Kyataru

Kyataru
Astrographical
Region:	Wild Space
Sector:	Tingel Arm
System:	Honba
Suns:	1, Honba
Moons:	2, Marishiten and Tsukuyomi
Distance from Core:	1.3AU
Rotation period:	30 hours
Orbital period:	383 days
Physical
Diameter:	14,000 Km
Climates:	temporate
Gravity:	1.001g
Primary Terrain:	varied
Societal
Native species:	Human
Primary language(s):	Kyataran, Nevonese
Population:	1.2b
Major cities:	Inazawa, Owariasahi, Kuroshin
Major imports:	Durasteel
Major exports:	Finished goods, Art
Affiliation:	Keibatsu
[ Source ]

Description

The planet Kyataru exists in the Honba star system. Honba is a class G star, and the terrestrial-type planet has evolved in orbit around it. There is very little tilt in the planet’s rotational axis.

There are two moons, Marishiten and Tsukuyomi. One of the moons, Tsukuyomi, is associated with bad luck, owing perhaps to the meteor showers that happen every fifty years when it orbits closely to the planet.

Climate

The lack of tilt in the axis combined with the large landmasses make the climate fairly stratified in defined horizontal bands across the planet. The planet is largely temperate, with arctic areas near the poles. There are some hotter semi-tropical areas near the equator, but they are limited to a narrow band.

The planet does not have the gigantic storms that a world with large oceans produces. However, this causes day and nighttime temperatures to vary considerably as most of the planet is land. The planet is mostly forested, with grassy plains in a few areas. There are several large saltwater oceans and large freshwater lakes, fed by springs and by polar melts.

Biology

Mammalian life forms predominate. The native population is largely Human. There are sporadic reports of various mythological creatures, with stories dating back thousands of years. These include several varieties of humanoid animals, from the avian 'Tengu' to the vulpine 'Kitsune'. Given the history and long enforced isolation of the planet, it is exceedingly likely that these were oral traditions that were created by witnesses of alien races that found themselves stranded.

The exotic and varied nature of the flora allows for the production of unusual biochemicals and medicines collected from native stock. Many types of flowering plants, fruits, herbs, grains, and vegetables exist on Kyataru.

Geology

Kuroshin

The planet is highly tectonically active. Large areas of crust grind against each other, causing many mountain ranges to jut up in different areas of the planet. Given this factor, there are numerous active volcanoes about the world. The effects can occasionally be devastating.

This makes for fertile soil and abundant mineral resources. Gold, sulfur, phosphorous, exotic metals, non-metals, minerals, and gemstones can be found in small deposits across the planet. They are especially abundant in the mountainous areas. The periodic meteor showers also bring the occasional metallic meteorite, from which the locals produce superb weaponry.

There are saline in some ocean areas, usually following open seafloor-spreading rifts. Several large inland seas do exist, usually in rifted areas of the crust. They tend to be chilly and deep.

Social Paradigm and Culture

Situated in Wild Space, Kyataru is classified as a 'backwater' planet in part due to its distance from the core systems of the Republic, and in part due to a dynasty of isolationist rulers that cut off contact with the outside galaxy. As a result, Kyataru did not have a diplomatic representative or an ambassador to either the Republic or the Empire and is largely forgotten or ignored. It was only recently, with the return of a strongly Force-sensitive family, the Keibatsu, that this has begun to change. Returning to their homeworld after extended time spent in the wider galaxy, the Keibatsu enacted their vengeance on the warlords that had attempted to kill their bloodline and seized control of the Empire of Shuuyoujo, ruling from the capital of Inazawa and forcing a swift modernization.

The modernization started at Inazawa, the seats of power of the Keibatsu, transforming the ancient capital into a megacity and building an space station in geosynchronous orbit. Modern hospitals and schools were immediately built, and via trade with the Autoch system, industry has blossomed. A council of historians and local community organizers was utilized in order to ensure that the rapid modernization used the aesthetics of their history in an attempt to make the modernization palatable for even the most conservative and traditionalists.

All Kyatarans are entitled to free education, with living expenses paid during study in exchange for service contracts to the community. Testing for aptitudes and quotas is rather vigorous but helps to maintain the economy and communities they serve. Kyatarans are proud of the universal healthcare and education benefits that they enjoy, although they can sometimes be suspicious of the off-worlders that have taken advantage of the opportunities. Outsiders are often distrusted by Kyatarans, especially older ones, and often will segregate themselves into small expat communities.

Kyataran Language and Pride

The Kyataran people are an efficient and polite people, not prone to laziness or rudeness. A warrior culture stretching back for millennia, they value their heritage and honor above all else. With this in mind the visitor is warned to avoid calling a Kyataran either of two very grave insults, they are: Traitor and Merchant. Traitor is a heavy curse, impugning the honor of not only the person it is leveled against, but also their entire bloodline. Merchant is seen as an insult due to the insinuation that the person is incapable of creating anything of value on their own accord, instead relying on the artifice of others for their own survival. This concept is viewed as a drain on society, and those who do make a living as a trader will almost universally have a trade of their own.

