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Rim Billiton, in Terra's southeast, was once seen as wild and uninhabitable, isolated by fierce Catastrophes and treacherous terrain. Unlike most civilizations, which formed when people fled Catastrophes for safer lands, the indigenous Cautuses stayed for over a thousand years, surviving in scattered bunker settlements ("Rabbit Holes") and farming drought-resistant carrots. Major disasters still prevented large settlements or a unified state. Around the year 500, an Iberian army marching through the region was annihilated by a Catastrophe, after which Iberia turned to the seas. Later, the Age of Exploration—sparked by Francisco de León's discovery of Bolívar—brought expeditions to Rim Billiton, but nations abandoned the settlers there, who were aided by the Cautuses and blended with them over a century of coexistence.
The Originium industry transformed the region. Surface crystal clusters, once feared as manifestations of doom, became wealth, drawing immigrants. Discovery of the Targangils Prime Vein, the largest of the "Three Prime Ore Veins," fueled a mining surge. When powers like Victoria and Leithanien tried to nibble away at the region, its three groups—Cautuses, abandoned settlers' descendants, and independent corporations—rebelled and formed a loosely connected federation of mining districts, later repelling invaders and disbanding their centralized military in favor of district defense forces. The "Cage Incident" of 1090, when an Earl tried to seize mining rights, ended with locals establishing the Autonomous County of Eureka.
Catastrophes predate industry there and shaped its deserts, geological wonders, and isolated ecosystem with unique creatures. Politically, power rests with large extended families, grouped into industrial zones and mining districts, with most affairs handled on a small scale. Rim Billiton, Terra's largest mineral exporter, maintains trade-based relationships with most nations. Its population, roughly 28 million by estimate, is highly mobile, with identity shifting from family toward new affiliations amid nomadic mining cities.
Oripathy became a major social issue as foreign workers arrived with inadequate protection. Infected individuals are isolated and cared for by family, though many choose self-imposed exile out of duty. Mining remains the foundation of the economy and identity, though most reserves are not yet extractable, making mining innovation crucial. The name "Rim Billiton" reflects both the region's perceived role as the continent's edge and its believed billions in minerals.
Rim Billiton, an expansive region in the southeast of Terra, was once considered wild, untamed, and uninhabitable. Fierce Catastrophes and treacherous terrain long isolated it from the Core. Yet once people set foot there, they found unique and tenacious ecosystems. Modern industry has turned a land of destruction into a hub of creation: drills mine the earth, and refineries stand around towering Originium crystal clusters. Today Rim Billiton is celebrated for its thriving mining industry and distinctive political landscape.
Most Terran civilizations arose when people fled Catastrophes to safer, more habitable areas, leaving Catastrophe-prone regions such as the deserts of Sargon, the plains of modern Columbia, and parts of central Terra largely uninhabited in ancient times. Rim Billiton, however, is one of the most Catastrophe-plagued regions in Terra, with unparalleled intensity; some of the most violent Catastrophes in human history occurred there. The Iberians preferred building ships and venturing to sea rather than face them. Outsiders long believed the area a forbidden zone incapable of sustaining life.
In reality, the Cautuses have lived in Rim Billiton since the dawn of civilization. Whether they originated there or migrated through the Catastrophes is unknown, but unlike most ancient races they chose to stay, building a thriving civilization over a thousand years by adapting. Their answer to Catastrophes was the bunker, or "Rabbit Hole": digging a cave beneath a simple surface structure. When Catastrophes struck, they dismantled or abandoned the surface structures and retreated below. This method let generations endure countless minor Catastrophes, and tribes survived by cultivating hardy, drought-resistant carrots. But bunkers could not withstand major disasters such as earthquakes, so settlements remained small and scattered, with travel and communication impeded; the Cautuses never formed large cities or a unified state. During the Tribal Era they practiced "gone home-hilling": elderly individuals voluntarily left their families to spend their final days at the nearest giant Originium crystal cluster. Similar customs existed in Minos, Kjerag, and Sargon.
