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belter [2011/06/01 05:04] – fixing 'furry' abiribelter [2011/06/14 00:49] abiri
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 {{ :belter_1.jpeg|belter, illustration by Zobeid}} {{ :belter_1.jpeg|belter, illustration by Zobeid}}
 Belters are a class of [[recom]]s distinct from the common "furry" recoms that live on [[Luna]], [[Mars]] and the other colony worlds. They have their own unique background, physical traits, culture and history. They are genetically engineered to live and work in a zero-gravity environment. Belters are a class of [[recom]]s distinct from the common "furry" recoms that live on [[Luna]], [[Mars]] and the other colony worlds. They have their own unique background, physical traits, culture and history. They are genetically engineered to live and work in a zero-gravity environment.
 +
 +======History======
  
 Belter is short for "asteroid belt miner". They were originally invented by the big mining companies during the "iridium rush" years of the 2020s. The creation of belter-type recoms and asteroid colonies inhabited by them continued for the next thirty years, right up through the outbreak of war. Belter is short for "asteroid belt miner". They were originally invented by the big mining companies during the "iridium rush" years of the 2020s. The creation of belter-type recoms and asteroid colonies inhabited by them continued for the next thirty years, right up through the outbreak of war.
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 When [[Earth]] was devastated by the [[history_introduction#the_apocalypse war|Apocalypse War]], civilization survived only in space colonies scattered around the solar system. [[Luna]] and [[Mars]] were the largest colonies, but many more were small asteroid colonies. Some of these colonies were too small to remain self-sufficient after the war and were abandoned, but many other survived. As decades passed and recom civilization recovered from the aftermath of the war, asteroid mining and colonization has begun to grow again: some abandoned colonies have been re-inhabited and new ones have been established. When [[Earth]] was devastated by the [[history_introduction#the_apocalypse war|Apocalypse War]], civilization survived only in space colonies scattered around the solar system. [[Luna]] and [[Mars]] were the largest colonies, but many more were small asteroid colonies. Some of these colonies were too small to remain self-sufficient after the war and were abandoned, but many other survived. As decades passed and recom civilization recovered from the aftermath of the war, asteroid mining and colonization has begun to grow again: some abandoned colonies have been re-inhabited and new ones have been established.
  
