Verces

The fourth planet in the Golarion System. It is tidally-locked, causing one side to perpetually bake under The Sun (Fullbright) and the other to freeze in its shadow (Darkside). However, the terminator, the Ring of Nations, is one of the most densely inhabited and technologically advanced metropolitan areas of the system.

Geography

Since Verces is tidally locked, Fullbright is a scorching desert burning under the light of The Sun, while Darkside is covered in eternal darkness and cold. In the Ring of Nations, temperatures are in a much more habitable range, quite warm near Fullbright, to under freezing on the edge of Darkside.

The planet has no seasons or day-night cycle. Fullbright is always blindingly bright, Darkside is only lit by artificial lights, and the Ring of Nations exists in perpetual twilight. The slow movement of distant stars, visible in Darkside or the few rural areas of the Rings of Nations, is the only cue for the passage of time. The harsh temperature differential creates massive storms, with plains experiencing the most intense tempests.

Most of the Ring of Nations is dry land, with a few bodies of water. Fullbright is a sun scorched desert with no water, and Darkside contains most of Verces' water, frozen in glaciers and half frozen seas.

Despite being an urban and densely populated planet along the terminator, Verces has a notable quantity of unexplored wilderness. Even the residents of the Outlaw Kingdoms, whether dwelling in sun baked huts or tunneling deep into the ice to access fertile seas below, occupy only a small fraction of their territory. This leaves extensive expanses of untouched wilds and mysterious ruins from forgotten epochs.

Government

The Ring of Nations consists of 27 nations whose borders are mostly rectangular, and partially delimited by Fullbright and Darkside. They are governed from Cuvacara, capital of Vimal, by the Grand Assembly and policed by The Stewards. These two models of governance and policing were so successful and popular that when the Pact Worlds government was formed in 41 AG, they were adopted.

The Grand Assembly became the model for the Pact Council, and The Stewards were expanded to include all Pact Worlds members in their mandate. The Stewards have relocated to Absalom Station since the Pact Worlds was formed, but they continue to maintain their original headquarters of Peacewatch, where many aspiring officers train. Verces nations retain sovereignty and distinct cultures, but their laws and economies are deeply intertwined, their borders are open, and wars have been unknown for millennia. Some nations include:

• Athalo
• Kashak
• Obarshi
• Shubu
• Thapukar & Ulkothra
• Vimal

Outlaw Kingdoms

Not all of Verces' residents recognize the Ring of Nations authority. The Outlaw Kingdoms are criminals, cultists, exiles, survivalists, and indigenous peoples living on the fringes of the terminator or move to Fullbright or Darkside, surviving through magic or technology. Some actively recruit exiles from the Ring, while others shoot any outsiders on sight. They see the Ring's residents as decadent, and are in turn usually considered to be backward and inbred. This does not stop ordinary Vercites from consuming media about them or hiring them for illicit activities like raiding and kidnapping rival corporations' employees.

History

The Stewards, an organization of warrior-diplomats who now serve as the enforcement wing of the Pact Worlds, were founded on Verces.

Inhabitants

The Verthani are the dominant native species of Verces, humanoids but taller than humans with black eyes like a mouse and the ability to change the color of their skin. Partially due to the traditional caste system, they have also been leaders in the field of cybernetics for a long time.

Verces is also home to many immigrants of all species, the vast majority of which live in the Ring of Nations, leaving Fullbright and Darkside to outcasts and monsters. Institutions run continuously, with employees arranging their own sleeping and waking hours.

• Humans are common, both permanent residents and visitors.
• Kasathas appreciate the verthani's stability, traditions and governmental structures, and see similarities been the hotter regions of Verces and their own homeworld of Kasath. Some even valorize the verthani's ancient caste system, to the natives' chagrin or amusement.
• Many Rhyphorians live on the edges of the ring, adapted to harsh climates and seeing the similarity to their native Triaxus' century long seasons.
• Ysoki come to Verces for augmentations or the opportunities in the slums beneath its metropolises.
• Fullbright has been home to a Shirren colony since they first arrived in the Pact Worlds after fleeing The Swarm. They have since integrated into Vercite society, but their settlements retain a shirren majority.
• The mysterious spire of Qidel in Fullbright is home to the Strix, who mostly keep to themselves and admit few visitors.
• Darkside's native bloodbrothers, though not part of Vercite society, feature prominently as boogeymen in media.

Flora and Fauna

The plants and non-sentient species on Verces are extremely varied depending on which of the planet's ecosystems they call home. The deserts of Fullbright are home to light and drought adapted species including animals with photosynthesizing skin, while the dark oceans and glaciers of Darkside are prowled by hoarbats and the sentient predators known as bloodbrothers, which co-opt their prey's circulatory system.