Around the year 500, Iberia faced oppression under Victoria's Draco regime. An ambitious Iberian commander proposed leading a large force northeast through uncharted territory—modern Rim Billiton—to launch a surprise attack on Victoria's homeland. The King approved, but within a month the army was struck by a Catastrophe combining catastrophic clouds and a major earthquake, annihilating over three-quarters of the force; the commander was trampled to death by fleeing soldiers. The disaster weakened the King's control over the military, and Iberia declined, turning to the seas instead.
In the 830s, the explorer Francisco de León, sponsored by the Iberian crown, discovered "Bolívar" and established a Viceroyalty, shipping its resources home after other nations had dismissed his plans. His success embarrassed the skeptics and prompted Victoria, Gaul, Ursus, and others to launch their own expeditions—the "Age of Exploration". One destination was Rim Billiton, where relentless Catastrophes killed many explorers; others who entered disappeared. A few teams eventually reached the land and found it brimming with life, though they never attained de León's rewards. Meanwhile, Victoria, Gaul, and Leithanien jointly pressured Iberia to cut ties with Bolívar, forcing the viceroy to declare independence; this intervention proved so effective that it deterred further exploration, and no nation dared claim Rim Billiton.
The Age of Exploration ended, and the settlers who reached Rim Billiton were effectively abandoned, aided only by the native Cautuses, who welcomed them warmly. Over the next century the two groups coexisted peacefully and blended together.
A second population boom came with the Originium industry, when Originium transformed from a mysterious, dangerous material into an indispensable resource. Crystal clusters once seen as embodiments of Catastrophes became synonymous with wealth, and people flocked to share in the easily accessible surface minerals. At the turn of the 10th and 11th centuries, production could no longer meet industrial demand. Prospecting technology advanced, deposits across Terra were fully mapped, and the "Three Prime Ore Veins" were established—the largest being the Targangils Prime Vein in Rim Billiton, whose underground deposits exceeded all estimation. Investment and settlers surged. (The Originium Rush, often dated to the 1030s with state powers leading, had in fact begun earlier with mining groups and individuals, and had no clear initiator or centralized leadership.)
Major nations renewed their interest, but after the recent War of the Four Nations they could not launch a military campaign. Victoria and Leithanien tried small-scale occupations, but Rim Billiton now held three groups—indigenous Cautuses, descendants of abandoned settlers, and corporations seeking independence from the superpowers—whose resentment fueled rebellious spirit. Worker solidarity spread, and the people organized into a loosely connected federation centered on mining districts.
The Dukes of Victoria never fully gave up intervening, but resorted to smaller maneuvers. In the "Cage Incident" of 1090, an Earl, without Parliament's approval, exploited ambiguous ownership of three small nomadic cities to redefine mining rights, fencing off zones and conspiring with mining bandits. Neighboring districts united and reclaimed the cities, establishing the Autonomous County of Eureka—a warning to remain vigilant.
The Targangils Prime Vein has the largest confirmed reserves and the most unique environment of the three prime veins: the densest surface-exposed deposits, the most complex underground ore structures, and the most frequent, intense Catastrophes. Drilling shows Catastrophes plagued the region long before industrialization, and mining did not change their frequency. Catastrophes destabilized the surface, created vast deserts, and churned the land, exposing ore and creating wonders like great rifts, geysers, and geothermal wells. Isolation from outside species produced a relatively independent ecosystem with unique creatures such as the longleg fowlbeast and pouchmaroo; the common metal crab, usually under a meter long, has giant Rim Billiton counterparts over eight meters, more aggressive with harder shells.
Politically, Rim Billiton is groundbreaking: no strong central government, but power divided into innumerable tiny units rooted in large family structures. Families form industrial zones, zones form mining districts, and districts may form autonomous regions or prefectures. People prefer operating on a small scale—"The bigger the issue, the more meetings we'll have to hold, and the more time we'll waste." After independence, Rim Billitonians repelled invaders through armed rebellions, then disbanded the centralized military, each district retaining its own defense force; some districts trade with contractors such as Blacksteel Worldwide, Raythean Industries, and Volvort Kochinski for advanced weaponry and training. Today Rim Billiton maintains sound relationships through trade as Terra's largest mineral exporter, balancing delicately with the superpowers.
