Sic transit gloria mundi
OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION
Intent: Expand on the Arx.
Image Credit: Here.
Canon: N/A
Permissions: N/A.
Links: Order of Fire, Heroes of Purity, Qadiri, Xioquo, Eldorai, Vashyada.
SETTING INFORMATION
Structure Name: Quasar Entertainment Complex.
Classification: Entertainment & Sport Complex.
Location: Arx Aeternae
Affiliation: Firemane, House Kerrigan-Alcori.
Accessibility: It is accessible for anyone who lives on the Arx or has a permit to be on it. However, the station itself is privately owned, as it is Firemane property. This means only people Firemane allows aboard can enter the station, which obviously dictates access to the Arx. There are security checks to make sure visitors are not smuggling in weapons or illegal items. The Quasar itself is well-known on the Arx and often frequented by many of its inhabitants. It has, after all, been set to give them a place to unwind a bit and have fun. The Arx' police force is responsible for keeping order and all traffic is monitored, though thei presence of the security forces is not overbearing. The Quasar can be reached via the network of rapid transit trains that connects the various provinces of the Arx.
Description: The Quasar Entertainment Complex is essentially a huge entertainment and sport complex. It takes advantage of the Arx Aeternae's ginormous size. The pompously named Arx is the central hub for Firemane Industries & Technology. Designed as a tapered pentagonal pyramid, the station is both a trading hub and home for several million people plus visitors. Accomodation is generally only rented or leased, but space is surprisingly plentiful. Everyone who lives here is associated with Firemane in one way or another. Entire communities have sprung up in the arms of the station. The diversity of the inhabitants has turned the Arx into a bit of a cultural and ethnic melting pot.
Thus it is only appropriate to set up a place where residents can go to have fun, participate or watch sports competitions and so on. Of course, it also a useful way to bring in further revenue and even showcase some products. The Quasar fulfils this purpose. The complex has a large sporting arena, night clubs, gyms, a theatre and its own swoop track, among other amenities. Aside from teams formed by residents, outside teams also come here to compete and test their mettle. Popular sports include but are not limited to grav-ball, shockball, wrestling, fencing and Terä Käsi. Pod races do not take place, as they are regarded as too unsafe due to the high risk of a racer losing their life. Moreover, only a few humans can realistically participate in them.
Contests between Force-Users are particularly popular. Of course, death matches are forbidden because killing and maiming leads to lawsuits and other ugliness. Limitations have also been placed on the type of power that can be utilised in order to prevent harm to bystanders or the buildings, for that matter. Needless to say these competitions have attracted a number of members of the Order of Fire. Moreover, it is a useful way to spot and recruit new talents. Firemane's elf allies have imported their own sports activities. Many of these have turned out to be quite popular.
Naturally, one can also just watch the competitions, place bets, hit the gym and enjoy the night life. For those who want to enjoy some culture, there are theatrical and musical performances. The prospect of fame, patronage and profit and the mystique of the stars have attracted a number of Tygaran musicians and theatre troupes. Some are so fortunate to have Siobhan bestow her patronage on them. However, the complex does not just exist to make money and let people have a good time. Firemane donates a significant portion of its profits to charitable causes, such as anti-slavery initiatives, aid for war orphans, reforestation and the protection of endangered species. Of course, this is also good for public relations.
Moreover, there is a large cinema for those who want to enjoy movie magic. The Arx is Firemane property, and thus the Quasar is patrolled by Firemane's security forces. Many of the establishments here are not owned by Firemane though. Instead they are operated by other parties, who pay rent to the Kerrigan-Alcori family business.
POINTS OF INTEREST
Zodiac Sports Arena: A massive sport complex. Its Central Stadium has about fifty thousand seats for spectators. Various sport events are hosted here. It is one of the centres of the complex. Examples for popular sports are grav-ball and Smashball. Championships are major events and draw a lot of spectators. It is also the finishing point for the annual marathon race. Other amenities include athletics tracks, a weightlifting complex and gymnasiums.
