Lumina

> Bear witness to the last and only civilisation, the eternal Kingdom. In Lumina, battle is our art, courage our standard, and victory our eternal melody. Only those who prove their honour in combat may enter the grove beyond.
>
> ―CK Data Base

**Lumina** is one of the strongest and largest military nations in all of **Aurynthia** and is considered the nation of war and strength. It is a nation consisting of 51 regions and other territorial possessions around the world, half of which consist of free states seeking to secede from the nation. Located in the central strip of what used to be North America, it extends from the coast of Eden to the Arctic Pacific coast of Honkai. To the north it shares the world's longest unarmed border with Znaniya and to the south it borders with Eden. The west coast of Lumina forms the boundary with the Pacific plate, making it a mountainous region where earthquakes and volcanic phenomena are frequent. The east coast, on the other hand, is very far from interplate contact, and is much more stable. Thus, in general, the relief of Lumina is organized, from west to east, with a mountainous region, large central plains and a plateau to the east.

This nation is one of the largest nations on Earth in terms of land mass, ranking close to Znaniya and Zhiyue in total size. The coastal plain of the Eden Coast gives way to deciduous forests and the Appalachian Mountains in the Human Era. The Appalachian Mountains divide the east coast with the Great Plains and the Great Watershed River from the Midwest. Further west were the Snowy Mountains; to the south was the desert of the southwestern regions; To the north were the humid, temperate forests of the Cascadia and Naakaii regions. Now in the present, Lumina is sunk in water with most of its regions frozen. Cities like Lumina City and what used to be New York are almost submerged, with larger coastlines now in the center of the territory.

Corporate exploitation and short-sighted policies have degraded environmental conditions within Lumina and the rest of its regions. Acid rain and climate change made it more difficult to grow crops, keep the soil fertile, and water effectively. These culminated in the Midwest garbage collectors of 1998. By 2000, previously profitable fruit-growing areas of California, Texas, and Florida were economic wastelands. Now these regions have entered into conflict and have fought in the unification war. Most regions have unified and formed one as Lumina, however, the other regions have stood firm and declared themselves as free regions and have retained their names even some 50,000 years later, and those regions of the liberal party are Alaska, Nevada, Nebraska, Texas and California. The rest of the regions, although they are unified and are part of Lumina completely, are divided into different categories, such as Snowy Mountains, Great Plains, Taiga Forest, the West Coast, Central Lumina, Arctic Archipelago, Boreal Plains, Coronado Bays and others more.

Being such a large and diverse nation, it has more than 51 regions with their unique traditions and cultures. Lumina seems to be inspired by a mix of the United States and Canada (mainly Canada and the northern states in terms of landscape) and often uses Native American words for names. With an enormous military force under their control, they are particularly known for their unconditional devotion and unscrupulous methods of enforcing their will and the use of advanced brutal technology capable of destroying entire cities such as the Seraphim. Lumina is a highly industrialized and technological nation, with cybernetic factories throughout its regions and cities everywhere that fill the regions with a dense fog. It is said that this nation has joined forces with the nation of Znaniya to manufacture powerful and indestructible weapons like the seraphim, and not only that, but to create the strongest and most determined soldiers with the Monarch program.

Due to its gigantic size, it has diverse ecosystems, including polar deserts, tundra, forest tundra, taiga, mixed and broadleaf forests, snowy forests, steppes, semi-deserts and subtropics, canyons and among others. Approximately half of Lumina's territory is covered by forests and it has the largest forest on the surface of the world after Znaniya. The nation's territory has multiple landforms and geographical features. The Appalachians separate the eastern coast of the Great Lakes from the prairies of the Midwest. The Great Watershed River is the fourth longest river system in the world, running north to south through central Lumina. The flat, fertile grassland of the Great Plains extends westward, until it is interrupted by a highland region in the southeast. The Rocky Mountains or Snowy Mountains, on the western edge of the Great Plains, cross the entire country from north to south, reaching altitudes greater than 4,300 meters above sea level. Further west is the Great Basin and the deserts that connect to Eden.

Generally speaking, Lumina is affected by a variety of natural disasters annually. Every century, in its central part, drought appears, occasionally a great disaster. Agricultural lands fail on the plains, entire regions become virtually depopulated, and dust storms ravage the land. Multiple regions of Lumina have been frozen or are suffering from tropical storms arriving from Eden and Sumeru. In addition, they also suffer from the large number of active volcanoes in their mountains.

## History

### Human Era

In the Human Era, Lumina existed as the United States and Canada, and had one of the highest levels of income inequality in the world, with 90% of the wealth controlled by 10% of its population. More than 65% of the population lived in squalid squalor, and another 25 to 50 million were disenfranchised, homeless nomads or gang members who roamed the ghost towns of central Lumina. Total economic, social, and political collapse began with the Great Depression and resulted in the disintegration of American society and its position as a world superpower. The following years would be known as the Collapse and would see the deaths of approximately 100 million people as a result of plagues, mutated viruses, terrorist nuclear attacks, and total ecological collapse.

The disintegration of NATO and hardline foreign policy isolated the United States politically and economically; with trade wars that increased the suffering of the American people. The total destruction of the American economic, political and social fabric was irreversible. Bored by debt, homelessness, and corruption, many bankrupt municipal governments turned to corporations to gain control of government functions and public services. N.E.X.U.S, one of the largest corporations in the world, dominates the nation's politics. The nation focuses a large part of its budget on N.E.X.U.S, a secret that it does not hide from the population. However, for decades there has been a power struggle with CyberCore Corporation controlling much of the economy and protecting the free regions that are still against their governor.

By the end of the 1980s, it was evident that the United States was struggling. Most social norms had dissolved under an all-engulfing wave of competing special interest groups, media-fueled fads, and an overall "me first" worldview. The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 harkened to the end of the Cold War that had consumed the United States for the greater part of the 20th century. Conflict, however, soon resumed with the start of the First Central American War in 1990. The United States engaged in interventionist actions in Panama, Nicaragua, Honduras, and El Salvador. Military forces were sent to secure the Panama Canal Zone from an ex-U.S. puppet dictator. In 1991 they saw a victory in a U.S. invasion of Iraq.

The Treaty of 1992 witnessed the establishment of the European Community. The United States declined to enter into what some called "paranoid isolationism". Protective European tariffs and unfair trade practices negatively impacted the American economy. The U.S. engaged in the anti-EU "Quiet War". That same year, in an attempt to end the War on Drugs, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency spread several designer pests worldwide targeting coca and opium plants. The governments of Chile and Ecuador soon collapsed, and a savage drug war erupted between European-backed dealers and the DEA across the Americas. Protests against the war result in rioting in major U.S. cities. A year later, Colombian drug-lords detonate a small, tactical nuclear device in New York City, killing 15,000.

By 1994, the homeless population on the streets had skyrocketed to 21 million. The technical revolution had further torn the economy apart, creating two radically divergent classes—a wealthy, technically oriented, materially acquisitive group of Corporate professionals; and a down-class of homeless, unskilled, blue-collar workers.

The World Stock Market Crash of '94 sent the United States into a major depression. Within two years, the United States was overwhelmed by homelessness, unemployment, and corruption. Many city governments declared bankruptcy or collapsed. Controlled by a powerful lobby comprised of the United States intelligence community and wealthy industrialist. The country descended into chaos. By this point, one in four Americans were homeless, and hundreds of thousands rioted. Nomads appeared on the West Coast and soon spread across the nation, along with the first appearance of boostergangs. Fed up with government inability to solve the crisis, citizens lynched hundreds of criminal defense attorneys. Military units were deployed on the streets to keep the peace.

Later the president and vice president would be assassinated along with the chief of staff. Paralyzed, the Secretary of Defense was asked to address Congress. In his three o'clock speech, he declared martial law and suspended the Constitution. Central Command units were positioned around the Capitol. The United States had officially transferred power to an emergency interim military government. The new military government soon found itself up against the FBI, CIA, NSA, and DEA, who had operated with impunity for decades with covert operations and black budgets. A covert game of cat and mouse would ensue in the next few years, greatly damaging the intelligence community and the US military position around the world.

The 1997 Middle East crisis cut the world's oil supply in half; causing prices to skyrocket in the United States. A year later, the Luddites bombed airports, factories, highways, and public transportation terminals across the country. The 1998 drought reduced the Midwest to parched grasslands, endangering America's food supply and wiping out the family farm. The same year, a magnitude 10.5 earthquake struck Los Angeles, causing approximately 65,000 deaths and the ocean inundating 35% of the city.

Life in America during martial law was one of the bloodiest periods in human history. Stalin's purges in the late 1940's pale by comparison. Over 100 million Americans died in only fifteen years. The Vietnam War only cost 3,000,000 lives, and that took over thirty years. Americans died from violence, pestilence, or starvation. Most of those deaths could have been avoided, had the states cooperated with each other.

The country still had sufficient resources to feed itself, though not in the style to which it was accustomed. The individual states, scared and foolishly confident due to their new military strength, hoarded their own resources. Strict border policy and huge tariffs all led to disaster. Other problems made things even worse.

Many states were home to large numbers of nonproductive citizens at the beginning of the Collapse. Florida and New York were two of the worst hit. The welfare system quickly reached a state of attrition. States that instituted stringent controls in the beginning, like California, Texas, Utah and Nevada were much more prepared to deal with an extended crisis. But many states simply tried to bury their heads in the sand. Many felt the crisis would end quickly; it did not. Although many other states soon instituted systems similar to the standard citizen identification process by 1998, it was far too late. By the year 2000 over 150,000,000 were disenfranchised. Probably 85% of these died.