Population statistics are hard to track given high mobility. District rosters registered about 17 million residents in 1099, and the current population is estimated at roughly 28 million, over half living in nomadic mining cities. Identity is gradually shifting from family and locality to new social and cultural affiliations. Grassroots organizations use terms like "union" and "miners' association", but to "Billies" these are functionally equivalent to traditional families.
Oripathy has long been a struggle. Cautus miners once took extreme caution, keeping infection low, but obsolete technology and inadequate protection for foreign workers caused cases to surge. Infected individuals are removed from the workforce and cared for by designated family members in isolation, with communities stepping in when needed; as spread grows, this becomes harder, and some districts have established centralized quarantine zones. Many infected choose self-imposed exile out of familial duty.
Mining is Rim Billiton's most important industry, the foundation of its identity, with related construction, transportation, ore processing, and manufacturing highly developed, alongside nomadic city construction. Only a small portion of its vast reserves are extractable due to technological and safety constraints, making mining innovation crucial. Its culture, based on Cautus familial traditions, embraces diverse immigrant cultures that can be "translated" to benefit its people; competitive sports from Minos thrived in its industrial zones even when banned in Minos.
The name reflects history: inland adventurers, blocked by Catastrophes, believed they had reached the continent's edge and named the area the "Rim". During the mining boom, people marveled at the output, believing the land held "billions" of minerals—hence "Rim Billiton".
RIM BILLITON PLC
Rim Billiton, an expansive region located in the southeast of Terra, was once considered wild, untamed, and uninhabitable. Fierce Catastrophes and treacherous mountains and valleys had long isolated her from the Core. However, once people overcame these numerous obstacles and set foot on this land, they soon realized that Rim Billiton was full of unique and tenacious ecosystems and lifeforms. Modern industry has turned what was once a land of destruction and terror into a hub of creation and progress. Today, the roaring you hear is not howling winds, but drills mining the earth. Dense networks of refineries now stand around the towering Originium crystal clusters. No longer synonymous with desolation, Rim Billiton is celebrated across Terra for her thriving mining industry and distinctive political landscape.
For a long time, people have been curious about why humans originally settled in Rim Billiton. Decades of detailed research has shown that the majority of most known Terran civilizations were created through one basic process: people fled Catastrophes in search of safer, warmer, more habitable areas. Upon finding these areas, they established a lasting civilization. Thus, during ancient times Catastrophe-prone regions like the deserts of Sargon, the barren plains of modern Columbia, and certain parts of central Terra were largely uninhabited.
When we turn our gaze southeast, toward the area now called “Rim Billiton”, we see that it is one of the most Catastrophe-plagued regions in all of Terra. Moreover, the intensity of these Catastrophes is unparalleled. Some of the most violent Catastrophes in human history have occurred in Rim Billiton. Towering Originium crystal clusters stand tall and unforgiving across this region, regarded by the ancient people as the manifestation of doom itself. It was so dire that the Iberians rather built ships and ventured deep into the seas rather than faced the Catastrophes that surround Rim Billiton. For a long period, to outsiders, the fierce Catastrophes seemed like an impenetrable wall, preventing them from entering Rim Billiton. People believed that this area was a forbidden zone, incapable of sustaining life.
However, in reality, the Cautuses have lived in Rim Billiton since the dawn of civilization. We still do not know exactly how the earliest Cautuses appeared here, whether they originated here or if they are descendants of a group that once miraculously made it through the Catastrophes to migrate here. What we do know is that, unlike most other ancient races, the Cautuses did not migrate to less Catastrophe-prone and more hospitable areas. Instead, they chose to stay in Rim Billiton. For over a thousand years, they built a thriving civilization by adapting to their surroundings.
The Cautuses had a clever way of dealing with Catastrophes. Once they identified a stable patch of sand and soil, the Cautuses would dig a cave and construct a simple structure above it. Together, they form the bunker, or “Rabbit Hole” for the Cautuses. When Catastrophes struck, the Cautuses would quickly dismantle their surface structures or simply abandon them, retreating into the caves until the danger passed. Though this method may seem primitive compared to the advanced nomadic city technology we have now, it allowed generations of Cautuses to endure countless minor Catastrophes. The Cautuses established their tribes around the bunkers, surviving against all odds by cultivating hardy, drought-resistant carrots. However, their security was not absolute. While the bunkers could withstand minor Catastrophes, the Cautuses were powerless against major disasters such as earthquakes. Frequent calamities prevented the formation of large settlements, necessitating smaller community sizes. The vast distances between settlements and the perils of travel further impeded communication. Consequently, Cautuses settlements in Rim Billiton had been small and scattered. They had been unable to form larger cities, let alone a unified state.