Aside from more traditional sports, the arena also hosts Qadiri and Eldorai games. The Qadiri play polo using Yazgids. It is as dangerous as sounds, but it is also a great way of training for combat, and to do it well is an artform. The Eldorai have a more traditional sport called Tideball where the idea is to kick a ball to the end of the other team's goal line. However, you can tackle players and if you can catch or smother the kick you can turn the tide.
Starfield Arena: A smaller stadium with room for about thirty thousand spectators. Two types of games are hosted here primarily. The Vashyada use it for obstacle courses derived from their hunter training. Rather than actual animals, the players must overcome droids, various obstacles and traps. The Xioquo have tournaments based on their old gladiator death matches where the competitors are pitted against each other and against other hazards until only one remains the winner. Of course, battles are not to the death now. Instead the combatants use nonlethal weapons. It is essentially a Battle Royale.
Ember Field: Attached to the Zodiac Sports Arena. This is the Quasar Complex' swoop racing track. Pod racing is not allowed, so this is the major racing event aboard the Arx. Broadly speaking, the races are comparable to those that were popular during the Jedi Civil War.
Nanshe Natatorium: A large aquatic sports facility. Named after the Qadiri deity for the sea, boats, fishing and sailing. It has two thousand seats, providing ample room for visitors. The heart of the building is a huge indoor pool. It also has a secondary diving pool. Moreover, it features conference rooms, a gym, medical facilities and a restaurant. The seafood is great.
Galina Memorial Archery & Shooting Range: Named after Siobhan's daughter Galina. The young wildling, who was taken from this world far too soon, was a passionate archer who had prodigous skill with bow and arrow as well as a rifle. So it was only fitting to honour her by naming an archery venue after her. It is also used for shooting competitions with rifle and pistol. Sixty percent of the profits are donated to charities providing aid to war orphans and former child soldiers.
The venue includes a public park. A statue of Galine Kerrigan-Alcori has also been set up. Made of bronze, it shows her stretching a bow. She stands on a pedestal made of granite. The pedestal features a text that details her life story.
Voyager Hotel: A hotel located in close proximity to the major sports venues and commercial enterprises. This hotel caters primarily towards middle class earners, providing solid service at an affordable price. The hotel is owned by independent businesspeople who pay rent to Firemane.
My Body Is My Temple Club: The number one address for home gym equipment on the Arx. At least that is what the brochure says. It also has a well-stocked gym on site. The staff provides advice on healthy living and a good workout routine. For a while the establishment ran an ad campaign with the slogan 'Be Strong like Freya'. They had to eventually abandon it after Sergeant Freya Solveig got annoyed.
Inferno Club: One of the most well-known night clubs. It is popular with Firemane military and civilian personnel as well as other inhabitants. The club is not owned by Firemane, but the proprietors pay rent. Weapons are not permitted in the building. The drinks and music are great though. Yazgid's Bite is a popular liquor. It is best for humans who try it to start small though, as it has quite a punch.
Dark Star Hall: A multi-use, performing arts centre. It is used for opera, dances, concerts, orchestra, theatre, sports events etc. It can also be booked for weddings, exhibitions, fashiong shows and other events. Moreover, it features an arena theatre. In short, it is a cultural hub. Siobhan is fond of the burlesque performances.
Melody, a very talented Dahomian pop singer, has performed here. Incidentally, she is the daughter of General Devotion, the head of Firemane's ground forces. The General is a bit embarrassed by her wild daughter's career choice. Another well-known performer is a Vashyada called Kseniya. She is an entertainer, singer and poet who tours between the worldships. She sings Vash folk songs for a wider market. Her projects also include soundtrack work for holomovies and holodocumentaries.
