Ishtar's Temple: A Venusian Diamond Among Jewels

[Venty]

Type (e.g. Planet, Faction, System): Aerostat (Venus).

Describe this proposal in a single sentence (12 word maximum): Venusian aerostat focusing on entertainment, of both the traditional and exotic Venusian variety.

How will this be reflected on-station?:  This place, in addition to adding to the general vibe of Venus being the "Jewel of Sol", provides further background and potential backstories for potential Sol and Venusian characters, as well as giving a further spotlight on specific groups in both the Human and IPC groups, such as the more risque or elite of Sol and the creation of the beauty-based Venusian shells. In addition, once the shift in scenery changes from station to traveling exploration ship, it could also provide in the way of providing an interesting location for future events and/or arcs.

Does this faction/etc do anything not achieved by what already exists?: It further expands on potential character concepts and backgrounds through the expansion on certain sub-types of already existing races, such as the Venusian Shells built to cater to a... risque audience, or the unique environment fostered into the various humans (and other potential species) on Venus.

Why should this be given to lore developers rather than remain player created lore?: In turning this to official lore developers, a few different ideas and situations can emerge from it:

1. The upper atmosphere of Venus and the Aerostats, as described by both Lore and Players alike, is one that focuses on beauty, pleasure, and unique forms of entertainment that fails to exist elsewhere in the entirety of Sol. So, in adding a aerostat that focuses on that specific aspect of Venus and reveals some of the deeper inner workings of the Venusian Entertainment Industry and the Venusian Mindset, it allows for more in-depth Venusian characters and helps Sol become more of a background that a player could use for new characters and concepts.
2. With this addition to Venusian Lore, an issue comes up in the form of the Venusian IPC's. For a rather long time, there has been constant arcs, characters, and ideas over the concept of IPCs and their potential free-will/emotions, and the development of Venusian IPCs and their use in Sol could work as a further motivator for potential conversation on the topic, as well as allowing for IPCs from Venus to come aboard and provide backstory and ideas that might challenge or assist the status quo.
3. Venus, within the Aerostats and behind closed doors, is a planet focused on both pleasure, entertainment, and degeneracy. In the addition of Ishtar's, this concept could be further explored upon and messed with, providing material for conversation on what is considered the limit between simple entertainment and total deviancy, as well as providing conflict between groups that are diametrically opposed to such concepts of sin and pleasure.

Do you understand that if this is submitted, you are signing it away to the lore team, and that it's possible that it will change over time in ways that you may not foresee?: That's the nature of a lore application: If I submit this and it's accepted, it's not entirely mine anymore. The original concept is mine: The actual implementation is not.

Long Description:

Venus.

The oft-described "Jewel" of the Sol system, Venus is known far and wide across human space as a example of the possibilities of human entertainment, pleasure, and overall ability of humanity to create something beautiful, profitable, and enjoyable the whole way through. This, proved strong by Aerostats such as Binyaria, was only further proved and expanded upon by what many considered to be the "diamond" of Venus: Ishtar's Temple.

A rather large Aerostat that existed only a short shuttle ride away from Binyaria, Ishtar's Temple functioned as the perfect twin to Binyaria and an example of what Venusian entertainment could be. The basis of the Aerostat, as it was formed, was simple: It was a place anyone and everyone could enjoy, a place that provided to every niche and interest a place to enjoy themselves and relax. The average person, with a few credits and some time, could board a shuttle and enjoy themselves in any way possible aboard the Temple: Clubs, amusement parks, lounges and bars of all sorts, sport centers and everything in between were open to the general public. It didn't matter who you were: Skrell, Unathi, Human, IPC, everyone could find a place to enjoy themselves in some way.

It didn't end with just those attractions, however: That was only the lower half of the Temple. Beyond the guarded elevators and hidden checkpoints known as Ishtar's Gates existed the top layer, elusive to most non-Venusians and even further for those foreign to the system, existed the top half of the Ishtar's Temple: Babylon Garden. Here, the more deviant and elite of the possible attractions existed for the rich, influential, or resourceful: The right amount of cash, the right connections, the right knowledge, or the right influence was all that was needed to gain one of the illusive key cards that provided access to the top. However, in some cases, it was even easier to get inside: Rumor had it that it wasn't uncommon for management to occasionally slip an access card to those who, in some way or another, looked like they simply couldn't get with what was offered. In this upper level, all sorts of deviancy existed: Entertainment of the risque kind was common, the unique and unusual tastes of any patron were satisfied, and all sorts of "hotels" populated the aisles when the night came through. One of the most used services, however, was arguably the specialty of the upper Aerostat: The Venusian Shells of the Diamond. These shells differed from the usual Venesian shell: They were designed with quality incomparable to those outside the Aerostat, and existed in a state that left them with not only more freedoms than their counterparts, but left them more desired by the patrons of the level. Setting themselves for different prices and different jobs, even someone foreign to the level could tell exactly what the purpose of each and every shell could be: Some provided experiences they only wish they could get within their dreams, and others provide the technophile's dream in more ways than one.

As time went on, this only further expanded: New attractions and places show up on the daily, and expansions are constantly occurring. As one attraction finishes production, another starts production, starting a cycle of constant innovation and application, in which one visit is always unique compared to another.

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A final note:

This is the first time I've ever made something as big as this, so forgive me if some things seem wrong or unrealistic. Still trying to figure this all out.

