the heavy materials provider of the inner system. Mars and Earth export culture, skilled labor, finance, and advanced equipment rather than bulk materials. Cargo travels slowly along predictable orbital lanes using fusion burns for departure and capture with long ion-drive cruises in between. Bulk cargo are sent by accelerators on multi-year trajectories.

			Because transport is slow, logistics networks resemble chains of incoming loads more than a conventional market. Ice and gas shipments from the Belt may spend years in transit, and their trajectories and arrival windows are known long in advance. Trade therefore centers on contracts, futures, and delivery rights rather than auctions of warehoused goods. The system is not completely rigid, however: major hubs such as cis-lunar space and the Jovian system maintain large stockpiles of water, gases, and propellants, allowing local markets to absorb delays and smooth the long rhythms of interplanetary trade.

	== Conflict & Enforcement ==		== Conflict & Enforcement ==

Starfox: /* Trade */

2026-03-12T14:24:32Z

Trade

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	== Trade ==		== Trade ==
	Trade in the Solar System is ~~driven~~ by ~~mass and~~ delta-v ~~rather than money~~. Habitats ~~depend on steady~~ imports of water, gases, and ~~reactor fuels~~, while exporting technology, services, and ~~cultural~~ goods. The Asteroid Belt supplies most ~~volatiles~~, Venus ~~provides~~ nitrogen, and Earth ~~exports~~ labor, ~~knowledge~~, and ~~prestige~~. Cargo ~~moves~~ slowly along ~~established~~ orbital lanes, ~~making~~ logistics ~~and propellant supply~~ more ~~important~~ than speed.		[[Gamemaster Trade (IF)\|Full article on trade]].

			Trade in the Solar System is governed less by money than by physics. Mass, delta-v, and orbital timing determine what moves and why. Habitats require continuous imports of water, gases, and chemical feedstocks to sustain life support, shielding, and propulsion, while exporting technology, services, and specialized goods in return. The Asteroid Belt supplies most of the system’s water and volatile materials, Venus dominates the production of nitrogen and atmospheric buffer gases, and Mars contributes propellants and industrial by-products. Earth and cis-lunar space export culture, skilled labor, finance, and advanced equipment rather than bulk materials. Cargo travels slowly along predictable orbital lanes using fusion burns for departure and capture with long ion-drive cruises in between. Because transport is slow and propellant costly, ports, depots, and logistics networks shape the economy more than speed or distance.

	== Conflict & Enforcement ==		== Conflict & Enforcement ==

Starfox: /* Trade */

2026-03-12T14:21:29Z

Trade

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:21, 12 March 2026
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	== Trade ==		== Trade ==
	* shipping lanes		Trade in the Solar System is driven by mass and delta-v rather than money. Habitats depend on steady imports of water, gases, and reactor fuels, while exporting technology, services, and cultural goods. The Asteroid Belt supplies most volatiles, Venus provides nitrogen, and Earth exports labor, knowledge, and prestige. Cargo moves slowly along established orbital lanes, making logistics and propellant supply more important than speed.
	* convoy culture
	* port economies
	* arbitration and ~~contracts~~
	* smuggling
	* inter-habitat specialization
	* Standards

	== Conflict & Enforcement ==		== Conflict & Enforcement ==

Starfox: /* Fashion */

2026-03-12T02:50:59Z

Fashion

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	==== Inner System ====		==== Inner System ====
			Inner-system fashions signal readiness while keeping a conservative silhouette.
	Skinsuits are typically worn under regular clothing with an accessory or small hat — often a side cap — that conceals the bubble helmet. Some wear transparent suits with opaque “underwear zones”; others add printed or embroidered panels that read like tattoos beneath outer layers.		Skinsuits are typically worn under regular clothing with an accessory or small hat — often a side cap — that conceals the bubble helmet. Some wear transparent suits with opaque “underwear zones”; others add printed or embroidered panels that read like tattoos beneath outer layers.
	~~Inner-system fashions signal readiness while keeping a conservative silhouette.~~

	==== Belt ====		==== Belt ====
	Belters often wear only the skinsuit plus rugged accessories: hard helmets, gloves, boots, and waist-mounted waste-recycling belts. The Belt is the only place where hard helmets with open visors are ~~commonly worn~~ in social settings.		Belters often wear only the skinsuit plus rugged accessories: hard helmets, gloves, boots, and waist-mounted waste-recycling belts. The Belt is the only place where hard helmets with open visors are accepted in social settings.
	Skinsuit patterns are artistic — calligraphy, pastoral scenes, game tokens (playing cards, chess, mah-~~jongg~~), or abstract designs.		Skinsuit patterns are artistic — calligraphy, pastoral scenes, game tokens (playing cards, chess, mah-jong), or abstract designs.