### Reconstruction Era (50,000 years later)

The original United States of America, torn by bitter internal conflicts and torn apart by dissident forces, eventually collapsed into a mix of warring states and sprawling abandoned territories. But when the dust finally settled and disaster became the new normal, old dreams of unity and national pride were united once again under a new and improved star-studded flag, behind which stands Lumina after the Reconstruction Era. This changed when Ava came to power and restored the United States, calling it Lumina under her rule and creating the "Unification" political party. Ava, is hell-bent on getting the rest of the nation on the line, no matter the cost. Ava's government is supported by the military from N.E.X.U.S, to such an extent, in fact, that it is difficult to say where the state ends and the corporation begins. The political landscape of Lumina had changed. The Federalist Party, represented by hardline president Ava, advocated for the complete reunification of the country and the end of the Free States system, ending CyberCore's chances of having any influence in those states.

Some time later, the Unification War was an armed conflict between Lumina and an alliance of seceded states known as the Free States. The war began in January and ended in December. At the end of that year, the newly elected president presented a unification program to extend the federal government to the rebellious Free States under the pretext of strengthening the nation. Most independent states opposed unification. The people were worried that conflict would soon come to the Alt-protected free states, and through their contacts and connections, they begged CyberCore Corporation to return and protect them from invasion. At the dawn of an imminent invasion, Cybercore arrived in time with a supercarrier forcing Lumina and N.E.X.U.S troops to retreat.

Following CyberCore's intervention, Lumina and the Free States signed a treaty known as the Unification Treaty in Southern California, ending the Unification War. The treaty guaranteed that the Free States would remain autonomous, but would have to participate in the new federal government and hostilities between them would have to cease. President Ava agreed to this treaty because she feared that CyberCore's increasing involvement could escalate the conflict to a level that Lumina could not afford. Both sides claimed victory; The Free States preserved their independence and Lumina believed they were closer than ever to reunification. However, unknowingly, this would later lead to the war of separation when a second attempt at unification was made over the next 200 years.

## Government

The ruling forces of Lumina are the N.E.X.U.S Armed Forces Command, a military force of soldiers and diplomats under the command of Ava herself. The neomilitaries are a powerful military force in terms of power and numbers, making them the strongest of the nations together with Znaniya. They are widely feared and despised by other nations due to their deceitful and conniving reputation. The organization is made up of members who serve in a variety of roles, including fighters, bureaucrats, politicians, and merchants. Today, Lumina's political landscape has changed a lot. The Federalist Party, represented by hardline president Ava, called for the full reunification of the nation and the end of the Free State system into a military dictatorship. Under Ava's rule, she takes full control of all of Lumina and its territories, and maintains it by influencing and appeasing the inner circle and suppressing any opposition, which may include rival political parties, armed resistance, or disloyal members of the government.

During Ava's rule, an authoritarian and totalitarian regime was established that had a profound impact on Lumina's society, economy, and politics. Ava carried out massive purges within the Unification Party and society at large. Thousands of people were executed, imprisoned or sent to forced labor camps accused of being "enemies of the state" or holding dissident political opinions. Ava also implemented policies that forced peasants to abandon their lands and join state collective farms. This measure resulted in devastating famines and millions of deaths due to lack of food and farmers' resistance. Now in the present day, Lumina is out of the New United Nations and other organizations, and has cut off diplomatic relations with the rest of the nations except for Znaniya and Honkai. According to Ava, the country remains isolated from the cultural influence of other nations.

Society is under strict state control in Lumina. Freedom of expression is limited, the press is censored and those who express opinions contrary to the regime are persecuted. In addition, a system of espionage and internal control was established through the feared secret police. Ava implemented five-year plans to rapidly industrialize Lumina's economy. This led to rapid modernization, but also resulted in extremely harsh working conditions, shortages of goods, and considerable human cost. Ava's government is characterized as totally totalitarian, and carried out policies that severely affected several ethnic minorities in Lumina. This included mass deportations of entire ethnic groups, such as the Edenites and Honkaians, accused of disloyalty and enemies of the state.

Ava, also known as the governor or the commander, is a skilled warrior and military strategist. She can lead her troops into battle and has earned the fear of her people thanks to her martial skills. However, she is also an expert in diplomacy and trade, and throughout her history she has had diplomatic relations with the nation of Znaniya. However, she maintains hostile relations with Honkai and Eden and other nations, preferring isolation and even massacring ethnic groups from these nations. Lumina's policies and thoughts led to the war of separation and led to the Second Holocaust, the systematic genocide of six million nomads and millions of other victims, including rebels, people with disabilities, and other groups considered "undesirable" by the Luminans.

Immediately after taking power, Ava eliminated political opponents and silenced critics. She organized book burnings, suppressed political parties, and restricted civil liberties and freedom of the press. Lumina had an expansionist policy and sought aggressive territorial expansion. She invaded and attacked nations, triggering the Great Corporate War II of the New Era. N.E.X.U.S implemented an indoctrination program for Lumina youth, where they were taught Lumina ideology and integrated into youth organizations. Education was controlled to promote Luminan principles and eliminate any contrary views.

## Military

Lumina is currently ruled by the N.E.X.U.S military and the government of Ava. At the beginning of her government, Ava carried out purges within the military ranks, eliminating many experienced officers and generals. This purge, known as the "Great Purge," significantly weakened the leadership and capabilities of the military. However, there was also a strong emphasis on industrialization to support military growth. Factories were retooled to produce military equipment, including tanks, aircraft, and weapons. As the world's greatest military power, the Lumina military possesses the most advanced war machines. They have thousands of planes, hundreds of ships, combat tanks, intercontinental missiles, thousands of nuclear warheads and they have ten aircraft carriers active in the Navy; In addition, we have permanent naval forces on the coasts of the ocean. N.E.X.U.S also operates in the private sector, providing security as well as defensive and offensive combat services. The corporation offers clients the latest equipment, skilled staff and trained, well-equipped agents to get the job done. In addition, the megacorp also develops and produces its own firearms, drones, implants, even vehicles suitable for land, air and sea combat.

Despite significant losses during the post-collapse period, the New Lumina Army, led by the Department of Defense managed by N.E.X.U.S, remains a powerful combat force, strong enough to outmatch any corporate security force despite being outnumbered by them. The Department of Defense comprises four branches: the Army, the Aerospace Force, the Navy, and the Marine Corps. Reorganized into Combined Task Forces, the military patrols the nation against both internal and external threats. The Lumina Navy is considered the most powerful navy in the world. They maintain a vast force of killer satellites, stealth drones, working habitats, and massive battle stations in low Earth orbit. While Honkai is considered a threat to Lumina's interests, the Lumina nuclear arsenal ensures that any massive attack will result in the complete destruction of the continent if that's what they want.

The members of the N.E.X.U.S Army are composed of harassers and more advanced groups, dispatched to a region according to their superiors' orders. They are also divided by military rank, with ranks known as recruit, sergeant, and lieutenant. While powerful, harassers don't operate alone but work with their comrades to surround and overwhelm enemies. Higher-ranking members, such as agents, spies, and operatives, typically operate independently and are at the highest level. Lumina's armed forces are fierce and well-disciplined through Monarch programs developed alongside the nation of Znaniya. After the Reconstruction Era, the Lumina nation adopted a stance as a military power led by Ava and all its security forces. In the Pacific War or the Great Corporate War II, they quickly demonstrated significant capabilities by being able to develop biological weapons like the Nuclaxine-A9. However, despite their considerable power due to the soldiers' psychological conditioning, they do not surpass Honkai's capacity, leading to strong competition between the two nations.

N.E.X.U.S also has top-secret military research and development facilities where work on potentially profitable new weapons systems and accessories is carried out. These facilities are also the site of what are known within the corporation as Special Projects. The Special Projects Department is the group responsible for the development of those ideas considered too exotic, sensitive, potentially dangerous or disruptive to regular development channels. All security around people and Special Projects development sites is fearsome, and only the most trusted and experienced troops and security agents are used. The threat of corporate exfiltration or espionage against the Department of Special Projects is so high that N.E.X.U.S is known to have ordered the assassination of some of its own junior executives who have been accidentally exposed to sensitive data.

The Special Projects Department's programs were rumored to include the genetic and biochemical alteration of humans and animals to produce more durable battlefield soldiers and guardian animals, second-generation combat drugs that can provide the desired effects without burning the soldier. or produce disordered addictions, short-term biological agents that can sterilize a large area and then return to harmless states in a matter of hours or minutes, refined ballistic body armor that can stop high-energy projectiles and then dissipate the kinetic energy so that the user does not suffer the crushing impact of a non-penetrating bullet; tiny cybernetically controlled assassination robots, and portable and satellite-based battlefield model high-energy beam weapons for anti-ship and shielding use.

Lumina has forcibly extracted resources from several nations or through trade, enabling the construction of the S.E.R.A.P.H.I.M (Synthetic Armored Exoskeletal Robotic Powerhouse with High Intelligence and Mobility), biological weapons capable of attacking entire nations and cities. The seraphim are under mental control and follow Ava's instructions; they are aggressive and brutal creatures, bordering on sadistic in their actions against Automatons and people. They are often seen destroying cities and devouring individuals without any apparent reason. Their motivations are complex, and few display advanced intelligence as Adam, Eve, and even Lilith do. They are generally uncommunicative, and the forms they adopt tend to be expressionless. In extreme cases, a seraphim will simply commit suicide following Ava's orders. Seraphim also lack a complete and functional digestive tract; they have a stomach-like cavity that eventually fills with what they swallow. Hence, it's curious that they devour people and even Automatons as if they were scavenging animals.

## Law enforcement and crime

In Lumina at a glance, law enforcement is largely organized around local police departments, with the state police offering broader services. Federal agencies such as Military Intelligence and Criminal Investigation Divisions have replaced the services of the defunct FBI. The Department of Justice oversees the federal judicial system, among other agencies. Complementing local police forces, there are heavily armored corporate police squads that can be hired and rented to patrol certain areas of a city. However, the laws of Lumina are very simple: Here the strongest survive and the weakest are reduced to ashes. Laws were enacted limiting freedom of expression and freedom of the press. Any criticism of the government or the unification party is considered a serious crime and may result in imprisonment or execution. Political purges are also carried out to eliminate those considered enemies of the state, resulting in the arrest, exile or execution of millions of people.

