Cascadians

**Lore Page**

## Name

The term "Cascadian" originates from the planet Cascadia, a super-Earth planet located in the Dorado Expanse. The planet is united and part of a multi-planet government. It has endured many governmental changes that have all kept the name "Cascadia", displaying Cascadia's importance.

## Culture

### Attitude

Most Cascadians have a very disagreeable and combative attitude by nature. Simultaneously, most are trusting of authority figures. This is likely because modern Cascadians are very militaristic. Cascadians are by definition fighters. All men and women are drafted into the military for a duration which is where most are trained in discipline and respect or end up disgracefully discharged or jailed. While the Cascadian Empire covers many planets, they specifically have targeted annexing human planets and Cascadia is almost completely human itself. Cascadians have a history of being extremely pro-human and have been the target of accusations of extreme xenophobia compared to any other known types of humanoids. Cascadian's bad history with the Nanotrasen corporation has tainted their perception of mega-corporations, pushing many Cascadians further economically left or just to become very anti-corporation.

### Values

Cascadia is home to a variety of people but they all share a set of common values. They are generally very lawful and loyal to the government. Even minor criminals are looked down upon as if they're scum. Cascadians value order, bravery, and strength but may have slightly different perceptions of what that is. For example, on a farming world strength may mean the best farmer. However, all Cascadians respect those elevated by the Emperor and those that serve in the military. Especially high military ranks are known for being treated like royalty themselves. Many Cascadians, especially those from Cascadia, are very keen on protecting the environment as they've found many advanced uses for the exotic plants on Cascadia. They tend to apply this logic to other planets and frown upon heavily polluted worlds.

### Clothing & Fashion

Considering that Cascadia's largest occupation is a soldier their clothing and fashion could be considered their red and green military uniforms. However, civilians are often wearing similar military-esque attire. It is usually a dark green, brown, black, or some camo variation. This is not exactly military inspired but originated from what the people on the planet Cascadia would often wear in an attempt to avoid predators or to hunt them. This forest/jungle camo style remains popular on Cascadia today and exports these styles to many of its other worlds.

## Physiology

Those from the planet Cascadia are often different from most humans. The harsh environment and slightly heavier gravity has resulted in Cascadians having roughly 15% more muscle than the average human, even compared to those of their empire's other planets. There is some jealousy within the empire as those from the planet Cascadia can often out perform others in physical endeavors. It would be nearly impossible to find another group of humans that could best Cascadian special forces in hand-to-hand combat.

## Government & Politics

As the Cascadians continue to run into a plethora of threats, this is reflected in their government. Over time is has developed into a very militaristic nation. Civilians can run for local elections but it is almost entirely dominated by active military personnel and veterans. Only the active military or veterans have a federal political voice within the empire. Local populations of districts can vote for an officer (or veteran that was an officer) to represent their district in the lower committee while each planet votes for a single active General or Admiral to represent them in the upper committee. The upper committee has considerable influence, can override the lower committee, appoint a new General or Admiral to the position of Emperor, and can vote to remove them or anyone in the military/government. The government of the imperial worlds are united under a very pro-military constitution that defines these processes and authorities. The Emperor under normal conditions has almost absolute power as they are the highest ranking military personnel in the entire nation.

The Cascadian Empire is often compared to ideologies or systems such as: a Military Junta, Radical Militant Republic, Authoritarian Republic, Distributism, Nationalist Human Defense State, Monarchist Federation, Constitutional Monarchy, Neo-Fascist Republic, & Imperialist Isolationists.

## Language

The settlers of Cascadia didn't hold onto much but they did hold onto one thing almost perfectly. Cascadians were proud of their heritage and preserved their Sol Common language almost perfectly, even if their Cascadian accents are quite noticeable at times. Sol Common is overwhelmingly the most common language used on the planet Cascadia and is mandated to be used for all government related matters throughout the empire. As most of Cascadia's planets are frontier worlds Spacer is a very common language to hear on other planets in the empire. Other languages are also spoken but they are in the vast minority, and almost nonexistent.

Cascadian's use an older form of Sol Common and have changed almost none of it except for eliminating all traces of slang from it. In fact there are almost no informal terms within it. For example, it is very difficult to accidentally insult anyone because you call almost everyone the equivalent of "sir" or "ma'am". Insults have been morphed by military personnel to mean the same as enemies of the state such as "terrorist" or "criminal" which are grave insults to any Cascadian's duty.

## Religion

The Codrahki faith is the dominant religion in Cascadia, embraced by 85% of the population. It combines elements of neo-Christianity and the traditional Caslizard tribal faith. With its focus on nature, unity, and the settlers' perceived divine purpose, Codrahki has profoundly shaped Cascadian society. It has influenced their values, traditions, and environmental practices, fostering a distinct relationship between Cascadians and Caslizards.

## Technology

Cascadian technology is somewhat behind Nanotrasen's technology for two reasons. The frontier planets and Cascadia are somewhat cut off from the latest technology that usually comes from the core Human/Nanotrasen sectors and the fact that Cascadia tends be isolationist by nature. Cascadia's bio-tech secrets are known to make up for their disadvantage. It is rumored that many plants have been found on Cascadia that have almost magical properties. Some organizations like Nanotrasen have publicly stated their fear of bio-weapons being manufactured in Cascadia. Cascadian tech aesthetic is usually smooth and vegetation colors, similar to their clothing.

## Military

Cascadian hand and ship weaponry focuses primarily on kinetic/ballistic weapons and is even more out of date on its rural worlds. Usually, only officers or battleships will have any sort of energy weaponry. Their ballistic and energy weaponry may be outdated but their dedication to combat and large military enlistment ensure that they're a formidable threat. There are reports of unknown weapons being used which may be linked to their bio-technology, critics of course accuse them of using bio-weapons or bio-enhanced weapons. Cascadia is also a nuclear power that potentially could nuke planets into oblivion. Military and government jobs are often the same thing and the military/government is the largest employer within the Cascadian Empire.

Cascadian Empire standard operating procedure dictates to fill Cascadian military ships with various plants. Some Cascadians originally did this themselves because they were homesick. After a plant filled Cascadian ship was boarded by pirates, Cascadian clothing blended in and was efficient for ambushing the intruders. The military quickly adopted ship vegetation for a morale boost and an ambush tactic. Unique reinforced windows also make up a vast percentage of the exterior of many Cascadian ships. From an exterior view most Cascadian ships look like a giant space forest. The term "floating garden" quickly spread and became a synonym for a Cascadian ship, especially a military ship.

The intelligence branch of the Cascadian military/government is known as the "Espionage" branch of the military. It is very formally structured and functions just like a standard branch of the military, working very closely with the other branches to provide them vital intel. Cascadian agents are considered fiercely loyal with no publicly known turncoats in fifty years. This may have to do with a policy dictating that any traitor in the "Espionage" branch will have have all family within two degrees of consanguinity or less be held equally accountable, the punishment usually being death for all of them. There have been Cascadian spies that have been captured in recent times, mainly by Nanotrasen forces. The spies' bodies have been reported in body bags shortly after capture, most people speculate that they had orders to commit suicide if captured.