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.

Fabrication Depot

Selenite Corp nanotech facilities where Moonstalkers spawn, vehicles are fabricated, and cargo missions begin. Safe zones with automated security and teleportation arrays.

Nanotech

Molecular manufacturing technology used by Selenite Corp to fabricate vehicles and equipment at depots. Allows rapid construction from raw materials.

Cargo Transport Mission

The primary work available to Moonstalkers — transporting cargo between fabrication depots using Corp-owned vehicles. Vehicle condition affects payment.

Vehicle (Cargo Vehicle)

Corp-owned transport fabricated at depots for cargo missions. Moonstalkers are responsible for delivery and condition, but vehicles can be returned to any depot.

Teleportation Pad

Bidirectional transport platform at fabrication depots. Spawn teleportation is "free" (Corp subsidized). Extraction requires resource payment by the player.

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.