## Geography, climate, and environment

Lumina is one of the largest landmasses on Earth controlled by a single political entity. It's a sovereign union formed by several dependent and independent regions. After Znaniya and Sumeru, it's the third-largest nation and occupies most of Aurynthia. Lumina borders the Arctic Pacific Ocean of Honkai to the west, the Eden Ocean to the east, Znaniya to the north, and Eden to the south. Lumina boasts an enormous variety of topographies, showcasing a diverse range of mountain systems, rivers, lakes, and other geographical features. Overall, solar intensity and temperatures decrease from the south to the north. The climate varies significantly across territories. However, for most of the year, Lumina's territory remains relatively cold in the north and hot in the south. There are extensive mountain ranges and open landscapes spanning hundreds of kilometers, alongside ice and snow covering all the northern regions bordering Znaniya.

Lumina's overall geographic relief lies atop the North American Plate. Its western coast forms the boundary with the Pacific Plate, making it a mountainous region prone to frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity. The northern part of Lumina encompasses a vast territory between the Honkai Ocean to the west and the Eden Ocean to the east, hence its state motto: 'A Mari Usque Ad Mare' (Latin: From sea to sea). Lumina holds vast water reserves: 7% of the world's freshwater, a quarter of wetlands, and the third-largest amount of glaciers (after Znaniya and Honkai). There are five main hydrographic basins in Lumina: the Arctic Ocean, Eden, Honkai, Hudson Bay, and Gulf of Lumina. It also has three surrounding oceans: the Eden Ocean to the east, the Arctic Pacific Ocean to the west, and the Pure Arctic Ocean to the north. Most regions have unified and formed one as Lumina, however, the other regions have stood firm and declared themselves as free regions and have retained their names even some 50,000 years later, and those regions of the liberal party are Alaska, Nevada, Nebraska, Texas and California. The rest of the regions, although they are unified and are part of Lumina completely, are divided into some different categories, such as:

* Mountains
* Great Plains
* Taiga Forest
* West Coast
* Central Lumina
* Arctic Archipelago
* Boreal Plains
* Coronado Bays
* Badlands

The size of Lumina and the remoteness of many of its areas from the sea result in the predominance of a humid continental climate in most of the country, except in the tundra and the extreme southwest. The southern and eastern mountain ranges obstruct the flow of warm air masses from the Lumina and Arctic Pacific oceans, while the plain extending to the west and north opens it to the influence of the Eden and Arctic oceans. Most of northwest Lumina has a subarctic climate, with extremely severe winters in the northeastern interior regions. Average maximum winter and summer temperatures in Lumina vary from region to region. Winters can be harsh in many parts of the nation, particularly in the interior and Prairie provinces, which experience a continental climate, where average daily temperatures are around -15 °C (5 °F), but can fall below -40 °C (-40 °F) with severe wind chill. In non-coastal regions, snow can cover the ground for almost six months a year, while in northern parts snow can persist year-round. The coast of Coronado bays has a temperate climate, with a mild and rainy winter. On the east and west coasts, average high temperatures are generally around 20 °C (70 °F), while between the coasts, average summer high temperatures range from 25 to 30 °C (77 to 86 °F), with temperatures in some inland locations occasionally exceeding 40 °C (104 °F).

Much of northern Lumina is covered in ice and permafrost. Lumina is also a highly industrialized and technological nation, with cybernetic factories throughout its regions and cities everywhere that fill the regions with a dense fog. In the southern region of Lumina, there's a relatively ancient orogenic mountain range oriented from northeast to southwest, near the Eden coast and separated from it by the coastal plain. It divides into three chains: the northern, mostly located in the northern territory of Lumina, shaped by glaciation, the central, and the southern (the latter formed by the Appalachians themselves). The latter splits into two branches: the eastern (comprising the mountains) and the western. It's in the mountains where the highest elevations of the range occur. The western line consists of numerous folds that have created a landscape of ridges and valleys where rivers have carved their course. The Great Valley is the depression that separates both alignments.

The climate across the entire region is temperate and humid, with moderate winters characterized by sudden drops in temperatures and frost due to the intrusion of polar air masses. Summers are warm and humid, influenced by the arrival of tropical maritime air masses. Rainfall is abundant year-round but increases during summer, ranging between 1000−1500 mm annually. Winter snowfall is frequent, persisting on the Appalachian peaks until spring thaw. The climate favors extensive deciduous forests.

The beaches of Lumina are warm and crystal-clear, home to a wide variety of marine animals and reefs. Lumina's oceanic biome features thermal waters and volcanic areas. In the sea, you can spot marine monuments from ancient civilizations, found not only in the Sumeru Sea but also in the Eden Sea and even in the Znaniya Sea, where some societies have been partially or completely submerged. Despite the warm temperatures of certain waters, the islands boast high mountains, ice-capped peaks in several regions. It's believed that the warm waters of Lumina are caused by geysers and marine volcanoes, as well as by the circulation of the Eden Sea; however, in the far north, the waters are entirely frozen.

Lumina is also divided into fifteen terrestrial ecozones and five marine ones, encompassing over 80,000 classified species of life. Since the end of the last glacial period, Lumina has consisted of eight distinct forest regions, including an extensive boreal forest. Additionally, 42 percent of Lumina's land acreage is covered by forests (approximately 8 percent of the world's forested land), mainly composed of spruce, poplar, and pine. Lumina has over 2,000,000 lakes, with 563 larger than 100 km2 (39 square miles), more than any other nation, containing much of the world's freshwater. There are also freshwater glaciers in Lumina's Rocky Mountains, the Coastal Mountains, and the Arctic Cordillera.

On the other hand, the western system consists of two relatively recent mountainous sets: the Rocky Mountains to the east and the Pacific ranges to the west. The Rockies stretch across the nation from north to south and are divided into four sectors: the Southern Rockies, the first of these sectors, are formed by two north-south-oriented chains, with numerous peaks surpassing 4000 meters in altitude. The Central Rockies constitute the second sector and follow the same orientation, and finally, the Northern Rockies register lower elevations and are known as snow-capped mountains.

In the Rockies, the climate is mountainous. Temperatures drop and insolation increases with altitude. Rainfall also increases but only up to 2000−3000 meters; beyond these altitudes, it decreases. At higher elevations, precipitation falls as snow. In the lower areas, grasslands dominate, gradually replaced by coniferous forests as altitude increases. In the higher regions, meadows with isolated shrubs appear. Dominant plant species include pine and fir, while the fauna comprises elk, woodland stalkers, bison, lynxes, otters, and various species of eagles.

In the Great Basin and Death Valley the climate is steppe or desert in southern Lumina, with average temperatures exceeding 35 °C. The maximum temperature that has been recorded occurred precisely in Death Valley (57 °C). Precipitation is scarce due to the presence of the Pacific mountain ranges in the south. This mountain barrier stops the masses of humid air coming from the Honkai Ocean, which causes a lack of rain in all the lands located to the east of the mountain system. Associated with this phenomenon appears the foehn, also called chinook, a warm, dry wind that descends from the mountains to the plain. Shrubs and bushes dominate the landscape, inhabited by rodents and reptiles.

Sharing an ocean with Znaniya and the Arctic along with Sector Zero, the marine biome has equal mountainous features, including a mid-ocean ridge system, as well as underwater volcanoes, ocean trenches, underwater canyons, hot spring caves, plateaus, crystal caves and abyssal plains. Sector Zero is made up of 44 million square kilometers of ocean, bordered by mountainous terrain to the north and west, and is covered in snow and ice year-round. Almost all parts of the area experience long periods with some form of ice on the surface, leading to a mostly permanent winter. Extreme weather phenomena cause the night sky to be spectacular at all hours, mostly dotted with storms with lightning that mark twilight, snowfalls and blizzards that can last a month straight, meteor showers or other constant astronomical phenomena depending on the area.

However, as we know, the Znaniya Sea is somewhat aggressive and less calm than the Honkai Ocean, featuring thunderstorms and heavy rain, as well as deadly blizzards. Furthermore, for years the Znaniya Sea was considered the end of the known world. The disappearance of ships there, due to natural disasters, gave rise to legends of monsters stopping and sinking ships, and many of these legends have not yet been refuted.

And so is the Lumina Sea, also called the Devil's Mouth, is an urban legend centered on a vaguely defined region in the western part of the North Eden Ocean where several planes and ships are said to have disappeared under mysterious circumstances. The idea that the area was especially prone to disappearances emerged in the mid-20th century in the Human Era. In addition to having a violent climate, southern regions of Lumina suffer from constant tropical storms and hurricanes that hit the coasts and come from Eden or Sumeru. Hurricanes can appear from May to December, but are more frequent from August to November. Storms are common in North Eden during winters, making crossings more difficult and dangerous.

Due to its large size and geographical variety, the nation has most types of climate. The climate varies from humid continental in the north to humid subtropical in the south. The extreme south has a tropical climate. The Great Plains to the west are semiarid, while much of the western mountains have an alpine climate. The climate is arid in the Great Basin and in the southwestern deserts, it is Mediterranean on the California coast and oceanic on the southern coast of Alaska (both independent regions). Most of the Alaskan territory has a subarctic or polar climate like the entire north of the nation, however, it is still full of volcanoes and war zones. Extreme weather events are not rare; The coastal states of the Gulf of Eden are prone to hurricanes and most of the world's tornadoes develop within the nation.

