Shellians

**Lore Page**

## Name

The term "Shellian" finds its origins in the founding entity known as Shell Incorporated (Shell Inc.). With the transformation of Shell Inc. into The Corporate Republic of Shell (Inc.), new terms have emerged to reflect the distinct roles within the society. "Employee-citizen" refers to government-employed Shellians, while "freelancer" denotes ordinary citizens. These terminologies derive from the corporate nature of Shell Inc. and its subsequent evolution into a governing entity.

## Culture

### Attitude

Older Shellians, who had very little during the early days of Shell Inc. They developed distinct attitudes shaped by scarcity and adversity. They exhibit strong self-determination, believing that one must acquire what they desire without relying on others, placing responsibility on individuals rather than blaming their surroundings. The scarcity-driven mindset also fostered frugality and a disdain for wasting resources among many Shellians. The era of corruption and theft that plagued Shell's early history left a lasting impact on veteran Shellians, making them inherently distrustful and often bordering on paranoia towards others.
Throughout Shell's history, the majority of its population consisted of humans, and all Directors were human. Consequently, most Shellians had limited contact with xenos and harbored negative sentiments such as fear, skepticism, or even hatred towards them. The original pre-Shellians, particularly older miners associated with the mining union, felt exploited and fought for improved working conditions, fewer gun regulations, and higher wages. Supporting the union's cause became a common stance among Shellians, although newer generations may not share these attitudes to the same extent. Nevertheless, these attitudes prevail among most older Shellians.

### Values

Shell's inception as a concept rooted in diligent labor has fostered a strong appreciation for industriousness within the organization, second only to loyalty. The company's continued existence is owed to its exceptional personnel, as the absence of top-tier individuals would have resulted in its destruction. The presence of traitors throughout Shell's history has emphasized the immeasurable value of loyalty, deemed indispensable for the organization's survival. Furthermore, a commitment to self-defense and the right to bear arms is deeply ingrained in Shell's culture, driven by the experiences of pre-Shellians who have faced imprisonment for being armed in perilous situations or, worse yet, for defending themselves. Additionally, Shellians hold a protective stance towards Shellian property, given the scarcity of land and the numerous past attacks against their holdings.

### Clothing & Fashion

Shellians, stemming from a history of poverty and constant struggle, have traditionally worn their work clothing at all times, including during cryo. Scarce resources and challenging circumstances meant that only the wealthiest Shellians could amass a wardrobe of their own. Even among those who had the means to choose, the habit of wearing work attire persisted. However, in recent times, the average wealth of Shellians has increased, leading to a shift in their lifestyle. More Shellians now partake in social gatherings, such as parties, balls, and holiday events, as they ascend within Shell's ranks. This newfound prosperity has provided them the opportunity to afford a broader range of clothing. Consequently, Shellians do not adhere to a specific unique clothing style, given their history of poverty.

### Holidays

There are currently six federally recognized holidays within the C.R.S. However, only two are the primary holidays which are Atlaras & Liberation Day. Atlaras celebrates Shell's prosperity while Liberation Day celebrates freedom and Shell's independence from tyranny. No one is forced to partake in any Shellian holidays but the government celebrates all of them.

## Government & Politics

Shellians have developed a deep appreciation for competence, which is reflected in their government structure. Despite being open to immigration and welcoming new faces, Shell places a strong emphasis on proving one's competence before being offered a position in politics. However, employees-citizens are granted the right to vote as soon as they join. This democratic element was introduced after the transformation of the Arcadian Republic into The Corporate Republic of Shell Inc. (C.R.S.), striking a delicate balance between Shellian Rights, department/Director rights, and federal/executive authority, all governed by a constitution.

The C.R.S. is often compared to various ideologies or systems such as: Meritocratic Republic, State Capitalism, Corporate Socialism, National Syndicalism, Oligarchy, Libertarian Authoritarianism, and Radical Centrism.

However, a recent poll conducted among Shellians revealed that a significant majority identify with concepts such as Libertarianism, Pro-Humanity, Private Property, Public Property, Communalism, Immigration, Peace, Pro-Shellian Monopoly, Pro-Shell Leadership, Coercing Enemies, Socialism, Shellian Hegemony, Innovation, Industry, and Defensive Wars.