During the Tribal Era, the Cautus people had a grim custom: elderly individuals who were nearing the end of their lives would voluntarily leave their families and journey to the nearest giant Originium crystal cluster to spend their final days—a practice known as “gone home-hilling”. Today, this self-imposed exile of the elderly might seem primitive and cruel, but it is not unique to Rim Billiton. Similar customs have existed in other regions, such as Minos, Kjerag, and Sargon. Although these regions are separated by great distances and each have very distinct geographies and cultures, they have all developed surprisingly similar beliefs about death and the journey of life
Around the year 500, Iberia faced oppres- sion under Victoria's Draco regime, with war on the horizon. The Iberian royal family, weaker than the Dracos, was likely to lose in a direct military confrontation. One ambitious Iberian commander proposed a daring strategy to the King: to lead a large force northeast through uncharted territory (modern-day Rim Billiton), bypassing the main Draco forces to launch a surprise attack on Victoria's homeland. With high regard for the commander, the King approved this plan. The commander took nearly half of Iberia's forces and marched towards the forbidden lands. However, within just a month of their departure, the army was struck by a massive Catastrophe. This unprecedented Catastrophe, combining catastrophic clouds and a major earthquake, swiftly annihilated over three-quarters of the Iberian forces. The commander himself was trampled to death by panicked soldiers fleeing the disaster. Although this Catastrophe occurred outside Iberia, it profoundly impacted the nation's political land- scape. The royal family was compelled to pay a significant sum to Victoria to restore relations, halting expansion efforts and weakening the King's control over the military. Acts of defi- ance and rebellion plunged the Kingdom into decline. Since then, northeastern Rim Billiton has become synonymous with Catastrophe for the Iberians. To avoid further risks, they turned their focus to exploring the seas.
In the 830s, the famous explorer Francisco de León, with the support of the Iberian royal family, embarked on the greatest adventure of his life—a perilous journey to explore the vast lands in Terra's northwest. This expedition culminated in the discovery of "Bolívar" and the establishment of a Viceroyalty there. Within a few short years, De León was harvesting Bolívar's ample resources and shipping them back to Iberia. Interestingly, before he secured sponsorship from the Iberian crown, De León pitched his venture to other nations but was turned down every time. The monarchs of Victoria, Gaul, Ursus, and many other nations were quite dismissive of De León's bold plans, completely unwilling to invest in his expedition. Nevertheless, they quietly kept track of his progress. In the end, this high-stakes gamble not only elevated De León to a powerful regional governor but also bolstered Iberia's wealth and influence. Naturally, news of De León's discovery swiftly reached the royal courts of those nations, leaving his skeptics embarrassed. Before Bolívar could fully deliver the benefits of its discovery and development, these major powers hastily organized their own expeditions, venturing into uncharted territories in hopes of replicating De León's success. This marked the beginning of what is now known as the "Age of Exploration".
With the backing of powerful nations, numerous official expeditions were launched. These explorers had more resources, better technology, and a greater willingness to take risks, driven by the promise of richer rewards from their royal benefactors than those offered to De León. They set out for unknown lands, one of which was Rim Billiton.
However, the relentless Catastrophes engulfing Rim Billiton posed the greatest challenge. Many explorers perished before even reaching the region, while others who did enter soon disappeared without a trace. Eventually, through countless expeditions and sheer perseverance, a few teams of explorers managed to reach this mysterious land safely. To their astonishment, beyond the fierce Catastrophes and rugged mountains was a land brimming with life and vitality.