Celestial Resort: As the name implies, this establishment caters to a more exclusive clientele, namely upper class and upper middle class visitors. It provides high-class food, drink, entertainment, and shopping. Its amenities include conference rooms, a spa, a golf course and its own medical facility. The luxury resort is operated by Firemane.
Phoenix Theatre: The main cinema on the Arx. There are others, of course, but it is the biggest. The indoor complex has several screens. Viewers can purchase snacks and the cinema has its own restaurant. The premiere of 'Heroes of Purity' took place here.
SECURITY
Medium.
- The Complex is located on the Arx, a heavily defended space station that serves as Firemane's mobile headquarters. This means it will receive aid from Firemane's considerable on-board garrison. The station is purely privately owned, so outsiders will have to receive approval to land, pass through security inspections etc.
- Firemane owns and guards the place. Firemane security forces police and guard access to the Quasar Entertainment Complex. Their presence is not an overbearing one, as it is a civilian location. However, there are scanners and metal detectors outside the complex as well as in certain areas within it. These are designed to detect blasters, lightsabres and so on. Hidden scanners meant to detect concealed weapons have been set up in sports venues and various buildings. The security contingent includes both uniformed and plainclothed guards. Security cameras have been set up in public areas.
- Only members of Firemane's security forces are allowed to bear arms. Visitors are required to relinquish their weapons. There are strong laws against brandishing weapons in public. Firemane owns the Arx and its word is law aboard the station. It does not recognise any lawful authority other than its own here. As a result, vigilantism is forbidden. These rules also apply to Jedi, as they have no jurisdiction on the Arx.
The Arx Aeternae was conceived to provide Firemane with a command hub. Though its outposts and bases are scattered across the galaxy, with most of them being concentrated on the galactic fringe, the corporation needed a fixed, central point. Initially, the corporation was based on Kaeshana. This was a logical decision due to its close ties to the Eldorai royal family. Moreover, Kaeshana was in the Omega Protectorate, which meant Firemane would be under the umbrella of the nation its leaders had helped found and ruled for a while. At the same time, the Eldorai homeworld enjoyed a high degree of autonomy.
During the course of the Eldorai Exodus, Firemane evacuated its personnel and assets. It set up a new headquarters on Dac. The Mon Calamari homeworld was very developed and a trade hub. However, while logical, this decision proved impractical because Siobhan and Tegaea spent most of their time on Arkas. Even with all the wonders of galactic communications technology, this meant the central leadership was a bit divorced from its apparatus. After a brief stint on Alderaan following the souring of relations between Firemane and the Silver Jedi Order, the decision was made to build the Arx. This would allow Firemane to better leverage its resources and was in line with its new policy of keeping its key assets mobile rather than tying them down to a single world.
The station was conceived as a trade hub, manufacturing centre and mobile city. The station was able to move, though it was terribly slow. Moreover, it was extremely well-armoured. Not only could it carry a massive amount of cargo, but also provides homes for millions of people. Thus many Firemane employees who moved to the Arx brought their families with them. Allies and trading partners could also rent space.
Soon the station was dotted with warehouses, habitats for livestock, commercial areas, residential quarters and factories. Of course, all these people needed an area to unwind and have fun in. This would also be a good way to make money and perhaps recruit new talents. Thus the Quasar Entertainment Complex developed organically. It started as a large sporting arena set up by Firemane, which soon attracted other parties to set up shop.
When the sporting arena opened, elves who were working for or associated with Firemane imported their own sports. The galactic sport scene is surprisingly limited, as it is largely restricted to grav-ball, Huttball, racing and fighting, so these new additions proved quite popular. The Starfield Arena was set up close to the central stadium. At Siobhan's insistence, an archery field was named after her deceased daughter Galina. Needless to say the lure of prospect attracted various private investors. Hotels, clubs and various private sports establishments such as gyms sprang up around the main complex. More recently, Heroes of Purity, a propagandistic Firemane war movie about the Tephrike campaign, premiered in the Phoenix Theatre.
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