	==== Jovian Style ====		==== Jovian Style ====
	Here the skinsuit is flaunted. People pair it with a few striking pieces — a short jacket or a bolero (either may sport coat tails) — sometimes with shorts or a brief skirt/kilt. Suits worn under such layers are typically a single neutral color, often white, with clan or ship markings at cuffs and joints. Worn alone, the skinsuit is patterned, often with geometric panels and occasional transparent sections.		Here the skinsuit is flaunted. People pair it with a few striking pieces — a short jacket or a bolero (either may sport coat tails) — sometimes with shorts or a brief skirt/kilt. Suits worn under such layers are typically a single neutral color, often white, with clan or ship markings at cuffs and joints.
			Worn alone, the skinsuit is patterned, often with geometric panels and occasional transparent sections.

	==== Earth ====		==== Earth ====
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	==== Accessories ====		==== Accessories ====
	Worn with all styles — but particularly by Jovians — accessories are arranged to look casual~~, yet~~ are quietly secured for microgravity.		Worn with all styles — but particularly by Jovians — accessories are arranged to look casual and are quietly secured for microgravity.
	Common accessories include:		Common accessories include:
	* '''Utility belts, holsters''', and '''tool rigs''' styled as fashion pieces.		* '''Utility belts, holsters''', and '''tool rigs''' styled as fashion pieces.

Starfox: /* Sports & Games */

2026-03-12T02:44:26Z

Sports & Games

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	* Spinball (by radius); hull races; micro-g grapples; wing regattas for [[Angel]] crews.		* Spinball (by radius); hull races; micro-g grapples; wing regattas for [[Angel]] crews.
	* Heavy-lift meets for [[Kobold]] clans; freefall parkour for [[Lemure]] crews.		* Heavy-lift meets for [[Kobold]] clans; freefall parkour for [[Lemure]] crews.
	* Ocean courses for [[Melusine]] in high-pressure arenas. == Crime & Shadow Markets == Where scarcity bites.		* Ocean courses for [[Melusine]] in high-pressure arenas.

			== Crime & Shadow Markets ==
			Where scarcity bites.
	* Air/water skimming, credential forgeries, med-gene bootlegging.		* Air/water skimming, credential forgeries, med-gene bootlegging.
	* Wreck runs that “forget” to declare survivors; storm-time score settling.		* Wreck runs that “forget” to declare survivors; storm-time score settling.

	=== Technology Norms ===		=== Technology Norms ===

Starfox: /* Health, Risk, and Psychology */

2026-03-12T02:39:02Z

Health, Risk, and Psychology

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:39, 12 March 2026
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	* Some believe extensive gene therapy shortens lifespan. This is unverified, but it shapes attitudes.		* Some believe extensive gene therapy shortens lifespan. This is unverified, but it shapes attitudes.
	* Extended life keeps people youthful until genetic restoration finally fails. Apparent age, once a marker of status, no longer works, complicating status relations.		* Extended life keeps people youthful until genetic restoration finally fails. Apparent age, once a marker of status, no longer works, complicating status relations.
			** Young people often dress and style themselves as older.
			** Very old people sometimes style themselves as teens, which real teens finds obnoxious.
	* Appearance used to serve as an identity marker and still does to some degree, but people are more cautious about such signals today.		* Appearance used to serve as an identity marker and still does to some degree, but people are more cautious about such signals today.
	* Uncanny Valley: ~~Posthumans~~ and ~~humanoid robots~~ provoke xenophobia. This is stronger the closer they are to human. Humanoid robots are made to be obviously mechanical, posthumans adopt non-human traits to be clearly identifiable.		* Uncanny Valley: [[Biomorph (IB)\|Biomorps]] and [[Cyborg (IB)\|Cyborg (IB)]] provoke xenophobia. This is stronger the closer they are to human in appearance and manners. Humanoid robots are made to be obviously mechanical, posthumans adopt non-human traits to be clearly identifiable.
	* Death & disposal — Space constrains body handling: cremation, sealed interment, or drift release are the practical options. Choices affect recycling loads, living space, and crew morale. See [[#Memorials and Rites\|Memorials and Rites]] ~~under Religion~~ for customs and ceremonies.		* Death & disposal — Space constrains body handling: cremation, sealed interment, or drift release are the practical options. Choices affect recycling loads, living space, and crew morale. See [[#Memorials and Rites\|Memorials and Rites]] for customs and ceremonies.

