TeraCom
TeraCom is the de facto ruler of Detroit and the major metropolitan sprawl built up from the remains of the greater New York City area; now known as TeraCom City. TeraCom is also a massive economic presence in the Sovereign States.
Decades before the global blackout, TeraCom started out as the United States largest telecommunications provider; previously the Terracom Corporation. Now TeraCom is the world’s largest manufacturer of all goods ranging from household items to high-tech military ordnance.

TeraCom is currently under strict control of CEO Nathaniel Mackory, who inherited majority control of the company on his father’s passing. Mackory shares joint ownership of the company with an emissary of the Gruellien Empire, a Corvidian aristocrat named Ekxx. Ekxx facilitates trade between TeraCom and Asteria to ensure the intergalactic commodity production on Earth is meeting Gruellien quotas.
TeraCom is not a friendly organization. The conglomerate guards its financial bottom line with harsh veracity, often grinding the bones of upstart corporate executives to dust when they fail to meet results. TC accountants control most economies within the western hemisphere by only accepting TeraCom credits for goods and services.
As a Corporation, TeraCom’s priorities are financial dictation. Despite being a hub of humanity across the Eastern Seaboard, TeraCom doesn’t enforce any major rule of law other than the laws put in place to defend its own properties and workforce. Despite this fact, TeraCom City detention centers are still overcrowded regardless of TereCom Security’s revolving door judicial system.

TeraCom Security
“Freedom at a cost”
A private police force tasked with protecting TeraCom’s vital interests and maintaining order within TeraCom’s various economic zones. TeraCom Security’s tactics are brute force and domination.

TCS also manages some court systems to handle sentencing and distribution of convicts to various detention centers. TeraCom Security is also responsible for handling city clerical issues and collecting fines. All TeraCom court systems are managed by TeraCom Security. It’s hard to call this organization corrupt since it never pretends to serve anything besides the best interest of the TeraCom Corporation.

TeraCom Central Bank (TCCB)
The TCCB or TeraCom Central Bank is TerraCom’s financial institution. They distribute TeraCom Credits as well as control interest rates and inflation of credits. All banks within the Sovereign States, TeraCom City, and TeraCom’s economic zones are managed by the TCCB.

In the early 2020’s The Sovereign States elected to finally accept the TeraCom Credit system and TeraCom Banks in place of the old US greenbacks that were still being held in local credit unions. The conditions of the transition allowed Sovereign State citizens to exchange their US dollars for TeraCom credits at face value. This decision allowed the transition to take place within the Sovereign States seamlessly, as many had feared the previous exchange rates would have reduced their savings significantly. This decision also influenced a few fringe municipalities to officially accept Sovereign State authority to take advantage of the temporary exchange rate only available to Sovereign State citizens. Local credit unions that had been maintained by Sovereign State authority were officially placed under the control of the TeraCom Central Bank (TCCB).

Another stipulation in the agreement held the Sovereign States responsible for maintaining “safe and traversable roadways, adequate to support large scale transportation”. The TCCB granted The Sovereign States a 50Million TeraCom credit loan to be paid back over 50 years with a compounding interest of 10% applied to the remaining balance on a bi-annual basis. The money was loaned to The States for the purpose of revitalizing and maintaining infrastructure and the creation of a “continental security force” tasked with patrolling the expansive roadway networks across the Sovereign States. The continental security force was given the name Sovereign States Highway Patrol.

Sovereign States Highway Patrol
Unlike the Allied Forces of the Sovereign States, the Sovereign States Highway Patrol is not an authority under the command of the Continental Congress and is instead organized by each Sovereign State independently.
The Credits lent to the Sovereign States by the TCCB we’re lent to the Treasury House of New Columbia (Continental Tax collector for the Sovereign States) and was then distributed fairly and equally by the Continental Congress to each state according to need. The credits were given to the states specifically for the purposes of acquiring equipment and facilities to create the necessary taskforce to defend the growing roadway network that had been previously left practically lawless.

