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Mid Rim
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Hutt Space
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Cocytus System
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179 days
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3,102 kilometers
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Oxygen and nitrogen rich, perfectly habitable for most forms of life in the galaxy
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Majority is oceanic, with three islands and numerous tiny atolls making up the only landmass
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- Underwater Ruins
- Unknown Strike Cruiser
- The Temple of Ascendants
- Gaememnon
- Sarisa
- Har-Dai
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Humans
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Species of the Dark Brotherhood
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Basic
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410,000 Sentients
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Scholae Palatinae
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Sereia is a moon orbiting Antenora under the dominion of Scholae Palatinae, residing in the Cocytus System.
History
After its formation alongside the planet it orbits, Sereia was an ice covered moon with a dense iron-nickel core. It existed this way for hundreds of thousands of years in the orbit around Antenora until asteroids thrown from a belt light years away collided with the moon. Each asteroid was considered to be at least one kilometer in length and roughly 500 meters in width. Two asteroids landed in the northern hemisphere of the moon with the last landing near the equator.
As the asteroids descended through the moon's atmosphere and broken through eons-old sheets of ice, thermal storms were produced that boiled the icy surface, releasing massive amounts of oxygen and nitrogen into the atmosphere. This expulsion only prolonged the firestorms' life by twenty years, leaving behind an oceanic moon where once there had only been ice and metal.
Another effect of the impacts was the change in orbit around Antenora. The moon moved closer to Antenora allowing the gravity from the much larger planet to maintain tides, as well as increasing Sereia's internal core temperature. This newly heated core kept the freshly melted oceans liquid, and spurred the development of lifeforms.
Soon after the Cocytus System was captured and colonized by House Scholae Palatinae, Sereia was taken over by the Lumina Corporation. Headed by Scholae member Brent Ligur Victae, Lumina Corporation was an advertising and media corporation that quickly turned the oceanic moon into a vacation and pleasure resort. Profits generated by Sereia were funneled directly into the Royal House's accounts, proving the wisdom in its investment.
After the Corporation was dissolved by its President, Scholae Palatinae moved in and took direct control over of the moon. Kis Lamara, the last of Lumina Corps' administrators, was wisely installed as moon's Governor. Likewise, a small contingent of paramilitary militia were commissioned to maintain order on the moon. However, these guardians were housed in barracks away from the limelight so that the resort could be run as simply and seamlessly as possible.
The name Sereia is derived from the term Siren, the name of the terrible monster-like creatures who dwell on and around the island of Sarisa. The Sarisian Trench, which runs all the way from the crescent island of Gaememnon to the underwater mountain of Sarisa, is the deepest trench on the planet, and sports the largest creatures in the entire solar system.
These creatures, while vastly different from one another in almost every discernible way, are collectively known as Sirens. This is because of an anomaly which runs through most of the genus of sea creatures formed in the waters of Sereia. This anomaly, known as the Siren's Wail, is a style of seductive snare, in the form of a melodious tune. The prey is entranced by this tune, lulled to lower its defenses, and then killed viciously.
Physical Geography
Planetary
Sereia is similar to Mon Calamari in the way that it is simply a vast ocean with very little landmass above its waves. The ocean floor varies in altitude from as shallow as twenty meters to as deep as 15,000 meters. 95% of the landmass and the vast majority of citizens can be located around three large islands. The final 5% is composed of hundreds of tiny atolls and archipelagos, most of which are simply the tip of a massive underwater mountain.
Islands
Gaememnon
Though generally counted as a single island, Gaememnon is actually a string of islands and atolls that can be found arranged in a roughly crescent shaped curve through an equatorial region of the moon. Temperature in this area often ranged between 15C all the way up to 45C, though most days bring a cool breeze to ward off the heat.
As the largest collection of landmass on the moon in a single area, Gaememnon is considered the capital, and is always home to the main population center as well as the liveliest city: Paradisio.
Lumina Corporation, as it does on many of the other moons in the Cocytus System, runs most of the resorts on Gaememnon, and stands as an excellent source of income for the House. They also run the ferry system which has several ships transporting locals and merchants alike around Gaememnon's island chain.
The name Gaememnon is simply a collection of the names given to the islands in the chain: Gae, Em, Eme, Emno, Non, and On. These names were given by the previous inhabitants, a colony of humans who vacated the area almost a hundred years before the arrival of Scholae Palatinae. Though they are long gone, their visual and literal history remain.
Gae, the largest of the islands in the chain, is home to many of Sereia's most important venues, including: the capital building, the garrison barracks, the main Dark Jedi compound, and the regional headquarters of Lumina Corporation. Not only this, but, one of Gae's peninsulas is also the location of the moon's largest spaceport as well as the merchant's exchange and housing.
