The Path of Harmony

Despite of popular belief, not all of Earth’s flora and fauna had been wiped out on the Day of Purgation. In an area protected by volcanic mountain ranges, some extremely tough plants survived the cataclysm, and continued to grow in the hostile environment left in the wake of the Purgation. This almost unnatural growth was centered at a mysterious spring, giving life to a wide range of strange new species of plants. By the time the very first human explorers discovered it, the area was already sparsely covered with vegetation, but the explorers were so used to the dry wastelands and ruins of the Old World that they saw a lush oasis, nourished by the very source of life. They saw hope for a new beginning.

The news of a natural paradise left on Earth spread fast in the Capital. The explorer party that had discovered it formed a group called the Harmonists, driven by the idea of restoring nature as it once flourished on the planet. The Harmonists were rapidly growing in numbers, and during the Exodus, they seized the opportunity to leave the Capital and set off to the fabled paradise.

These first inhabitants dreamt of a society where everyone was equal, and humans lived in perfect balance with themselves and the surrounding nature, respecting other life forms just as much as their own. They named their new settlement Wellspring, and soon started to refer to themselves as the Path of Harmony.

The idea created a nation that lives in harmony with its natural environment - literally in symbiosis with special plants cultivated from the autochthonous flora. As the plant species growing around Wellspring had been completely unknown to the Old World, the Path’s biologists started to believe that they indeed are new forms of life. Fascinated by how fast living beings were capable of adapting to the new conditions, the cult of Mother Earth was slowly reborn. The belief only grew stronger as the Path’s scientists got to know more and more about the nature of these plants and their potential. It took decades for the settlers of Wellspring to establish a safe haven, but as they kept achieving breakthroughs in the fields of botanics and bioengineering, the speed of progression grew exponentially with the help of the new species they discovered and successfully gene modified for their purposes.

Talma, the Path’s symbolic, mysterious clambering plant grows upon the gigantic trellis dome raised above the city, creating an effective natural protection against the harsh outside weather conditions and the toxic atmosphere. The original trelliswork can still be seen at some points, but over the decades Talma grew so strong and intelligent that no substantiation or guidance is needed for her any more. In fact, she is constantly expanding along with the living space of the Path of Harmony.

This is very fortunate and desirable, since the population growth of the Path is very intense due to the lack of birth control and the active sexual life they practice. Life always finds a way, they say, and that goes for their own reproduction too. Family is of high importance to them, but as their community lives in a very strong convergence, they handle each and every member of the Path as their own blood.

Despite of the fact that everyone is considered equal in their society, their leaders are held in high regard. The Path is always led by a couple, the proverbial mother and father of the people living in Wellspring. The Matriarch and Patriarch are believed to be chosen by Mother Earth herself, therefore their authority is unquestionable.

The mysterious election ceremony is held in the sanctuary built upon the vastly overgrown spring that once fostered Wellspring. The male and female candidates enter the Hall of Life and Death, a special chamber of the shrine. The exact details of the ceremony are shrouded in mystery, but most of the candidates do not return – some believe they wander off into the wilderness at the heart of Wellspring, others that they are sacrifices presented to Mother Earth in return for her generosity. Still, only two candidates, the Matriarch and Patriarch emerge from the shrine, with symbionts connected to their body.

The Seeders are true masterworks of bioengineering, a craft the Path of Harmony is unmatched at. This huge walker is made entirely of polished titanium pieces, held together and moved by a host of domesticated Talma vines. With specialized equipment and years of training, the Cultivators are able to temporarily connect with Talma in a perfect symbiosis, which allows them to control the vines as though they was part of their own body. Thanks to this technique, the Seeders’ speed, maneuverability and efficiency far exceeds what can be achieved with mechanical servos – much to the envy of the other Paths.

As the population is constantly growing, death is by no means feared by the people of Wellspring. They accept it, and some even welcome it as a chance to truly become one with Nature. They believe that they all originate from the source of life, and by death they simply return to that source.

In Wellspring, there is no market economy. Everyone receives a centrally determined share of goods, but citizens are free to exchange them among themselves. People of Wellspring only have a few personal belongings, and strive to consume the least energy possible. Their way of life is the complete opposite of Old Earth’s consumer society, an idea they deeply despise.

The Path of Harmony is deeply shaken by the news of the asteroid’s approach. While they firmly believe that Wellspring has grown powerful enough by now and Talma will protect them from the blast wave, they are concerned for all life on the planet, not just their own – and therefore, they will do everything in their power to minimize the damage and save as many lives as possible.