The Labor Hall
An organization created to monitor, distribute, and control the TeraCom labor force in TeraCom City and Detroit. Like TeraCom Security, The Labor Hall is run by TeraCom and keeps the corporation’s best interest in mind. Despite Org Provisional Government participation, The Labor Hall is still a corrupt organization that cares little for the needs of its workforce.

The Labor Hall is directly opposed by The Gulraa. These two organizations have been waging a silent war against each other in the back alleys and shadowy streets of TCC for years.

Orion Industries
The former forerunner of scientific advancements on Earth, Orion Industries led the world in multiple fields ranging from the development of complex super computers to large scale space colonization. In the years following the Blackout, the company’s presence on Earth has diminished. However, under control of The Gruellein Empire, Orion Industries’ facilities on Asteria and the lunar surface have been greatly expanded.

Orion Industries no longer works towards the scientific progress of humanity. Following the consumption of Earth’s aristocrats during the hostile takeover, Orion Industries has been completely incorporated into the Gruellein intergalactic military industrial complex; while Asteria serves as a focal point for mitigating control of Human reach into space.

The space colony of Asteria is a magnificent civilization in the stars; ruled by malice and unforgiving authority. Despite the strict and heavy hand of law ordered by Commander Overog, the general population of Asteria, Human, Enceledon, Corvidian, or Gruell, suffer little. The authority is dispatched quick and cold.

Asteria sees little of Commander Overog who is often busy carrying out a war across the universe against one of the few remaining enemies of The Gruellein Empire. The white glove that covers Overog’s iron fist of authority on Asteria is Orion Industries. Being under occupation means Asteria is well funded and lavishly maintained. Affluent residents enjoy an exceptional standard of living never seen on Earth. The Gruellein Empire ensures all its territories are opulent and awe-inspiring; a small benefit to accepting their overbearing dominance.

US Steel
Located in Pittsburgh, The City of Steel, US Steel was a pre-Blackout economic powerhouse much like TeraCom. Prior to the industries giant’s demise at the hands of the TeraCom Corporation, US Steel was the largest steel and iron supplier around the world.

Prior to the Blackout, the company was run by a committee of investors led by a majority shareholder, CEO Franklin Pilot. Despite US Steel’s short coming in the days leading up to the Blackout, Franklin Pilot’s holdings, personal wealth, and connections still afforded Pilot a seat at the table when the world’s aristocrats fled to Asteria.

Under torchlight, by will of the mob that was hungry no-more, those who remained formed the Carnegie Society. They orchestrated The Steel City’s rebirth. The furnaces were relit, the slag poured out once more as the rivers ran orange and new iron was forged. the Steel City’s heart is beating again.

Pittsburgh PD
Formed from the old police force that had attempted to maintain order in the streets during the tumultuous days leading up to the collapse. During the Blackout, most officers eventually fled their posts, but not all of them. Some officers stayed, even in the times of darkness, they held the line.

Years following the collapse, during the Renaissance of The Steel City, the Carnegie Society began funding the PD, bolstered by a rekindling US Steel. The added resources allowed Pittsburgh PD to armor their squad cars and hire reinforcements. By 2025, the PD is a fierce organization, rivaling the ferocity of TC’s most steroid induced security officers.

In the years prior to the Blackout, Pittsburgh PD’s police chief was a harsh man with a long history of human rights violations, Chief Winslow. He is still the Chief of police for the Pittsburgh PD to this day.

Cult of Eternal Iniquity
The Cult of Eternal Iniquity does not welcome outsiders. They are a strange reclusive group that has been taught an ancient alien technology that unlocks immortality.
The strange ritual involves ingesting several strange chemicals that act as a catalyst, a chemical agent for collecting the unique vibrations reverberated by the neurons of the imbibing occultist. The vibrations generated by consciousness are recorded and repeated by rare alien crystals. Like music being pressed onto a record, the crystals play back the soul. Once a primed crystal contacts the thalamus of the occultist via the back of their skull, the body dies; but the acolyte lives on. The crystal glows out from the behind the eyeballs of the un-deceased until the skin rots away. If the ritual is performed correctly, the acolyte goes on to become the cult’s ultimate ascension, a lich.