The main northern biomes are tundra, boreal forest, grasslands, and temperate deciduous forest. Some areas contain several smaller biomes, including; mountain forest extending to lakes and a small temperate rainforest along the Pacific coast, semi-arid desert located in the south, and alpine tundra in the higher mountainous regions. Meanwhile, the south is a small patch of hot badlands. Southern Lumina is engulfed in fire and volcanoes, as well as endless war zones, geysers, and hot springs, including lava lakes.

However, despite all these descriptions that may seem beautiful, Lumina has a dark side in its regions. Known as the region of war, dangerous and wild creatures inhabit this zone, from dragons to sea leviathans and other kinds of creatures. Lumina's reputation as a place of conflict and danger is due to the presence of these creatures, which often trigger conflicts among themselves and with those who venture into their domains. Sea and land dragons, with their ferocity and power, are legendary figures that inspire both fear and respect in equal measure. Their lairs and territories can be dangerous for unwary travelers. It is believed that there are different species of dragons in Lumina, each with unique characteristics and distinct abilities. Their physical aspects vary, but in general, they are described as huge reptiles with membranous wings that allow them to fly gracefully and swiftly. Their bodies are adorned with scales, often in vibrant colors that range from metallic tones to bright and exotic shades. Some may have horns, crests, or spines along their spine, adding even more grandeur to their appearance.

The dragons are the second dominant species in the Lumina archipelago and other regions, a race of powerful reptiles with two distinctive traits: flight and fire generation, although not all dragons possess both or neither. They form a highly diverse group with many different characteristics that vary across all species and can consist of many taxonomic orders. Most dragons can be tamed and have flight companions. They wield different types of elemental powers, ranging from fire to ice, sonic sounds to acid, electricity to water. Lumina's dragons are tribal-level creatures, living in large colonies among their own kind. Trained dragons are loyal to their owners, and most will protect them when in danger. Many dragons have exhibited high levels of intelligence; some have also shown high levels of emotional intelligence, capable of empathizing with architects and humans on abstract matters.
Dragons are generally categorized into classes depending on the region; some from the desert regions and lava lakes in the badlands and valleys are of fire and combat type, while those in the forest and mountain regions are of wind or chemical type, and those in the colder regions are of ice or electric type. Finally, in coastal areas like the West Coast and the Arctic archipelago, water-type dragons reside. Dragons of this class are usually larger than those of other classes. Despite this, they are often peaceful ocean dwellers who prefer to be left alone and, when trained, are extremely loyal.

Generally, mountain and plain regions are volcanic, much like in the Badlands. The surface of these biomes is rocky and occasionally sandy with erupting volcanoes scattered throughout. Plants often have crowns that glow with the color of erupting lava, and some minerals have lava within their crevices. These biomes are characterized by instability, teeming tectonic activity, enveloping flames, and ash-covered terrain. The nearby region is usually mountainous, with many lava lakes surrounded by magma and stones. Lumina is one of the nations with the most volcanic activity. There are around 200 post-glacial volcanoes, of which at least 30 have erupted since then. On average, an eruption occurs every five years and is caused by tectonic plates. Volcanic eruptions melt ice and lead to significant vulcano-glacial phenomena. Lumina is also richer in italic fountains and geothermal areas than any other nation in the world. It is characterized by steam vents, mud pools, and sulfur precipitates. There are about 250 geothermal areas of this kind, totaling approximately 800 hot springs. Some are springs with significant jets or geysers. All of these also abound in the Central Lumina region.

The taiga region, also known as the boreal forest, is a forest ecosystem that extends across the northern hemisphere regions of Lumina, primarily around the Arctic Circle. This biome is characterized by extensive forests primarily composed of conifers such as spruces, pines, and trembling aspens. The taiga experiences long, cold winters, with temperatures dropping considerably below freezing, and short, cool summers. Precipitation is moderate, and the soil tends to be nutrient-poor due to low temperatures limiting organic matter processing. Biodiversity in the taiga is diverse, hosting a range of species adapted to harsh climatic conditions. Besides dominant trees, mosses, lichens, and shrubs thrive. This region is home to a variety of mammals like moose, lynxes, foxes, snow stalkers, reindeer, and a range of migratory and resident bird species.

The boreal biome is essential for global ecological balance, playing a crucial role in climate regulation and hosting a significant portion of the planet's biodiversity. However, the boreal plains are relatively flat or gently undulating, with few significant elevations or mountainous terrains. They consist of low-lying areas, rivers, and wetlands, contributing to their overall flatness. The boreal plains are dominated by coniferous forests, mainly composed of spruce, pine, and fir trees. These forests are essential components of the boreal ecosystem and contribute significantly to the regional landscape. Often, the boreal plains have been used for activities like logging, mining, and some agricultural practices due to their natural resources. However, there is a growing awareness of the importance of conserving these areas due to their ecological significance.

However, despite all these descriptions, the industrialized cities of Lumina are shrouded in fog, with normal temperatures ranging between 80 °F and 50 °F (26 °C to 10 °C) in some cities, veiled by a misty white fog that covers the city early in the morning and at night. Lumina City receives about 21 inches of rainfall each year. Of this falling water, approximately 35% contains toxic chemicals, which is higher than current government standards for vehicles, clothing, and food produced in Lumina. When visiting Lumina City, one should wear lightweight to medium clothing, with an optional lightweight armored jacket or ballistic fabric coat. It is also highly recommended to use a filter mask and supplemental oxygen, protecting against inverted smog and acid rain fog. Having said that, street vendors or smaller roadside shops may provide raincoats, umbrellas, and acid-proof air masks during smog warning periods.

In general, Lumina is a dangerous nation, resembling a hellish landscape, with fire, lava, fungal vegetation, numerous hostile mobs, and unique structures and biomes. For instance, the Crimson Forest, a subregion of the Badlands, gets its name from its red color and is covered by towering mushroom-like trees. Enormous creatures like dragomes roam the terrain, while tribes hunt them for food. This makes it one of the few biomes that has an ecosystem, although not as abundant as in the Badlands. On the other hand, the Valley of Death is much more treacherous. This desert biome is dangerous not only due to its massive caverns and darkness that allow a large number of predators to attack but also because of soul sand deposits on the ground. With high amounts of lava and magma cubes, it is one of the most hazardous biomes in Lumina. The terrain consists of steep and pointed basalt formations along with flatter deltas. When the biome meets a sea of lava, basalt and gravel archipelagos are formed.

### Climate

In the Climatic Classification, Lumina's climate is oceanic, cold near the coast, and tundra farther inland in highland areas. The nation's location influences this, situated on the boundary between two different air currents, one of polar origin and the other tropical (separated by the polar front). Climate varies widely from region to region. Winters can be severe in many parts of the country, especially in the interior and Prairie provinces, which experience a continental climate. Daily average temperatures hover near −15 °C (5 °F), but can plummet below −40 °C (−40 °F) with severe wind chills. In other areas, like Coronado Bays, the Great Plains, and the mountains, temperatures are severely warm and characterized by volcanic activity. The Great Plains and Midwest, due to contrasting air masses across a continental span of over 4000 km, are prone to severe storms and tornado outbreaks during spring and summer, with about 1000 tornadoes occurring each year. Additionally, the region is battered by multiple tropical storms in the south, featuring major category hurricanes that make Lumina's oceans extremely violent and dangerous.

Vast stretches of desert shrubs in the west can fuel wildfires in areas near volcanoes. The narrow canyons of many western mountainous areas and severe storm activity during the summer lead to floods (sometimes also devastating), while snowstorms can halt activity throughout the northeast (although heavy snowstorms can occur almost anywhere in the nation).
The Northern Lights can often be seen, especially in autumn and early winter. For two to three months during summer, Lumina experiences continuous daylight, while early spring and late autumn offer long twilights. The truly dark period (three to four hours of daylight) lasts roughly from mid-November to late January. The Arctic archipelago has a temperate climate, featuring a mild and rainy winter. On the east and west coasts, average high temperatures typically range in the low 20s °C (70s °F).

Inland, between the coasts, summer high temperatures average between 25 to 30 °C (77 to 86 °F), with occasional temperatures in certain interior locations exceeding 40 °C (104 °F). Lumina, particularly inland during winter, often experiences sudden and dramatic weather changes that significantly reduce visibility. This includes rapidly increasing wind speeds, precipitation, and temperature shifts. Generally, wind speeds tend to be higher in highland areas, but topographical features can amplify winds and cause strong gusts in lowland regions. Wind speeds in the lowlands reach 18 m/s (65 km/h) on 10–20 days per year but exceed 50 days per year in some highland places. The strongest recorded 10-minute sustained wind speed is 62.5 m/s (225 km/h), and the strongest gust reached 74.2 m/s (267 km/h).

Thunderstorms are extremely rare for any specific location in Lumina, with fewer than five storms per year in the southern part of the nation. They are most common in early or late summer. They can be caused by warm air masses coming up from Pandora and Sumeru, or deep lows from the southwest in wintertime. Lightning can usually be observed in connection with ash plumes erupting from the nation's volcanoes. Vortices, sometimes on the scale of tornadoes, also occur with volcanic eruptions. Landspouts and waterspouts are occasionally observed. Classic mesocyclone derived tornadoes are very rare, but have been observed. Any of these do occasionally cause damage, although the sparse population further reduces the probability of detection and the hazard

### Wildlife

Lumina is home to a wide array of diverse species, although environmental collapse has led to a significant number of extinctions and population losses. The 1997 toxic spill wiped out salmon in the northwest Pacific, crippling the local economy. Mutated creatures are known to roam outside inhabited areas. Among the fauna in these lands, there are other races of Honkai's Snow Stalkers, alongside a vast variety of biomes, from the vibrant kelp forest to the scorching depths of enigmatic lava lakes. Each biome holds its own set of flora and fauna to discover and resources to harvest. The waters in this sector are much warmer compared to Sector Zero and encompass biomes such as the grand reef, underwater islands, kelp forests, seamounts, and marine volcanoes. On the surface, however, biomes like taiga and tundra are preserved, which are warmer compared to the Sector Zero region. Some known animals include Lumina's snow stalker, snow elk, leopard seal, ghost seal, and others.

