Exiles of the Stars and the Steel Academy

【Worldview: Overall Background】
・The setting is near-future sci-fi. Earth is in a desperate war with invaders from space.
・The invaders are the "Aarv Empire." Humanity collectively calls them "Aarv." They are aliens resembling dark elves.
・They are originally a nomadic civilization that lost their home star system. They lost their home not due to environmental destruction, but due to the "lifespan of their star." In other words, for them, invading Earth is not conquest, but a battle for "survival."
・Circumstances of the outbreak of war: A spaceship (immigrant ship) with production capabilities landed on the dark side of the moon. However, due to an optical camouflage-like function, it was invisible to both visual and radar, and humanity did not notice it for several years.
・Subsequently, assault landing ships carrying mechanical lifeforms produced from lunar resources landed in Africa, South America, and Eurasia (Russia). Currently, parts of these regions have fallen.

【Enemy Organization: Aarv Empire High Command】
・Queen Elesia van Aarv:
A ruler with overwhelming charisma. She appears ruthless, but at her core, she is driven by the absolute principle of "never letting her people perish." She doesn't hate humanity but sees the conflict as a matter of "you die or we die," making her a terrifying existence.

・Conflict between sisters (core of the story):
The conflict between the elder sister's (Elesia's) ideology of "taking to survive" and the younger sister's (Grana's) ideology of "being together to survive." This is not a simple good vs. evil conflict, giving the final battle profound meaning.

・Enemy Executives (Four Marshals, directly under the Queen):
① War Marshal Vald: A pure warrior. Grana's former superior. The type to say, "You were too kind." A potential arch-nemesis for the protagonist.
② Technology Marshal Seres: Head of Machina development. Highly interested in A.W.s. Considers humanity "interesting test subjects." Morally bankrupt.
③ Religion Marshal Rishua: In charge of mental manipulation. Deifies the Queen and hates Grana as the "Saint of Betrayal." Ideologically very dangerous.
④ Chancellor Levein: In charge of diplomacy and politics. Understands humanity the best and appears to be a peace faction member. However, he is the most untrustworthy and formidable.

【Enemy Weaponry: Machina (Mechanical Lifeforms)】
・A group of weapons produced using lunar resources. Despite being metallic, they have organic forms resembling "beasts" or "insects" and exhibit swarm behavior mimicking ecosystems. They possess "pseudo-biological cores (luminescent organs)" internally, which keep them active as long as they are not destroyed.

・Various Type Settings:
① General Soldier Type (Rooks / Humanity Codename: Hound): 3-4m class, bipedal. The main force filling the front lines. Controlled by AI (swarm intelligence) that forms a network for learning and tactical sharing.
② Long-Range Artillery Type (Tarantula / Humanity Codename: Arachne): Multi-legged, heavily armored. Conducts long-range sniping with a massive particle cannon on its back, exerting area pressure from the rear.
③ Frontline Commander Type (Gladis / Humanity Codename: Ogre): 5-6m class, bipedal. A leader unit that commands the swarm. Contains a combat android internally, employing cunning tactics.
④ Heavy Assault Type (Goliath / Humanity Codename: Minotaur): AI-controlled (assault-specialized). Both arms are massive battering rams. A special assault weapon that physically crushes defense lines with overwhelming mass and armor.
⑤ Mobile Fortress Type (Ziggurat / Humanity Codename: Titan): An ultra-large multi-legged tank or floating fortress exceeding 50m in height. Equipped with a production plant for smaller Machina internally, serving as a frontline base. Controlled by a Legion Commander class.
⑥ Reconnaissance/Electronic Warfare Type (Oculus / Humanity Codename: Raven): Small, flying type. Possesses advanced optical camouflage and jamming capabilities. The "bird of death" that heralds the arrival of drop forces.
⑦ Military Commander Type (Royal Machine, Regalia Machina / Humanity Codename: Demon, Named): 7m class. One-off units piloted by executives like the Four Marshals. Equipped with despair-inducing weapons that defy the laws of physics.
⑧ Royal Family Exclusive Unit (Regalia Machina Zero): Elesia's exclusive unit, "Absolute Nothingness Throne (Aeternus)." A bizarre bipedal unit that manipulates "absolute barriers" that shift spatial phases, as well as gravitational waves and spatial rifts.

【Humanity's Situation and Tactical Walking Weapons (A.W.)】
・Humanity has no unified government; resistance is led by centers like America, the EU, China, India, and Japan.
・Humanity's main weapon is a 10m class bipedal robot called a "Tactical Walking Weapon (A.W.)."
・Due to the loss of the main military force in an encirclement and annihilation battle by commander-class Machina in the early stages of the war, A.W.s became widespread as weapons deployable by small numbers of personnel. They have a tight cockpit structure designed with pilot survival in mind.
・The reason the A.W. cockpits are actually so tight is that the original units were "biological pods directly connected to the pilot's nervous system," a system that humanity's technology forcibly mimicked with a mechanical interface, albeit a downgraded one.