	== Mobility & Travel ==		== Mobility & Travel ==

Starfox: /* Universal Modes of Communication */

2026-03-12T02:29:48Z

Universal Modes of Communication

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:29, 12 March 2026
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	The remaining quarter uses a wide range of smaller languages, including revived languages. Universal translation has removed the pressure to assimilate, allowing linguistic diversity to expand rather than collapse.		The remaining quarter uses a wide range of smaller languages, including revived languages. Universal translation has removed the pressure to assimilate, allowing linguistic diversity to expand rather than collapse.

	=== ~~Universal Modes of Communication~~ ===		=== Sign Languages ===
	What has become universal are sign languages. Throughout space and ocean exploration, silent communication without radio has been vital, and during the Fall it became an essential survival skill. Full sign languages remain linked to the spoken languages they grew out of, but a vernacular has developed to convey survival concepts. This extends to communication between small craft: signaling intentions, making simple demands, or even expressing annoyance or gratitude through flight patterns.		What has become universal are sign languages. Throughout space and ocean exploration, silent communication without radio has been vital, and during the Fall it became an essential survival skill. Full sign languages remain linked to the spoken languages they grew out of, but a vernacular has developed to convey survival concepts. This extends to communication between small craft: signaling intentions, making simple demands, or even expressing annoyance or gratitude through flight patterns.
	There are an emergency code that can be conveyed with very low bandwidth, like old telegraphy, to send simple messages like "all clear", "we can survive for X days", and "we need resource X". This simple code is taught to spacer children.		There are an emergency code that can be conveyed with very low bandwidth, like old telegraphy, to send simple messages like "all clear", "we can survive for X days", and "we need resource X". This simple code is taught to spacer children.

Starfox: /* Romela */

2026-03-12T02:28:37Z

Romela

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:28, 12 March 2026
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	A system-wide lingua franca descended from English but no longer owned by any single nation or culture. It exists in countless dialects, some barely mutually intelligible, but remains the default fallback language in space. Its persistence is practical rather than cultural; Anglic is spoken because it works, not because it carries prestige.		A system-wide lingua franca descended from English but no longer owned by any single nation or culture. It exists in countless dialects, some barely mutually intelligible, but remains the default fallback language in space. Its persistence is practical rather than cultural; Anglic is spoken because it works, not because it carries prestige.

	==== Romela ====		==== Romela & Bolivaran====
	~~The~~ Romance-derived European language. It emerged from long-term convergence among Iberian, French, Italian, and related languages before the Golden Age, then stabilized as a shared norm. While shaped by institutions, it is not rigidly frozen and continues to evolve through use. South American standard, '''Bolivaran''', is closely related and commonly treated as a regional variety of Romela.		'''Romela''' is the Romance-derived European language. It emerged from long-term convergence among Iberian, French, Italian, and related languages before the Golden Age, then stabilized as a shared norm. While shaped by institutions, it is not rigidly frozen and continues to evolve through use. South American standard, '''Bolivaran''', is closely related and commonly treated as a regional variety of Romela.

	==== Islav ====		==== Islav ====

Starfox at 02:25, 12 March 2026

2026-03-12T02:25:44Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:25, 12 March 2026
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	An emerging custom is to allow only a single language to be spoken aloud; those who do not speak it converse silently with their neme, which provides the translation. This can lead to situations where two native English-speakers converse in French, both using their nemes to speak for them.		An emerging custom is to allow only a single language to be spoken aloud; those who do not speak it converse silently with their neme, which provides the translation. This can lead to situations where two native English-speakers converse in French, both using their nemes to speak for them.

	~~=== Universal Modes of Communication ===~~
	What has become universal are sign languages. Throughout space and ocean exploration, silent communication without radio has been vital, and during the Fall it became an essential survival skill. Full sign languages remain linked to the spoken languages they grew out of, but a vernacular has developed to convey survival concepts. This extends to communication between small craft: signaling intentions, making simple demands, or even expressing annoyance or gratitude through flight patterns.
	There are an emergency code that can be conveyed with very low bandwidth, like old telegraphy, to send simple messages like "all clear", "we can survive for X days", and "we need resource X". This simple code is taught to spacer children.
	~~Learning these codes is part of mastering the skills they belong to; they are not usually studied as separate languages.~~

	~~=== Media ===~~
	Much media is still 2D or audio-only. 3D is possible with [[Gamemaster_Technology_(IF)#Holography\|holographic]] displays, but they are expensive to capture and render, and consume enormous bandwidth; only high-end productions use true holography.
	Virtual reality is far easier. Viewers use glasses, haptic gloves, a body suit, or (at the top end) a full-body rig. VR can play recorded works, but shines in shared virtual worlds with other users and simulated environments. Nemes handle identity, translation, and safety prompts.

