Optipan

> Look up, its almost blinding!
>
> - Zona

They see everything

**Optipan**, the city that is “required”, the citizens of this sprawling upper city stretch out into the sky. Their movements echo that of clouds that streak into the horizon. Wealthy, powerful and well connected, this city they live in is held together by their sense of moral superiority.

How can the city of righteousness ever be wrong? Little do they know, the all seeing dome yet still watches over all. Home to the elites, the heroes and the martyrs, all sense of right and wrong has been decided in its golden halls.

Image used is still a placeholder, original image can be found here.

## History

Almost a millenia ago, a colony of refugees fleeing from natural disasters bombarding the northern lands found their footing in a small crater that had just the perfect conditions for a new town. This town was called Firnas, named after one of its earliest founders. Their beginnings were small but was struck with prosperity with the discovery of Rhoka Crystals, the harvesting and use of these crystals led to great industry within the small of Firnas which later grew in size and numbers.

Due to the sudden burst of innovation and industry, many sciences and cultures were formed in its early days. One of these sciences led to the detection of Spice which naturally occured in the Singe. When concentrated and formulated, Spice was an extremely efficient fuel source for much of this now growing City's needs.

This however, came at a great cost. With a growing city, comes growing ideologies. Some of the early citizens of Firnas had grown frustrated at the rise of technology and growth. Once they came in on animals and now they travel the city in motorized mechanical monsters. The growing sciences and cultures demanded more out of its people than they were capable of, no longer did the founders have their purpose. This growing dissent was further fueled by laws implemented by heads of prefectures. Most notably that citizens will no longer have equal share of the bounties of its city.

This led to the great ideological revolution. The riots and attacks lasted for 2 years, many prefecture officials were found mysteriously dead in their living spaces. Industries were halted and seized and the pursuit of knowledge came to a standstill. Due to the length of the infighting revolution, many citizens starved and suffered as a result.

After the revolution, one ideology prevailed. The faction known then as the Seers, made up of a people that had a brighter future in mind for this city, grew to be the largest faction coming out at the end. This faction set up "The words that protect" and Rules of Law, which are still in use today in their City that they now call to this day, Optipan.
**The words that protect**:

* All citizens under the shadow of the Optipan are subject to law.
* Unsolicited sales of unmarked spice trade is forbidden.
* All incoming spice into the main city area must undergo a strict inspection routine and will be subject to law.
* The upper city is only accessible to Optipan citizens only.
* Those found to have broken the rule of law will be brought to justice accordingly.

**Rules of Law**:

* Citizens may not participate in acts of murder or the death of a sentient being.
* Citizens may not trade in illicit goods on the grounds of the upper city.
* Citizens are subject to a fair trial following their arrest.
* Citizens are not to interact with foreign sentients that preside outside the protection of the upper city.
* Citizens are to listen and cooperate with all Protectors if called upon.

Due to the ravages of the revolutionary war, the city was left uninhabitable for a large majority of its surrounding land. With what the citizens had left, they started building large pillars to raise up the surviving "plates" of Optipan above ground. Overtime, they raised more plates which advertantly created the city below called the Stilts.

### Burning War

Optipan was one of the warring cities during the Burning War. However, due to the remoteness of Optipan, the city only sustained minor damage. The Seers were praised for having foreseen the use of massive ground type weapons as the raised nature of the city helped escape most of its destruction.

It was said that Optipan was crucial in ending the war, one of its key diplomats had a hand in negotiating a peace treaty between all warring cities.

## Culture

> I don't have to care. I'm too important to care.
>
> - Optipan citizen interviewed on the delivery incident

Optipan is closed off to outsiders. A person must either be born into the Optipan or go through the citizenship process. The citizenship process is notorious for being extremely deadly as only those that chart new roads and make new discoveries in the Singe are granted access to the city above. The citizens of Optipan are colloquially known as "**Oppies"** to outsiders, usually used in a derogatory way.

Those that walk its golden streets and regal halls dress in the latest brands, the cleanest clothing, trendy, bold and without a care. Its a statement that speaks out as much as their personality to make up for their lack of purpose. Their entertainment media and moving images are broadcasted to all via the Broadnet, their largest consumers of said media are in the Stilts. Hence their culture is widely consumed and idolized planetwide. The citizens of Optipan spend most of their days in leisure as much of their needs are provided for by the City.

However, due to their closed off nature. Its population sees very little growth, as much as 1-2 people are granted citizenship every 5 years on average. Their birth rates are low and is on the decline but that is soon to change as many of their own scientists have made strides in the pursuit of immortality. The current oldest resident of Optipan is a Seer going by the name of Leclerk, he was one of the founding members of the Seers and had a hand in creating the "Words that protect".