These explorers never attained the rewards or recognition that Francisco de León had. While these nations were sending out their expeditions en masse, they also sought to curb Iberia's influence in Bolívar. Victoria, Gaul, and Leithanien jointly pressured Iberia to cut ties with Bolívar, disrupting communications between the two regions. This eventually forced Bolívar's viceroy to declare independence, leading Iberia to relinquish its control over the colony. Just as the new colony began to flourish, this interference plunged it into chaos. The joint intervention was far more effective than anticipated, which deterred further exploration. None of the nations dared claim sovereignty over Rim Billiton, fearing that their investments in exploration would too be wasted.
Thus, the Age of Exploration came to an end. As years passed, explorers who had successfully reached Rim Billiton received dwindling support from their home nations, effectively became abandoned settlers, cut off from
their homelands and isolated from one another by relentless Catastrophes. During this period, their only assistance came from the native Cautuses, who welcomed them warmly. The pioneers gradually adopted their customs and way of life. Over the next century, the two groups coexisted peacefully, with many of their communities blending together.
It is said that Rim Billiton's largest nomadic city, the "Ultramassive Iron Town", was originally called the "Ultramassive Iron Dump", referring to a massive iron container for food storage. Group meals play a key role in fostering unity among the Rim Billitonians. Even in the darkest depths of the mines, miners always find ways to gather and share a meal; they use mining carts and iron barrels as makeshift tables and miner's tools as utensils. These items have become symbols of camaraderie among miners. Another distinctive aspect of these shared meals is the golden-colored carrots, a symbol through which miners express their gratitude for the land's two most valuable resources: minerals and carrots.
The second major population boom in Rim Billiton occurred after the development of the Originium industry. With the advent of modern industrial technology, Originium unleashed unprecedented energy, transforming from a once mysterious and dangerous material into an indispensable resource. Modern industry, like a ravenous Feranmut, endless devours the Originium that humanity pours into its maw. Rim Billiton's surface was, and still is, dotted with Originium mines. These crystal clusters, once seen as the embodiments of Catastrophes, suddenly became synonymous with wealth. As word spread, people flocked to Rim Billiton, eager to share in these easily accessible "treasures". At this time, however, people only knew about the plentiful surface minerals; the true mining potential of the region was not fully realized until later. At the turn of the 10th and 11th centuries, Originium production could no longer keep up with rapidly growing industrial demand. During the grand exploration campaigns, as Originium prospecting technology advanced, humanity was finally able to fully map out Originium deposits across Terra. The concept of the "Three Prime Ore Veins" was established, with the largest reserves located in the Targangils Prime Vein in Rim Billiton. It soon became clear that underground Originium deposits in Rim Billiton far exceeded anyone's wildest estimations. The ensuing influx of investment and settlers fueled a surge in mining operations. It was during this period that the major nations renewed their interest in Rim Billiton, only to find that the region had been out of their control for too long, and
The Originium Rush describes the ongoing excitement over discovering and extracting Originium deposits. While commonly believed to have begun in the 1030s with major state powers leading the exploration, large-scale searches for Originium veins had already been occurring alongside the rise of modern industry, even before the War of the Four Nations. Broadly speaking, the movement had no clear initiator or centralized leadership. Initially driven by various mining groups and individuals, it was only later that national governments became involved. During this period, both official institutions and civilian groups pursued potential Originium deposit sites with immense—some might say "mad"—enthusiasm. This movement is often compared to the Age of Exploration. Although both involved quite a bit of speculation and opportunism, it cannot be denied that they were integral to Terra's process of geographical discovery, advancing humanity's understanding of the land.
reclaiming it without the use of force was nearly impossible. Moreover, the War of the Four Nations, which shook Terra, had only recently ended. The combatants were still recovering from its devastating effects—their domestic affairs were in shambles. Launching a large-scale military campaign to retake Rim Billiton was simply out of the question. The major powers, unwilling to take swift action but also unable to ignore Rim Billiton's ample natural resources, faced a dilemma. Victoria and Leithanien, the two nations closest to Rim Billiton, evaluated its decentralized political structure and decided to gradually nibble away at the region through small-scale occupations. However, their scheme backfired. What they didn't know was, by this time, Rim Billiton was inhabited by three different groups: the indigenous Cautus people, isolated from the Core for generations, the descendants of settlers abandoned by their homelands, and corporations that sought to break free from the superpowers' control. These people already harbored resentment towards the great nations for the way they had been treated in the past, and the superpowers' actions in Rim Billiton only fueled their rebellious spirit. Building on a long tradition of mutual support, the idea of worker solidarity rapidly spread across the mining areas of Rim Billiton, with growing calls for unity echoing throughout the region. The Rim Billiton people swiftly agreed to reject the rule of the Core nations, organizing themselves into a loosely connected federation centered around their mining districts.
