The Old World

Lore & Background

According to the official history taught by the Republic, Earth was a paradise that humanity squandered through war and environmental collapse, necessitating the migration to Mars. The truth, however, is far darker: the Old World was destroyed not by nature, but by a catastrophic conflict among the first Golds who sought to enslave their own kind before fleeing. For centuries, the memory of Earth has been systematically erased from public consciousness, replaced with propaganda that paints the planet as a toxic wasteland unworthy of return. This erasure serves as the foundation of the caste system; without knowledge of their shared origin, the Reds believe they are naturally suited for labor, while the Golds maintain their divine right to rule.

In Their Own Story

Darrow sat in the dim light of his bunk, the dust motes dancing like ghosts in the air. His grandfather's voice echoed in his mind, a forbidden story whispered over a dying fire: 'Before the ships, before the colors, there was only green and blue.' The boy looked up at the rusted ceiling of the mine, imagining a sky not choked with smog but vast and open. He wondered if the stories were true or just another lie to keep them digging in the dark. Somewhere out there, beneath the stars they weren't allowed to name, lay a world that belonged to everyone.

Reader's Guide

The Old World serves as the ultimate historical mystery driving the narrative of rebellion and identity. Before the Exodus, humanity lived on Earth without the rigid caste system that defines Martian society today. The collapse was triggered by a power struggle among the early ruling class, leading to the destruction of civilization and the desperate flight to Mars. The Republic has meticulously constructed a false history to maintain control. By claiming Earth is uninhabitable or destroyed beyond repair, they prevent any desire for return that could challenge their authority. The truth—that Earth was sacrificed by Golds to escape accountability—is the secret that fuels Darrow's awakening and the eventual war for freedom. Culturally, the Old World represents 'freedom' in its purest form to the Reds, who hear fragmented tales of a time before servitude. For the Golds, it is a graveyard of their sins, a place they fear remembering because it proves their rule is built on theft and genocide rather than natural order.

Did You Know?

• The memory of Earth was deliberately erased from public records to prevent the lower castes from questioning the legitimacy of the Golds' rule.
• Many myths about the Old World were created by the Republic to describe it as a hellish wasteland, discouraging any desire for return.
• The technology and genetic engineering used on Mars originated on Earth before its destruction.
• Returning to Earth is considered the ultimate heresy in Martian society, punishable by death or immediate reassignment.