Lore
Welcome to the AstroAnts Lore and information page! Here, you can discover in a little more depth, about the world of AstroAnts. Please keep in mind that it may change over time as new ideas are formed or old ideas are improved.
Click on any picture below for a pop-up view
Planet
AstroAnts takes place on a planet called Scion, which can be found on the other side of the milky way galaxy. Scion has one moon and sun, much like Earth does. The planet of Scion is extraordinary as it has both a surface world as well as a vast interconnecting underground world capable of sustaining life through its mostly natural formed conditions. Scion’s surface world is vastly populated by large animals who roam about living their daily lives and ignoring the smaller insect-like creatures who in contrast, struggle to share the same world without being wiped out from a stampede or from a large animal simply walking over their terrain.
The situation continued unchanged over time, until a group of the smaller creatures began to look for an alternative place where they were safe and away from the larger creatures. Nowhere was obvious on the surface world, so they considered the option to move below the surface. After exploring this option carefully, they eventually made the trek underground to a place now known as Antica.
Here they began to thrive. Eventually, they advanced their intelligence and successfully formed a civilisation protected by the walls of the underground world.
Antica
Antica consists of 4 large connected open caverns around 2815km by 1855km in total size. It includes areas of civilisation as well as areas of chaos and wilderness. Of the 4 caverns, 2 are independently governed by a state ruling class and the other 2 are known as freelands, meaning that there are no official bodies regulating those areas although there is often some form of regulation and order provided by the 2 ruling states when necessary.
The internal structures of the caverns were created by a mix of natural occurrences and early Antican intervention. Gates can be found at each border, which are protected by the appropriate state security.
Environment
The environment of Antica in many ways is similar to the surface of Earth, but the way rain, sunlight, plant life and other environmental aspects occur is quite different but produce a similar effect.
The surface world has an abundance of wonderful and exceptional plants that are found all over the planet. The roots of these incredible surface plants called 'Weatheroots', are very tenacious and burrow deep down into the underground caverns through partial rock and compact soil and spread themselves all along the cavern’s ceilings creating a thick blanket of intertwining roots. This natural process occurs in most areas of Antica; however, in some areas where the ceiling mass is much thicker, the weatheroots do not reach the cavern ceilings. Weatheroots are very unique and influence many weather events to occur that would normally not be possible in the underground world.
The plants of the surface world provide natural light and heat to Antica by soaking in sunlight during the daytime and then expelling any unneeded heat and light out through weatheroots and in turn, lighting and heating the caverns. As the sun sets on the surface world and gradually dims until night takes over, weatheroots produce a mirrored effect in the underground world. Likewise, when a full moon is out on the surface world, its dim radiance is projected through the roots.
This process allows Antica to effectively receive sunlight, heat, and moonlight almost as much as the surface world receives it from their sun and moon.
Rain occurs in a somewhat similar way, as when it rains on the surface, the plants absorb water and expel excess water through the weatheroots into Antica which creates a rain-like effect. When it does rain in the underground, excess amounts of water collect to form the waterways and lakes of Antica. The parts of Antica where weatheroots do not reach, are dark, rain-less and void of the wonders that the surface plants provide.
From the combination of different natural elements and the influence of the remarkable surface plants, Antica has produced its own underground weather system which allows for and creates weather events such as, storms, quakes, and floods. Antica experiences these events very much like you would normally see on the surface, with similar frequencies and effects.
Inhabitants
The underground world of Antica is populated by many inhabitants. The civilised population of Antica, known as Anticans, consists of 5 different types of intelligent beings, AstroAnts, Sandlions, Grasshoppers, Cockroaches and Beetles. All Anticans are very human-like. They grow external hair and have two legs and arms, and come in all various shapes, colours, and sizes. Rather than having ears, all Anticans have antennae, also known as feelers or ears, that differ in shape depending on what type of Antican they are. These feelers that can come in many different sizes, act as ears but can also produce a sixth sense feeling much like possessing E.S.P. (Extra Sensory Perception) qualities. In some gifted Anticans, this sixth sense can often allow them to ‘feel’ when something is not quite right, or impending danger is looming.
AstroAnts
AstroAnts, known sometimes simply as ‘Roants’ for short, are generally known for their technological prowess and peaceful nature. They are responsible for having established the state of ‘Northwest Province’ and govern their population with integrity, honesty, and fairness. The capital of the state is the city of Antropolis wherein the ruling class resides including the state’s Governor who ensures a peaceful and safe life for all of the population. Roants tend to generally be peace loving and friendly in nature although there are always exceptions to the rule and can be found all over Antica, being one of the most common types of Antican.
Sandlions
Sandlions, also known as ‘Sandos’ for short, are usually found in Lord Vaine’s state of Vanity Land. Sandlions can be identified by their distinctive beak like facial feature, varying in shape and size between each Sandlion.