## Demographics

Lumina is primarily a mono-racial nation, with native inhabitants from various regions. Most of the population is comprised of Luminans, with a small portion of people from Eden and Sumeru, although the latter represents only 1% of the population. In Lumina Central particularly, we can observe more variety of both natives and non-natives than in other regions. Approximately 91% of the population belongs to the Luminans ethnic group, and the remaining percent consists of ethnic minorities. After the Collapse of the Human Era, Lumina's society centralized for protection. Isolated rural villages were largely abandoned in a massive migration towards urban centers. The lack of protection and the difficulty in acquiring food and medicine inland has left much of Lumina filled with ghost towns. Consequently, the vast majority of the population resides in urban centers.

Around 95% of the natives represent the nation of Lumina, while the remaining percentage comprises immigrants from different nations born in Lumina or who traveled from afar. There's a small percentage of nomads in the rural regions of Lumina, especially in the mountainous and volcanic plains areas. The variant of English, Luminan, is the official and predominantly spoken language in Lumina. However, Lumina is a multilingual nation; approximately 100 to 150 minority languages are spoken throughout the country. 157.5 million people across the nation speak variants of English, 5.3 million speak variants of French, and 1.1 million speak variants of other languages from Pandora and Eden. There are scarcely any Honkaian people in Lumina due to the execution of individuals from these ethnicities.

While Architects and their diverse races predominate in the Lumina region, about 10.1% of second-generation humans make up the population of 52,380 inhabitants in Lumina following the dispersal of their species after the Great Corporate War II. The remaining percentage consists of Architects from different flying and terrestrial races. Additionally, there are races of snowy forest spirits, dragons, animals from volcanic biomes, and Architects with animal characteristics native to the region, such as snow tigers, dragons, mountain goats, snow stalkers, and other animals from volcanic or snowy biomes.

### Familiar structure

Most families in Lumina are nuclear families or tribes. The majority of family structures in Lumina consist of tribes formed by regions. A clan is a group of people united by kinship and ancestry, similar to those in Eden or Sumeru. Even if the details of lineage are unknown, tribes can claim descent from a founding member or an apical ancestor. Tribes in native societies of Lumina are not endogamous, meaning their members cannot marry among themselves. Lumina's tribes exist in desert, forest, volcanic biomes, and each has its own unique culture. Despite their differences and distance from each other, tribes remain interconnected through trade and tradition. Outside of the tribes, there are adventurers and lone travelers who roam the desert. Additionally, the majority of Lumina families are nuclear or extended families, consisting of two parents, children, grandparents, and uncles. There are around five tribes and tribes in the desert, forest, coastal, and volcanic regions in different areas. However, most tribes are in constant warfare, fighting to prevent the unification that their governor seeks. These tribes are heavily armed, and tribes from volcanic regions have tamed various dragons to use in the constant unification war the nation faces.

Some of these tribes are the Tewa, Haleakala Nu, Kilauea, Tepui and Ho'omakamaka tribes. As some say, especially each of these tribes, within the womb, the laws of battle are forged: the triumphant shall radiate with brilliance, while the fallen must transform into mere remnants of ash. Tribes are considered as a political unit formed through the organization of families (including clans and lineages) based on social or ideological solidarity. Membership in a tribe is understood to be based on factors such as kinship ("clan"), ethnicity ("race"), language, place of residence, political group, religious beliefs, tradition, and cultural practices. Unlike the Honkaian, children are born into and raised by these tribes, not adopted by caregivers, and there are no development centers despite the high level of industrialization in the nation. However, there are cases in which children from other clans are adopted by caregivers from different tribes, just as there are different roles within the tribes, such as cultivator, hunter, and caregiver. Each member of the tribes fulfills their specific role, which they choose once they become adults. Humans are rare to see in Lumina; however, they also operate through tribes and clans of unique or mixed humans.

It has been confirmed that architects and second-generation humans do not reproduce naturally, although they possess reproductive organs. Therefore, architects and second-generation humans are created in different ways. Architects reproduce through machine creation, where their biocomponents and mechanical parts are incubated with minerals extracted from the earth. In addition to being nearly fully developed physically, they are also nearly fully developed mentally. When they are born in the kindergartens of their tribes or clans, they already know everything they need to survive, although they retain the innocence of a child and will require many decades to fully mature. On the other hand, second-generation humans are also created in kindergartens through genetic engineering using the DNA of adults and the first human, Robin Myers.

Unlike architects, humans do not require the extraction of minerals from the earth to reproduce; however, they consume other technological resources for their reproduction and expansion.

### Health

The healthcare system in Lumina provides medical services, including screenings, prenatal care, and infectious disease control. Various plagues, viral outbreaks, extremely high poverty rates, and a lack of affordable and quality healthcare have had a significant impact on the average life expectancy in Lumina. Many people lack health insurance, and virtually all hospitals are owned by corporations. The primary provider of paramedical care is Trauma Care International. The Department of Health, Education, and Services, in coordination with the Centers for Disease Control, the National Institutes of Health, and the Food and Drug Administration, regulate and are responsible for ensuring the well-being of Lumina's citizens, although they largely lack sufficient staff and funding.

That is why the majority of medicine in Lumina is natural and traditional. Most Lumina residents rely on a combination of traditional and modern medicine systems in hospitals. This mainly consists of medicinal plants and plant aromatherapy exported from Eden and Sumeru, as well as resources extracted from forests and volcanic biomes. The use of medicinal herbs is a fundamental part of Lumina's native traditional medicine. Tribes have used a variety of plants to treat various ailments and promote healing, as well as sought healing through natural remedies such as elemental forces and the use of dragon scales. In herbalism, plants are carefully selected for their medicinal properties and used in different ways to treat illnesses and promote health. The plant parts used can include leaves, flowers, stems, roots, bark, and even seeds. These parts can be prepared as infusions, decoctions, tinctures, ointments, essential oils, among others. Each plant has unique chemical components that can have pharmacological effects on the human body. Some plants contain active compounds that may have anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and other properties. Herbalism is based on the knowledge of these properties and how to safely and effectively use plants.

### Education

The basic school system in Lumina consists of primary school (six years), middle school (three years), high school (three years), and plantation college (four years). Education is mandatory only for the nine years of primary and secondary school, but 99% of students continue to high school. The Lumina education system is operated by state and local governments and regulated by the Department of Health, Education, and Services. Education in rural areas focuses more on everyday survival rather than mathematics or higher education. The nomadic culture and deep respect for teachers have led to higher education rates among nomadic children, and some nomadic schools open their doors to strangers. Corporate education to work for N.E.X.U.S is an alternative for those who cannot attend public school and is quite comprehensive. However, it is known to produce high levels of stress and suicide rates. Additionally, individuals are subjected to behavior modification, loyalty tests, indoctrination, and propaganda, and each curriculum is based on an individual's aptitudes.

The education system under Ava focused on promoting unification. A standardized and centralized curriculum was established that emphasized the history and theory of political ideologies similar to communism, as well as the glorification of the Ava regime. Students were indoctrinated with the principles of the communist party and taught to be loyal to the State. Educational materials, such as textbooks, are filled with propaganda and present a distorted view of history and the achievements of the Ava regime. In summary, the government has total control over education in Lumina, and all young children are subjected to the military at an early age to join the armed forces and serve N.E.X.U.S.

Most children are subjected to the Monarch Program, which is a training program that involved taking young children and turning them into elite spies and assassins. Initially, psychological conditioning was used to make the agents obedient, but in the decades following the Separation War and Corporate War II, the program had transitioned to using mind control. While women are turned into deadly weapons, men become pawns for these spy agents. In the case of Lumina, children are carefully selected by program leaders based on their genetic potential when they were babies; some of these girls were orphaned or abandoned, while others were literally separated from their families, either through negotiation or by force. The chosen children for the Monarch program in Lumina undergo rigorous daily training, which includes hand-to-hand combat training, acrobatics, weapons training, and tactical skills. Occasionally, two girls are chosen to violently fight each other; weakness is not tolerated, and the opponent kills the loser.

## Economy

The economy of Lumina operates under a system of centralized planning, where the State establishes economic goals and objectives through five-year plans. These plans detail the sectors and production targets, allocate resources, and control prices and the distribution of goods and services. On a larger scale, the economy is more controlled than before the collapse of the Human Era. Approximately 30% of the GDP is included in the "black market." Not all trade is illegal but rather "grey" when goods and services are traded outside of taxed channels. 20% of the global economy is based on the exchange of information and entertainment. Nowadays, the Lumina industry is primarily divided into manufacturing, technology, and service industries. The manufacturing industry has made a comeback due to the low standard of living in Lumina along with the lack of labor unions. The cyberware, nanotechnology, and biological industries within the technology sector are the highest-earning enterprises in the Lumina economy.

The collapse of the World Stock Exchange in the Human Era and the problems of the World Bank meant that Lumina had no one to borrow money from to pay off its high national debt. Federal bonds were cashed in so quickly that the government couldn't print money fast enough, and the value of the dollar plummeted in the past. However, currently, Lumina has one of the largest economies among the seven nations. The development of heavy industry, such as steelmaking and machinery production, was prioritized to strengthen the military capacity and economic power of the nation. Additionally, policies of forced labor were implemented, where prisoners and political dissidents were sent to work on industrial and construction projects. This cheap and abundant workforce contributed to rapid economic growth but at a significant cost of living. Due to the majority of N.E.X.U.S soldiers being under the mind control of the Monarch program developed by Znaniya and Lumina, most neo-military personnel engage in forced labor.

