The "Belters," "Roiders," or less politely, "Human Debris" (as opposed to the space debris they live in) are a loose collection of asteroid miners who claimed independence around the same time as the Lunar Republic did. Because of the costs and difficulties of space travel, every effort had been made to make the mining operations more self-sufficient. This proved disastrous when the miners successfully subverted or defeated the security garrison, as the rebels were able to fortify their position against any subsequent assault. Additionally, the newly-formed Lunar Republic interceded on behalf of the Belters, preventing counter-insurgency forces from leaving planetary orbit. Now something of a rogue state, heavily disliked by the planetside nations, but entrenched enough to make reconquest prohibitively expensive.

Their population is on the decline due to poor habitability and limited immigration, so their enemies are content to let them dwindle. They maintain trade and diplomacy with the Loonies, and with Gateway via lunar proxies. Each "clan" is sovereign, with a shared forum for resolving inter-clan grievances. Spacecraft traveling out-system, and particularly through the belt, may be interdicted and "taxed" by pirate crews. Captain Jonas Simbacca and his pirates are both criminal folk heroes, and unofficial defense forces for the other clans.

The Belters are barely cohesive, quite paranoid, and increasingly clannish. Only charismatic figures like Simbacca can muster anything like a proper military force from the scattered clans. As a result, they are primarily defensive, with extensive traps around their bases. They make use of reinforced spacecraft and converted mining equipment for their military needs. Simbacca's clan, for example, use miniature mass drivers to launch armed shuttles and re-purposed construction mechs from their asteroid outposts. They are rumored to also use weapons and tactics that mimic collisions and accidents, allowing them to cloak their aggression.

Regions and Settlements:

• Rodina - agrarian/wooded heart of the country
• Varang - new capitol, home of the velikii kniaz (grand duke/prince), settled by refugees from Schrade
• Ruriksburg - primary military training and research center, in Varangian territory
• Sova - industrial center of Rodina, mostly underground, subdued after a failed rebellion
• Izut - Rodinan city with pronounced sprawl, home of ambitious lineage of kniazes (princes)

Military Forces:

• Voi - local conscripts, rallied into a militia when needed. Given only the most basic training and armaments. They serve to bulk out the front line, and handle menial rear line tasks. Senior officers are lesser nobles, under the command of the region's Voivode (duke, war leader).
• Streltsy - disciplined, professional soldiers that comprise the standing army. Wear distinctive red armored coats, and field all manner of weapons and vehicles. The backbone of the army during war, and provide security during peacetime. Organized into local units under Voivode command, and national units commanded by the Grand Duke's chosen.
• Kholops - a retinue of servant-soldiers, in the direct employ of a noble. Their master is responsible for their training and equipment. The poorest nobles field a militia-quality squad of infantry to act as their bodyguards. The wealthiest can field an infantry regiment, or deploy a veteran mech squad.
• Druzhina - ranking nobles and favored servants under the command of a kniaz. Senior druzhinniki (lit. "companions") are typically advisers, but some are generals. Junior druzhinniki command streltsy units or train their kholops as specialists. Favored non-nobles are bodyguards. As the second-highest social class, members of the druzhina have their pick of equipment.

Notable Figures:

• Jonas Simbacca - preeminent pirate leader and folk hero