Aco’vik

Aco’vik is located within a dormant seaside volcano, with sea caves at its base. The radiated heat creates one of the northernmost evergreen forests that flourishes outside and caves. The cave system grows hotter the deeper one ventures within, so it cannot be fully mapped. Some believe it connects to the system of caverns beneath the nation of Borva. There are also hot springs throughout the caves and some surface in the form of geysers. The vast cave system itself is filled with raw ore, crystals, hot lakes, and bioluminescent fungi.

Around 150 years ago, nine escaped Nov-Romaran criminals discovered the volcano and decided to settle there, figuring they could remain hidden. They divided the labor. Some hunted for food, some built shelters, and some made weapons and clothes. Everyone split food and supplies equally; however, the hunters soon became disgruntled, claiming since they procured the food and defended the group from monsters, they should get more than the rest. After the hunters murdered one of their group, the others fell back, and the hunters took control of the camp.

Eventually, the group opened trade with neighboring communities. The advantages provided by the volcano were hard to deny, and the community steadily grew. While the founders were criminals, they were also Nov Romarans, and Nov-Romara’s strong, totalitarian government suited them, provided they sat at the top of the hierarchy.

After a generation or two, the hunters have become a ruling class, claiming first choice in food, supplies, and housing. The leader, who goes by the title “Emperor” in parody of Nov Romara, is chosen in trials by combat. Everyone aside from the hunting class is essentially enslaved, and since they are not allowed access to weapons or even allowed to train unless chosen by the soldiers to join the ranks, they have no way of fighting back physically. The culture would seem unattractive, yet, because Aco’vik is the most comfortable place in the East Wasteland, the population has grown to approximately 15,000. The lower class usually resides deeper in the caves, since the cooler caverns with fresher air are considered more desirable.

In Aco’vik, strength is everything. Mercy, compassion, and laziness are considered weaknesses while stoicism, toughness, and physical prowess are valued. Even so, rebellions usually stagnate, as those unhappy with their life are seen as weak or soft, and if they really wanted to change anything, they should prove their worth, and those who are strong enough to be hunters will fight tooth and nail to maintain their power. Besides, Aco’vik is naturally comfortable and beautiful with its hot springs and crystal caves. The hunters are bullying, but still provide food and protection from monsters, and make sure everyone contributes to the community.

The lifespan of the average Aco’vikan is shorter than in other countries, and even other parts of the Wastelands, as the elderly are seen as of no use for the city, and unless taken care of by unusually compassionate family, they are often sent out to fend for themselves, unless they have special knowledge making them useful. This is usually the fate of the physically disabled and permanently injured as well.

Aco’vik welcomes new immigrants, although they are rarely invited to join the hunters unless they show exceptional skill with a weapon. They must then prove their worth, or they will be expelled. Wastelanders who would normally welcome the warmth and comfort of the cave system might be turned away by the fascist nature of the city, especially since many Wastelanders have a more anarchist ideologies.

Aco’vik is still on rather good terms with its neighbors. Unlike similarly militaristic cultures, they have no desire to expand their territory, since the rest of the Wastelands are rather miserable compared to the warmth of the mountain. Instead, inland communities are seen as a valuable source of materials they can’t procure from the mountain. And the surrounding area sees them as valuable trading partners as well. Aco’vik imports meat, furs, and medicine, and exports metals from their mines, fish, and for their nearer neighbors, time in the hot springs.

Unlike many other civilizations in the Wastelands, Aco’vik has a functioning mining system. The volcanic movement brings ores that would usually be deeper closer to the surface, and so mining could be done even without advanced equipment, and of course, once the metal was refined, delving deeper became possible. Due to the closeness of magma, however, it’s impossible to go too deeply.