Most groups view the cult as heretical or inhumane. Acolytes may be persecuted by local authorities for cult affiliation. Lich are typically viewed as abominations. Cult gatherings in urban population centers are held in secret or in lawless dens of villainy where immorality and debauchery is ignored. Among other atrocities, the cult is often accused of abducting travelers and helpless individuals. It’s been rumored the cult trades their victims to alien poachers for the crystals they desperately need.

The Alliance/ Allied Forces of the Sovereign States
When Col. Griffin and his troops marched across the broken states, they picked up as much support as they could. The Alliance recruited any that could carry their weight and were willing to rebuild. The badlands, formerly the states of Utah, Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico proved to be a treacherous wasteland ripe with violence and desperation.

As Alliance forces moved west, Utah and parts of Nevada were re-stabilized. Arizona and New Mexico were not. The area is still a harsh barren dust bowl inhabited by roving gangs of motorcycle mounted raiders and scavengers to this day. A few small areas were declared safe zones. Col Griffin and his troops set up minor supply lines across the region and continued getting aid to his frontline in preparation of their first assault against the AI.

The massive defeat that Col. Griffin and his troops suffered during their initial attacks forced their battalions to fall back from Silicon Valley, to the ruins of Los Angeles. In the following years, As the war against the AI waged on, small teams were dispatched across the western states to secure townships and population centers in hopes of bolstering Alliance Forces and reestablishing the home front. Across the desert plains and flatlands, small towns and cities were liberated from chaos and redeveloped to support the Alliance. With the following support, Col Griffin would rise to the rank of General and lead Alliance Forces to victory against the AI.

After the war, Alliance soldiers were granted land deeds and housing rights to the redeveloping nation. This would lay the building blocks for the official creation of the Sovereign States and its governing institution, the Continental Congress. Alliance soldiers that re-enlisted for continued service after the war, were then distributed amongst the states. They continue to defend the home front as The Allied Forces of the Sovereign States, which in times of peace is referred to as “the homestead”.

The Continental Congress of the Sovereign States
Though technically a union of states under the Continental Congress, each Sovereign State runs itself independently by elected governors. Governors are elected by land owning citizens. The governors gather in congress to elect The President of the Continental Congress.

General Griffin would go on to become the first President of the Continental Congress and governor of “New Colombia”, the capital commonwealth of the Sovereign States, formerly the US state of Colorado. Congress is held quarter annually in Denver DC (District of Columbia) where the governors discuss issues involving the deployment of Alliance Forces and Treasury House spending. Term limits in the Sovereign States are 10 years and there is no limit to how many times an individual may run for office.
It is important to note that the Continental Congress does not do much to mitigate control of the Sovereign States who run themselves independently. The Continental Congress directly manages The Allied Forces that defend The Sovereign States against any and all threats.

5th Battalion aka Hunter Corps
Formerly the 5th Battalion of the Allied Forces, Hunter Corps is dedicated to the eradication of Auts in Cascadia. Under the command of Major Williams, 5th Battalion was the leading assault force tasked with Autonomous Being disruption. Their only objective during the war was to seek and destroy; they were the best.

After the war was officially over, 5th battalion was not satisfied. They commissioned their land rights to be deeded to the unliberated areas of Oregon, Washington, and Northern California. They were going to continue their fight against the Aut menace.
The Allied Forces top brass, under General Griffin’s leadership, ok’d the decision under one condition -the Hunter Corps would elect a governor who would lead the state and represent their constituents in sessions held by The Continental Congress. Under those guidelines the Sovereign State of Cascadia was born. The area would be stabilized and Williams would become the first governor of Cascadia while continuing his role as Hunter Corps General.

Enceledons
The little grey aliens. They have short skinny bodies, enlarged elongated heads with big bulging black eyes. They are a highly advanced lifeform. Though they lack the same prominence as Gruells and Corvidians, Enceledons also hold multiple positions of power within the Gruellein Empire.