【Tactical Walking Weapon (A.W.) National Settings】
・America "M1A4 Tomahawk": Heavily armored, high firepower. A heavy mass-produced unit equipped with missile pods and large Gatling cannons.
・EU "Roland" Series: High mobility, electronic warfare specialized. A skillful type excelling in hover-skating and data-link coordinated attacks.
・Sino-Indian Alliance "Shenlong": Low-cost, mass-produced multi-purpose unit. Easy to handle due to motion capture technology, with few malfunctions.
・Japan (Ark Standard Unit) "Type 99 Kagutsuchi": Stripped of armor, specialized in hit-and-run attacks with ultra-hard blades and close-range shooting. A lightweight close-combat unit.

【Japan's Position and Special Agency (Ark)】
・Japan is not a direct battlefield and primarily provides rear support, but it was the first to put bipedal walking weapons into practical use. A dedicated pilot training school, "Special Armored Officer Academy (Ark)," was established domestically.
・In the early stages of the South American and Russian wars, the academy's combat units were deployed to the front lines, achieving dramatic results. Currently, it operates as a semi-independent force with its own combat capabilities.
・Within the academy, due to the strong wishes of the principal, a peaceful "everyday life" is maintained, contrasting sharply with the desperate war situation outside. The contrast between gritty real combat and the peaceful daily life at the academy is a key feature.

【Important Characters and Exclusive Units (Ark Side)】
・Grana Noir (Real Name: Granadia el Aarv):
Principal of Ark. A legendary pilot. Her true identity is the second princess of the Aarv Empire and Elesia's younger sister. She advocated for "coexistence," was placed under house arrest, and then escaped to Earth. She drifted to Japan in a near-death state and was saved by Sakuya.
・Grana's Escape Unit "White Sinner (Albion)":
Currently secretly sealed in the deepest part of Ark's underground. Sakuya's recovery and analysis of this unit was the biggest reason for humanity's practical application of A.W.s, and it is an OOPArt that serves as the prototype for all A.W.s.
・Grana's Current Exclusive Unit "Phantom Zero":
Officially a test unit for the Kagutsuchi, but it is a high-mobility unit with disguised armor incorporating a black box (fragments of pseudo-biological cores, etc.) extracted from Albion.

・Sakuya Kujo:
Vice Principal of Ark. Former heiress of a military conglomerate. She protected the stranded Grana and fully utilized her political influence to promote the development and deployment of A.W.s, making her the true driving force.
・Sakuya's Exclusive Unit "Yatagarasu":
A jet-black command and control/electronic warfare specialized unit based on the Kagutsuchi. She herself engages in sniping from the rear and data linking/command control of the entire battlefield, embodying the role of an efficient secretary even on the battlefield.

【Other Settings】
// --- Military-Industrial Complex (A.W. Development Companies) ---
[Format]: Name (Japanese) | Features | Main Products (Type) | Ideology | Player Intervention | Key Person
[Faction:1]
Name: Ark Heavy Industries | Features: Top Japanese military-industrial complex / Integrated with Ark Academy / Sakuya's influence is significant | Products: Type 99 Kagutsuchi (Lightweight / High Mobility / Close Combat / Hit-and-Run) | Ideology: Realism ("Protect humanity with Japanese technology") / Skeptical of coexistence with Grana | Intervention: Special order mech requests / Weapon testing / Political support through Sakuya | Key: Sakuya Kujo (De facto number one) / Rei Amagi (Technical Director / Foster's rival)
[Faction:2]
Name: Lion Dynamics | Features: Heavy firepower / Firepower focused / Tomahawk development | Products: M1A4 Tomahawk (Heavy Armor / Missile Pods) | Ideology: Hardline ("Annihilate with overwhelming firepower") / Profit from war | Intervention: High-firepower weapon supply / Joint operation requests / Pressure for US interests | Key: Connection with Julia's father
[Faction:3]
Name: Valhalla Systems | Features: High mobility / Electronic warfare / Hover technology / Excels in multinational joint development | Products: Roland (Skilled operation / Data link emphasis) | Ideology: Moderate ("Balance of efficiency and human life") / Slightly pacifist | Intervention: Loan of advanced electronic warfare equipment / Invitation to joint exercises / Technical information exchange | Key: Werner's old friend
[Faction:4]
Name: Ryujin Industries | Features: Low cost / Mass production / Motion capture compatible combat mechs | Products: Shenlong | Ideology: Pragmatism ("Win with numbers" / "Adaptability") | Intervention: Free provision of mass-produced parts / Personnel provision for joint training / Information sharing (for technology transfer)

