Sinhala

The government of Sinhala, for over 1000 years, was a semi-autonomous monarchy, that regularly aligned with the intererests of the Grand Republic and the other various Zlathan systems around pacifica. The monarchy was overthrown by a coalition of more radical nationalist elements of aligned Sinhala nationalist seerists, and coordinated efforts by the Pacifica Liberation Front. There are still rumors floating around, that the seerists were funded by the Musura Federation, while nationalists were a plant by Imperial Security. Regardless of what happened, the monarchy was overthrown. This occured in 1780. The government took office over roughly 65% of the population for two years.   In order to maintain "security" and "peace" the Colonial Earth Empire intervened, worrying about an increasing amount in secterian attacks made by the Sinhala seerist extremists. Two bombings struck Nueva Monaco, that supposedly came from bombs and bombers originally from Sinhala. This eventually cultivated in the 7th Royal Imperial Fleet intervening on the planet at the request of the House of Axes. Shocktroopers descended upon the planet, and conducted heavy bombing of the surface for months. The House of Glass was given control of the planet, a cursed gift. This dissapointed the House of Axes who originally wanted Sinhala, but seeing House of Glass flounder against the incredibly dug in PLF forces has made them reconsider their desire for the planet.   Now, four years later, the Empire, mostly instigated by the industrialists from the House of Glass and the House of Moments, deployed with military forces in a select few enclaves, where they are welcome. The Republican Remnant has accused the Empire of upseting Pacifica sovereignty, and have deployed a handful of their own money and munitions supporting the remnants of the monarchy. The PLF have dug-in, forging alliances with the Seerist oracles and Bogoda Clans. They regularly terrorize the imperial forces, especially since the Interstellar Gate orbits the large planet. The Imperial navy lacks the ability to reasonably target underground facilities without completely cracking the planet. The culminating effects would effectively shut down the gate.   The Empire only controls about one thirds of the planet, mainly the shipping hubs, Sin City and the resource rich chasms nearby. The other two thirds of the planet is crushing wilderness and ice, under control of various factions like the Church of Seers, resistance forces, corporate security or the remnants of the monarchist government. On many places, there is an underground trench war being waged. Giant tunnelers bore through the mountain, seeking out rival underground cities. When two tunnels intersect, a trench war ensues. Lines have been holding for years in some places, where there has become a stalemate of violence. Some cities have struck up a ceasefire with the empire, rebuilding their stocks of weapons while the empire focues on more aggressive frontlines.   While the Empire controls the gates, the resource rich Sinhalan cities are able to produce weapons of war on their own. Some of these cities deploy whole divisions worth of troops to protect them, and threaten imperial expansion. Smugglers regularly bring supplies to the planet, masked by the heavy interference let off by the planet's natural atmosphere.    

Culture

  Sinhalan culture has grown and developed to reflect the harsh conditions the people have come to endure. They live beneath the mountains, away from the sun. Light is considered precious, and their architecture features intricate light displays that weave through the caverns and ceilings of their communities. There are also great festivals dedicated to when the sunlight finally does shine through the skylights and enter the Sinhalan cities. Work is often given off for "sun days" where people go to enjoy the parks built in the path of light that would shine through the skylights carved into the mountains.   These skylights were built before the silence, and have often been a symbol of hope for local Sinhalan culture. Local temples will often base their own holidays around these sun days. People here have a deep sense of community and shared history. The harsh mountains and conditions have required the Sinhalan people to work together to make sure they all survive. Their deep rooted Seerist beliefs stem from early Zlathan colonization, and their isolation and persistence through the Silence.  

Food and Drink

  Food is either grown in vast underground farms. Because of the limited space, food has to be grown to be effcient. Starches and grains are the most common plant grown. Complex fungi is grown within peoples own enclaves to enhance the food, and large insectoid creatures are farmed from the lower caverns as a protein.   Fruits are grown in the sunparks, and can be grown in weeks. A lot of fruit is stored and dried, kept as candies and treats year round. The drink of choice is usually a Sinhalan squirmer, a distilled fungal alcohol that is infused with a sugar mite that causes the alcohol to fizz and turn a deep red color when the worm is dropped within. It tastes like mint, sugar and ginger and is not pleasant to drink.   Typical Menu   Main Course   Roasted Cave Crawler over a bed of mushrooms, braised in a thick honey   Mushroom Burger   Snacks   Fungi Skewers   Sugar Mites, served with hot fire tongs that kill the mite as they are served   Dried Fruits   Drinks/Drugs   Sinhalan squirmer, made with a sugar mite that is dropped in a fungal alcohol