Mind your Mum, mind your Dad, see a Duke, piss on his head.
The Dukes of Victoria have never fully given up on intervening in Rim Billiton, but they understand that their power is limited and they can no longer impose their will on Rim Billiton as a major power. Instead, they focus on smaller, subtler maneuvers. One notable conflict in recent years was the "Cage Incident" of 1090. Without Parliament's approval, an Earl exploited the ambiguous ownership of three small nomadic cities by collaborating with the Victorian Chamber of Commerce to redefine mining rights in the area, aiming to cut off Rim Billiton from its resources. They fenced off the mining zones, blocked Rim Billiton's companies, and conspired with mining bandits to force out the locals. However, neighboring mining districts united and eventually reclaimed control of the cities from the earl, leading to the establishment of the Autonomous County of Eureka. The Cage Incident demonstrated the contempt some nobles had for Rim Billiton's autonomy and was also a challenge to the Victorian Parliament. It served as a warning to the Rim Billitonians to remain vigilant against the ambitions of a select few.
Rim Billiton is located in the southeast of Terra and is home to one of the three known prime Originium ore veins—the Targangils Prime Vein, which has the largest confirmed reserves and the most unique environment of the three prime veins. This region features the densest surface-exposed Originium deposits and the most complex underground ore structures. It also experiences the most frequent and intense Catastrophes. Contrary to the prevailing theory that "modern industry causes Catastrophes", stratigraphic drilling across different areas of Rim Billiton has shown that Catastrophes have plagued the region long before industrialization. Even after large-scale mining began, the frequency and intensity of Catastrophes did not significantly change as more Originium was extracted. The fact that these Catastrophes have always been so frequent and intense deepens our admiration for the native Cautus people who have survived here for generations, as well as the settlers who ventured into this treacherous land, despite knowing the risks. Catastrophes have greatly affected the formation of Rim Billiton's natural environment. Catastrophes have destabilized Rim Billiton's surface, disrupting soil and water retention and creating vast desert areas throughout the region. The relentless earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and other Catastrophes have acted like a constant plow, churning the land and exposing buried Originium ore deposits. This has also created many unique geological wonders that can only be seen in Catastrophe-prone regions like Rim Billiton, such as great rifts, geysers, and geothermal wells. From a biological perspective, the frequent Catastrophes have effectively isolated Rim Billiton's flora and fauna, preventing species exchange
with the outside. Consequently, the region has developed a relatively independent ecosystem. There are many unique creatures that can only be found in Rim Billiton, such as the longleg fowlbeast and the pouchmaroo. There are also some relatively common, small creatures from other regions that have much larger counterparts in Rim Billiton. For example, the common metal crab is usually less than a meter in length; the giant metal crabs in Rim Billiton can reach over eight meters, and are far more aggressive, with much harder shells.
Rim Billiton has a unique political system. In fact, it can even be considered groundbreaking, in the context of Terra's overall political history. Rim Billiton does not have a strong central government; instead, her political power is divided into innumerable tiny units, largely influenced by the region's long-standing tradition of large family structures. Most affairs are handled independently by each family, and if an issue involves multiple families, industrial zones, or mining areas, the parties involved will send representatives to discuss the matter.
Rim Billiton's political structure is built up from the grassroots level, with large, extended families as the basic political unit. Several families working together form an industrial zone. These industrial zones are then grouped into mining districts based on geography. These mining districts may then come together to form the top governing body in a given area, such as an autonomous region or prefecture. However, by Rim Billitonian custom, people generally prefer to operate on a smaller scale; they usually limit political activities to the family or within a single industrial zone and rarely engage in larger-scale actions. As the Rim Billitonians say, "The bigger the issue, the more meetings we'll have to hold, and the more time we'll waste."