Lord Vaine is the one ruler of Vanity Land and comes from a long line of family dictators that imposed themselves as the only true rulers of the Vanity Land state. Lord Vaine sees himself as the first of his line that will eventually overtake the whole of Antica including the ‘Northwest Province’ and rule as the ultimate king. Where his ancestors failed, he truly believes he is the one who will succeed and will stop at nothing to achieve that goal. Because of his hard and ruthless dictatorship, Anticans living in Vanity Land tend to be hard, wary, and generally somewhat unfriendly and immoral, thus, involved in more criminal or nefarious activities.
Sandos are not inherently evil, or malicious though and are mostly influenced and affected by the ruling of the Vaine dynasty which has tainted the views and behaviours of Anticans living in Vanity Land for many years. For example, you would find countless Sandlions who escaped the harsh rule of Lord Vaine to find a better life in the Northwest Province or elsewhere in Antica.
Grasshoppers
Grasshoppers, also known as ‘Hoppers’ for short, are very spiritual and wise Anticans. The ancient Hoppers were originally responsible for suggesting the idea of moving down to the underground in search of a safer and happier life, away from the destructive surface animals. The Roants took the wise advice from the Hoppers and were responsible in convincing all the other early Anticans to move below ground to start a new life and civilisation.
Sandlions and AstroAnts are the two types of Anticans that make up the majority of the population although there are other types of Anticans found all over Antica. Besides the Grasshoppers there are Cockroaches, also known as ‘Roaches’ and there are Beetles, also known as ‘Beets’.
These varying types of Anticans come in all shapes, colours and sizes and are found throughout the large underground world of Antica. Each have their own uniqueness such as humans and each has many stories to tell of their individual lives and experiences in this strange and unique world.
Animals
Antica is home to different kinds of non-intelligent, instinct based animals generally referred to as Nonites. Nonites come in different shapes, sizes, and appearances. They have evolved over time and can be found all over Antica. Anticans, depending on the type of animal, will typically keep them as pets or utilise their abilities to help with farm work for example.
The Nonites you would commonly encounter in Antica include, bees, lady bugs, caterpillars, and centipedes. These animals have changed and evolved over time. For example, there are 2 main types of Bees. One is the domestic type which are generally the size of a small dog, they don’t possess wings or a stinger but have a tail and cannot produce honey. These Bees are generally kept as pets as they are docile, smart, and very loving and loyal to their masters. The worker bees are the more conventional types and are much smaller, possess wings, a stinger and can produce honey. They are utilised in the farming market and raised in colonies to produce honey as a food source.
In terms of pets, domestic bees, lady bugs and caterpillars are generally the most commonly kept. For working and production duties, usually one would find worker bees, caterpillars, and centipedes.
The dangerous and feared animals often called Wildlings, can be found in the untamed Wildlands. It’s often that smaller sized Wildlings stray off from the Wildlands and can be found roaming and scavenging in the lightly populated Outzone Territory.
The known animals that can be found in the Wildlands include, spiders, wasps, scorpions, praying mantises, hornets, mosquitoes, and termites. Most Anticans dare not to tread the wildlands, lest they face the grave danger of surviving the both fascinating and dangerous creatures that can be found there.
Much like the changes that occurred in the Bees, Nonites and Wildlings have evolved physically in many varying ways that makes for a very versatile and fascinating animal population.
Food
The Antican food source is predominately based around sugars, with plants being used and mixed with the sugar bases to create many assorted food types. Another food source, such as honey from the worker Bees, is also used commonly amongst the population. In addition, alternative foods can come from smaller wildlings who often stray into Antica from the Wildlands, then are hunted for their meats and resources, and used for food and crafting. Hunting usually occurs around the Outzone, where the population is much smaller and technology is minimal, whereas most other Anticans will consume a variety of meals based on a mix of plants, honey, and sugars.
Sugars are a fundamental basis of the Antican diet, they are obtained from mines found throughout Antica. The sugar is mined from a naturally formed fungus (also referred to as simply sugar) that can be found compacted on the inside and sometimes, outside of the mine walls. This fungus is formed relatively quickly over time so mines can be re-mined within regular periods. Once the sugar has been mined, it is refined for use. There are in total, 3 types of sugars that can be used for the production of food and drink. Each of these sugars can be found in the designated grades of mines that are graded depending on the type of sugar found inside.
Diamond Dust
Also referred to as ‘Sweet Brown’ when used as a beverage, Diamond Dust is the highest quality of sugar, and can be found in Grade A mines. Diamond Dust is hard to find and mine and due to the high quality and expense of the sugar, it is mainly used by wealthy and elite Anticans. This sugar type keeps Anticans in top condition, allowing them to stay very fit, strong, healthy and maintain high energy levels. Diamond Dust can be mixed with White Gold and is done so to keep the defence forces in top condition. Mines that contain Diamond Dust have a high level of security support.
