Handbook of the Galaxy: 2

July 18, 2009 on 10:35 pm | In SS-Elise, Serial Story | No Comments

Atmosphere: Primarily Nitrogen, Oxygen, Argon

Cosmological information: Three moons (Cavi is largest, rock moon, minimal atmosphere; Marin is the middle moon, an irregular captured iron asteroid with minimal atmosphere; Arniel is smallest, rock moon with weak hydrogen/carbon/sulfur atmosphere; no life exists on the moons). Solar system consists of four recognized planets, three planetoids, and a large asteroid field. Cosmic events are occasional and Graei employs a planetary shield and secondary diversion array.

Environment: Restricted water environments though there is significant water, much of the water is bound as ice at the polar caps, which extend over much of the planet’s surface. Life-supporting environments are restricted to the equatorial regions where temperatures often allow for liquid-state water. Graei sustains two primary ecosystems: tundra and ice habitats and subterranean equatorial temperate habitats. There are extensive cavern systems created when the planet was younger and hotter and less water was bound in ice. Above ground weather prone to significant ice storms. Weather below ground is temperate and mild, water seeps from surface and there is little significant precipitation.

Life: Graei supports a limited number of species, both vegetative and animal. Plant species are quite seasonal above ground. Subterranean plants flourish due to the unique sodium crystal nature of much of the surface of the planet. Since sodium crystals allow light to penetrate, subterranean photosynthesis has created a haven for life underground. Above ground animal species are primarily lower order, the single apex predator above ground is the xeran (for more information, see resources section). The variety of lifeforms below ground is significantly more varied, though limited by the environment. Graei control advanced technology. The less evolved velan are capable of utilizing basic technology but have not, as yet, contributed any innovation. Graei are extremely long-lived. Visitors should focus on below-ground visitation with a guide, as the maze of subterranean tunnels can be extremely confusing to extraterrestrial visitors.

Government: Planetary empire ruled by hereditary monarchy with hierarchical social and political system. Ruling monarch has total control over all gubernatorial appointments, both on- and off-planet.

Points of interest: Graei has a Royal Archive and a Royal Museum, but access is extremely limited. The Royal Archive is reputed to contain one of the most extensive collections of pre-Galactic Council interplanetary information in the Galaxy. The Royal City houses a significant number of diversionary sites, including mixed-race brothels and extensive commercial venues.

Other information: The convoluted social/political structure requires significant study if visitor wishes to understand the complexities of the system. The basic information necessary for visitors is as follows: There are three classes of graei, as well as the slave class of velan. The Crystal are the upper level aristocracy, which is almost universally hereditary. On very rare occasions, the ruling monarch may elevate someone from another class to the level of Crystal, but these individuals are rarely included in social networking. The Stone are the merchant and business class of graei, and the Soil are the working class of graei. Graei does still institute debt slavery, so it is imperative that the visitor to Graei understand his or her obligations lest he or she find themselves in debt slavery. Graei is well-known for its brothels and gambling hells. High Crystal balls are reputed to include sexual activities, but this cannot be confirmed as non-Crystal are not included in these events.

Excerpt from New Juneau:

Location: S7, Betel Four, Cygnus Gamma

Atmosphere: Oxygen, Nitrogen, Carbon

Cosmological information: New Juneau is the seventh named moon of Argon (see entry), a gas giant. Solar system consists of five recognized planets and a single debris field. Because of Argon’s very active planetoid belt and surrounding debris, cosmic collision is a regular threat. New Juneau employs a planetary shield and secondary diversion array.

Environment: Significant liquid water. Temperate climate over much of surface. Occasional storms but generally mild weather. Polar regions slightly cooler, possible frozen precipitation. Primary native ecosystems are mixed forest and grassland. Much grassland has been converted to farmland.

Life: New Juneau supports lush and extensive vegetative life and a number of small lower-order animal species. Apex predators are small and of little threat to visitors. There are no native species with mastery of technology. Human and Greyvan colonists possess advanced technology.

Government: The colonial government is completely independent of both Earth and Greyvan. Farming communities form collective cooperative representative governments, each of which send representatives to the Planetary Council, which is responsible for all extra-terrestrial dealings. Any trade or defense agreements must be validated by a majority of the collectives.

Points of interest: New Juneau’s Tower Forest is renowned for its massive trees.

Other information: Because New Juneau is primarily a farming colony, only the capital city of Drekne has significant amenities for the traveler. New Juneau provides over 6% of the perishable trade food items for the Galaxy and nearly 10% of the kahvi crop.