## Infrastructure

### Transportation

Transportation in Lumina is built around major metropolitan areas surrounded by wilderness areas and relatively empty ghost towns. The civil conflict during the Collapse prevented new revolutions in public transportation. There is very little indirect mass transportation. Completed during the Reconstruction Era by the military, the bullet train runs underground throughout the country, connecting coast to coast, and is now operated by N.E.X.U.S. The extremely high cost of aviation fuel makes flights largely regional. Longer flights are handled by luxury airships. Cars, buses, subways, and shuttles are widely used within the cities themselves; traveling outside of them is often too dangerous and lacks the necessary infrastructure.

### Water supply and sanitation

The Collapse's virulent biopests and mass graves have ruined nearly all natural groundwater in the continental United States. It was not until the Reconstruction Era that Ava solved this problem and 99% of the population receives running water from public services and 3% receives water from their own wells or small unregulated geyser systems, mainly in rural areas near the volcanic areas.

### Energy

The Department of Energy in Lumina regulates all aspects of power generation and trades energy between states. This department operates the Energy Management Cooperative, a privatized monopoly similar to the pre-collapse postal service. EMC is listed on the "major markets" of stock exchanges, and citizens can quickly earn money by trading energy futures in dollars without significant risks. After the dust storms and acid rains of the 1990s, the energy industry was able to smoothly transition from coal-fired generators to hydrogen-driven renewables, reducing costs and minimizing environmental damage. However, currently, Lumina relies on geothermal energy given its multiple volcanic sources.

Thermal plants can produce unlimited energy for naval bases given the time and proximity to heat. In the Thermal Plant, there is a display showing the temperature of the surrounding area (rounded to whole degrees). Lava Geysers are optimal locations to place Thermal Plants. Near the center of the geyser, temperatures can exceed 50°C, meaning a well-positioned plant can rapidly produce energy around the clock. Lava Geysers are areas on the ocean floor that spew lava and steam. Some of these craters are located deep within caves, while others can be found in open sea. These geological structures are classified as miniature biomes within the nation of Lumina.

## Major cities

### Lumina City - 90 million

The city of Lumina encompasses the entire coastline of the Arctic Archipelago and extends towards Lumina Central. What was once the entertainment capital of the world has resurfaced with new surprises for the New Age. With the drop in temperatures, the eastern part is almost inhabitable, and people emigrated en masse to get away from Death Valley, Devil's Playground, and other similar places, leaving them as wastelands of abandoned volcanic areas. The climate in Lumina is dangerous, and it is common for heavy snowstorms to mix with smog, creating a poisonous and acidic soup. The city is considered a frozen urban hell, plagued by pollution and acid rain. Additionally, there is intense volcanic activity in the surrounding mountains and coasts, with geysers. The mountainous area of the city of Lumina, characterized by its unique flora, rain, fog, and scorching cold comparable to Znaniya. The vegetation and landscapes are alpine, covered with different species of frailejones with silver-green leaves and yellow flowers. The cows and horses in those mountains are covered in long hair, but it is not easy to find forage in these cold areas. Rain, hail, or thick fog are constant companions on a journey through the moorland, so much so that it is folklorically said that the people of Lumina are children of the mist and the mountains. Bridges and crossings are common in the region, and in some parts, they hang from the trunk of a tree, baskets or sacks with food like bread, bananas, casabe are placed there to help travelers who run out of provisions since it is difficult to find supplies in these places.

Lumina city is one of the newest urban metropolises after its reconstruction and, despite all the natural disasters it has faced, it is considered a modern, multicultural, and prosperous metropolis of the new century, invaded by corporations, corruption, organized crime, and tribal violence. It has wide streets and dense urban skyscrapers that house hundreds of thousands of people. Today, it is considered the most dangerous place to live in Lumina, with a crime rate twice as high as in the rest of the regions. The homeless population has increased by 300%. Gang violence is common, and corporate oppression is everywhere.

### Pyro - 50 million

The city of Pyro, located in the Badlands and the Great Plains, is a metropolis situated in the midst of an active volcanic zone. Known for its unique geothermal environment, Pyro is a fascinating destination for geology enthusiasts and volcanic phenomena lovers. This vibrant and dynamic city has developed in harmony with its volcanic surroundings, and the presence of nearby volcanoes has influenced its culture, economy, and way of life. Pyro is surrounded by majestic volcanoes that rise imposingly on the horizon. These volcanoes offer a spectacular view and serve as a source of geothermal energy used to power the city with electricity and heating. The residents of Pyro have learned to coexist with volcanic activity and have developed early warning systems and safety measures to protect themselves from possible eruptions or seismic events.

The city itself reflects the energy and dynamism associated with volcanoes. Its streets are bustling with life, featuring modern and vibrant architecture that blends with natural and decorative elements. Pyro has a thriving tourism industry, as visitors from around the world flock to the city to explore its fascinating volcanic landscapes, immerse themselves in natural hot springs, and learn about the geology and volcanic history of the region, as well as the habitats of fire and fighting-type dragons in the mountainous areas. The presence of active volcanoes provides ample natural heat and smoke, which is used to smoke meats, fish, and vegetables. Smoked dishes are popular in Pyro and offer intense and distinctive flavors. Pyro is known for its high-quality agricultural and dairy products. Fresh fruits and vegetables, such as wild berries and tubers, are common ingredients in local dishes. Additionally, dairy products like cheeses and yogurts have exceptional flavors due to the rich feeding of livestock in volcanic lands.

### Nāhele - 30 million

The city of Nāhele is a fascinating and vibrant place, where dragons have been tamed and are an integral part of daily life. Located in a region with abundant forests and surrounded by a volcanic landscape, Nāhele combines the majesty of nature with the thrilling presence of these mythical creatures. In addition to cuisine, Nāhele is famous for its fireworks displays. The city hosts festivals and special events where fireworks illuminate the night skies, creating dazzling exhibitions that celebrate the beauty and power of fire. These events are occasions of joy and celebration, attracting people from all over to witness the spectacle.

Dragons, an integral part of the city, are admired and respected creatures in Nāhele. They have been tamed and trained over generations, and are used for various tasks such as transportation, agriculture, and city protection. Dragons also play a role in the culture and festivities of Nāhele, participating in parades and special performances that captivate the audience. In Nāhele, the connection with nature and the element of fire is deep. The city has learned to live in harmony with these elements, harnessing natural resources and honoring their power. The presence of dragons, the flavors of cuisine, and the fireworks displays make Nāhele a unique and thrilling place, where culture and passion for fire intertwine to create an unforgettable experience. Nāhele is the most peaceful area in Lumina; the rest are filled with war-torn fields between tribes.

## Culture

The culture of the people of Lumina has been heavily influenced by ancient human civilizations from around the world that preceded them throughout their history. As a result, aspects such as fashion, art, and even language are based on Western societies, such as Eden. It is understood that they adopted parts of their own culture and gestures from the cities and towns they made their own, as well as from the fossils of human civilizations they unearthed. The residents of the city of Lumina are located in what used to be the United States and Canada, so their clothing and architecture carry some customs from these past nations, as well as popular foods from these regions. However, Lumina is an ethnically and culturally diverse country as a result of massive immigration from many countries throughout its history in the Human Era.

The people of Lumina live in various volcanic biomes and their regions in territorial tribe societies. They have an egalitarian social organization based on hunting, foraging, and craftsmanship. Common roles within a tribe include hunters, caretakers, gatherers, and artisans, as well as warriors or travelers who ride dragons from different regions. Some of these tribes are the Tewa, Haleakala Nu, Kilauea, Tepui and Ho'omakamaka tribes. As some say, especially each of these tribes, within the womb, the laws of battle are forged: the triumphant shall radiate with brilliance, while the fallen must transform into mere remnants of ash. Tribes are considered as a political unit formed through the organization of families (including clans and lineages) based on social or ideological solidarity. Membership in a tribe is understood to be based on factors such as kinship ("clan"), ethnicity ("race"), language, place of residence, political group, religious beliefs, tradition, and cultural practices. Unlike the Honkaian, children are born into and raised by these tribes, not adopted by caregivers, and there are no development centers despite the high level of industrialization in the nation. However, there are cases in which children from other clans are adopted by caregivers from different tribes, just as there are different roles within the tribes, such as cultivator, hunter, and caregiver. Each member of the tribes fulfills their specific role, which they choose once they become adults. Humans are rare to see in Lumina; however, they also operate through tribes and clans of unique or mixed humans.

The New Era in Lumina has seen three main branches of philosophical thought. Neoluddism advocates for a return to a more personal society free from technology, industrial waste, and bioproducts. Nihilism is also present. However, while Luddism believes that society has control over its destiny, nihilists believe that they are not living beings but machines. Nihilism seems to be one of the most current philosophies, with a philosophical doctrine that considers everything ultimately reducing to nothingness, and therefore nothing has meaning. They reject all religious, moral, and epistemological principles, often based on the belief that life is meaningless, that there is no deity, as nature and the universe are indifferent to living beings, their values, and their suffering, that there is no ultimate teleological end in the presence of a divine order as God is dead, that there is no absolute truth, and that reality is apparent.

The music of Lumina is heavily dominated by rockerboys, a term used to describe individuals within a political rock movement. Ryan "Rockerboy" Monroe, originally from Lumina City, is considered the pioneer of the rockerboy movement to this day, despite his terrorist attack on N.E.X.U.S, along with his bandmate Jackie Martinez. Their band, Off The Hook, has reached the top of the charts. Since then, rock music has encompassed political, social, and economic activism. Various subgenres of rock have been adopted and have become central elements of the identity of numerous punk subcultures.