 +======Physical Description======
 {{:gemini.jpeg |gemini belter, illustration by Zobeid}} {{:gemini.jpeg |gemini belter, illustration by Zobeid}}
 The belter genome runs about 97 to 98 percent the same as human DNA, which technically makes them slightly less "human" than most furry recoms, on average. However, their overall [[human]]-like appearance causes some prejudice against them. Recoms everywhere have adopted the remnants of human culture -- yet humans are also remembered by some recoms as the race that enslaved them, ruined the Earth, and finally wiped themselves out. Because they find gravity unpleasant, belters don't often visit the colonies of Luna, Mars and other planets. That causes them to be rarely seen by most other types of recom, and such unfamiliarity also colors encounters between the types. The belter genome runs about 97 to 98 percent the same as human DNA, which technically makes them slightly less "human" than most furry recoms, on average. However, their overall [[human]]-like appearance causes some prejudice against them. Recoms everywhere have adopted the remnants of human culture -- yet humans are also remembered by some recoms as the race that enslaved them, ruined the Earth, and finally wiped themselves out. Because they find gravity unpleasant, belters don't often visit the colonies of Luna, Mars and other planets. That causes them to be rarely seen by most other types of recom, and such unfamiliarity also colors encounters between the types.
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 Aside from these visible physical traits, there are a few less obvious genetic modifications. All belters, without exception, have genes which prevent their bodies from suffering any ill effects of living without gravity. They never suffer from claustrophobia, and they have some extra resistance to radiation exposure. There are a few uncommon variants. The major belter colonies are mostly populated with human-like belters, but some small colonies are populated with furry belters. Some furry recom traits have also crept in by cross-breeding and genetic manipulation, so you might find the occasional human-like belter with feline ears and a furry tail. Another recent genetic modification is the long-necked belter, some having a flexible neck as much as a meter in length. Aside from these visible physical traits, there are a few less obvious genetic modifications. All belters, without exception, have genes which prevent their bodies from suffering any ill effects of living without gravity. They never suffer from claustrophobia, and they have some extra resistance to radiation exposure. There are a few uncommon variants. The major belter colonies are mostly populated with human-like belters, but some small colonies are populated with furry belters. Some furry recom traits have also crept in by cross-breeding and genetic manipulation, so you might find the occasional human-like belter with feline ears and a furry tail. Another recent genetic modification is the long-necked belter, some having a flexible neck as much as a meter in length.
 +
 +======Movement======
 {{ :belter_3.jpeg|tailed belter, illustration by Zobeid}} {{ :belter_3.jpeg|tailed belter, illustration by Zobeid}}
 Although most comfortable in zero gravity, belters are able to tolerate high acceleration for short times. Given a suitable acceleration couch, they have no problem flying on high-performance spaceships. (Long-necked belters are an exception, as they can suffer injury from high acceleration.) Moving around on a planet's surface is trickier for belters. Most feel disoriented and awkward at first, but they can adapt. Moving around usually calls for walking "quadrumanually" on four hands, preferably with gloves. Some quaddie belters can learn to walk upright on their lower pair of hands, but it takes considerable practice. None of them are really built for walking, and no amount of practice will ever give them the speed or endurance of someone with legs. For brief planetary visits, many belters would prefer to rent a motorized wheelchair or a segway-like scooter. Luna is one of the easier places for them to visit, since its gravity is relatively low. Although most comfortable in zero gravity, belters are able to tolerate high acceleration for short times. Given a suitable acceleration couch, they have no problem flying on high-performance spaceships. (Long-necked belters are an exception, as they can suffer injury from high acceleration.) Moving around on a planet's surface is trickier for belters. Most feel disoriented and awkward at first, but they can adapt. Moving around usually calls for walking "quadrumanually" on four hands, preferably with gloves. Some quaddie belters can learn to walk upright on their lower pair of hands, but it takes considerable practice. None of them are really built for walking, and no amount of practice will ever give them the speed or endurance of someone with legs. For brief planetary visits, many belters would prefer to rent a motorized wheelchair or a segway-like scooter. Luna is one of the easier places for them to visit, since its gravity is relatively low.
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 On planets with forested areas, belters can learn to become excellent climbers -- but, as with walking, this takes practice. Belters have no natural fear of falling, which can lead to overconfidence and a few mishaps as they learn to climb. In theory, belters should be able to swim well, but few have ever seen it done. Belters are extremely wary about open pools of water, since loose water floating around in zero gravity can be a dangerous thing. Fear of drowning (hydrophobia) and fear of wide open spaces (agoraphobia) are common problems for belters visiting a planetary surface. On planets with forested areas, belters can learn to become excellent climbers -- but, as with walking, this takes practice. Belters have no natural fear of falling, which can lead to overconfidence and a few mishaps as they learn to climb. In theory, belters should be able to swim well, but few have ever seen it done. Belters are extremely wary about open pools of water, since loose water floating around in zero gravity can be a dangerous thing. Fear of drowning (hydrophobia) and fear of wide open spaces (agoraphobia) are common problems for belters visiting a planetary surface.
  
 +======Society======
 Belter culture has been shaped by their history and environment. They live in a naturally hostile, unforgiving environment, in closed habitats. They tend to have a strong sense of community, cooperation, organization, and a strong work ethic. They tend to be cheerful and friendly, but serious-minded about safety issues (both personal and public). They dislike conflict and are usually (but not religiously) pacifists. They like bright colors and bouncy music. They enjoy physical contact with others, and their "personal space" tends to be small -- they don't mind crowding together or getting close to one another, even with strangers. Belter culture has been shaped by their history and environment. They live in a naturally hostile, unforgiving environment, in closed habitats. They tend to have a strong sense of community, cooperation, organization, and a strong work ethic. They tend to be cheerful and friendly, but serious-minded about safety issues (both personal and public). They dislike conflict and are usually (but not religiously) pacifists. They like bright colors and bouncy music. They enjoy physical contact with others, and their "personal space" tends to be small -- they don't mind crowding together or getting close to one another, even with strangers.
  
belter.txt · Last modified: 2011/08/12 06:53 by hagalaz