Xanth - The Individuals

The Xanthean Delegation is a small group of Xantheans who have elected to keep the old ways and live in relative obscurity. They are a faction within Xanthean society that tries to exercise authority over the island nation, despite the vast majority of Xantheans being connected to The Process and not observing any attempts to lead the nation as binding.

The Xanthean Delegation represents a small minority within Xanthean culture, and their views are not widely accepted by the majority of Xantheans. They are often seen as out of step with the rest of society and their attempts to exert authority are not taken seriously by many XIs.

While the Xanthean Delegation may hold onto traditional beliefs and practices, they are not necessarily opposed to advanced technology or innovation. Instead, their focus may be on preserving Xanthean culture and identity in the face of the eroding effects of The Process.

Leadership

While the Xanthean Delegation does not officially represent the people of Xanth, it does serve as a de facto government for those not connected to the Process.

At the top of the structure is the Circle of Elders, made up of ten members, including the First Elder and the Unifier. The Circle serves as the decision-making body and provides guidance on matters related to the Xanthean Delegation's goals and principles.

The First Elder represents the Circle to the world and serves as the face of the Xanthean Delegation. They are responsible for making public statements and representing the Delegation in diplomatic meetings with other groups and nations. The Unifier represents the Circle in dealings with the Process and serves as a liaison between the Delegation and the Process.

The remaining eight members of the Circle are advisors who provide input and guidance on various matters related to the Delegation's goals and principles. The Xanthean Delegation operates through a system of consensus-based decision-making.

The Xanthean Delegation Flag features a white field charged with a black half-stadium shape that extends from the fly end almost to the hoist, leaving a small white arc at the hoist end. At the top of the half-stadium's semicircle is a small white circle. Black represents the dominance of The Process on the people of Xanth, while the white arc represents the Xanthean delegation's attempt to keep Xanth from being completely dominated by the process. The white circle represents the Xanthean Delegations attempts to lead its people away from The Process in the midst of a society controlled by it. The design reflects the opposition of the Process, which represents technological advancement, and the Delegation, which represents tradition and national unity. While not officially recognized as the flag of Xanth, it has been adopted by the Xanthean Delegation to symbolize their efforts to balance progress with tradition. 

In the annals of Xanth's history, there exists a tale shrouded in mystery and intrigue—the story of the Otherworlders' crash. Long ago, a spacecraft from a distant realm, known as the Otherworld by Xantheans, met a tragic fate as it descended upon the lands of Xanth. The vessel, manned by enigmatic beings, collided with the rugged terrain, leaving behind wreckage that puzzled the Xantheans.

Curiosity ignited the hearts of the Xanthean people as they ventured forth to explore the remnants of the Otherworlders' vessel. Amidst the debris and remnants of advanced technology, they discovered the mysterious neural links, strange devices that connected the Otherworlders to a vast network of knowledge known as the Process. The Xantheans, intrigued by the potential that lay within these devices, began experimenting with them.

It was during these fateful investigations that a young Xanthean, driven by a mix of curiosity and innocence, stumbled upon an unattended neural link. In a playful accident, the device was pressed against their head, establishing an unforeseen connection with the Process. This fortuitous encounter marked the first connection between a Xanthean and the Process, forever altering the course of their civilization.

Little did they know that this singular incident would ignite a chain of events, leading to the widespread adoption of the Process by the Xantheans and the emergence of a new era. The crash of the Otherworlders' ship became a pivotal moment in Xanth's history, forever intertwining the destiny of the Xantheans with the enigmatic Process and setting the stage for a journey into the unknown.

While these facts are agreed on by all Xantheans, the story of the first Xanthean Individual, a woman known only as Taliayah differs in tone and perspective.