	Most media is local by necessity. With light delays and costly, lossy transmission, only the most important or popular items cross interplanetary distances — marquee entertainment from Mars, major Earthforce addresses, headline news — and almost always in 2D. Everything else is local.

	Local bandwidth is abundant, feeding a long tail of media from professional houses to individuals broadcasting themselves. Within habitats and station clusters, 3D is common in studios and plazas: professional outfits can afford true volumetric capture; everyone else fakes depth by reconstructing 3D scenes from multi-angle 2D and renders 3D from VR.

	~~Augmented reality via nemes is ubiquitous: overlays in eyewear turn promenades into guided theaters, annotating performances, markets, and festivals.~~

	~~Virtual reality is widely used for entertainment and education, mostly in virtual worlds.~~
	~~Virtual meeting places are extremely popular for socializing, but light lag restricts this to about 10.000 km.~~

	~~Rights and payment are lightweight and use Lunar Bank micropayments; creators are paid per view by the bank; nemes track play counts and tip jars~~

	~~== Languages ==~~
	By 2340, humanity does not share a single spoken language, but it does share universal translation.		By 2340, humanity does not share a single spoken language, but it does share universal translation.
	This has allowed languages to diverge again after a long period of homogenization before the Golden Age. What follows are the major language groups in use across the Solar System, understood through Neme translation but culturally distinct.		This has allowed languages to diverge again after a long period of homogenization before the Golden Age. What follows are the major language groups in use across the Solar System, understood through Neme translation but culturally distinct.
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	Most offworld populations continue to speak Earth-derived tongues, shaped by isolation and local culture rather than necessity.		Most offworld populations continue to speak Earth-derived tongues, shaped by isolation and local culture rather than necessity.

	=== Anglic ===		==== Anglic ====
	A system-wide lingua franca descended from English but no longer owned by any single nation or culture. It exists in countless dialects, some barely mutually intelligible, but remains the default fallback language in space. Its persistence is practical rather than cultural; Anglic is spoken because it works, not because it carries prestige.		A system-wide lingua franca descended from English but no longer owned by any single nation or culture. It exists in countless dialects, some barely mutually intelligible, but remains the default fallback language in space. Its persistence is practical rather than cultural; Anglic is spoken because it works, not because it carries prestige.

	=== Romela ===		==== Romela ====
	The Romance-derived European language. It emerged from long-term convergence among Iberian, French, Italian, and related languages before the Golden Age, then stabilized as a shared norm. While shaped by institutions, it is not rigidly frozen and continues to evolve through use. South American standard, '''Bolivaran''', is closely related and commonly treated as a regional variety of Romela.		The Romance-derived European language. It emerged from long-term convergence among Iberian, French, Italian, and related languages before the Golden Age, then stabilized as a shared norm. While shaped by institutions, it is not rigidly frozen and continues to evolve through use. South American standard, '''Bolivaran''', is closely related and commonly treated as a regional variety of Romela.

	=== Islav ===		==== Islav ====
	The Slavic-derived European standard language. It developed after the dissolution of Russia and the realignment of Slavic-speaking regions within a broader European sphere. It is widely understood across Slavic populations while allowing strong regional variation of speech and identity.		The Slavic-derived European standard language. It developed after the dissolution of Russia and the realignment of Slavic-speaking regions within a broader European sphere. It is widely understood across Slavic populations while allowing strong regional variation of speech and identity.

	=== Sprak ===		==== Sprak ====
	The Germanic-derived European standard language. Its name comes from shared Germanic roots meaning “to speak.” Concise, functional, and widely regarded as efficient rather than elegant. Like Romela and Islav, it reflects institutional convergence more than cultural nostalgia, and continues to change through everyday use.		The Germanic-derived European standard language. Its name comes from shared Germanic roots meaning “to speak.” Concise, functional, and widely regarded as efficient rather than elegant. Like Romela and Islav, it reflects institutional convergence more than cultural nostalgia, and continues to change through everyday use.