In the early days after Rim Billiton declared independence, major powers, led by Victoria, sought to assert control over the nascent nation. The Rim Billitonians unified their military efforts under one banner, successfully repelling these foreign invaders through a series of armed rebellions. Once the fighting ceased and the foreigners withdrew, the leaders of various mining districts convened and agreed to disband the centralized military. It was decided that each district, having fought valiantly for independence, would retain the right and obligation to form its own defense force—a principle that endures today. Although Rim Billiton lacks a centralized military, her mining districts maintain robust business ties with defense contractors such as Blacksteel Worldwide, Raythean Industries, and Volvort Kochinski, trading for advanced weaponry and professional military training. Consequently, some districts boast defense forces that are small yet highly skilled.
■ Rim Billiton's "oversized" family structure is often parodied in satirical comics. In reality, even the Rim Billitonians can't remember every family member's name. When addressing one another, they typically use simple and easy-to-understand nicknames.
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After securing iher sovereignty through this prolonged period of armed conflict, Rim Billiton chose to adopt a much more friendly approach to her neighboring Core nations and once antagonists. Today, Rim Billiton maintains sound relationships with most nations, mainly through trade. Many nations rely on Rim Billiton, Terra's largest mineral exporter, to fuel their economic development. Rim Billiton, in turn, leverages her abundant mineral reserves and vast mining production capacity to maintain her position amidst the ever-changing political landscape of the Core region, reaching a delicate balance with the superpowers and even occasionally playing a pivotal role on the international stage.
Accurately tracking Rim Billiton's population statistics is a considerable challenge, as the region has always had a highly mobile populace. With the development of the Originium industry and the influx of large numbers of immigrants, Rim Billiton's demographics have become even more complex. Traditionally, the indigenous Cautuses encourage young family members to venture out, explore new lands, and establish new communities. However, in the past, due to poor communication infrastructure, it was easy to lose track of family members. Young explorers who left often disappeared without a trace or were not heard from until several years or even decades later, when they sent a letter home confirming they were still alive.
The advent of the Originium industry also had a profound impact on Rim Billiton's social structure. Even before the Originium Rush, the large surface deposits of Originium crystal clusters attracted many outsiders who sought to mine in the region. The Originium Rush and the discovery of the Targangils Prime Vein—Terra's largest known Originium reserve—sparked Rim Billiton's second major wave of immigration. Some migrants during this period retained their home countries' identities, while others, determined to escape the control of their homelands, sought a fresh start and new opportunities in this free land.
According to mining district rosters, there were approximately 17 million registered residents of Rim Billiton in 1099. Based on this data, we estimate that the current population of Rim Billiton is roughly 28 million. Over half of these individuals now live in nomadic mining cities, and this proportion continues to rise. The surge in the Originium industry has drastically altered population flows in Rim Billiton: large numbers of immigrants arrive seeking jobs, while native residents of Rim Billiton continue their tradition of adventuring abroad. Additionally, the emergence of large nomadic mining cities has challenged Rim Billiton's traditional community structures, with identity gradually shifting from family and locality to new social and cultural affiliations.
The close bonds between family members have always been at the heart of Rim Billiton's culture, a tradition that dates back to the Tribal Era of the Cautus people and continues to this day. Even after two major waves of immigration—especially with the onset of industrialization—Rim Billiton's grassroots organizations have adopted many external terms, such as "union", "miners' association", and "production guidance group". However, for the Rim Billitonians, or Billies, these organizations are functionally equivalent to their large, traditional families.
As the most advanced mining region in Terra, Rim Billiton has long struggled with the issue of Oripathy. Before foreign workers started arriving in droves, most miners were Cautuses; they were acutely aware of the dangers Originium posed to the human body and took extreme caution during Originium extraction, which helped keep infection rates low. However, when foreign workers entered the production process, Rim Billiton's mining technology had become obsolete, and the lack of adequate protection for workers in the mines became evident. The number of Oripathy sufferers surged, quickly turning the disease into a significant social issue.
