I'll be adding some more locations to GH2 soon. The next region to get detailed is that controlled by the Free Commerce States. And now, a history of the L5 region...
Most of the L5 colonies were founded during the latter part of the exodus, when refugees from Earth began to construct perminant residences in space. The Free Commerce Association was established to regulate trade among the spinners. The individual spinner colonies are mostly free to set internal policies themselves, but the FCA regulates foreign policy and the military. One of the few laws that all member states must follow is that citizens must be free to emigrate, though no spinner is required to accept immigrants.
Most spinner colonies are technocracies. Decisions are made based on what will generate the maximum prosperity for the spinner residents. Any spinner that fails to be prosperous will lose its brightest and best citizens to other colonies. Advancement in government and business is typically gained through demonstrating one's ability to generate e-profit; failure to contribute to society is treated as a crime in many colonies. Exile is a common punishment for non-capital crimes, but it can be difficult for someone with a criminal record to find a new colony home.
At some point in the past (too lazy to look up the exact date) two splinter factions, the L5 Alliance and the Rishiri Dominion, split from the Free Commerce States. Both are still affiliated with the FCS, but on bad terms with one another.
Theles Spinner is a member of the Free Commerce States which has not sided with either the L5 Alliance or the Rishiri Dominion. It is sometimes called "Freedomland", since it will accept anyone as a citizen, even those with criminal records. It is also known as "The Meatyard", for reasons which will be obvious shortly.
This spinner does not have laws protecting human rights, at least not on the lower habitation level. In fact, it doesn't have many laws at all- hence the "Freedomland" moniker. Many things that would be illegal or immoral elsewhere are allowed here. Several corporations, including Biocorp of Earth, have research offices in Theles Spinner. Any vice imaginable can be had here for the right price.
The upper habitation layer is not accessable by most citizens. They say it's possible to buy entry to the upper city if you have enough money, but few succeed in that goal. Many more apply for citizenship elsewhere and get out; this also takes a lot of money, but not nearly so much. For those with criminal records or nowhere else to go, the lower level is their perminant home.
L5Law, the police organization of the FCS, only has jurisdiction to investigate intercolony crime in Theles Spinner. The violent lower level is controlled by private security forces whose only real purpose is to keep the citizens from rebelling. As long as they only fight among themselves the upper city doesn't care what happens. Certain military forces, such as the Privateers, recruit hardened killers from the undercity dwellers. In this way, warriors and gangs who rise to promenince are removed from the spinner before they can cause problems.
There are many ways to make quick money here, as long as you don't mind a bit of self-destruction. Organs can be sold, or you can take part in human research. There are gang wars to join and dirty deeds to be done.
