Orbstack

The Orbstack refers to the living heart of the Daban Urnud: sixteen hollow spheres (“orbs”), each a little under a mile across, clustered about a central axis that spins to create pseudogravity. According to accounts from a Laterran informant, most of the ship’s Forty Thousand residents spend their lives inside this habitat rather than venturing to the exterior or service structures.

Structure and Environment

• Each orb is half filled with water. The water’s surface supports houseboats; roofs and decks are used to grow food.
• When the ship is not under acceleration, doors can be opened to join neighboring orbs, allowing free movement between them.
• The cluster’s rotation provides a steady down‑direction; the spheres and links create a connected neighborhood rather than isolated modules.

Communities and Organization

• The Orbstack houses communities from the four origin peoples: Urnud, Tro, Laterre, and Fthos. Officially, each maintains four orbs, though mixing occurs.
• Daily life includes education; one orb hosts a school. Children are raised within the Orbstack’s communities.
• Shipboard politics influence life in the orbs. The alliance called the Pedestal contrasts with an opposition movement known as the Fulcrum (identified with Fthosians in current accounts).

Role and Status

• Provides habitation, food production, and services for the ship’s population; suits the long-duration voyaging purpose of the Daban Urnud.
• Most residents seldom see the exterior of the vessel, living entirely within the Orbstack’s linked orbs.

Notes on Usage

• The term is often used with an article (e.g., “the Orbstack”).