The second largest island, Em, is not much smaller than Gae, but houses the entertainment district of the moon, along with several large resorts. The entertainment district, which is centered around Calidos Square, is the foremost hive of life on the moon, featuring parties and festivals that lighting up the nights as well as give the daytime wonderful aromas and sounds to enjoy.
Eme, Emno and Non are the main housing districts of the island chain, with locals and even some Dark Jedi living very comfortably in luxurious yet simple wooden homes, villas, and condos. The total population of the area is in the region of 350,000, with the vast majority being human.
On, the smallest of the island chain's atolls, is just seven kilometers long, and five wide, but boasts the most amazing scenery of the entire moon, with pools and forests on the interior and a huge reef which encircles the entire island. Only three buildings have been allowed construction upon On's soil: a large, winding aquarium, a humble landing dock for Lumina's ferry system, and a small villa, owned by two of the Dark Jedi of Scholae Palatinae, Brent "Archangel" Ligur Victae and Rayne Victae.
Sarisa
Widely considered one of the most dangerous areas on the moon whether below or above water, Sarisa is home to the only lifeforms to have developed on the moon. Only about ten square kilometers, this hazardous island is located on the very tip of the tallest underwater mountain on Sereia. The majority of Sarisa is built around a large, tall bulge in the middle of the mountain, the slopes of which are covered in trees and foliage which are often overladen with sweet fruits and nuts. It is this abundance of produce which attracted the first colonists to this 'haven'.
Unfortunately for these colonists, a darkness lurked below which could not be overcome. The waters around Sarisa are deep, very deep, as they drop off only 100 meters from shore into the Sarisian Trench. Much like a tree's roots, the Sarisian trench is a many-kilometers deep scar in the moon's ocean floor which stretches in a hundred different directions.
It is from these dark depths that the ghastly "Sirens" were first spawned. As noted above, the creatures known as Sirens are composed of a variety of diverse sea creatures unified by a common, seductive call that lures in their prey. It is unknown how these creatures came into being, but Force sensitive travelers to the island have often remarked on how cold the area seems to them, even on the hottest of summer days. These Sirens have also been known to attack victims on the beaches of Sarisa, and wait for the tide to give them access to their numbed bodies. Only those very strong in the Force can withstand the mind numbing call of Siren's Wail, and even that only for awhile and for only a few "hits".
Because of these underwater threats, only one structure has been erected on Sarisa and its existence is most likely due to its installation at the very apex of the mountain. This structure, built by the previous inhabitants of the moon, is often referred to by locals as the Temple of the Ascendants. While they revere the structure as a symbol of glory and/or worship of past generations, most Krath scholars interpret the temple as a warning to all visitors to escape the island at all costs. Already, several Dark Jedi have fallen prey to these Sirens with none having survived their sonic imprisonment.
Har-Dai
Set amongst a string of some fifty tiny atolls with few larger than 100 meters in length, Har-Dai is an island moderate in size yet sitting like the largest jewel in a crown. Although most of its surrounding crown is left uninhabited, Har-Dai is the central haven for commercial fishing on Sereia with huge fleets of trawlers and skimmers collecting hundreds of different species of fish. Most of these fish species were introduced by the original colonists, while more "profitable" breeds have been transplanted in recent years by Scholae Palatinae.
Har-Dai has been fortunate enough to be situated on almost the opposite side of the moon from the Sarisian Trench, and thus Sirens are very rare in this region. However, this locations does have its draw backs as well. For example, because Har-Dai is just South of the equator's warmer waters, catastrophic weather patterns are a constant worry. Hurricanes have been known to sweep through several times a year, and hapless trawlers and skimmers have been destroyed as a result.
Large warehouses and dockyards originally constructed by the first colonists have since been refurbished by Scholae Palatinae in an attempt to reestablish the local fishing industry. Floating barges mark the harbor boundaries where trawlers can sit and wait for off-loading or supplies. A second spaceport, marginally smaller than the one on Gaememnon, was installed recently allowing freighters the freedom to come and go almost constantly. As well, Lumina Corporation has taken over Har-Dai's industries to maintain a steady means of cash flow into Scholae's highly coveted accounts.
Cities
Paradisio
Known for its near-constant party atmosphere and excellent dining, the city of Paradisio takes up most of the island chain known as Gaememnon. The streets of this city crisscross back and forth with bustling merchants and tourists hurrying about. Thousands of large banners, each a different length and shade of color, sway as they are hung from the tops of each rooftop by the buildings' residents.
The main harbor takes center stage in the life of Paradisio, with thousands of sail boats lining the keys and docks. Several fabricated isles are spread across at swimable distances, allowing for either private parties amongst friends or passionate getaways between lovers. Very little commercial fishing is allowed off the coast of Gaememnon, however. This is due both because of safety concerns, and to allow for a more enjoyable sailing experience for locals and tourists alike.
