Tarthos, also known as Orian VII, was once part of the domain of the ancient Sith Lord Urias Orian. Remnants of Orian's rule cover the planet with ruined temples presenting the only noticable landmarks for miles to see in some regions. The planet is a large tundra with little in the way of flora or fauna with most of the surface covered by permanately frozen oceasn. The species of plants and animals that inhabit Tarthos have been forced to specially evolve to survive the harsh climate.
The planet serves as the headquarters of the Dlarit Security Force who reside in the military town of Kar Alabrek. Markosian City serves as the seat of power on Tarthos, housing the Gubenatorial Mansion and the small representative government that has been allowed to form. Ragnos Stronghold is the third major city on Tarthos, and is the secret headquarters of the Disciples of Ragnos and House Marka Ragnos.
The planet is populated by a diverse group of refugees imported into the system by then Governor Derev Niroth in an attempt to populate the planet. Several smaller cities have been established in the general area between Kar Alabrek, Markosian City and Ragnos Stronghold. These serve as the only resource generating settlements on the planet, forcing Tarthos to still rely heavily on imported materials from the rest of the system.
History
Tarthos is a harsh world, suffering from the harsh effects brought on by the relative proximity of Orian Minor. On one hand, Tarthos owes its existence to Orian Minor, being much too far out from Orian Major to survive otherwise. However, the nature of Tarthos's orbit means there are periods, albeit brief, when it nears Orian Minor and becomes unusually warm, and periods where it's orbit takes it away from both stars, leaving the landscape cold and unwelcoming. The planet is known for storms, with heavy rainfall being common, despite the lack of any thick plantlife, though there are a few small isolated forests across the world. The fauna on Tarthos is all rather unique. Though the species resemble many of the creatures found on Aeotheran and Sepros they have been forced to evolve into slightly different offshoots in order to survive the harsh temperatures. In recent years, the Dlarit Security Force has installed planetary shield generators in various locales on the planet, allowing for almost complete control of the elements within these shield generators.
Tarthos was discovered by the Sith Empire more than five thousand years ago. It became one of the worlds of Urias Orian's dominion, a Sith Lord during the reign of Marka Ragnos. Signs of the planet's history litter the landscape with several abandoned and ruined Sith temples across the surface, although not in the numbers found on Aeotheran or Sepros, presumably a sign of its lesser importance to the ancient Sith Lord. Most of the temples are now in ruin but remain the only noticable landmarks on Tarthos's many wide, open plains.
Tarthos was rediscovered by Trevarus Caerick in 17 ABY while he was hunting down his former Master Kiln Tobasa. During the following two years as the clans prepared for the Exodus the Dlarit Corporation began diverting resources to the Orian system. The initial work took place on Aeotheran to construct the city of Seng Karash. After the Exodus in 19 ABY work began on Tarthos to construct a separate base to house the forces of the Dlarit Security Force away from the main population. The base was erected quickly and mostly prefabricated and named Kar Alabrek after the grand castle at its center. House Marka Ragnos were chosen as the custodians of the new military base, their quaestor becoming synonymous with the planet's governor.
Kiln Tobasa returned in 22 ABY seeking revenge on his former student. The Dark Jedi Master manipulated the houses into conflict. House Ludo Kressh led an attack on Kar Alabrek, seriously damaging Alabrek Castle. Governor Muz Keibatsu spent a great deal of his personal fortune to upgrade and rebuild the ancient ruin, installing new shielding to protect Alabrek Castle from future attacks.
When the True Brotherhood invaded the Orian system in 27 ABY one of their main target was Alabrek Castle. Housing much of the Clan's great library, Severina hoped the castle would contain the secrets she needed to obtain a new body. The castle's doors held, no doubt thanks to the upgrades installed five years earlier, and remained safe until the True Brotherhood had been driven out of the system.
Under the guidance of the Governor, in 29 ABY planetary shield generators were installed utilizing the planets immense geothermal energy potential. These generators create small pockets on the surface where the climate can be controlled, allowing outstanding training potential for the Dlarit Security Force. Later that year, Alabrek Castle would be nearly destroyed by an unprovoked attack. Fearing further attemps on the city, then Governor Derev Niroth ordered the civillian populace to vacate Kar Alabrek, and what was left of Alabrek Castle was razed to the ground.