	=== Tügel ===		==== Tügel ====
	A major transregional language descended from the continuum of Turkic speech stretching from Eastern Europe into western China. Tügel script is based on the Latin alphabet, developed on the old smartphones of the 21st century. Tügel is associated with mobility, shared identity, and post-imperial unity rather than state power, something held in common rather than imposed.		A major transregional language descended from the continuum of Turkic speech stretching from Eastern Europe into western China. Tügel script is based on the Latin alphabet, developed on the old smartphones of the 21st century. Tügel is associated with mobility, shared identity, and post-imperial unity rather than state power, something held in common rather than imposed.

	=== Arya ===		==== Arya ====
	A pan–North Indian meta-language descended from the Indo-Aryan languages, standardized during the late 21st–23rd centuries for administration, media, and off-world use.		A pan–North Indian meta-language descended from the Indo-Aryan languages, standardized during the late 21st–23rd centuries for administration, media, and off-world use.

	=== Aurelian ===		==== Aurelian ====
	Aurelian, commonly called ''Jovian Latin'' by outsiders, is a reconstructed form of Latin used in Jovian society as a high-status cultural and legal language. It is not a vernacular and is rarely spoken in daily life. Aurelian emerged as a deliberate choice during the later Golden Age, providing a prestige language not tied to any contemporary Earth polity.		Aurelian, commonly called ''Jovian Latin'' by outsiders, is a reconstructed form of medieval Latin used in Jovian society as a high-status cultural and legal language. It is not a vernacular and is rarely spoken in daily life. Aurelian emerged as a deliberate choice during the later Golden Age, providing a prestige language not tied to any contemporary Earth polity.

	=== Other Languages ===		=== Other Languages ===
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	The remaining quarter uses a wide range of smaller languages, including revived languages. Universal translation has removed the pressure to assimilate, allowing linguistic diversity to expand rather than collapse.		The remaining quarter uses a wide range of smaller languages, including revived languages. Universal translation has removed the pressure to assimilate, allowing linguistic diversity to expand rather than collapse.

			=== Universal Modes of Communication ===
			What has become universal are sign languages. Throughout space and ocean exploration, silent communication without radio has been vital, and during the Fall it became an essential survival skill. Full sign languages remain linked to the spoken languages they grew out of, but a vernacular has developed to convey survival concepts. This extends to communication between small craft: signaling intentions, making simple demands, or even expressing annoyance or gratitude through flight patterns.
			There are an emergency code that can be conveyed with very low bandwidth, like old telegraphy, to send simple messages like "all clear", "we can survive for X days", and "we need resource X". This simple code is taught to spacer children.
			Learning these codes is part of mastering the skills they belong to; they are not usually studied as separate languages.

			=== Media ===
			Much media is still 2D or audio-only. 3D is possible with [[Gamemaster_Technology_(IF)#Holography\|holographic]] displays, but they are expensive to capture and render, and consume enormous bandwidth; only high-end productions use true holography.
			Virtual reality is far easier. Viewers use glasses, haptic gloves, a body suit, or (at the top end) a full-body rig. VR can play recorded works, but shines in shared virtual worlds with other users and simulated environments. Nemes handle identity, translation, and safety.

			Most media is local by necessity. With light delays and costly, lossy transmission, only the most important or popular items cross interplanetary distances — marquee entertainment from Mars, major Earthforce addresses, headline news — and almost always in 2D. Everything else is local.

			Local bandwidth is abundant, feeding a long tail of media from professional houses to individuals broadcasting themselves. Within habitats and station clusters. 3D displays are common in studios and plazas: professional outfits can afford true volumetric capture; everyone else fakes depth by reconstructing 3D scenes from multi-angle 2D and renders 3D from VR.

			Augmented reality via nemes is ubiquitous: overlays in eyewear turn promenades into guided theaters, annotating performances, markets, and festivals.

			Virtual reality is widely used for entertainment and education, mostly in virtual worlds.
			Virtual meeting places are extremely popular for socializing, but light lag restricts this to about 10,000 km.

			Rights and payment are lightweight and use Lunar Bank micropayments; creators are paid per view by the bank; nemes track play counts and tip jars

	== Etiquette & Daily Life ==		== Etiquette & Daily Life ==
	Small rules keep everyone alive. Most began as safety habits, but over time they became matters of honor and courtesy.		Small rules keep everyone alive. Most began as safety habits, but over time they became matters of honor and courtesy.

			:''“When you’re young you learn not to trip over carpets in high heels. Later you learn to trip over carpets in high heels again.”
			:: Prill on the subject of ageing, The Ringworld Engineers (1980), by Larry Niven

	=== Recycling courtesy ===		=== Recycling courtesy ===