White Gold
Known also as ‘Soft Stinger’ when used as a beverage, White Gold is the standard quality or second-best quality of sugar and can be mined from Grade B mines. This type of sugar is readily available and mined in vast amounts. In addition, it is affordable and used by the general population of Antica and keeps Anticans in a good, standard to mid/high level of physical conditioning. It can be mixed with Diamond Dust to produce a higher quality blend and often used to feed and support the Antropolis defence forces. The Grade B Mines have a high level of security support.
Rock Dust
Rock Dust nicknamed ‘Baby Dirt’ when used as a beverage, is the lowest quality of sugar and is found in Grade C mines. It is not a scarce type of sugar, but it is not plentiful either and is usually not found in welcoming areas. Mines that produce the sugar are generally found in a poor natural state. They are often stagnant, contaminated with toxic plant life and the surrounding water sources are usually infected and choked by heavy plant growth.
The poor conditions and contamination are what mostly contributes to the sugar being such poor quality and not at all recommended for Antican use. This sugar provides weak to low levels of physical conditioning and does not allow an Antican to stay suitably fit and healthy. Not only is it unhealthy for an Antican diet, but along with a decrease in overall health after prolonged use, it can lead to infections, delusional behaviour and a false sense of wellness. When struck with an advanced level of sickness, it is referred to as 'Rock Disease' and can only be treated with intense medical care. If it is mixed with either White Gold or Diamond Dust, it can be used for longer periods and be generally safe but can still have drawbacks despite the blend with higher grade sugars.
Due to the poor quality of the sugar and therefore health hazards of use, the sugar is illegal to mine or sell without official approval. Rock Dust is however, illegally mined enough to keep a regular supply into the population and is moved through illegal markets while being bought and sold in poorer areas. Rock Dust provides a stable and lucrative trade for criminals, thugs, and street gangs, and produces a bountiful income for illegal markets. There is minimum security for Grade C mines, and they are largely ignored because of the low value and high cost to police and the health hazards of being in and around the mines.
Fuel
Red Fire Dust
Anticans have discovered a unique type of fuel source they call, Red Fire Dust. This source is also a fungus much like the type that sugar is made from except it is mined from Grade X mines, which is quite different from regular mines as the fungus is extracted from extremely deep depths. At that deep level, the rocks, soil, and fungus turn a dark reddish colour mainly caused by the soil conditions and heat emanating from the planets core. This fungus is also unique because of the red energy it absorbs and retains from the core. It is too toxic for consumption but once extracted and refined into a useable form known as ‘Red Fire Dust’, it can be used as a very effective fuel source.
When refined for fuel usage, ‘Red Fire Dust’ undergoes a pressurised refining process that converts it into an extremely effective fuel source for powering vehicles and machines. It is highly valued as a vital commodity in Antica and tightly controlled by the Governing bodies.
Architecture
Most Antican architecture is multilevel and built into the rock walls of the caverns in Antica, this includes, homes, businesses, government buildings etc. In other cases, buildings are constructed from rocks and clay which are mainly outside of big cities and towns. Anticans build levels upwards, which was a practice that originated from the early Anticans and is still used now when new buildings are created.
Elevators are used to access different levels, these elevators are usually in separate and specific areas where several elevators are stationed together, somewhat comparable to a subway or train station.
Roads are only used at the bottom level for ground vehicles and above that (or level one), is used for air vehicles. All vehicles are kept or parked at ground level and citizens are required to utilise the elevator system to reach their higher-level dwelling destinations. This is done to keep the cities safe, orderly and traffic friendly. City dwellers are required to follow these rules but once reaching open areas outside the towns and cities, can travel on ground level roads or soar overhead in designated paths where beam emitters guide the air traffic. When leaving designated paths, all rules are void and those that are travelling in this terrain do so at their own risk.
Beliefs
Before the Anticans moved down into the underground world of Antica, they lived above ground alongside the large animals on the surface of Scion. The Great Wisemonks of the Ancient Hoppers of that time in their grand wisdom realised the dangers of the surface world and advised the AstroAnts that it would be much wiser and safer to move underground. Agreeing with this sentiment the AstroAnts convinced the other ancestral Anticans to make the move underground as well, thus leading to the world of Antica today.
Owing to the stronger spiritual connection and wisdom of the grasshoppers, the Order of the Wisemonks was founded. These fascinating spiritual beings reside in their Wisemonk temples and provide their wisdom and guidance according to the writings of the Great Wisemonks of the Ancient Hoppers, to fellow Anticans who care to listen and learn. Due to their great insight, Wisemonks also have a standing representation in government. Quite often and especially in positions such as the government or military of Antropolis and on the wisemonks themselves, you will find a symbol on their uniforms and clothing representing the move from the surface to the underground.