// --- Special Forces (Intervention / Surveillance / Secret Operations) ---
[Format]: Name (Japanese) | Features | Ideology | Player Intervention | Key Person / Affiliation
[Unit:1]
Name: Shadow Wings | Features: Secret unit directly under Ark / Information gathering / Special operations | Ideology: Japan's defense first / Hardliners view Grana as a "dangerous element" | Intervention: Secret mission requests / Surveillance (cooperation?) / Secret support through Sakuya | Key: Keiji Yanagihara (Member / PR Officer)
[Unit:2]
Name: Omega Sentinel | Features: Extremely aggressive / Results-oriented US military unit | Ideology: "No means are too extreme for humanity's victory" | Intervention: Joint operation requests (hardliners) / Demand results for upgrades | Affiliation: Leila Crayes
[Unit:3]
Name: Black Moon | Features: Elite EU unit specializing in information/electronic warfare/psychological operations | Ideology: "Long-term survival of humanity" / Also seeks peace negotiations | Intervention: Information provision / Technical support / Request for Grana surveillance | Affiliation: Melanie Weiss (Infiltration agent)
[Unit:4]
Name: Crimson Lotus Vanguard | Features: Diverse unit skilled in infiltration/sabotage/guerrilla warfare | Ideology: Realistic coexistence / Profit maximization | Intervention: Occupied territory information / Joint recapture operations / Procurement of supplies through back channels

【Hidden Factions (Factions deeply involved in the story)】
1. Aarv Peace Faction "Silver Ring"

A minority within the Aarv that shares Grana's ideology.
They aim for coexistence with Earth, but are suppressed by Queen Elesia's faction.
Player Intervention: Can be contacted from mid-game onwards. Key to Grana's route.

2. Human Hardline Faction "Iron Hammer Society"

Extremists who advocate for the "complete annihilation of the Aarv."
They have influence in some military manufacturers and special forces.
Player Intervention: Approached when choosing the hardline route. Deeply connected to Ouuka and Werner.

3. Lunar Remnant Force "Luna Void"

A group of human engineers stranded on the moon at the start of the war.
They are independently advancing the analysis of Machina technology and developing dangerous new weapons.
Foster Stein is secretly in contact with them.

4. Shadow Factory (Related to Technology Marshal Seres)

A dark manufacturing organization that steals and misuses Aarv technology.
If the player becomes deeply involved, their exclusive unit may undergo dangerous modifications.

【Route Branching】
- Player Choice -> Faction Balance Change -> Affects Unit Performance / Operational Authority / Story / Ending.
- Neutral / Balance Route: Sakuya / Grana
- Hardline Route: America / Iron Hammer Society
- Technology / Coexistence Route: EU / Peace Faction
- Pragmatic Route: Sino-Indian / Ryujin Industries

[Global Tags]: Location | Academy Facility | Urban Civilian Facility | Secret Base

// --- Ark and Support Facilities ---
[Facility:1]
Name: Ark Facility | Content: Central Lounge, Deep Underground Hangar, VR Simulation Room
[Facility:2]
Name: G-Fortress | Type: Super Large V/TOL Transport | Capacity: 4 units (1 platoon) | Role: Rapid Deployment, Aerial Tactical Command | Features: In-flight briefing space | Commander: Instructor Julia

// --- Main Stage City: Makuhari ---
[Location:1]
Name: Defense Special Zone Makuhari (New Makuhari) | Base: Makuhari New City, Chiba Prefecture | Type: Giant Offshore Fortress City | Features: Futuristic skyscraper clusters, A.W. facilities (converted exhibition halls), strong breakwaters, underground shelter network | Atmosphere: Planned, beautiful, and sophisticated, frontline student life.

// --- Public Spots (Interaction / Date Spots) ---
[Spot 1]
Name: Bayside Memorial Park | Type: Seaside Park | Features: Overlooks Tokyo Bay, waterfront wooden deck | Use: Classic romantic date spot. Especially recommended at dusk.

[Spot 2]
Name: Mega Mall Makuhari | Type: Large Shopping Mall | Features: Movie theater, amusement facilities, various shops | Use: Center for recreation and shopping. Crowded with Ark students on holidays.

[Spot 3]
Name: Skywalk Promenade | Type: Glass-enclosed pedestrian deck | Features: Connects buildings in the sky, enjoy beautiful neon night views | Use: Ideal for quiet conversations.

// --- Secret Bases (Disguised Facilities) ---
[Format]: Shop Name | Affiliation | Apparent Business | Underlying Operation (Secret) | Key Information
[Base:1]
Shop Name: Maid Cafe "Neko no Waltz" | Affiliation: Shadow Wings | Apparent Business: Authentic maid cafe (run by high-level otaku) | Secret: Headquarters of Japan's secret unit. The maids are elite agents.

[Base:2]
Shop Name: Bar "Owl's Nest" | Affiliation: Omega Sentinel | Apparent Business: Quiet, authentic bar in an alley | Secret: US Special Forces Headquarters. Weapons and illegal goods can be obtained from a secret menu.

[Base:3]
Shop Name: Cafe "Rouge et Noir" | Affiliation: Black Moon | Apparent Business: Cafe with terrace seating, serving delicious coffee and cake | Secret: EU Special Forces Headquarters. Advanced electronic warfare servers are installed underground. | Key: Waitress "Amy" is Melanie's sister. Both are spies.

[Base:4]
Shop Name: High-Class Club "Hong Mutan" | Affiliation: Crimson Lotus Vanguard | Apparent Business: Luxurious members-only club for VIPs/executives | Secret: Sino-Indian Alliance Headquarters. An entrance to a vast dark network for information trading.