Category:Scattered worlds

Scattered worlds are a special class of planet, which are not founded on a single large ball of rock or ice. Instead, a scattered world is built on a large number of small moons, a planetary ring system or asteroid belt.

Development of a Scattered World

Here is a rough guide to the process by which a scattered world is formed. Although this is considered a historical curiosity, with no new worlds having been established for several centuries, it is not unlikely that more living space will be needed as the population continues to grow.

Founding

Typically, development begins with a small base on a single rock. This is rarely self-sufficient, and will require regular shipments of supplies from another world in the system if it is to last more than a few weeks. A base is usually a group of pre-made habitation modules anchored to the rock. These provide a simple atmospheric recycler and living quarters for the first colonists.

Class 0

Once there are living modules on more than 6 rocks, the colony can start to develop its own survival infrastructure. Each base will be expanded to form a more permenant living space. This is usually done by erecting vast solar sails, providing sufficient energy to hollow out the core of the rock. These cave systems can be used to set up hydroponic facilities, water reservoirs, and any other facilities needed to sustain a permenant settlement.

Meanwhile, the excess rock taken from the caves is normally processed to extract any valuable minerals, and then liquified and inflated in free space near the base. This produces several dozen rock spheres, which can be used as further living space or converted into factories.

Class R

Class R is the next stage of development for a scattered word. At this stage, every rock (or at least those with multiple inhabitants) is connected by elevators or lengths of downline. The main thrust of development is now to introduce system-wide distribution networks for water, power and worldnet connectivity.

A Class R planet is normally required to have a worldnet, but this may be limited to a single datacentre, or have connectivity provided through some kind of scatternet system.

Class 3

Once the scattered world has a worldnet accessible to at least 80% of rocks in the system, centralised power to 95% (or some system of government assistance to set up solar collectors for new settlers), some provision of healthcare and education and a formal government building, the world may apply for elevation to Class 3. From here, it follows the normal path to class 4.

It is now also expected that a class 3 scattered world will have its own ghostnet mirror (since <date>906</date>), and a permanent staff dedicate to enforcing ecclesiastical law (since <date>1180</date>). However, worlds without these things were allowed to retain their class indefinitely.