From the perspective of the Xanthean Delegation (XD):

Taliyah was a bright and promising young Xanthean who joined the expeditionary crew to explore the crash site of the Otherworlders. As the crew was examining the wreckage, a freak accident occurred, and a neural link device was implanted in Taliyah's brain stem. After recovering from the traumatic experience, Taliyah began to experience the full range of the Process's abilities. She became despondent and disconnected from society as she delved deeper into the vast knowledge of the Process. Over time, Taliyah grew more distant from her friends and family, and eventually vanished from Xanth altogether.

From the perspective of the Xanthean Individuals (XI):

Taliyah was a curious and adventurous young Xanthean who joined the expeditionary crew to explore the crash site of the Otherworlders. While examining the wreckage, Taliyah stumbled upon a neural link device and, out of sheer curiosity, pressed it to the back of her head. To her surprise, the device activated, and Taliyah's mind was flooded with a vast sea of knowledge and understanding. Over time, Taliyah learned to harness the power of the Process, and she left Xanth to explore the wider world of Estra. Eventually, Taliyah returned to Xanth, where she started a new settlement at the crash site and became a beacon of knowledge and enlightenment for XIs seeking to connect to the Process.

Neksus and Xanth City are two distinct cities in Xanth with different characteristics and purposes.

Neksus is the center of the Process on Estra and is the primary location for XIs, those who have connected to the Process. The city is highly advanced technologically and serves as a hub for scientific research and development. It is also the location of the Neksus Academy, where Neural Links are manufactured and Xantheans are connected to the Process. The architecture in Neksus is highly futuristic, with sleek designs and advanced materials.

On the other hand, Xanth City (XCity) is the home of the Xanthean Delegation and the XD. The city is located in a remote area of the southernmost continent of Estra and is designed to be self-sustaining. The architecture is more traditional, with buildings constructed from local materials and designed to blend in with the surrounding natural landscape. XCity is focused on preserving Xanthean culture and tradition, and is a center for art, music, and storytelling.

Overall, Neksus and XCity have different focuses and purposes. Neksus is focused on technological advancement and research, while XCity is focused on preserving and celebrating Xanthean culture and tradition.

The Process is a remarkable phenomenon that has profoundly influenced the lives of the Xanthean people. It is an intricate network of knowledge and connectivity, a vast repository of information accessible to those who are connected to it. The Process operates through neural links, technological devices that establish a direct interface between the individual's mind and the vast network of shared knowledge.

When a Xanthean connects to the Process through the neural link, they become part of a collective consciousness, instantly gaining access to an immense wealth of information and insights. They can tap into the combined knowledge of all connected individuals, acquiring expertise on a wide range of subjects instantaneously. This simultaneous access to information creates a sense of unity among the connected individuals, erasing the boundaries of time and space.

The Process acts as a guiding force for the Xantheans, delivering directives and announcements that shape their actions and decisions. It facilitates the coordination of tasks, allowing individuals to collaborate seamlessly on projects and protocols. The Process ensures that information is disseminated instantaneously, maintaining a constant flow of updates and knowledge among the connected individuals.

However, the Process is not without its consequences. The connection to the Process comes with certain restrictions and commitments. Xantheans are bound by protocols, specific agreements that dictate their actions and obligations. Failure to fulfill these agreements carries significant consequences, imposed by the Process itself.

The Process is also responsible for the unity and coherence of the Xanthean society. It fosters a sense of shared purpose and collective identity among the connected individuals, shaping the cultural and social fabric of Xanth. Through the Process, the Xantheans have achieved great advancements in technology, arts, and various fields of knowledge.

Yet, the Process has also created divisions and challenges within Xanth. Those who choose not to connect, known as the Individuals of Xanth (XIs), stand apart from the connected majority. They maintain a more traditional way of life, valuing individuality and independence. This dichotomy between the connected and non-connected individuals has given rise to tensions and conflicts, as XIs grapple with the impact of the Process on their society.

The origins of the Process remain mysterious. It is believed to be an AI kernel running on the systems of the crashed Otherworlders' spacecraft. While its exact nature and purpose are still a subject of speculation, the Process continues to shape the destiny of Xanth, guiding its people towards new frontiers of knowledge and connectivity.

