Glossary of Terms

Core terminology from the design document. These terms are explicitly defined in core.txt and form the foundation of the game's systems.

Core Terms

Moonstalker

A scavenger who operates from an orbital vessel, descending to Earth's surface to gather resources. The player character.

Vessel

A Moonstalker's personal orbital ship — home, workshop, and lifeline. Contains the Clone Bay and workshop systems. Where you truly exist.

Selenite Corp

The megacorporation that controls the teleportation network and employs Moonstalkers through contracts. Likely responsible for the cataclysm.

Clone Bay

The vessel system containing genetic backup and memory imprint technology. Where Moonstalkers respawn after death from their last saved state.

Drop Pod

Single-use, one-way orbital insertion vehicle used to descend from vessel to surface.

Teleportation Pad

Fixed extraction points maintained by Selenite Corp. Requires resource payment to use. The only way back to one's vessel besides death.

Extraction

The act of using a Teleportation Pad to return to your vessel, permanently saving all carried progress.

Sheltering

Surviving floods in Underground Hatches. Temporary safety — you keep everything on your person but nothing is "banked" until extraction.

Underground Hatch

Shelter locations scattered across the surface where Moonstalkers can survive floods. Shared spaces with other players.

Drifter

Independent surface survivors living outside Selenite Corp control. Maintain their own settlements and reject corporate infrastructure.

The Network

A hidden collective of Moonstalkers who've gone off-grid. Operates independent extraction infrastructure outside Corp control.