Thor

Thor
Astrographical
Region:	Outer Rim
Sector:	Aurora Sector
System:	Phare System
Suns:	1: Odin
Moons:	Mjolnir
Physical
Primary Terrain:	Glacier
Societal
Native species:	Humans, Grenfels
Primary language(s):	Basic
Population:	5,000,000
Affiliation:	Galactic Empire
[ Source ]

Thor is the forbidding and harsh home to the Grenfels and their coexistent food source, the Laakas. It's extreme elliptical orbit takes it from 0.8 AUs (when there is a brief 3-4 week "summer") to 4 AUs at its limit. It is during these times of dead winter (approximately 95% of the Thor annum), that most indigenous lifeforms hibernate or continually roam the ice covered surface of the planet for prey. Although there are several hundred species of various flying, land roaming and burrowing mammalian species on Thor, life is harsh and each species has adapted to the frigid climate in its own way. The primary reason there has been no Human colonies established on this world is due to its extreme gravity, which is in excess of 2.5 times standard. Without power assisted equipment and artificial gravity control, no Human would be able to survive on Thor. In addition, the glacial cover of the planet has hidden any potential mineral or natural resources lying beneath the thick icy cap.

The majority of the planet is covered with massive continental glaciers 10 to 20 km thick. Approximately 1-2 % of the planet is covered by the highest mountain ranges which just have their summits exposed above the glacial cap. These rare and isolated areas are generally teeming with life during the short days of summer. The Grenfels and Laaka tend to congregate in these areas during the "Warming" as well. During the remainder of the Thor annum, the planet is swept by massive ice and snowstorms that often encompass an entire continent. With no mountains or significant vegetation to break the weather patterns, the planets' surface of ice has been worn smooth with only a very small amount of ice being added through precipitation each year.

Grenfels are huge (4-7 meters height) nomadic, savage, primate-like primitives that continually prowl the steppes and glaciers of Thor during the winter, searching for any living prey. They have adapted well to the gravity of Thor and have evolved into deadly efficient hunters to survive. The giant mammoth-like Laaka (15-30 meters height) are their preferred diet...one can keep a family of Grenfels alive for weeks. Also, there is no native flora on Thor beyond simple mosses and lichens. The skins, bones and organs of the Laaka are utilized by the Grenfels for tools, clothing and storage. The Grenfels live and hunt in family communal groups of usually no more than 5-20 individuals and are simple tool users. Most of their implements are ice or bone derived. The Grenfels linguistic capability has barely achieved a spoken language. During times of extreme weather, the Grenfels retreat to their snow caves and have been known to resort to cannibalism to survive.

Several Imperial scouts have reported observing the feeding habits of these demons. When particularly driven by hunger, they will encircle their prey and in a frenzy of blood, flesh, fighting and savagery, the Grenfels will rip apart and ingest their victims in a matter of minutes, even the huge Laaka. A pack of Grenfels roaming the ice plains is a chilling sight to behold...their white, dense, massive forms lumbering along, heavy arms swaying with their monstrous swaggering gait. Imperial personnel have been prohibited to visit Thor and most Imperials have eagerly complied. The Imperial Survey Corps estimates that between 3 and 5 million of the Grenfels inhabit this harsh world...an encounter would mean sure death at the hands (literally) of a pack of Grenfels. It seems they are especially fond of Human flesh as well as the Laaka. It should be noted that all known hand-held blaster weaponry only seems to irritate these behemoths...

Thor has one small (3,500 km) moon, Mjolnir, that is hardly more than a twinkle in the Thor night sky. Mjolnir has an elongated orbit around Thor which often keeps it far away from its host planet. Mjolnir is a lifeless moon without an atmosphere. However, initial Imperial surveys indicate the presence of several promising ore deposits within its crust.