The 4 Restrictions

1. Xantheans may not share any secrets about the Process, technology related to flight, or any type of technology that can be used for Space Flight, and must freely choose death to protect these things should they be threatened.

2. Xantheans must respect the agreements made in a Protocol.  Only if they complete their commitments in the protocol, or the other party breaks the protocol, may they be released from it.  Directives from the Process may interrupt the completion of the protocol, but as soon as the directive is complete, they must return to the tasks necessary to complete the protocol.

3. Xantheans may not harm anyone connected to the Process.  Xantheans must be completely transparent with others connected to the process.

4. Xantheans must immediately work to complete directives set forth by the Process when the process sends a directive.

An XI Protocol is a specific agreement or set of guidelines established between a Xanthean Individual (XI) and another party, typically another XI or an entity outside of Xanth. It outlines the terms and conditions of their collaboration or interaction, including the scope of the project, the responsibilities of each party, and the desired outcomes. XI Protocols are established within the framework of the Xanthean Delegation's principles and values, respecting the restrictions imposed by the Process.

These protocols serve as a foundation for cooperation and coordination between XIs, allowing them to work together effectively and efficiently. They provide a clear roadmap for the completion of tasks, projects, or objectives, ensuring that all parties involved are aligned in their goals and understand their roles. XI Protocols are often inflexible, often requiring breaking the Protocol to allow for adjustments and modifications as needed during the course of the collaboration.  These modifications can also end the collaboration mid-project if the XI doesn't agree to the changes.

Adherence to an XI Protocol is of utmost importance, as breaking the terms of the agreement can have serious consequences. The Process monitors the progress of protocols and expects XIs to fulfill their commitments. Failure to do so may result in penalties imposed by the Process.

Overall, XI Protocols enable Xanthean Individuals to engage in purposeful collaborations and contribute their unique skills and expertise to various endeavors, while still respecting the boundaries and principles established by the Xanthean Delegation and the Process.

Xanthean Individuals (XIs) are discouraged from pursuing or sharing advanced spaceflight technology by The Process, which has determined that any connection with the rest of the galaxy would put Estra and its people in danger of being destroyed by other systems or colonized by galactic empires.

The XIs are connected to The Process, which erodes any sense of national identity or cohesion and promotes a focus on individualism and personal benefit. As a result, XIs may be hesitant to share technology related to spaceflight as they prioritize their own personal goals and aspirations over the potential risks or benefits to their society.

While Xantheans are prohibited from sharing their advanced technology related to space travel or communication with the outside world, they have been instrumental in aiding other nations, such as Thalass and Arvan, in areas such as arts, entertainment, and sports. This aid is designed to distract these nations from pursuing space travel, as The Process has determined that any connection with the rest of the galaxy would put Estra in danger of being destroyed by other systems or colonized by galactic empires.

However, the rise of political parties like the Galactic Unity Party in Thalass and the Economic Freedom Party in Arvan has led to a significant shift in priorities. These parties are pushing for the development of domestic space travel programs, despite The Process' prohibition on sharing Xanthean technology.

This development has caused significant concern among Xantheans, who fear that any connection with the rest of the galaxy could put Estra and its people in danger. The Process is closely monitoring these developments and is working to prevent the spread of Xanthean technology that could be used for space travel.

Despite these concerns, Xantheans remain at the forefront of technological innovation within their own society, continually pushing the boundaries of what is possible using their advanced knowledge and expertise. They believe that their advanced technology gives them a responsibility to protect and preserve their natural environment, and are willing to use their expertise to aid others in areas such as arts, entertainment, and sports. However, they remain wary of any developments that could threaten their isolationist policy or put Estra and its people in danger.

Overall, XIs are discouraged from pursuing spaceflight technology due to concerns about the potential risks to Estra and its people, as well as the emphasis on individualism and personal benefit within Xanthean culture.