Oripathy, being contagious, severely affects normal production and everyday life, which is why most mining districts take strict measures to stop its spread. Rim Billiton, with its emphasis on families, takes a different approach than nations like Ursus. In Rim Billiton, infected individuals are removed from the workforce and cared for by designated family members, living in isolation until their eventual passing. If a family is unable to care for a patient, the local community will often step in to share this responsibility. This compassionate approach worked when Oripathy outbreaks were small. However, as the disease began to spread on a larger scale, providing such meticulous care for every patient is becoming increasingly difficult. Rim Billiton, grappling with the demands of the new era, has had to make hard choices. To maintain productivity, families have been forced to scale back the level of care they can offer to Oripathy sufferers. In some mining districts, isolation efforts have become more centralized, and quarantine zones have been established, similar to those in other nations. For the patients themselves, contracting Oripathy is not just a personal misfortune. They are simply unwilling to risk infecting other family members. Out of a sense of moral and familial duty, many infected individuals will choose to embark on a self-imposed exile, living out their final days in isolation to prevent further harm to their loved ones.
For Rim Billiton, mining is undoubtedly her most important industry, the foundation for her identity, and the biggest engine for her economy. Rim Billiton's mining exports far surpass those of other nations, and related industries, such as construction, transportation, ore processing, and manufacturing, are also highly developed. In addition to mining, Rim Billiton constructs numerous nomadic cities and platforms. Some of these massive structures are built locally in Rim Billiton before being transported to their destination, while others are constructed on-site by Rim Billiton's skilled work teams.
Although Rim Billiton possesses what may be Terra's largest known Originium reserves, only a small portion of these reserves are currently extractable. Access to most of the deposits is restricted by technological constraints and safety concerns. This has significantly limited the region's development. As a result, technological innovation in mining is the most crucial form of progress in Rim Billiton.
■ One of the biggest challenges in Rim Billiton's industrial design sector has long been how to effectively protect the delicate Cautus in the dangerous mining environment. Although most manufacturers have given up on solving this problem, opting for the easiest solution—cutting holes in helmets to expose the ears—there are still designers striving to create a perfectly fitting miner's helmet for the Cautus, one that would address this unique issue.
As a melting pot of immigrants from various countries and ethnic groups, Rim Billiton embraces diverse cultures, as long as they can be ‘translated’ to benefit the spirit of Rim Billiton’s people. Rim Billiton’s culture is still based on the familial traditions of the indigenous Cautus people. However, unlike the tribal structures of the past, modern family units in Rim Billiton are highly inclusive. Social bonds are no longer solely based on blood relations but are instead shaped by industrial work and daily life. As a result, activities that work the body, provide entertainment, and foster teamwork and cooperation are highly popular in Rim Billiton. For example, competitive sports from Minos have become quite popular in the country. During the period when competitive sports were banned in Minos, large-scale sporting events continued to thrive in Rim Billiton’s industrial zones.
With the influence of modern technology, almost in the blink of an eye, the once wild and treacherous land of Rim Billiton has transformed into a mass of sprawling steel jungles—a monument to human civilization. The brave and passionate Rim Billitonians, known to each other as “Billies”, amidst their nomadic cities and vast mining complexes, have forged what may be one of the most unique nations in all of Terra, a nation that is ready to showcase its strength. If you look closely, you might just see that Terra’s new hope is quietly being nurtured in Rim Billiton.
Humanity has long been aware of the vastness of the land. Even the mighty and valiant Nightzmora Khagan, throughout his lifetime of conquests, never reached its ends. People living in the inlands often believed that the land stretched on endlessly. Before the Age of Exploration, adventurers from inland nations occasionally reached Rim Billiton. However, they were blocked by Catastrophes and unable to proceed further. At the time, they felt as though they were facing the same fate as the Nightzmora centuries before, on the verge of being struck by a violent calamity. Believing they had reached the very limit of human exploration, they named the area the “Rim”, signifying the edge of the continent, beyond which no one should venture. Later, during the mining boom, vast quantities of mineral resources began flowing from this region to other parts of this great land. People marveled at the enormous output, believing that the land beneath must contain “billions” of minerals. Thus, the name “Rim Billiton” was born, reflecting both the idea of the region as a boundary and its vast, untapped wealth.