Minas Ithil is the name of a gas processing platform and habitat build by Morians in the atmosphere of Saturn.
http://www.fenspace.net/i....php5?title=Moria_Mining
http://www.fenspace.net/i...php5?title=Moria_CHONics
This is a floating city of crystal and brilliant metal, and, though different in design to the Crystal Cities of Venus, many would say it has the same sort of beauty. The city is built as a series of linked concentric cylinders, not all of the same length, and intended to have further cylinders added to the outside, as it grows (a whole, though not fully internally furnished, cylinder at a time).
The industrial parts are supposed to be in the lower parts of the city, pointed towards Saturn, though there is light engineering in establishments scattered across almost the whole city. Industry is carefully positioned and insulated so it doesn't interfere with the living areas. Contrary to stereotypes, this is a city of light and brilliance, with parks, trees and pleasant walks, not a dour structure of stone and dull metal. When you ask a Morian about this their reactions vary; some just scowl, some wink and grin, but the odd one can imply that someone has to build stuff like this, because the elves aren't 'pulling their weight'.
On the industrial side, the city exists as an extension of the Morian air mining and gas (not gasoline) business which they've been heavily involved in from early on in Fenspace. Previously they relied on combined factory and transport ships, almost always run by (extended) families, plying the CHON Triangle, from Venus, to Saturn's moon Titan (where they mine the atmosphere), to Luna, then back again to Venus. They could see the writing on the wall when people started to talk about 'mining' the gas giants for industrial purposes, and established early, combining this with a city, partly to make their culture more 'open'.
The city includes some really good places from which to look at the Rings of Saturn, though there are all sort of other things for tourists to do. There is a 'genuine Morian mine' to explore, though the suspicious expect this is carefully sanitised of Morian secrets. There are many excellent craft shops, which specialise in metal and gem work, though you can find just about anything for sale except soft furnishings. Quite a nice spa facility. There is a virtual tour down through the atmosphere of Saturn, which is worth trying, as it explains things like the history of Saturn in the Solar System, and has the odd shock of things like a bio-engineered 'Saturn atmosphere feeder' appearing (these are only in the planning stage, and not by the Morians). Also, there are excellent facilities for gambling, which surprise some people.
The Morians run Minas Ithil with a mithral fist in a silk glove. Organised crime tried to move in to control the gambling and found that it wasn't economical, due to oversight, investigations, and occasional windfall taxes. Some held on and tried to run loan shark operations. When they tried strong-arm methods of collection they found themselves in court, sentenced to work in the air processing plants. Crime in the city tends to be restricted to individual action. There is a running battle between Morian guards and gem and jewelry thiefs, though.
Those who come to the city to gamble find that they must prove they have a way of getting home, with reasonable traveling expenses. They are not supposed to touch this to use in gambling. Those who still manage to end up without a way of leaving will find they are either working for a living, in jail, or both, until their 'traveling debt' is paid off. There is a good chance they wont be permitted to gamble in the city again, unless they work very hard to avoid this fate. Some gamblers have ended up applying to become Morians.
Some people come to Minas Ithil in the hope of becoming Morians themselves, believing the city to be more approachable than Morian CHONics family ships, or the Morian mines on Luna. They go through a strict evaluation process, which typically only about 10% pass. However, people who come back repeatedly, having improved in what was their weak areas each time, have a much better chance of passing. You know you are well on the way to passing if you're invited to a Morian home, rather than just a common-access workplace.
You don't get to see private areas as a visitor to the city, which includes the homes of Morians. About two-thirds of the city is limited access (this is biased towards the lower areas) and a third is private to all but Morians and really special visitors. When asked about this the Morians tend to say they are a 'private people'. Observant people have noted they never see children among the Morians. Initial attempts to breach privacy are treated politely, then more firmly, and if really needed with violence and imprisonment, then permanent expulsion. Very rarely do people die during this.
The 'spirit' of Minas Ithil is the AI 'Ithil', called 'Mooney' or 'Moon' by those more familiar with her. She doesn't manifest anywhere in particular (or, if she does, the Morians aren't admitting it). Ithil speaks from the breezes, with a soft and pleasant voice, and is very careful of intruding on people's privacy. This includes the privacy of thieves in the city, which really annoys some Morians. She is one reason it is very difficult to get lost in the city, even though its multi-level structure confuses some. Many Morians were uncertain whether having an AI with such access and control over the city was a good idea, but most now say they are satisfied with the result.
The city can slowly relocate itself, both in the atmosphere of Saturn, and more generally in Fenspace. There is massive redundancy in the life support and flight systems - the Morians have taken every effort to ensure they don't suffer the same fate as Crystal Osaka. Yes, there are inertial compensators. The city has concealed defences, which allegedly include multiple at least gigawatt lasers, supposed capable of 'Roboteching'. The tractor beams used for industrial work can also be used for defensive purposes, and there are supposed to be nearly battle-ship grade force fields usable in emergencies. The crystal and metal is pretty tough (and chemically stable), too. It is likely the Morians have other offensive and defensive systems they keep even more secret. On the other hand, no one would ever claim this city is fast.
