Hypernova Havoc

There's an exquisite beauty in the dance of death.

— The Azure Spectator

Hypernova Havoc is an infamous deathmatch operation run by the Azure Spectator, spanning three solar systems on the fringe of the galaxy. It encompasses a planet-sized space station, multiple terraformed arena worlds, and an entire broadcast infrastructure keeping the violence running around the clock.

Locations

The Hub

The Hub is a planet-sized space station serving as the operational base of Hypernova Havoc. The majority of its space is dedicated to the background infrastructure keeping the deathmatches running. It also maintains a substantial public-facing area for audience members who wish to watch in person, complete with hotels, restaurants, shops, and other amenities. Merchandise, typically themed around current contestants, is sold throughout.

Arena Planets

Hypernova Havoc makes use of several planets repurposed as arenas for gauntlets and battle royales. These worlds have been terraformed multiple times over the decades at the Spectator's direction, adding variation to the environments contestants are forced to navigate.

Deathmatches

Categories

There are different types of matches, either pitching contestants against each other, and also hazardous environments.

• Classic - Two contestants face each other in a deathmatch arena, usually to the death, though not always.
• Rush - A particularly formidable contestant is pitted against a succession of opponents one after another.
• Battle Royale - A large group is deposited on a planet. The last individual or team standing wins.
• Gauntlets - Contestants navigate hazardous courses to reach the end. Multiple winners are possible, though prize money is split between them.

Multiple matches typically run simultaneously. Backup broadcasts are kept on standby for when a match ends early due to accident or contestant error. If a match runs long without casualties, the Spectator will add additional hazards to move things along.

Care Packages

Audiences can spend money to drop care packages to specific contestants in gauntlets and large-scale fights, typically containing equipment, food, or supplies. They may also send novelty packages of deliberately useless items. During deathmatches, and at the Spectator's discretion, audiences can pay to have weapons thrown into the arena mid-fight.

Type

Illicit, Other

Founders

• Azure Spectator

Related Species

• Ahura
• Ashuri

Contestants

Contestants fall into two broad categories: those who chose to be there, and those who did not. Volunteers participate for prize money or glory. They are given colour-coded uniforms and tend to last longer due to preparation.

Unwilling contestants are usually sourced through contractor pirates.

The Spectator actively prefers the latter, believing that individuals fighting for survival produce more authentic spectacle than volunteers.

Employees

Azure Attendants

All employees within Hypernova Havoc's facilities are Ashuri, a splinter group of The Nethren, collectively known as the Azure Attendants. The Spectator does not employ non-Ashuri within the operation itself.

Contractors

An exception to the Ashuri-only staffing policy exists for external contractors, typically pirates, hired to supply new contestants. The Spectator pays a premium for something new to the arena and accepts both sapient and non-sapient deliveries.