Some Enceledons have been caught kidnaping and dissecting various lifeforms on multiple planets under Gruellein control. This practice is technically illegal within the Gruellein Empire. It is rumored that Enceledon involvement in Gruellein politics is a well-orchestrated ploy to alter these laws. The strongest theory to support this claim is based on the knowledge that Enceledons are one of the few lifeforms capable of traveling beyond Gruellein Empire reach, but they still choose to participate in the Gruellein Empire’s redundant congressional processes.

Ridians
Ridians are draconian, reptilian lifeforms. They speak a very strange language that is described as a combination of hisses, tone and apparent mood. Their language is not accurately reproducible by any none Ridian lifeforms. It is one of the most difficult languages to understand in the universe. They are likely the most primal lifeforms to acquire space travel.

Confrontation and violence is common in Ridian society. They are one of the only lifeforms not conquered by the Gruellein Empire. As a lifeforem, they ae literally too destructive and stubborn to be conquered. Ridians would fight each other until extinction given the right circumstances. Any forces invading Ridian enclaves would be faced with scores of ruthless opponents that even without weapons can still bite and thrash victims to shreds.

The Gruellein Empire allows Ridian settlements to exist along the outskirts of Gruellein systems; taking advantage of Ridian temperaments to oppress undeveloped areas vicariously through proxy. Occasionally, Gruellein forces are dispatched to Ridian enclaves to deal with radical uprisings, but these groups are often squashed before gaining any notable power.

Some Ridians have learned other languages like Gruellein and have integrated themselves into multi-lifeform societies like Asteria. However, other Ridians found outside of their enclaves are hunters and intergalactic kidnappers looking for fresh meat to abduct. Humans are one their most sought-after delicacies. Typically, Ridians are referred to by Gruellein media as violent extremists and used as a scapegoat for various military actions.

Corvidians
Corvidians are a decrepit, bird like lifeform. They originated on an ancient planet in a very distant galaxy. They are tall, slender beings, covered in slimy, scaly skin adorned with mangey feathers. Corvidians have aligned themselves with the Gruells since the forming of the Gruellein Empire.

When The Gruellein Empire was born, the Corvidians volunteered their home planet to house and maintain Gruellein markets, allowing the planet to thrive, completely protected by Gruellein forces. Corvidians continue to hold positions of power within The Gruellein Empire.

Corvidians practice fiscal control, unlike their Gruell counterparts who deal in direct dominance. Throughout the Gruellein Empire, Corvidians use their authority to dictate trade agreements, set prices, and indenture labor forces, further strengthening Gruellein control while simultaneously syphoning capital into their own personal accounts. On Asteria and Earth, Corvidians can be seen holding key positions of power. Emissary Skeks holds a seat on Orion Industries council while his underling Ekxx is partial owner of the TeraCom Corporation.

Gruell
Gruells are the force behind the Gruellein Empire which rules over most galaxies in the known universe. Gruells resemble Humans only slightly taller, pale grey, and hairless. They also have large mouths filled with rows of razor-sharp teeth. Gruells are an ancient alien lifeform that have traveled space to dominate the known universe.

Asteria and Earth are both under the control of Commander Overog. His duties there are to utilize Orion Industries’ Moon facilities for military support. Asteria is used as a monitoring facility to prevent human space travel.

Gruelleins had a separate name for Earth at one point. However, when Gruells learned that Earth translates to “dirt” in the common human languages, even the most reserved Gruell couldn’t contain their reactions. Gruells who are known to be aggravated and disgruntled constantly, can still be heard chuckling at the term “Earth”.
In Gruellein, as well as most languages recorded in the known universe, words like “earth” or “dirt” are either synonymous with or (in most cases) directly translate to “excrement” or “shit”. When Gruells speak the name Earth or Earth World and then immediately laugh, it’s because to them, Earth means Shit World or The Shit Planet.

*Gruellein 101 – Lutoo Mundoo, “Shit World”
Lutoo Lunis, “Shit Moon”