--
"It is the business of the future to be dangerous" - Hawkwind
http://www.fenspace.net/i....php5?title=Moria_Mining
http://www.fenspace.net/i...php5?title=Moria_CHONics
This is a floating city of crystal and brilliant metal, and, though different in design to the Crystal Cities of Venus, many would say it has the same sort of beauty. The city is built as a series of linked concentric cylinders, not all of the same length, and intended to have further cylinders added to the outside, as it grows (a whole, though not fully internally furnished, cylinder at a time).
The industrial parts are supposed to be in the lower parts of the city, pointed towards Saturn, though there is light engineering in establishments scattered across almost the whole city. Industry is carefully positioned and insulated so it doesn't interfere with the living areas. Contrary to stereotypes, this is a city of light and brilliance, with parks, trees and pleasant walks, not a dour structure of stone and dull metal. When you ask a Morian about this their reactions vary; some just scowl, some wink and grin, but the odd one can imply that someone has to build stuff like this, because the elves aren't 'pulling their weight'.
On the industrial side, the city exists as an extension of the Morian air mining and gas (not gasoline) business which they've been heavily involved in from early on in Fenspace. Previously they relied on combined factory and transport ships, almost always run by (extended) families, plying the CHON Triangle, from Venus, to Saturn's moon Titan (where they mine the atmosphere), to Luna, then back again to Venus. They could see the writing on the wall when people started to talk about 'mining' the gas giants for industrial purposes, and established early, combining this with a city, partly to make their culture more 'open'.
The city includes some really good places from which to look at the Rings of Saturn, though there are all sort of other things for tourists to do. There is a 'genuine Morian mine' to explore, though the suspicious expect this is carefully sanitised of Morian secrets. There are many excellent craft shops, which specialise in metal and gem work, though you can find just about anything for sale except soft furnishings. Quite a nice spa facility. There is a virtual tour down through the atmosphere of Saturn, which is worth trying, as it explains things like the history of Saturn in the Solar System, and has the odd shock of things like a bio-engineered 'Saturn atmosphere feeder' appearing (these are only in the planning stage, and not by the Morians). Also, there are excellent facilities for gambling, which surprise some people.
The Morians run Minas Ithil with a mithral fist in a silk glove. Organised crime tried to move in to control the gambling and found that it wasn't economical, due to oversight, investigations, and occasional windfall taxes. Some held on and tried to run loan shark operations. When they tried strong-arm methods of collection they found themselves in court, sentenced to work in the air processing plants. Crime in the city tends to be restricted to individual action. There is a running battle between Morian guards and gem and jewelry thiefs, though.
Those who come to the city to gamble find that they must prove they have a way of getting home, with reasonable traveling expenses. They are not supposed to touch this to use in gambling. Those who still manage to end up without a way of leaving will find they are either working for a living, in jail, or both, until their 'traveling debt' is paid off. There is a good chance they wont be permitted to gamble in the city again, unless they work very hard to avoid this fate. Some gamblers have ended up applying to become Morians.
Some people come to Minas Ithil in the hope of becoming Morians themselves, believing the city to be more approachable than Morian CHONics family ships, or the Morian mines on Luna. They go through a strict evaluation process, which typically only about 10% pass. However, people who come back repeatedly, having improved in what was their weak areas each time, have a much better chance of passing. You know you are well on the way to passing if you're invited to a Morian home, rather than just a common-access workplace.
You don't get to see private areas as a visitor to the city, which includes the homes of Morians. About two-thirds of the city is limited access (this is biased towards the lower areas) and a third is private to all but Morians and really special visitors. When asked about this the Morians tend to say they are a 'private people'. Observant people have noted they never see children among the Morians. Initial attempts to breach privacy are treated politely, then more firmly, and if really needed with violence and imprisonment, then permanent expulsion. Very rarely do people die during this.
The 'spirit' of Minas Ithil is the AI 'Ithil', called 'Mooney' or 'Moon' by those more familiar with her. She doesn't manifest anywhere in particular (or, if she does, the Morians aren't admitting it). Ithil speaks from the breezes, with a soft and pleasant voice, and is very careful of intruding on people's privacy. This includes the privacy of thieves in the city, which really annoys some Morians. She is one reason it is very difficult to get lost in the city, even though its multi-level structure confuses some. Many Morians were uncertain whether having an AI with such access and control over the city was a good idea, but most now say they are satisfied with the result.
The city can slowly relocate itself, both in the atmosphere of Saturn, and more generally in Fenspace. There is massive redundancy in the life support and flight systems - the Morians have taken every effort to ensure they don't suffer the same fate as Crystal Osaka. Yes, there are inertial compensators. The city has concealed defences, which allegedly include multiple at least gigawatt lasers, supposed capable of 'Roboteching'. The tractor beams used for industrial work can also be used for defensive purposes, and there are supposed to be nearly battle-ship grade force fields usable in emergencies. The crystal and metal is pretty tough (and chemically stable), too. It is likely the Morians have other offensive and defensive systems they keep even more secret. On the other hand, no one would ever claim this city is fast.
--
"It is the business of the future to be dangerous" - Hawkwind
