Backgrounds

Backgrounds define a character’s roles within society, offering insight into their skills, values, and their place in the political, economic and social structure of the colonies.

Employment in Stela Mondo is built on a tiered system shaped by the New World Order, where individuals find purpose and livelihood through corporations, trade guilds, public institutions, advocacy groups, and independent ventures. These structured roles provide citizens with avenues to contribute to their communities, whether as corporate analysts, trade representatives, security contractors, or community leaders. In addition to more formal occupations, many people exist in a more precarious employment position as freelance and fringe workers, navigating the unregulated edges of society.

The following represent a broad set of backgrounds the encompass the many specialized roles that people play withing colony society. Players are encouraged to customize their backgrounds choosing specializations and developing personalized character backstories to bring their characters to life. Players can also take inspiration to customize roles from the home planetary culture of their character's chosen species.

PUB: A public servant elected or appointed to provide governance and oversight. Politicians range from Trade Congress Representatives to Trade Councilors, each working to shape policies and laws within the New World Order. They represent specific industries, regions, or social interests, often navigating complex negotiations with other sectors to ensure stability and growth.

BANKHOLE: Bankers work within the World Bank, overseeing the financial infrastructure that supports the colonies. Roles include budget planning, resource allocation, investment oversight, and financial risk management. They collaborate with Trade Guilds and corporations to fund projects critical for expansion and sustainability across colonies, making them central to economic strategy and growth.

CORPRAT: Corporate Analysts focus on maximizing profitability, efficiency, and strategic planning for corporations. These professionals include business consultants, financial analysts, and logistics coordinators who specialize in data-driven decision-making. They typically work for large corporations and trade guilds, advising on market trends, production strategies, and financial risk management.

DEVO: Democratic Advocates represent citizen interests and specific causes, working with groups to influence trade guild policies. Common advocacy roles include Union Organizers, who protect workers' rights and push for safe, fair workplaces, and Environmental Advocates, who campaign for sustainable practices. Civil Rights Advocates focus on issues of equity, welfare, and individual freedoms within the colony framework.

GIN: Engineers work across industries, adapting their technical expertise to meet specific Trade Guild needs. Mining Engineers, Power Engineers, and Structural Engineers ensure that colony infrastructure is robust and sustainable. Engineers design and maintain essential systems for energy, mining, agriculture, and urban planning, often on contract with Trade Guilds to address technical challenges.

TECH: Technicians handle the repair, maintenance, and diagnostics of equipment critical to colony operations. Specializations include Medical Technicians, Robotics Technicians, and Agricultural Technicians, each providing skilled support in their fields. Technicians are commonly contracted by Trade Guilds, ensuring systems function smoothly and meet the demands of colony life.

ARCHI: Architects design the physical spaces where colonists live, work, and gather. They plan structures suited to the diverse environments of the colony planets, from modular habitats to grand public spaces. Architects often collaborate with engineers and urban planners, balancing form and function to create sustainable and resilient structures.

SCINT: Scientists conduct research and experiments, contributing to the understanding of alien ecosystems, advanced technologies, and sustainable practices. Fields include Xenoecology, where scientists study alien flora and fauna, and Quantum Physics, where they work on breakthroughs that advance interstellar technology. Scientists often partner with Research and Development departments or work directly with Trade Guilds.

SEAR: Researchers focus on gathering data and insights, advancing knowledge in specialized fields. Common research areas include environmental studies, medical advancements, and technological innovation. Researchers are integral to scientific progress, working within corporations, trade guilds, and educational institutions to drive practical solutions and discoveries.

MEDHEAD : Medical Professionals include doctors, surgeons, and healthcare specialists who care for the physical and mental well-being of colony inhabitants. They may work in hospitals, clinics, or specialized rehabilitation facilities, addressing everything from routine care to complex surgeries. Many medical professionals are affiliated with the Health and Human Services Trade Guild, where they focus on providing accessible, high-quality care.

SECTOR: Security Contractors are hired by Trade Guilds, corporations, or public entities to protect personnel and resources. They include roles like Corporate Security Officer, Space Patrol Guard, and Tactical Response Specialist. Security Contractors safeguard colonies from external threats and enforce trade laws within settlements, often working on contracts tied to specific missions or protection needs.

SPAC: Spacers are experts in navigation, logistics, and transport, working in roles that support interstellar travel. They include Pilots, Explorers, and Ship Mechanics who operate within and between colonies. Spacers are skilled at navigating both regulated and uncharted territories, managing supply routes, and maintaining ships, making them essential for connecting the colonies.

DBRO: Data Brokers gather, analyze, and trade valuable information across colonies. They may work legally or on the fringes of the economy, securing intelligence for clients in politics, security, and industry. Data Brokers provide insights on market trends, technological advancements, and colony dynamics, making them powerful allies—or adversaries—depending on the situation.

FREELO: Freelancer Operators work independently, taking on diverse projects that don’t fall within the regulated economy. They can be Explorers, Mercenaries, or Private Investigators, tackling jobs in remote regions or high-risk environments. Freelancers thrive in unregulated areas, where they take on unique and varied contracts that push the limits of conventional work.

SPIG: Spiritual Guides provide moral support, counsel, and guidance to individuals and communities. They play an essential role in helping colonists navigate personal and communal challenges, focusing on wellness, spiritual growth, and cultural values. Spiritual Guides often lead community ceremonies, meditations, or outreach, bringing a sense of unity to their followers.

COMMIE: Community Organizers bridge cultural and social gaps within their communities, fostering unity and addressing local needs. They coordinate events, mediate cultural differences, and ensure resources are available to those in need. Often acting as both cultural advisors and event organizers, they work closely with advocacy groups and public officials to build supportive, cohesive communities.

VIG: Villagers are part of the Social Security program, often unemployed or in transition, living in Villages that provide housing, food, and skill development. Some use the support to re-enter the workforce, while others rely on it long-term for essential care. New synthetic beings are also integrated into society through the Villages. They undergo initial training to build necessary skills, focusing on roles like maintenance, logistics, and public service. Synths start their lives in Villages, where they learn and adapt before moving into the broader economy.