I would like to thank Pan, Karnayna#9676 for help in the initial idea and ParadoxSpace#6825 for some further development and context on Venus.

EDIT: Changed to fix Venesian to Venusian.

Edited May 18, 2020 by Venty
CHANGED TO FIX VENESIAN TO VENUSIAN

[Hepatica]

+1 I would happily make a beauty shell from Aerostat, more beauty in our lore is good, not everything has to be a run down crap hole!

[niennab]

6 hours ago, Venty said:

The Venusian Shells of the Diamond. These shells differed from the usual Venesian shell: They were designed with quality incomparable to those outside the Aerostat, and existed in a state that left them with not only more freedoms than their counterparts, but left them more desired by the patrons of the level.

I'm curious how these shells differ from the current Venusian shells, who are already cited as art pieces, better regarded, aesthetically pleasing, etc etc. To say they are that but more feels lacking and non-tangible. Conceptually and oocly speaking why are they made different from what already exists?

Instead of having something that adds onto Venus or Venus' culture of IPCs, I believe it should be more something that is integrated with the present lore and expands upon it (if that makes sense). In reading the application, I feel as though this is what Venus already feels like, granted, the wiki could use perhaps a paragraph detailing it's entertainment culture.

On a side note, I am wary of the name "The Golden Dream" in that it's only a few characters off from "The Golden Deep". Not that IPCs are the only race that can lay claim to gold in their aesthetic, but I believe it's important that in lore we don't have things that overlap in concept or in naming conventions.

[Venty]

12 hours ago, niennab said:

I'm curious how these shells differ from the current Venusian shells, who are already cited as art pieces, better regarded, aesthetically pleasing, etc etc. To say they are that but more feels lacking and non-tangible. Conceptually and oocly speaking why are they made different from what already exists?

Instead of having something that adds onto Venus or Venus' culture of IPCs, I believe it should be more something that is integrated with the present lore and expands upon it (if that makes sense). In reading the application, I feel as though this is what Venus already feels like, granted, the wiki could use perhaps a paragraph detailing it's entertainment culture.

On a side note, I am wary of the name "The Golden Dream" in that it's only a few characters off from "The Golden Deep". Not that IPCs are the only race that can lay claim to gold in their aesthetic, but I believe it's important that in lore we don't have things that overlap in concept or in naming conventions.

Alright, so after some brainstorming among me, Pan, and Paradox, I believe I've come up for answers in regards to both parts of your question.

To answer the first of how the IPCs of the (now-renamed!) Golden Dream, we've come up with a few different ways and also expanded on how IPCs work on the aerostat.

1. To start off, IPCs that reside aboard the Dream are typically hand-picked from models and units across Venus that tend to be the most appealing, in which these units are brought aboard to an initial workshop area. In this area, they are then "touched up", improved, and in some cases, redefined to not only fit a specific purpose, such as the hired escorts that can be found up in the upper levels. Typically, IPCs that work within this field are made to be as good looking as possible, to the point of being uncanny, and having something of a ethereal/not-quite-human feel to them. In addition to this, we came up with a naming scheme that would help fit in with the new name, which I will reveal at the end, in which IPCs will be given names based on different deities and/or mythological entities based on the look and job given to them.
2. A decent chunk of staff aboard are IPCs, and handle various different jobs: Some work in the escort service available to those in the upper levels, in which a certain amount of hours is paid for by a customer, and whatever happens between the IPC and Customer stays between them and Management. During this time, IPCs are able to have some freedoms in what occurs during this time, being able to deny certain requests if it would have negative effects to the facility, the IPC's status, or anything else that would result in a loss of profits, time, and effort. However, if none of these risks or dangers exist, IPCs generally have to follow exactly what the customers asks for or wants.  Others work as the security of the entire facility: They can range from shells to G2s, all designed to not only be effective as security, but also maintain the beauty that is generally represented by Venusian IPCs. Most others work as part of the various attractions or facilities, such as handling drinks at some of the various clubs or covering small-scale administration.
3. IPCs that work as part of the escort service have further abilities granted to them by administration: They can often change their appearance, look, or behaviors based on the requests of the customer, and the distinct look of certain IPCs can be changed at various different workshops located through the staff-only sections of the entire facility.

There's also some new additions to the actual system of the aerostat, but in order to go further into the changes, allow me to introduce the new naming of the Golden Dream: Ishtar's Temple.

The aerostat has been renamed to Ishtar's Temple, with each area given a specific name that fits with the full name: The lower levels and Aerostat are known as Ishtar's Temple, the elevators that separate the zones are known as Ishtar's Gates, and the upper level of the Temple is known as Babylon Garden. This also connects to the naming scheme of the IPCs that work there and fit in with the attempted look and experience that the design of the IPCs are supposed to invoke.

I've also added to how the IDs work: IDs are bio-locked to the individual that they were originally created for, and automatically tracks the location of the owner inside the facility and works as a mobile recorder, in order to add to the security of the facility and it's assets. In addition, the system allows for fake/bootleg cards to connect to the tracking network and immediately report attempted usage of said cards, exposing the immediate location of anyone using a bootleg for Security to "remove".

Hopefully, this not only answers the issues brought up but add to the depth of the original application. Again, I credit Pan, Karnayna and ParadoxSpace for help with brainstorming and collaboration.

[niennab]

Accepted, tweaked and implemented.