Monopolis

Monopolis is not an exceptional planet in terms of it's sun, orbit, size, composition or atmosphere, but the planet's surface is covered by a many-layered city. This world-city is populated by an estimated 100 billion anthrosaurs supported by an ancient system of hydroponic agriculture that maintains the atmosphere and food supply.

Much of the city is unpopulated - most anthrosaurs live in the uppermost layers. The lower layers are remnants of previous historical eras and pre-historical civilizations. These abandoned layers can be physically unstable, but they are also dangerous because of the beings that make their homes down there.

Surprisingly, Monopolis has no "nations" and no government in the sense that most other worlds do. The Monopolis Trading Company has practically unlimited power over it's employees - over 99% of the world's population. The company controls almost every aspect of life. For example, there is no "money" system - only status within the company, written orders for supplies, and such.

Most of the Company is a bureaucracy of small but big-headed Gremlins. Gremlins fill all the high status positions and do work that depends on knowledge, although the majority of gremlins actually have low level manufacturing and clerical jobs. Gremlins typically receive a few years of general education before being trained for a job or placed in a management position.

The second largest population of anthrosaurs, Manticores are the Company's security forces. They are specially trained - and some say bred - for various police and paramilitary functions. Although Monopolis has the technology to produce advanced weapons and armor, it's real power in violent confrontations is the natural weapons and armor and training of these manticore troops.

Keeping business going between the diverse cultures of Monopolis and other worlds requires the special abilities of Harpy translators. Almost all harpies are employed as interpreters, and since there are not many other jobs for them, the population of harpies on Monopolis is just large enough to keep those positions staffed. In addition to their natural ability, Harpies receive special training in languages from early childhood.

Massive Ogres do much of the physically demanding work required to maintain the architecture that covers the surface of Monopolis. This essential, skilled labor gives some members of Ogre minority - engineers for example - a level of status above most anthrosaurs but still below the elite Gremlin bureaucracy.

Amphibious Trolls are essential for maintaining the complex system of pipes, tunnels, aqueducts, sewers and resevoirs that move and store fresh water on Monopolis. Mostly living below - sometimes far below - the surface levels, trolls are a difficult population to keep track of. Their relationship with the Company is unsteady, but the trolls are necessary to the continuation of life on Monopolis.

Gargoyles are employed by many departments within the company - sometimes as guards but also for less savory jobs where their natural stealth ability is useful. Most gargoyles have no formal education or "legitimate" skills, so unemployed gargoyles are sometimes a cause of social disruption.

The only large population of anthrosaurs on Monopolis that are not employed by the Company are the nocturnal Vampires. Great numbers of them live in the dark underground layers of Monopolis which have been neglected by the surface dwellers. As they are only equipped to digest blood, and there are many more anthrosaurs than other animals on Monopolis, they survive by ambushing the Company's people on the streets or even in their homes. Although vampire attacks are seldom immediately fatal, this terrifying kind of predation often leads to social instability and the spread of deadly diseases.

Airships are lighter-than-air vehicles made of a silk balloon and a small gondola. Monopolis airships have a few advanced features including a skeleton within the balloon that holds it in an aerodynamic shape, and wing-rudders that can steer the airship on wind power. Controlling a wind-powered airship is difficult and they consume a lot of fuel just to keep the air inside the balloon heated.