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Esperis

System with a specialisation in synthetic qualia

Vrassoea Diskworlds
Image from Steve Bowers
Vrassoea Diskworld; the smaller disks rotate in opposite directions to the larger, most massive one. In the background is the gas giant Martairy

Data Panel Esperis

StarEsperis, YTS2 443500-1014
TypeK5V
Luminosity0.13 x Sol
Distance from Sol2101 ly
ConstellationAndromeda
RA23.16.23
Dec+50.41
PlanetsKranen - Arean (Mars-like) terrestrial, orbit 1.1 AU, Radius 3929 km
Iberer -Jovian gas giant, currently with a disrupted ring system, orbit 2.1 AU, Radius 42005km
Martairy -Jovian, orbit 4.8 AU, Radius 63080 km
MegastructuresAtletia, a Worldring 3000 km in radius
Vrassoea, three stacked Diskworlds 1000 km in radius
Settled in 5143 AT, Esperis has two major megastructures with a range of varied cultures. Vrassoea consists of three large diskworlds; the central, more massive disk rotates in the opposite direction to the outermost disks, with the net result that the whole structure has nominal angular momentum. On the other hand Atletia is a worldring with a total surface area somewhat larger than Earth's.

Atletia Worldring
Image from Steve Bowers
Atletia Worldring, a ringworld 13,000 km long and 13,000 km wide (with a surface area slightly larger than Earth). The interior is illuminated both by the local star (Esperis) and by luminous 'sunclouds'

Atletia

Much of Atletia's surface is covered in shallow seas, where artificial coral reefs are the base for habitable surfaces. Many of the population on this world are engaged in fishing, and the local cultures compete against one another in frequent gastronomic challenges. Another common pastime on this world is bodysailing, where an augmented individual propels their body across the sea surface, using kites, sails, hydrofoils and/or board surfaces which are integral with their morphotype.

The Qualiamasters of Vrassoea

Much of the recreational activity on Vrassoea centres around the experience of artificial qualia, allowing non-virtual modosophonts the opportunity to experience sensations that are not normally available for embodied individuals. The people of Vrassoea are accustomed to experiencing these sensations at various festivals which occur at different intervals; on these occasions participants are immersed in artificial qualia that simulate such extraordinary processes as the weather systems on a gas giant, the magnetic fields on a magnetar, the hydrological flows in an ocean or a river system, or the deep, slow movement beneath a planetary crust.

Particularly popular are cloudbuilding simulations: Participants become water droplets or ice crystals in a weather system, and they feel the wind movements, the temperature and pressure gradients, and the gradual redistribution of electrical charges that eventually result in lightning bolts, or upper atmosphere elves and sprites. Using accelerated processing speeds, it is possible for participants to experience thousands or millions of years of existence within a few months, as rock strata and mineral deposits as geological processes lift, deform and erode these layers into new sediments. Some participants prefer to play the active role of intrusive igneous rocks, lave and basalts, shaping the crustal surfaces by tearing them apart. Others simply like to experience these simulated eons as crystals in geodes and caves, sometimes exposed to the sunlight by chance or by the activity of (simulated) miners.

The qualiamasters of Vrassoea often draw inspiration (and sensory data) from sophont clades which have morphotypes and lifestyles which resemble these imaginary scenarios; for instance the cloudlike Adumbrans experience weather phenomena in a profound fashion, and a number of clades utilising bodies made from utility fog or utility fluid can provide information on sentient gases and liquids. Other sources of information used by the qualiamasters are the experiences of biogeocomputing substrates deep in the Earth, and the xenosophont Menexenes which inhabit gas giant interiors.

Hurricane
Image from Wikipedia CC image
One popular artificial quale synthesis is the sensation of existing as a hurricane on a terrestrial planet such as a Gaian world
Sophonts who take part in these simulated experiences have several interfacing options. Many choose to experience these sensations via their exocortex, a choice which can allow them to carry on with other activities simultaneously while dividing their focus of attention into two (or more) discrete experiential streams. The inhabitants of Vrassoea often use this option, as they are acclimatised to such divided streams of consciousness. Other sophonts, especially visitors and tourists, tend to experience these sensations one at a time, with a period of adjustment in between. Often these qualia are integrated into artificial dreams.

Kranen

This small, dry Mars-like world has never been terraformed, since the population mostly consists of tweaked modosophonts who are adapted to the low gravity and minimal atmosphere. They are often humanoid or quadruped tweaks who carry reserves of water in their bodies, and use anaerobic respiration as well as efficient internal energy storage systems. Kranen culture is based around Havens, small dome habitats where the sophonts go to recharge. These havens are often small, overcrowded and basic, but the Kranen modos seem to embrace these conditions with enthusiasm.

Iberer, a jovian planet with distorted rings
Image from Steve Bowers
Iberer, a gas giant with distorted rings

Iberer

This gas giant has unusual distorted rings; about ten thousand years ago the rings were disrupted by the close passage of an interstellar comet, and they are still in the process of returning to circularity. The rings are home to a population of Gearhead vecs and Jötunn , many of whom are determined to create a new inner moon in this system from the swirling ring particles. Once this new moon is fully formed they will move it outwards to make it more stable.

Martairy

The megastructure Vrassoea orbits around this gas giant, and it is also host to a large system of moons. Many tourists who visit the Esperis system are accommodated in luxury habitats on these moons and in orbit, and can access the artificial qualia simulations as guests.

One popular attraction in the tourist checklist is the long-running simulation of an entire galaxy, which allows guests to experience the long, slow evolution of stars, gas and dust clouds, star-forming regions and supernovae. This simulation is intended to evoke the (imaginary) sensory experience of a Galaxy Brain, without attempting to mimic the agency, consciousness and capabilities of such an entity. This simulation does, however, include many evocative sensations and profound (albeit synthetic) insights that are not readily available to modosophont minds.
 
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Appears in Topics
Middle Regions/Hinter-regionsSystems & Worlds E - F
 
Development Notes
Text by Steve Bowers
Initially published on 29 October 2025.

 
Additional Information
Hurricane image from Wikimedia Commons via NASA; details below
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dramatic_Views_of_Hurricane_Florence_from_the_International_Space_Station_From_9_12_(42828603210)_(cropped).jpg
 
 
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