Kyataru's ill-fated "Become History" Tourism Ad Campaign

Geographical Structure

Kyataru is split up into three continents- one main archipelago, flanked by two smaller landmasses, one to the east and one to the west. The main archipelago is known as 'Shuuyoujo', while the landmass to the east is named 'Dong-Hai' and the landmass to the west is known as 'Jin-Ho'. These three continents live, for the most part, in harmony, although territorial disputes do occasionally lead to war- alliances are formed and broken between the three countries regularly.

Shuuyoujo

Politically, the main archipelago of Kyataru is still ruled by a traditional feudal government. A caste system is still in place; the noble, ruling class is followed by an extensive warrior class, followed by merchants, artisans and craftsmen, and at the bottom of the scale, the peasants and farmers. This system has been rigidly imposed by the warrior class in compliance with the nobles- attempts to rise up against the system have, throughout Shuuyoujo's history, been crushed brutally, eventually leading the people to accept their position. The country is technically ruled by an Emperor, known as the 'Son of Heaven' who rules from the 'Golden Lotus Throne'. While the Emperor has unmitigated authority, it is common practice for the Emperor to rely upon democratically elected legislators and a Prime Minister.

Inazawa

Culturally, Shuuyoujo is still a feudal society- the only modern technology present on the continent is that which has been brought in from other planets, although progress is being made on reverse-engineering this technology and harnessing it. This has led to contention between Shuuyoujo and the other two continents of Kyataru over the growing military might of the archipelago.

Inazawa, the Capital City of Shuuyoujo, is a crowning gem to the country. A blending of the old styles and the contemporary, the largest city on Kyataru has been rebuilt in recent times, as investments from the Keibatsu help to modernize their homeworld. The ancient Amahara Castle, long the imperial seat of power within Shuuyoujo still stands here as a combination Capitol building and tourism draw. In addition to the modern hospitals, schools, libraries and museums, new factories and industries have popped up as well as governmentally owned shipyards.

Kuroshin is regarded as a legend by most Kyatarans, as it is a rebuilt ruin that was the seat of power of the Keibatsu clan in ages past that was rebuilt first upon the family's return. Built into a mountain, the castle overlooked the agricultural hamlet of Hakone, ancient temple ruins, the family's ancient brewery, and miles of fertile farmland. Rebuilding the ruined castle above and excavating a modern military facility into the mountain itself, the Keibatsu use Kuroshin as their home and as a base of operations.

Since modernization and the growing threat of off-worlders, Shuuyoujo diplomats have made an attempt to create a planetary government to present a united face to the outside galaxy. This has met with some limited success, but the Empire of Dong-Hai has been reluctant due to their insistence that their Emperor is superior and that they need no help from anyone else on the planet.

Dong-Hai

Owariasahi

Dong-Hai, as a country, is much less structured and rigid than Shuuyoujo. Although there is a feudal system in place, the caste system is much more flexible, with only one 'noble' class. The majority of the country's vast population live in small villages and towns out in the countryside, but a small proportion live in huge and sprawling cities that stretch across the landscape.

Like Shuuyoujo, the country is also under the rule of an Emperor, who is also viewed as a godlike figure and who does not communicate with the common people, or even acknowledge their presence. For a commoner to lay eyes on the Emperor is to risk death at the hands of his personal guard.

Dong-Hai is also the primary antagonist of Shuuyoujo. In times gone by, Shuuyoujo has invaded Dong-Hai several times and attempted to enslave the population, slaughtering vast numbers of warriors and civilians alike. This explains the tension between the two countries, especially as the drastic imbalance of power between the two empires has led to Dong-Hai being treated less as an equal and more as a subject. Small skirmishes have erupted in recent times at the border between the empires, but with neither side acknowledging them as more than sabre-rattling.

Jin-Ho

As the smallest of the three countries on Kyataru's surface, Jin-Ho is often seen as the 'underdog' in the struggles which occur between the three. However, this would be a flawed view- although the least technological and least developed of the continents, Jin-Ho has a remarkably skilled, feared navy which has beaten back the invasion forces of Dong-Hai and Shuuyoujo time and time again. The military leaders of the other two countries remember one particular Admiral without enthusiasm- Admiral Sun-Yi, who managed to completely rout a huge Dong-Hai/Shuuyoujo force of over 200 ships.

Politically, the country is unique in that it is ruled by a government, not a monarchy- although there is an Emperor, he has very little power, and is more of a figurehead. Day-to-day decisions are made by a council of wise men in consultation with experts in particular fields. There is no caste system, although the relatives of the Emperor do hold a revered position in society. Jin-Ho has maintained good relations with Shuuyoujo for more than a hundred years.