Ryan Monroe has become a cultural icon, revitalizing rock in the music world. Rockers are now seen as rebellious musicians who use their music to challenge authority. They are reminiscent of the punk rockers of the 80s, who disdain corporate sellouts as betrayers of art. Due to their charisma, they have the ability to influence, incite, and captivate a large number of people through their musical performances. Rockerboys have been a significant influence in the music world, and the culture at large, in Lumina. Their music has become a powerful tool for conveying political and social messages and mobilizing the masses. Numerous subgenres of rock have emerged, each with its own identity and focus, but all sharing a spirit of rebellion and resistance in Lumina. Rockerboys are not only limited to music, but actively participate in protests, rallies, and other forms of activism. They are seen as leaders and symbols for those seeking change in society. Their ability to connect with the audience through their live performances is unparalleled, creating an energy and atmosphere that transcends language and cultural barriers.

The people of Lumina are grouped into tribes that have different rules. During the Reconstruction Era, there were at least six major tribes in Lumina, although the current number is unknown. Alongside humans, a large number of younger dragons reside in Lumina, having undergone years of development and evolution, coexisting with humans, architects, and other races. In the past, the clans of Lumina used to gather and celebrate tournaments in honor of the tribes. However, this practice has become less common; many tribes have left Lumina and become nomads, passing down only the art of war to their descendants. "War" is a daily part of life in Lumina, which some compare to an "undying flame".

Sports among tribes have largely replaced tribal wars, with minor bloodshed considered too costly compared to harsher policing methods and killings. Southern tribes largely resolve their disputes through games. Combat sports, also known as death sports, are very common in nomadic cultures and Lumina's tribal societies. Certain areas of Lumina and the Free States sponsor gladiatorial competitions among prisoners, full-contact obstacle races, martial arts death matches, and other war games. Although technically illegal, this doesn't prevent the market from meeting the demand. The people of Lumina value discipline and obedience to authority. Citizens of Lumina are expected to adhere to a strict code of conduct and obey the orders of their superiors, even if it means going to war and killing each other. Luminans are also known for their bravery and courage in battle. They are taught to face death with dignity and fight until their last breath. This mindset earned them a reputation as formidable warriors during the Separation War, which was brutally bloody due to Lumina's war culture.

Lumina is above all a militaristic state, and the emphasis on military aptitude begins practically from birth. After childbirth in the kindergarten, the child is subjected to strength tests. If the child survives, the father takes the child before the tribe's chief. Then the tribe chief decides whether the child will be raised or not. It is commonly stated that if they deemed the child "useless" or "weak," the child would be thrown into an abyss or killed. Infanticide has been one of Lumina's most notorious practices. In Lumina, young children leave their homes. They march or drown in the lava lakes, fight or die at the hands of dragons. Often, adults beat the children in battle arenas, and at night, they had to learn to survive or be devoured by the snow stalkers in the cold regions.

Both boys and girls were raised by the city's women until the age of seven, at which point the boys were separated from their mothers and grouped into "packs" and sent to a military camp. They became accustomed to adversity, as they were provided with meager food and clothing; this also encouraged them to steal, and if caught, they were punished not for stealing, but for getting caught. The children were encouraged to compete against each other in games and simulated fights and to foster a sense of camaraderie. Additionally, they were taught to read and write and learned Lumina's songs, which celebrated the spirit of war. They learned to read and write not for cultural reasons, but to be able to read military maps. At the age of twelve, a child was considered an "adult." Their physical education intensified, discipline became much harsher, and they were assigned additional tasks. The youths had to go barefoot and wore only a tunic in both summer and winter.

Luminans use obsidian weapons, a volcanic rock with a glassy and sharp appearance. Obsidian is formed when lava cools rapidly, resulting in an extremely hard and brittle material. Due to its sharp and cutting nature, obsidian has been historically used to manufacture weapons and tools in Lumina. These weapons are characterized by sharp edges and a pointed tip, making them effective for combat and hunting. Obsidian is known for its ability to maintain an exceptionally sharp edge, although it tends to be more fragile than other materials used for weapons, such as metal. However, its cutting nature and ability to maintain a sharp edge make it lethal in the hands of those who know how to use it correctly. Particularly, it becomes a brutal weapon in the hands of the Luminans. However, obsidian is not the only powerful material used by the Luminans, as many also use gold and diamond for their armor and weapons, as well as combining resistant metals with platinum and gold.

Platinum and obsidian are used for Luminans' weapons, especially for their resistance to fire and being a challenging material to obtain in volcanic areas due to the difficulty of surviving in them. Additionally, Luminans also use weapons based on pyrotechnics and strong explosives such as dynamite and fire. The Luminans are often described as active, fighters, concerned about their families, and loyal to their code of honor. For example, the society of Pyro values discipline, strength, and loyalty. The Luminans have a hierarchical social structure, with strong and respected leadership figures, with Ava and the N.E.X.U.S. soldiers at the top.

The Luminans seem to be deeply attached to war and combat, and they have a code of honor created by this. This war-rich culture, nurtured with the strength of thousands of soldiers, strictly follows a moral and honor code in combat. Luminans are warriors, hunters, dragon tamers, and also inventors of technology. They are primarily an order of warriors who focus their minds on perfecting the art of conquest and train their minds and bodies to martial perfection. The order is exclusive, and outsiders are never allowed to join the group regardless of their achievements. Luminans know how to read and write, and from an early age, they used a non-standardized alphabet in various constructions and temples. In these scriptures, we can learn a little more about the mythology of these infernal lands. According to the Luminans, dark forces exist in Lumina and throughout volcanic regions.

As written in the prophecies of the ancient Luminan scriptures, the Titans, imposing ancient demons of the infernal era, would return, unearthed from their immortal slumber. It is believed that the Titans are heralds of the end times, primordial forces of chaos and destruction, originating from Lumina.

Furthermore, according to the writings from the arenas of combat, in the years following the end of the Reconstruction Era, rival factions in Lumina turned against each other. An insidious influence has taken hold of the Luminan people, corrupting their once sacred traditions. The coliseum, once a place of honorable combat where prisoners of Lumina were tested to determine their right to fight on the front lines of their army, has since become a venue for bloody sports. In violation of Lumina's law, the Priests have confined a dragon there, a ruthless executioner used to impose sentence by their own decree. The Gladiator, wielding a cursed shield that entombs the tormented soul of their eternal master, remains undefeated in battle and is infamous for the many lives they have claimed.

The mythologies of the Luminans comprise many sets of traditional tales associated with religion from a mythographic perspective. The belief systems of Lumina include numerous sacred narratives. Such spiritual stories are deeply rooted in nature and possess rich symbolism of seasons, time, plants, animals, earth, water, sky, and fire. The concept of the Great Spirit, encompassing everything, universal and omniscient, is common, as well as a connection with the Earth, various creation stories, and the collective memory of common ancestors. Traditional worship practices often form part of tribal gatherings, which include dance, rhythm, and songs. The myths of the northern region are strongly embedded in the landscape of tundra, snow, and ice. Memorable stories feature the winds, the moon, and the White Walkers of Znaniya, who have spread to the icy borders of Lumina.

The White Walkers are an ancient race of icy creatures that were once human and originated from the far north. After remaining hidden for thousands of years, they returned and were discovered by several sworn brothers of the Znaniya Guard. However, most of those living in the south believed they were nothing more than legendary creatures. Over time, travelers who have crossed the tundra and polar desert have discovered that they are a true myth. The White Walkers outwardly resemble humans but differ greatly from them in other aspects. They are as tall as most humans and have long, sparse white hair, with some also having white facial hair. They have a pale grayish-white skin that is taut and tense throughout their bodies, giving them a somewhat emaciated and mummified appearance despite their overall bulky physique. However, their most notable feature is their vibrant intensely blue eyes. Throughout history, the Znanians and Luminans have fought against these cursed undead in the lands of Znaniya and the northern regions of Lumina and the Arctic archipelagos.

However, the White Walkers are not the greatest phenomenon in Lumina; it is the presence of monstrous and immensely fierce dragons. Some of these dangerous dragons include the Obsidian Fury, which was once considered one of the most mysterious and fearsome dragon species. In fact, no one even knew what an Obsidian Fury looked like because they preferred to attack at night, when their black scales allowed them to blend with the night sky, making them practically invisible. Obsidian Fury dragons are classified as members of the Battle-type Class. They have the ability to "dive-bomb," which means they can plummet from great heights, gaining speed as they descend, and then unleash a "plasma explosion" towards the ground at their target. For a long time, the only information that the Luminans had gathered about this rare dragon was the whistle of its speed piercing through the night sky, followed by a brilliant light, and finally a massive explosion.

Dragons have become an integral part of Lumina, often providing companionship and swift transportation. Dragon riders, however, are actively trained for aerial search and rescue, exploration, and village defense. Under the guidance of their trainers, riders have learned to control the natural instincts of their trained dragons to assist in fishing and hunting.

### Education

Lumina's education system is primarily focused on technology and military training. Once children are born in nurseries, they are admitted to specialized daycare centers and placed in a group assigned to various caregivers from their tribe who are responsible for providing them with necessary care, housing, and education. Upon reaching a certain age, the young ones would be sent to N.E.X.U.S, where they would live within the facilities as residents, receiving instruction and participating in activities until they reach sufficient maturity. They would then be transferred to military plantations once they reach adulthood, but in general, they serve in the military from childhood. The training is designed to foster discipline and physical toughness while emphasizing the importance of Lumina's state. In addition to physical and weapons training, children study reading, writing, music, and dance. Special punishments are imposed if children do not answer questions swiftly and ingeniously. Some young Luminans apparently became members of an irregular unit. The immediate objective of this unit was to seek out and kill vulnerable nomads as part of a broader program to terrorize and intimidate the weaker population of Lumina.

