|
| Tarthos
|
|
Outer Rim Territories
|
|
Sith Space
|
|
Orian system
|
|
2: Orian Major and Orian Minor
|
|
0
|
|
47 standard hours
|
|
3285 standard days
|
|
Tundra
|
|
9,530 km
|
|
Oxygen Mix, Type I (Breathable)
|
|
Tundra
|
|
Slightly lower than standard
|
- Grasslands
- Plains
- Mountains
- Small forests
|
|
|
|
Boma, Cannok, Katarn, Kinrath, Maalraas, Tarthosian Lion, Zakkeg
|
|
|
|
Galactic Basic Standard
|
|
150,000 in Kar Alabrek
|
|
Markosian City, Kar Alabrek, Mucenic
|
|
|
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 equatorial belt of the planet and is home to the closest thing to 'nice' weather on Tarthos. The primary settlements on Lugar Da Forca are Markosian City, Kar Alabrek, and Mucenic. Additionally, there are several lesser settlements within the habitable zone of Lugar Da Forca.
Lugar Mau
Lugar Mau, also located within the equatorial 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". Occasional expeditions are sent to the continent to investigate these reports, however they inevitable fail to return. Little is known about the source of the ruinous temples, though their architecture bears a striking resemblance to that of Yavin IV.
Terra Inesorable
Terra Inesorable is a desolate and barren continent, with virtually no plant or animal life. A few mining operations and military training facilities have been erected, most notably one at the northern-most edge of the continent, however civilian settlements are out of the question due to the extreme harshness of the environment.
Terra Do Gelo
Terra Do Gelo is a frozen wasteland wholly outside of the equatorial regions. It remains dark nearly all times of the year, and exposure to the elements will cause death to even the strongest persons within minutes. There are a few mining operations on the southern coast, and two underground military training facilities along the northern edge, used for punishment detail among the ranks of the Dlarit Security Force.
Major Settlements
Markosian City
Markosain City is the Seat of Power in Tarthos, with a population of nearly 250,000. 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 gubernatorial mansion is 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 Markosian City from Kar Alabrek. They are at the direct command of the Mayor of Markosian City, who is appointed by the Governor.
Though small in population on a planetary scale, the city itself is quite expansive, with a land area able of accommodating a populace 9 times its current size. A planned city, Markosian City has five zones, each accessible only through a checkpoint, with military troops stationed at each checkpoint to prevent unauthorized entry and exit. The zones are determined by the distinct functions they serve, with each segmented by a shield controlled by the generator within that zone.
Five planetary shield generators are installed in Markosian City, providing both protection from attack and planetary weather control. Because the atmosphere within the city is maintained as a different concentration of gases (more oxygen, less nitrogen) than the rest of the planet, a bubble appears to dome the city. Central control for the shield generators is housed within the Black Zone, and restricted to high-level government officials and military personnel.
Zones
Though small in population on a planetary scale, the city itself is quite expansive, with a land area able of accommodating a populace 9 times its current size. A planned city, Markosian City has five zones, each accessible only through a checkpoint, with military troops stationed at each checkpoint to prevent unauthorized entry and exit. The zones are determined by the distinct functions they serve, with each segmented by a shield controlled by the generator within that zone.
Red
While soldiers are stationed city-wide, the barracks within Markosian City are located in the Red Zone. Within this zone, there is no civilian law, with all trespasses being tried under military jurisdiction.
Blue
The Blue Zone is home to the gubernatorial mansion, as well as the offices for other government officials in Markosian city. Additionally, schools (both public and private) and universities are located within the Blue Zone, in an attempt to instill civic pride in their graduates.
Green
The Green Zone of Markosian City provides an outlet for all goods, from bargain stores to grocery stores, retailers are located within this zone.
Yellow
Whether holo theaters or bordellos, all forms of legal entertainment (and some illicit forms as well) are located within the yellow zone. In addition to entertainment, other services (such as tattooists, spas, etc.) can also be found in the yellow zone.
Black
The Black Zone is restricted, with admittance barred to all citizens with the exception of the military. Little is known about the Black Zone, as entering it is punishable by immediate execution.
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 necessary 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 transceiver, receiving and directing all intra-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.
Like the city of Seng Karash on Aeotheran, Kar Alabrek is a large walled settlement with outlying districts formed around a central hub. Unlike Seng Karash the principle feature of Kar Alabrek is military not commercial or industrial and though it does not have a floating defense like the Marakith Skyhook a large number of concealed surface to air silos, ion cannons and turbolasers have been deployed at strategic points around the city. In addition heavy fighter cover patrols the sky over the city and the space station Onyx provides orbital support.
As with Seng Karash, Kar Alabrek has a large hydroponic facility for food growth and water processing underneath the city, both allowing it to be self sufficient in basic resources and supply food for the fleet. Also like Seng Karash, the buildings are fabricated, allowing for the city to have been rapidly constructed following the original settlement being razed during the invasion in 27 ABY. Additionally this, in theory, allows it to be relocated should the Orian system ever fall permanently or suffer a major natural disaster.
Like the Tarthosian capital, Kar Alabrek is divided into five zones. The Hub is home to the central offices of Kar Alabrek, and the former site of the Ragnos Cathedral. The Armory is located on the southern side of Kar Alabrek and contains a number of factories and warehouses for the production and storage of weapons. The barracks of Kar Alabrek are located in the Residential district, on the west side of the city. The Entertainment District, located on the north side of the city, is the only source of entertainment on the planet with the exception of the yellow zone in Markosian City. The eastern half of the city is the Starport, and also contains the entrance to the underground hydroponics facilities.
Mucenic
Mucenic is a secluded monastery 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 activated 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. Additionally, the bases on any given continent are connected to each other via an underground tunnel system, useful in times of attack for maneuvering troops while maintaining stealth.
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. While all mining operations are overseen by sentients, they are worked almost entirely by a droid labor force. Nearly 1/8th of the skilled labor on Tarthos is centered around fabrication and repair of droids and other machinery necessary for mining these materials from Tarthos. Despite this, the northernmost and southernmost regions of the planet are still unable to be mined, as the harsh weather conditions prohibit the use of even the hardiest droids.
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. Most of the settlements remain small, their numbers pruned by the hostile environment and he many predators of Tarthos. Despite this, they continue to thrive through the tenacity of the settlers, and remain outside the authority of the traditional Tarthosian government.