## History

In Sector A, the founding of Shell Inc. took place as a response to the oppressive rule of the corporation Nanotrasen. This sector was plagued by corruption and greed, leading to the rise of entities like Shell that aimed to challenge Nanotrasen's authority. Nanotrasen's military power eventually forced the Shellians to flee to Sector B for their survival. They sought refuge in the nexus city station-ship called Arcadia, which shared a common resentment towards Nanotrasen but was internally unstable. As Shell Inc. grew in strength and influence, it eventually initiated a peaceful transformation of the Democratic Republic of Arcadia into The Corporate Republic of Shell Inc. This marked a significant shift in power and governance. Unfortunately, Arcadia had suffered severe damage during the war against Nanotrasen, prompting the decision to relocate the capital of the C.R.S to a more secure location.Although Nanotrasen forces in the area are considered nearly defeated, the C.R.S remains in a state of conflict with them.

## Language

The most widely spoken language in the C.R.S is Galactic Common, with Shellians often using their lace to communicate publicly in Galactic Common. Additionally, there are several other less common languages used by different groups of Shellians. Sign language is predominantly used by miners who rely on it in space, while individuals involved in illicit activities often employ Gutter, a language commonly associated with criminals. Spacer, a language prevalent among those from frontier worlds or space-based locations, is also widely spoken. Lastly, Sol Common is used by some humans originating from core regions of humanity.

Language usage in the C.R.S is generally relaxed and informal. Profanity is not typically regarded as a significant issue, and titles hold minimal importance as long as basic respect is maintained. This relaxed attitude likely stems from the frequent disagreements and disputes among Shellians, as strict standards would lead to widespread incarceration. However, there are two exceptions to this leniency. During formal events, the use of formal titles is usually expected, and disrespect in such settings would be considered highly inappropriate. The second exception involves the term "clamma" or "clammer," which, when used derogatorily against Shellians by non-Shellians, is highly offensive and detrimental to intergroup relations. Non-Shellians using these terms would face severe consequences, as it is practically illegal to do so.

## Religion

The most common religion in Shell is The Balance. While the majority of Shellians don't show a strong commitment to religion, most who do are members of The Balance. This consists of a pantheon of Gods and Goddesses. It is rumored that the C.E.O of the C.R.S himself believes in The Balance. The C.R.S officially does not promote or condemn any religion, taking a secular stance.

## Technology

The technology designs and aesthetics that the C.R.S uses are primarily human. This is because many Shellians are human and used Nanotrasen designs or used those designs as a base for newer designs. The C.R.S has just recently begun crafting their own brand of technology known as "Shellguard", named after a Shellian researcher. The C.R.S has a mechanical and combat focus when conducting research.

## Military

Shell's military, similar to their technology, is based on whatever Nanotrasen and humans use. C.R.S weapon quality is on par with Nanotrasen. Shellian military personnel prefer using ballistic weapons but also use laser weaponry, particularly self recharging ones. C.R.S training of military personnel is estimated to be superior to Nanotrasen's training. Shell is known to be fanatically defensive, often mass producing turrets in order to ward off enemies. It is possible that they have the potential to have advanced bombs or nuclear devices in their arsenal but whether they have done so is unknown. The standard salute in the military is making the Shellian rights symbol with your right hand, to an outsider it would be easy to mistake this as a normal wave. "Praise Martiac" is also the standard greeting of the armed forces. This salute and greeting is not restricted to only the armed forces, just much more commonly used among them.

## Director Quotes

The C.R.S does not necessarily agree on all matters. It can vary from Director to Director, each one with their own vision and priorities.

[ ], C.E.O & PR Director

**Joshua Rader, Vice C.E.O & R&D Director**

1. *"The depths of a xeno's mind are eternally unknown, we may only ever trust our fellow humans in a time of need."*

2. *"With a strong Shell state overseeing its function, a market becomes an impartial mechanism for resource allocation, benefiting the Shellian people."*

3. *"Amidst the occasional conflicts among Shellians, we recognize that our unwavering support for one another is indispensable, as no one else will fight on our behalf."*

4. *"Communism and democracy, flawed constructs stemming from misconceptions of interest, equality, and efficiency, stand only as testaments to self destruction."*

5. *"It is regrettable that not everyone possesses the qualities requisite to embrace the Shellian way of life, for competence is not universal."*

[ ], Industry & Finance Director

[ ], Asset Protection Director

**Crew Ordain, Engineering Director**

1. *"Capitalism, when guided by a moral compass, can be a force for progress and equality, where wealth creation is balanced with social responsibility."*

2. *"Technology should be a tool that empowers humanity, not a means to replace human connection and compassion."*

3. *"The pursuit of individual freedom should always be accompanied by an unwavering commitment to the collective welfare of society."*

4. *"Environmental stewardship is not a choice but an ethical imperative, as we hold the responsibility to safeguard the planet for future generations."*

5. *"A just society can only be achieved when we prioritize equal opportunities, dismantle systemic barriers, and embrace the diversity that enriches us all."*

[ ], Medical Director