Velthara was late to the urbanization game. Its land is predominantly mountainous, and its people are predominately miners (or in some natural-resource trade, at the very least). The Veltharans feel strongly about their way of life -- so when electricity, radio, automobiles, and personal credit came knocking on their door, they didn't answer. Of course, years have passed, and the newer generation is starting to adopt modern conveniences, but the Veltharans have earned their reputation as hicks, and many wear it as a badge of pride.
Veltharan cities are stranger than most, as they took to the Horizon searching for resources to plunder. They built "vertically" -- their strand-cities have small footprints but span hundreds of worlds. Public trollies slip from world to world, ferrying hundreds of thousands daily up and down the Horizon. Their capital, Tor's Strand, starts in Star 612, ends in Void 87, and grows longer each day!
Velthara used to be primarily family-led, with individual worlds in a city controlled by the matriarch or patriarch of a group. Recently, however, families have banded together to form clans as a way to compete with other countries. Nowadays, most people belong to one of a few clan-nations, and all of the clans cooperate to keep Velthara strong and competitive globally.
MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE IN WIL'S STRAND
Wilbur’s Strand, Velthara — In an unprecedented and alarming turn of events, the entirety of Wil's Strand in Star 13 has gone missing. What used to be a bustling part of our great city is now nothing but empty plains.
"I thought I'd hit a chute or somethin," said local merchant Taryn Velbridge. "One moment I was strollin through downtown, makin my daily rounds, but then instead of Miss May's Pie Shop I see nothin but rocks! Sure nuff though, kept walkin and I ended up at 14S like nothin was wrong. I hope Miss May's doin alright wherever she went off to..."
The Blains have issued a brief but emphatic statement regarding the tragedy. "The Blain Clan extends our deepest condolences to the people of Wilbur's Strand," said spokesmage Lyric Blain. "However, we must clarify that this must be an act of God, and we could not have foreseen this tragedy. While we sympathize deeply with those affected, we cannot spare any assistance at this time."
Local officials have asked that people spend as little time in Star 13 as possible while their investigation is ongoing. Residents are instructed to slide from 12S to 14S when possible, and the trolly will be making no stops at 13S for the time being.
Commissioner Ervine has...