In the Order of the Wisemonk, there are only two ranks, Wisemonk followers and the great leader, Wisemonk Grandmaster.
Although most wisemonks tend to be grasshoppers, there are rare cases of non-hoppers becoming a wisemonk. The order is however still mostly comprised of grasshoppers, due to them being more innately capable of providing the wisdom and insight you would expect of a wisemonk.
Technology
The level of technology in Antica is generally more advanced in most areas compared to humans and this is especially so with 'Receptorware' technology used exclusively in the areas of policing, security, and undercover work. In areas such as the Outzone Territory, technology is at a minimal level, focusing mainly on the survival basics such as hunting and living off the land. AstroAnts are slightly more advanced in aspects of their technology due to their natural keenness in that area, than the Sandlions, but overall, they are both well versed in technological knowledge.
Currency
The standard currency of Antica is referred to as 'Reds' which is also the name of the physical currency and can also be used and accessed via credit cards, known typically as ‘Redcards’. Anticans in cities tend to use Redcards more regularly and physical reds are used all across Antica by both citizens and outlaws.
Communication
Anticans make use of relatively standard communication technology, such as mobile phones and through computer-based devices.
Weapons
In terms of weaponry, Anticans employ the use of stun weaponry such as stun guns and stun grenade-pistols, they can come in different forms such as laser types or projectile types.
Military & Police
The two main military forces are the Antropolis State Guard, and the Vaine City Army. The state guards provide state security to the Northwest Province, which is home to the city of Antropolis, while also providing assistance to the Long Desert State and Outzone Territory when required.
The Vaine City Army, appropriate to the leadership only protects Vanity Land, home to Lord Vaine himself although infiltration into other states for Lord Vaine’s political and military advancement, is a regular occurrence.
Northwest Province
The Antropolis State Guard are responsible for military security and governmental and political stability duties. They are led by commanders reporting directly to the state Governor, who are designated by 3 stars patched, red on blue uniforms. The next rank are Senior guards identified by the 2 stars patched, green on blue uniform. The lowest rank, private, can be identified by their single star patched, grey on blue uniform.
In addition to state guards, the Northwest Province employs a police enforcement branch called, the Ant Patrol or T.A.P., for short. T.A.P. deals with policing and the ongoing fight against criminal activity.
T.A.P. has recently been upgraded to incorporate matters concerning state security and are slowly introducing stand out high performance Patrollers into positions of undercover agency personnel.
T.A.P. is led by a general, such as the current leader, General Gus Griffen who also reports to the state Governor. A Generals rank is designated by 4 stars patched, orange on blue decorated uniforms.
The next rank are Sergeants on two levels. First are Senior Sergeants sporting 3 stars patched, Red on blue uniforms. The following lower rank is Sergeants identified by their 3 stars patched, yellow on blue uniform.
The Ant Patrollers, (known standardly as Patrolllers) who are assigned to standard police duties are deployed in groups of 3 called Patrol Units. Each group is assigned an air vehicle which requires a pilot, a navigations and communications expert and a Captain that oversees weapons and leadership responsibilities.
These teams and their vehicles are identified with the prefix ‘PT’ and a number such as ‘49’ (e.g., PT49). The Patrol Unit members includes the higher ranked captain who is identified by their 1 star patched, red on blue uniform and the remaining other two lower ranked members sporting a 1 star patched, yellow on blue uniform.
With the recent addition of Patrol Agents to T.A.P., slight changes have been made to reflect the new additional responsibilities. Referred to as Agents rather than Patrollers, these patrol units have a default higher ranking than standard Patrollers.
Ranking is allocated in the same way as standard Patroller units but reflect their seniority over other Patrollers with their 2-star patched uniforms rather than the standard 1-star patch. The Patrol Units are also referred to as Patrol Agents instead and their units are identified by a PA prefix rather than a PT prefix (e.g., PA49).
The newly formed department will operate as A.P.I.A.D. (Ant Patrol Intelligence Agency Department).
Vanity Land
Vanity Land utilises the Vaine City Army for all policing and military matters. The army reports to the Vanity Land military leader called a Marshall (e.g., the current leader is Marshall Zig Zag) who in turn reports directly to the current Lord of the land.
Below the position of Marshall are three ranks of soldiers called Vanites. These include the Major Vanites, Senior Vanites and Private Vanites. Soldiers’ uniforms are consistent throughout the ranks and are only identified in seniority by the stripe counts on the upper arm area of the uniform. A Major Vanite displays 3 arm stripes, a Senior Vanite displays 2 arm stripes and a Private Vanite displays 1 arm stripe.