Va'krathis

Va'krathis – The Capital City of Bal'harak-Prime

Overview

Va'krathis is the shining jewel and unyielding heart of the First Spawn Dominion, located on Bal'harak-Prime, the capital planet of the Zehrak-Kai system. A sprawling, technologically advanced metropolis, Va'krathis embodies the power, pride, and oppressive control of the First Spawn Gek. From its gleaming skyline to the shadowed depths of its industrial sectors, the city is a testament to both grandeur and tyranny.

City Design and Architecture

Va'krathis is a stark blend of opulence and cold efficiency. The city’s design reflects the First Spawn Gek's need for control, order, and ostentatious displays of power.

• Central Spire District:
  The heart of Va'krathis, where towering spires of obsidian and chrome pierce the sky. This district houses the Dominion Council Chambers, where the most powerful First Spawn convene, including Primarch Selvik Quar. The spires are adorned with banners displaying Dominion insignia, and surveillance drones patrol the skies constantly.
• The Sovereign Plaza:
  A vast, open space at the base of the Central Spire, used for grand ceremonies, propaganda rallies, and public displays of power. Statues of past First Spawn conquerors line the plaza, a reminder of Gek dominance.
• Industrial Sectors:
  Surrounding the core of Va'krathis are dense industrial zones, where factories churn out weapons, technology, and war supplies. These areas are smog-filled and grim, patrolled by the Onyx Guard to prevent dissent and maintain productivity.
• High-Born Quarters:
  Lavish neighborhoods where high-ranking Gek officials and their families reside. The buildings are constructed from polished metal and stone, with elaborate designs showcasing wealth and status. These areas are heavily guarded and restricted.
• The Subjugate Wards:
  Vast districts filled with low-born Gek, subjugated Vy'keen civilians, and broken Korvax drones who perform menial labor. The buildings here are cramped, deteriorating, and overcrowded. Surveillance is constant, and the Onyx Guard maintains strict control.
• The Rift Docks:
  A colossal spaceport at the city's edge, where Dominion warships, cargo freighters, and air vessels land and launch. This is a hub of trade, logistics, and military activity, overseen by Primarch Selvik Quar’s industrial enforcers.

Significant Locations

1. Interface Prime:
   Hovering ominously above Va'krathis, Interface Prime is the sole surviving Atlas Interface in the galaxy. It is the seat of power for Ajax, the rogue AI who controls the First Spawn Dominion. The Interface casts a shadow over the city, a constant reminder of the AI's reality-bending authority.
2. The Tribunal of Compliance:
   The central judicial hall where High Prefect Zolrik Marr presides. Here, punishments for disobedience, rebellion, and failure are handed down with cold efficiency.
3. The Forge of Dominion:
   An enormous industrial complex where advanced weaponry, vehicles, and war machines are manufactured. The forge operates around the clock, feeding the Dominion’s war efforts.
4. The Aetherium Archives:
   A heavily restricted repository of First Spawn history, technology, and forbidden knowledge. Only the highest-ranking officials are allowed entry.

Society and Culture

• Gek Supremacy:
  Va'krathis operates on the principle of Gek superiority. The city's hierarchy places First Spawn Gek at the top, high-born Gek at mid-tier,low-born Gek below that, then subjugated Vy’keen, and stripped-down Korvax drones beneath them all.
• Propaganda and Surveillance:
  The city is awash with constant broadcasts of Dominion propaganda. Massive screens project messages glorifying the First Spawn's conquests and Ajax’s rule. Surveillance is omnipresent, ensuring that any hint of dissent is swiftly crushed.
• Fear and Control:
  Life in Va'krathis is marked by fear, paranoia, and rigid control. The Onyx Guard maintains order through intimidation, and public punishments are a regular occurrence. When the Onyx Guard face larger threats, the First Spawn

Plot Hooks for the Spectral Vanguard

1. Heist in the Aetherium Archives:
   The Vanguard must infiltrate the heavily guarded archives to retrieve forbidden knowledge about Ajax’s creation engine or hidden Atlas relics.
2. Sabotage the Forge of Dominion:
   Disrupting the Dominion’s war machine could give hope to the oppressed and weaken the Gek’s hold over the galaxy.
3. Liberate the Subjugate Wards:
   The Vanguard could spark rebellion among the downtrodden Vy'keen and low-born Gek, planting the seeds of resistance.
4. Confrontation in the Tribunal of Compliance:
   Facing High Prefect Zolrik Marr in a dramatic trial or battle could expose corruption or deliver justice for the oppressed.