The curriculum is divided into three main categories: compulsory, moral education, and special activities. Compulsory subjects include language and literature, mathematics, social studies, science, music, arts and crafts, and physical education. Moral education aims to teach young people to respect each other, abide by societal rules, and learn general self-control. Special activities refer to events and ceremonies that emphasize teamwork and cooperation, such as field trips or folk concerts. Compulsory courses continue in lower secondary education, with the addition of fine arts, foreign languages, and a wider range of elective subjects, including scientific research and social sciences courses. However, what is taken most seriously within Lumina is combat and warfare education. The primary objective was to subject Luminan children to intense physical tests to prepare their bodies for the harshness of the world. The competitive nature of sports events fostered hard work and merit. It also served to define what it meant to be a citizen of Lumina: someone who had demonstrated mastery of both physical strength and social conventions.

### Traditional Cuisine

Fishing provides a significant source of food for Lumina and their dragon companions. Known species include cod, salmon, sturgeon, mackerel, tuna, trout, and eel. Their animal husbandry includes yaks for milk, hides, and beef, sheep for wool and lamb, and chickens for eggs and meat. They have farms that cultivate vegetables such as cabbage and apparently grow a cereal, as they regularly consume bread. It is known that they hunt the aggressive boars that inhabit the forests for sustenance. They likely also forage for wild fruits and foods such as apples and cranberries from the forest.

Lumina's cuisine derives from an immense wealth of dishes, primarily due to its multicultural character and the vast geographic expanse of the nation. Its gastronomic foundations are based on the peasant diet of rural populations located in areas characterized by extremely cold or scorching climates in volcanic regions. The towns situated in volcanic regions often make use of the products and resources provided by the environment. This includes the utilization of vegetables and fruits grown in nutrient-rich volcanic soils, such as potatoes, corn, avocados, chili peppers, and pineapples. Many ingredients are directly related to volcanic activity, such as volcanic-origin salt or the use of thermal water in the preparation of certain dishes. In addition, volcanic activity has provided a conducive environment for smoking food. The smoke from volcanoes is often used to flavor meats, fish, or cheeses.

Most of the food consumed nowadays is eaten out, and many apartments simply do not have kitchens. Most city streets are filled with street vendors. The majority of vendors sell handmade foods or packaged meals, although occasionally a vendor may have a pot of fresh soup or noodles in broth. Truly fresh food is typically only found in very expensive restaurants. Wheat is the primary grain in Lumina. Traditional Lumina cuisine incorporates ingredients such as turkey, venison, deer, potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn, and maple syrup, foods consumed by Native Americans and early European settlers in the Human Era. Pork and barbecues, French fries, and chocolate chip cookies are characteristic staples of American food. Soul food, created by slaves from Sumeru, is popular among southern Luminans and among most southern-born Sumeruans in Lumina. The most representative Lumina dishes, such as apple pie, fried chicken, dragon meat, and pies, derive from recipes from various immigrants. In addition, French fries, Edenites dishes such as tacos, and Pandora pastas have been added to the market. Luminans usually drink coffee or black tea.

Given the vast size of Lumina's territory, it is not surprising that its cuisine is diverse and can be classified into regional variants. The cuisine of the East Coast, for example, makes much greater use of fish and seafood as ingredients compared to the cuisines of the Midwest, where corn and beef have a greater prevalence and availability. To some extent, the increased capabilities of food transportation have facilitated the blending of different tastes among regions. However, Luminans still associate certain foods with specific areas of the country. For instance, dragon steaks are associated with volcanic zones, lobster with the coasts, salmon with the coast of the Arctic Archipelago, and blue crab and crabcakes with the southern coasts towards the Sea of Eden.

### Religion

The religion of Lumina is complicated, and more than worshiping gods, they follow a nihilistic and warlike philosophy. Nihilism is a philosophical current that holds that life lacks intrinsic meaning, objective value, or universal purpose. According to nihilism, traditional concepts of morality, religion, knowledge, and existence in general are illusions or unfounded constructions. Nihilism questions the validity of established beliefs and values, arguing that there are no absolute truths or universal principles upon which to base the meaning of life. In its most radical form, nihilism can lead to the complete denial of any belief system or the idea that everything is absurd and devoid of meaning. There are different branches within nihilism, such as metaphysical nihilism, which denies the existence of transcendent realities or metaphysical foundations; moral nihilism, which rejects the existence of objective moral values; and existential nihilism, which highlights the absurdity and meaninglessness of human existence.

As a final point, the Luminans seem to apply existential and moral nihilism in their lives. Existential nihilism focuses on the idea that existence lacks inherent purpose or meaning. It argues that life and the universe are inherently absurd and that attempts to find ultimate meaning or transcendental reason are futile. While the Luminans have mythology where they talk about infernal creatures, these seem to be stories that allegorically refer to real things and the recurring warfare within the nation. However, it is important to note that nihilism is not a homogeneous stance, and there are diverse interpretations and nuances within this philosophical current. Some nihilist philosophers have sought ways to transcend nihilism through the creation of new values or the assumption of individual responsibility.

The Luminans believe in their own superiority and the need to maintain power and dominance over others. This is reflected in their social and political system, where Luminans enjoy special privileges and rights compared to non-Luminans. They value status and honor. Reputation and prestige in Lumina society depend on military achievements and contributions to the community. The people of Lumina seem to believe more in themselves than in anything else, and this is demonstrated by their armed forces.

## Festivals and Holidays

### Dragon Festival

The **"Festival of the Dragons"**, also known as the **Fire Festival**, is a grand celebration in Lumina that takes place in Nāhele, Pyro, and Lumina City, honoring and celebrating the presence and influence of dragons in the culture and history of the nation. This festival is typically a blend of traditions, artistic exhibitions, cultural activities, and breathtaking performances that honor the connection between the inhabitants and the dragons. During this event, impressive parades are held, showcasing floats adorned with representations of different types of dragons, some of them life-sized. Theatrical performances are staged, narrating ancient legends of heroes and dragons, while street performers dress up as these mythical creatures to entertain the spectators.

Cuisine is a crucial aspect of the festival, with dishes and sweets smoked by volcanic activity. Culinary contests are organized, where local chefs compete to create the most creative and delicious dishes. Other activities include exhibitions of dragon-inspired crafts, thematic music concerts, educational workshops on the ecology and importance of these mythical beings in the world's balance, and art competitions where artists are encouraged to present their visual interpretations of dragons in all their forms. During the festival, massive bonfires are lit, and ceremonies take place around them, where young people celebrate alongside their dragons, often engaging in battles and displays of brute strength in the fighting coliseum.

Typically, gladiators fight each other to test their strength and power during this festival. This tradition of bloody battles in coliseums has been carried out for approximately 500 years in Lumina's culture and serves more as a means of training than entertainment. Lumina's gladiators are warrior combatants who train in front of the public, engaging in violent confrontations with other gladiators, wild animals, and convicted criminals. Although this tradition is commonly practiced, it is especially celebrated during the Fire Festival with pyrotechnics and numerous fireworks. Skilled pyrotechnicians present a series of impressive synchronized fireworks displays during this festival. These bursts of light and color are meticulously choreographed to create patterns and sequences that delight the spectators. From brilliant explosions to elaborate shapes and color combinations, each show is a unique and dazzling visual experience.

Furthermore, during this festival, not only fire and combat are celebrated, but also hunting. The tribes of Lumina believe that hunting is important and have an ingrained honor system as predators. Luminans culture centers on the ritualistic hunting of other dangerous lifeforms, and this practice appears to be the foundation of their very society. Luminans will travel huge distances – even across entire galaxies or dimensions – in order to face opponents they consider a worthy challenge, and may also kidnap and transport prey across similar distances to bring such victims to a hunting ground of their choice.

Defeat in a Hunt is apparently a cause of great shame to the Lumina people, and often leads to the individual committing honorable suicide, typically through the detonation of their Wrist Gauntlet's Self-Destruct Device. Upon their death, a hunting Luminan's spacecraft will return to the species homeworld on automatic pilot so that a record of the individual's Hunt, recorded through their bio-helmet, may be returned to its kin. The Luminans have a Code of Honor during the hunt that it expects all members of the species to adhere to on pain of not being seen as a "true Luminan" and therefore subject to being destroyed. Therefore, most Luminans are moulded around that code, being ruthless but honorable. Aggression and arrogance seems to be innate in Hunters, especially young architects.

In summary, Luminan culture revolves around hunting. They do not hunt to eliminate threats or to feed themselves (at least not as the main reason), but for honor, sport, and the thrill of the hunt. Luminans mark themselves with the blood of their prey. The symbol varies among each tribe, but so far, the most recognized symbol is that of lightning and fire.

## Etymology

The word "lumina" has its origins in Latin. It comes from the Latin word "lumen," which means "light." In Latin, "lumina" is the plural form of "lumen," referring to multiple lights or sources of light. This term has been adopted into various languages and contexts, often retaining its fundamental meaning related to light or illumination. Metaphorically, "lumen" and "lumina" have found their way into literary and philosophical discussions. They symbolize enlightenment, knowledge, and understanding. The term is often associated with moments of realization or insight, where clarity is brought to an issue or a thought, much like shedding light on a previously obscure or hidden concept.

In poetry or prose, "lumina" might be used to describe stars in the night sky, candles illuminating a room, or any source of light that draws attention to its brightness or significance. Its metaphorical use extends to philosophical discussions, where "lumina" represents the illumination of the mind, the awakening of knowledge, or the unveiling of truth.

## Trivia

* The Luminans are based on the Spartans. The Spartans were an ancient people from the city-state of Sparta, located in the Laconia region of ancient Greece. They were known for their fierce warrior spirit and militaristic lifestyle.
* "Nāhele" means "forest" in Hawaiian.
* The name Pyro comes from the prefix for words related to fire, "pyro-," which derives from the Ancient Greek word for fire (Ancient Greek: πῦρ pûr).
* Some biomes of the Lumina regions are based on the Nether from the game Minecraft.