ShirKahr: Difference between revisions

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 =Public Gardens=
+All over Vulcan, gardens and small parks play an important part in helping individuals keep their emotional control by offering balanced places for introspection and peaceful thought. At first the expenditure of money and valuable water on such things was seen as an illogical waste of resources, but after much debate (in which the proponents pointed out that [[ma:Surak|Surak]] valued peace almost as much as logic), the city fathers agreed to plant public gardens as an experiment.
+Since then, public gardens and parks have become an integral part of every Vulcan city. No new construction is planned that doesn't include at least one park or at least a small contemplative area. Today small parks can be found throughout ShirKahr, each with its own unique fountain or sculpture. Private houses often have their own fardens as part of their construction.
-''more to come''
+The public gardens of ShirKahr are there for those who don't have a garden of their own, or need to have a quiet place to meditate while away from home. The gardens, located between the government council chambers, the Academy and the Old Quarter, are built to represent the different terrain types found on Vulcan.
+=Vulcan Council Chambers=
+Just west of the university are the main buildings of Vulcan's planetary government. Most of these buildings are closed to the general public, unless you have specific business. One area that is open to the public is the '''Hall of Voices'''; the hall is a huge enclosed amphitheatre several meters underground. Here, in traditional Vulcan fashion, open debates are held on various topics. In these types of debates each side presents its case to members of the audience, who in turn may ask questions as each speaker explains his position.
+Near the government buildings are various embassies of species that have established diplomatic relations with Vulcan. Earth, as a member of the Federation, has established an embassy on Vulcan. The current Federation ambassador to Vulcan is retired '''Admiral Winston Neraneau''', a veteran Human diplomat known as somewhat of a ladies' man. Since he is single (and Human) most Vulcans remain unoffended by his behavior. His astonishing knowledge of Vulcan philosophy (and almost native level of fluency in Ancient, Classic, and Modern Vulcan languages) also impresses the more traditional elements. Another person that can be found in the government area is '''Salkath''', a former aide of [[ma:Sarek|Sarek's]]. Having spent a good deal of time with other species, he is willing to help where he can if people are having difficulty getting information.
+=Vulcan Science Academy=
+Before [[ma:Surak|Surak]], a huge fortress overlooked the oasis, built and rebuilt by each clan that captured it. When the Age of Awakening began two thousand years ago, [[ma:Surak|Surak]] changed the fort's purpose from one of war to one of learning. With his adepts he continued the teaching of logic to those who wished to learn more about the concept. Vulcan education has always been very centered on the relationship between student and '''''pyllora''''', a term which translates to "mentor" or "guide." Thus it was a relatively simple matter to transfer the center of ShirKahr's education from the old temples of learning to [[ma:Surak|Surak's]] new agora. From there more and more came to learn, not only about ''Tu-Surak'', but about other subjects as well. [[ma:Surak|Surak]] encouraged this while he lived, wanting his fellow Vulcans to devote their full energies to understanding the universe and its infinite possibilities; it was here that the very concept of [[IDIC]] was born.
+With [[IDIC]] as its madate, the Vulcan Science Academy grew to study literally everything imaginable. Today it is considered one of the top research institutes in teh Federation. Brilliant professors from other parts of the Federation come to the '''VSA''' to learn or teach in a variety of areas, including the hard sciences, engineering, computer sciences, philosophy, and medicine. Today the campus has expanded far outside the walls of the former fort that once housed it. Like other parts of ShirKahr, the campus now contains a mixture of old and new architecture.
+Most of the old architecture can be found in and around the fort, which now houses the majority of the administrative offices and lecture halls of the Academy. Beyond this central core, clusters of labs, research buildings, and staff housing occupy ancient temples and newly built facilities alike, with each cluster devoted to a specific field of study.
+Closest to the government quarter are two large clusters of modern buildings containing the medical center and computer research center, both open to the general public. The Academy Medical Center serves as the main hospital for the city, but performs medical research as well. Beyond these areas, one must request permission to visit any other area of the Academy, but it is not hard to gain approvals. One may also visit the Academy when a public lecture is being offered (which is quite often). Those who do get a chance to enter the administrative buildings in the old fort will see a beautiful garden laid out around the spring the fort once defended.
+=Vulcan Space Central=
+While not technically located within ShirKahr, the main facility of Vulcan Space Central lies in geosynchronous orbit above the city. The facility fulfills two purposes: First, it serves as the main entry point for most Vulcans and almost all non-Vulcans wishing to descend to the planet. All individuals wanting to go to Vulcan must pass through immigration in order to land on the planet, with the exception of Vulcan defense, Starfleet, and diplomatic personnel.
+At immigration, each person inserts a data chip containing his personal and medical history; different types of data interface units exist for use by different races. Once the Central Clearing computers verify the data, visitors may use transporters preset for different locations on Vulcan. The most common reason for not being allowed to transport down immediately is that health-related information is not complete, or that an inoculation needs to be updated to deal with Vulcan's environment. The station has a top Starfleet Sickbay and a campus of the Vulcan Science Academy's Space and Xenological Medical School.
+The second funtion of the facility is to control the routes taken by different ships entering and leaving the system. Because of the near-constant flaring of Vulcan's sun, the space lanes must be continually monitored to make sure they are safe for ship traffic. Ships that have the shields and protection of a ''[[ma:Galaxy_class|Galaxy]]''-class cruiser need worry only about hte largest and most intense flares. Smaller ships and freighters less well-protected must take more precautions.
+The EMR (electromagnetic radiation) emitted by heavy flare activity can play havoc with sensor and navigation equipment, making ships blind or unable to alter course. If ships with weak shielding pass too close to a flare, the EMR can be so intense that it can short out critical systems, leaving the vessel helpless in space. On very rare occasions flares will actually hit a ship, causing massive damage or destroying it outright. Because small ship captains are constantly trying to save time or fuel, it is not unheard of that some of the more adventurous types try to take a short lane closed because of flare activity. Among the various small ship crews it is called "riding the wave;" the administrators at Space Central call it "reckless and negligent endangerment" and punish it severely. Ships of the Vulcan Defense Fleet under command of Space Central are often called upon to rescue stranded ships, or evacuate crews.
+=Computer Access Terminals=
+Also called '''CAT's''', these are small access terminals that can be found throughout ShirKahr. They connect directly to the Central Clearing computers. From these terminals, one can get different kinds of general information about things like the address of a particular place, transportation schedules, or lecture schedules at the '''VSA'''. They can also be used to make restaurant reservations, or buy tickets for a performance. If one is looking for another individual, the terminals will give a simple one-page readout that will include education, occupation, and a commcode. No personal information or addresses will be given.
 ''The majority of this information has been taken from [http://www.starbase118.net/wiki/index.php/The_Way_of_Kolinahr:_The_Vulcans The Way of Kolinahr Sourcebook], with modifications from other sources.''