Post by ashmoon on Jan 7, 2016 5:06:16 GMT
To the Ashall, a more suitable question is “WHO is Ashmoon?”
Ashmoon is an organism so massive She is Herself suspended in orbital space—a living planet, a goddess of the tangible universe. By appearance alone, She seems unremarkably like any planetary oasis: over 80% of the surface is covered by shallow fresh-water seas, the land is environmentally rich in flora growth, and there is perpetual weather activity and cloud cover. However, the entire mass of Ashmoon is controlled by Her Will down to a molecular level, constantly tinkering with experiments as small as atomic synthesis to feats as dramatic as entire landscape changes. The surface of Ashmoon reacts like the living creature She is to suit local circumstances, such as forming miles-long tentacles, exterminating or isolating threatening presences, and extruding sensory or communication organs. The dirt, sand, and mud is shed follicles of Her own biomass; the stones and minerals Her own deposits, or otherwise captured from space. Life thrives under Her Will, and in turn She harvests the energy it produces for Her.
The Ashall, the humanoid population of Ashmoon, live in an intimate and empathic civilization without clothing and very connected to Her Will. Buildings are either made from firm timber, cement made from Ashen substrate, carved into the massive stone-like deposits, or living structures formed by Her Will. Machines and technology are all biological in construction, as Ashen engineers are able to work with Ashmoon’s sentience to sculpt and mold samples of Her Flesh. Long-distance travel is performed in a vascular-like, carless subway system, entertainment is expressed more telepathically than visually, and even weapon tech is all organically functioning constructs. While Ashall do conduct themselves in local or inclusive government, it is all under the jurisdiction of Her Eternal Will, legally and divinely.
A striking trait among the Ashall is a general complacency with death; few Ashall live past forty, although their bodies are capable of living well over ninety years. When reproduction is a cherished past-time and children are born in litters, there is never a shortage in population and often issues with space and resources. Here ties in the Ashall’s share of their symbiotic tie with Ashmoon: Her Will feeds them, and in return they must feed Her. The dead, terminally ill, criminally misfit, and willing elders are regularly swallowed by Ashmoon, drawn into Her depths and painlessly silenced before digested. Because of the tangible omnipotence of Ashmoon and daily reliance on Her Will, the Ashen have a strong belief in rebirth and widely are accepting of this inevitable end. Those that fear death, or go to outrageous means to preserve their own life, are looked upon with shame and disgust by Ashen society.
Ashmoon orbits the star Ash, larger but dimmer than Earth’s Sol, in a binary system with a less massive ocean-planet called Her Eye and three white moons. Every planemo of the Ash system features some degree of Ashmoon’s presence, either for sentry, scientific or farming purposes.