Seeing the potential Tarthos offered to anyone willing to invest in it, Derev Niroth began to immigrate refugees of the Yuzang Vong invasion. These workers were utilized to construct entire cities in a very short span of time. In return, these workers were granted residency on Tarthos, and gained well paying service jobs around the planet. This en masse immigration led to the founding of Ragnos Stronghold, Markosian City, and several smaller settlements.
Planet Geography
Tarthos is made up of four primary continents, as well as several lesser islands.
Lugar Da Forca
Lugar Da Forca is the only 'settled' continent on Tarthos. The continent is almost entirely in the equitorial belt of the planet and is home to the closest thing to 'nice' weather on Tarthos. Lugar Da Forca is home to the only settlements on Tarthos, primarily Markosian City, Kar Alabrek and Mucenic, as well as several lesser settlements.
Lugar Mau
Lugar Mau, also located within the equitorial belt, is home to a great many ruined temples and ancient ruins. Despite attempted colonization of Lugar Mau, every colony has failed. Many former colonists have said they felt the entire continent was haunted by "spirits".
Terra Inesorable
Terra Inesorable is a desolate and barren continent, with virtually no plant or animal life.
Terra Do Gelo
Terra Do Gelo is a frozen wasteland wholly outside of the equitorial regions. It remains dark nearly all times of the year, and exposure to the elements will caus death to even the strongest persons within minutes.
Major Settlements
Markosian City
Markosain City is the Seat of Power in Tarthos, with a population of nearly 100,000. Located almost perfectly on the equator, it experiences almost even dark and light periods, and for a few weeks each year the weather can almost be described as tropical. The gubenetorial mansion is set in Markosian City, and it is also home to all government services on Tarthos. It here here that the appointed Governor of the Dlarit Corporation executes his command and control of all operations and residents on Tarthos. A garrison of 18,000 troops is always on Temporary Duty Assignment to Makrosian City from Kar Alabrek. They are at the direct command of the Mayor of Markosian City, who is appointed by the Governor.
Five planetary shield generators are installed in Markosian City, providing both protection from attack, as well as weather control. Because the atmosphere within the city is maintained so differently then that of Tarthos, it appears as if a bubble sits over Markosian City.
Kar Alabrek
Kar Alabrek is the Military Headquarters for the Dlarit Security Force. The garrison at Kar Alabrek consists of nearly 150,000 soliders, and a small civillian contingent to provide neccassary services to the base. Kar Alabrek is the only city on the planet capable of landing and serving large ships, and has the largest spaceport in the Orian System. It is also home to the Orian System's communications transciever, recieving and directing all inter-system communications from everywhere in the galaxy. Kar Alabrek has two planetary shield generators installed, however the atmosphere maintained within them is nearly identical to that of the planet. The shields serve primarily as protection, but also to filter out the strongest storms and harshest weather in the dark months.
Mucenic
Mucenic is a secluded monestary to the south of Markosian City. At the center of the city lies an ancient temple, small in stature, that is believed to have been created by Urias Orian in the distant past. Under the guise of religious study, Mucenic is the true seat of power on Tarthos. From here, the Disciples of Ragnos are able to exert their authority over Kar Alabrek and Markosian City. Amongst the population of nearly 22,000, few are aware of the true status of the city, and blindly serve under their employers, the Disciples themselves. Mucenic has a single planetary shield generator installed that covers only parts of the city. It is only activiated during times of emergency to hide the true nature of the installation, thus the weather in Mucenic is at the mercy of the planet.
Military Installations
While Kar Alabrek is the chief military installation on Tarthos and the Headquarters of the entire Dlarity Security Force, there are several military installations spread throughout the planet. Through the use of planetary shield generators, many of these installations are custom created to replicate climates of other worlds, providing an excellent training opportunity for all members of the Dlarit Security Force. Generally, most of these bases operate with only a platoon of soldiers, maintaining the base and serving as cadre for training rotations in the base. A few bases are maintained at a higher state of readiness, tactically located to provide a first response capabilities for the defense of the main continent.
Mining Operations
The few precious minerals and metals that Tarthos does have are mined wherever possible. The climate and scarcity of these deposits require many temporary settlements that can be easily relocated when resources run out.
Minor Settlements
Within the area comprising the three major settlements on Tarthos, several small "break-away" settlements have been created. While generally under the defense umbrella of Tarthos, those citizens who have opted to move into the 'wilderness' have done so at their own risk, and the government does not provide any regular assistance to these members.