One of the landmarks of the island chain is a towering statue which marks the entrance to the harbor itself. Shaped like a thin, lithe female staring out towards the vast ocean, it serves as both a warning and a good luck charm, protecting travelers and warning them of the perils of the seas they wish to ride. The statue was erected by the original colonists, and still stands proudly to this day.
Just off of the main harbor is the largest building on Gaememnon: the Merchant's Exchange. Also known as the Amphitheater for its sheer size, the Exchange is home to hundreds of vendors, plying their wares and trades to the locals and tourists. This building also connects directly to the spaceport, which is set deep into the side of the island's hill.
As should be expected, Paradisio is also home to Sereia's capital building, although civic issues are hardly at the forefront of society. Regardless, the capital itself is a tall domed structure sitting atop of the island of Gae that houses not only the governor's office, but also suites for other major as well as minor dignitaries. The moon's main discussion hall, located only blocks away yet on the same level as the capital, features several auditoriums for civic debate with many corridors arrayed around them leading to the offices of clerks and low level bureaucrats.
Even though most of the population of Paradisio resides on the other islands in the chain, they are able frequent back and forth from home to downtown via Lumina Corporations' highly praised ferry system.
Notable Landmarks
Ruins
Off the resort beaches of Gaememnon lies an unusual underwater feature. Resting on top of a submerged mountain top is a series of temple ruins of completely unknown origins. Hundreds of columns line stone flooring, with several obvious altar areas lying at seemingly random intervals between columns. Excavations have uncovered a variety of simple artifacts such as bowls and small furniture. However, the most intriguing discovery is that of several boxes containing what appears to be various human bones, no two of which come from the same person.
As of yet, researchers and archaeologists are baffled as to what actually was the origin and purpose for such a collection. Likewise, it is unknown how the stones themselves arrived as the rocks of Sereia and Antenora do not match in both color and type. Many consider these to be of alien origin.
Strike Cruiser Calypso
Unknown Strike Cruiser
The trawlers around Har-Dai catch very strange things in their nets from time to time. The occasional boot, an odd squid-like creature which squawks whenever it's plucked from the ocean, the list is endless. When the trawler “Sarisian Dream” brought up a turbolaser during a standard run off the coast of Har-Dai, it caused quite a stir.
Soon after the discovery, researchers from Antenora and Caina quickly rushed to Har-Dai to try and figure out how a turbolaser, in excellent quality despite its ocean bath, had found its way into the waters of Sereia. Several deep sea submersibles were brought in and were put to work immediately.
Barely a week after the turbolaser was dredged from the ocean, one of the submersibles found a half-buried Strike Cruiser resting on the ocean floor. The very first task the submersible had after discovering the Strike Cruiser was finding its name plate. It was found after careful vacuuming of the silt on the ocean floor, and read “The Calypso”. The researchers on the surface scoured any and all records of Strike Cruisers, looking for the Calypso, but it was to no avail. The Strike Cruiser Calypso, according to the records they had available, had never existed.
To date, further investigations inside of the cruiser have been halted by the Scholae Leadership in order to allow for a Dark Jedi team to take the lead. Results are still pending.
The Temple of the Ascendants
Located at the very apex of the island of Sarisa, the Temple of Ascendants is a 300 meter tall wooden sanctuary built by the first inhabitants of Sereia. The Temple is divided into 6 different levels, each of which appears from the outside as a wide "cup" which is pierced through by the rather sleek pyramidic main structure. Between each of these cups are several different floors, most of which are composed of small housing units and large places of ritual worship. The cups themselves have stairs ascending to their lips on four sides, with some of the larger ones capable of supporting small drop ships.
Because of the Temple's august aesthetic, many locals view the Temple as a symbol of the original inhabitants' former glory. However, many Krath researchers believe the key to understanding the Temple is in the upside-down domed "cups" themselves. The constitution of the wood mixed with various other building materials insulates one from any sound coming from below that particular level. Likewise, the particular trees used are very resistant to any form of sonic vibration from powerful sound waves. Thus, researchers contend the Temple was originally the ancients' desperate attempt to escape the quickly evolving Sirens beneath the ocean's surface.
Refusing to believe the older generations could be destroyed by such monsters, locals often scoff at these theories, however. Likewise, the failure to find any skeletal remains nearby has puzzled Krath representatives. Thus, locals believe the builders must have found another means of escape.
Outlook
Political
Governor: Jocasta Mansti
Commander of the Garrison: Sergeant Larde Brecht
The moon maintains strong political ties both to its planet, Antenora, as well as to its overlords in Scholae Palatinae. Despite the constant threat of the Sirens, the lack of a real military presence does not seem to phase the Sereians.
Military
The military presence on this moon is minimal with most of the protection being provided by local armed police officers. Only one squad of troops is stationed on the moon, and that in the capital of Gaememnon to protect the governor and assist the police where necessary.
Commerce
Exports:
Imports:
- Food stuffs
- Metals/Ore
- Most electronics