Introduction
A curiosity among the Barystates, The Geminese Dominion is best described as a clerical directory, i.e., theological leaders jointly rule the state. High clerics run every level of administration down to the local level, where mayors are known as vicar, or deputies, of the political clergy, or hierophant.
The beautiful ocean planets of Castor and Pollux are deep within the star’s habitable zone. Both worlds are cherished across The Bary as tourist destinations for the wealthy and patient. Durable aquaculture and horticulture, particularly of the medicinal variety, are the most vital and reliable exports.
A dearth of landmass makes the two worlds laborious to densify, but several floating bluewater cities have been anchored to shallower portions of the seafloor in recent times. These floating cities are called seasteads, and they have peculiar properties, one of which is that two or more seasteads can trade simply by docking themselves together. Seasteads are also modular, meaning they can detach whole districts and reconfigure them on the fly for a variety of useful purposes, from rezoning to improving port bandwidth or facilitating improved public transit as the city grows.
Like the Novani, the Geminese were well aware from their earliest days that they were of a kind: tales and references to “our brethren in the heavens” are crystal clear in the earliest surviving documents of both worlds. Telescopes and optics were reintroduced quickly, and persuasion to the sea and stars quickly gave the Castori and Polluci peoples near instant command of celestial navigation, and thus, their respective worlds.
Despite that strong sense of unity that eventually made interplanetary contact a pleasant offshore breeze, each world has its own vibrant ancient history. In particular, they share in common several centuries of exploration, nation-building, and conquest. Both worlds have strong maritime traditions, albeit of differing flavors. Castor was united early relative to its sibling world well into its own Age of Sail, and it has remained peaceful ever since. Pollux experienced more violence overall, and it was from this violence that the early nations of Pollux became experts in trauma and palliative care, practices that integrated well with the religious revival of Castor.
Independent Geminese voidfarers often fulfill the roles of a boatswain or naval surgeon, their demeanor acquitting them well for these roles.
Religion
The Lucian religion dominates every facet of Geminese life. It places a strong emphasis on ameliorating the suffering of others and finding pathways to unity. As such, the Geminese are broadly considered to be gracious and even ascetic in their dealings with others, particularly between voidfarers. The capital of Delphi upon Castor is a spiritual and healing center for many. Perched upon the crest of an inactive volcano, it enjoys an enchanting seaside view of the turquoise world ocean. Serving the most tourism and pilgrimage, Delphi has become the most secular of the Geminese settlements. Like its twin capital Elpis, it is internationally renowned for its research hospitals and for its above-board hospitality.
The Lux system has many celestial anomalies. The Lucian religion places significance on these rare occurrences as an astrological blessing.
Cosmic Curiosities
Castor and Pollux are approximately the same mass and share the same orbit around Lux. They can do this because they are in a trojan configuration with the gas giant Zeus. Castor orbits Lux along libration point 4 and Pollux along libration point 5, forming equilateral triangles with Lux and Zeus. Castor and Pollux can always see each other in the sky.
Further out in the system, the moons of ringed gas giant Leda also have novel configurations, including the horseshoe orbits of Helena and Clytemnestra. Both moons have benign surface environments, requiring only rebreathers for survival.
Abnormally strong exozodiacal dust fills the young star system, brightening the sky with sparkles of glitter, wowing tourists, and presenting a hazard in flight.
Geminese Aptitudes
Independent Geminese voidfarers often fulfill the roles of a boatswain or naval surgeon, their demeanor acquitting them well for these roles. Voidfarers from other worlds have often remarked on the bardic dispositions of their Geminese crewmates. Perhaps no one appreciates a ship as a “living unit” more so than a Geminese voidfarer, millennia of precedent on the seas guiding their journeys among the stars.
