The D’Sev Holy Imperium has spent six years racing across the wild continents of Foregone to set up trade ports and spheres of influence, building 77 before they halted expansion. The settlements surrounding these ports are small, featuring permanent, self-sufficient colonies of D’Sev settlers, with amenities to house tribes of nomads as they rest on their migration routes. When they arrive, the D’Sev teach them to work farms, workshops, and odd jobs.

The Imperium’s ambition is to hasten their transition from nomadic hunter-gatherers to agricultural settlement, on their terms.

The Protectorate, as a matter of morality and honor, has developed our own trade ports to match them. The last two years has only seen seven ports built, though it should be noted that we control the city of Foregone and its home continent.

The D’Sev’s psychic abilities allowed the nomads to overcome their fears, and their powers automatic translate languages. But there’s a limit to this persuasion, supposedly. The more they dominate a person’s mind, they less capable they become and it can eventually ‘burn out’ their souls. Most of the D’Sev’s practices are genuine acts of diplomacy and trust-building, albeit with ulterior motives.

We don’t have these psychic powers. Overcoming nomadic skittishness is the bottleneck. For the rare tribe that has been brave enough to approach, it’s easy to develop ties and convince them to return.

To attract these tribes, we hired a cirathan for subtle, conventional manipulation.

Curt of Tahekan: “We need like 80% women. It’s very common, women are seen as less dangerous, more inviting. There will be firryans from Foregone to have that visual similarity, but many other aliens too. The nomads should feel like they’re ‘one group among many’, not total outsiders. Also, no defenses. No walls, nothing, totally open and honest.”