Post by Dutch on Feb 11, 2010 22:29:25 GMT -5
Planet Name: Haestrom (HAY-strohm)
Planet Type: Terrain/ Ocean
Habitable: Yes
System: (B6 on Map) Tartus- Near Concord Dawn
Terrain Overview: Haestrom can either be an inviting paradise, or an acrid wasteland. Much of the planet’s surface is lush, dense rain forest where a large population of herbivores and other wildlife live. Massive trees roped with thick vines create a shady atmosphere on the ground of the jungles. At night these vines glow with bio-luminescent veins that snake through them, shedding an eerie green light throughout the jungle. The only ocean lay to the very north, a massive glacier that makes up the northern polar cap. Many rivers snake into the land mass of Haestrom, which the soil filters enough to make fresh- the farther from the ocean, the fresher the water.
Notable Geographic Features:
The Tracyn Straight: By far Haestrom’s most notable feature. This massive landscape of volcanoes, ash fields, and rivers of lava occupies approximately 1/8 of Haestrom’s surface. They are completely inhospitable due to the toxic air and extreme temperatures. One can survive clad in full body armor for some time though.
Ori’ciryc: More commonly referred to as Everice Sea. Roughly occupies 1/6 of Haestrom across the top of its northern hemisphere. The only place life can thrive here is the sea beneath the glacier. Deep kelp fields filled with a large population of crab-like crustaceans span the sea.
Capital City: Voy’a: This is the only city on Haestrom. It sits in a large field within the jungles, next to a freshwater lake. All around the field is a massive ray shield with laser turret towers behind to secure the perimeter. This is the first line of defense against Haestrom’s wildlife. Additions to the city are underway, as Mandalorians from across the galaxy are arriving daily. Most who come to Voy’a journey to complete the Rite of Kaysh’riye [KaySH‘REE-yay]. It is known that Mandalore the Reclaimer trained on Haestrom, and those that wish to be counted among her chosen undergo the same training regimen that she did. Not all who undertake the Rite survive it. The Carud Tal are always hungry after all.
Major cities: N/A
Sentient species:
Aru'e (ah-ROO-ay): Haestrom’s top predator and scourge of the planet. Aru’e can grow to twenty-feet, and can weigh up to 1500 lbs. They are muscular and thick skinned. Their skeletons have naturally occurring energy displacement, which makes them moderately resistant to blasters and lightsabers. Not only are they physically difficult to kill, but Aru’e are extremely malicious and violent. They don’t just kill their prey, they eviscerate it. Their four jaws are not only strong enough to break bone, but their teeth are drenched with hallucinogenic venom. If you do manage to get away from an Aru’e after being bitten, it doesn’t take more than three minutes before the venom takes effect. All Aru’e are blind, and see through the Force. For some reason they avoid daylight, only ever hunting at night. No Mandalorian has been able to spend enough time with the creatures to find an explanation for this.
The Aru’e are all intelligent and Force sensitive. They often hunt in packs and communicate with one another through the Force. Some think that this sensitivity ads to their resilience. Aru’e have been known to sabotage camps and ships to keep their prey on planet. The most dangerous of the Aru’e are ones who hunt alone.These are known as Caaru’e (kah’ROO’ay)- and are the elders of the species. Twenty feet long, and some have been estimated to weigh nearly 1800 lbs. Some Mandalorians have witnessed Caaru’e tricking their own in order to steal their prey, or hunt the Aru’e themselves. There is a saying in Voy'a: "When facing down Aru’e, show no fear, show no mercy. When honored to face Caaru’e, show respect and pray.”
Non-Sentient species of note: N/A
History:
Haestrom has long been a sacred planet to the Mandalorians. It embodies their people, capable of great beauty, terrible violence, fiery anger, and serenity all at once. Long ago when it was discovered, an entire patrol of Mandalorians were slaughtered overnight. This was when the Aru’e were discovered. In true Mandalorian fashion, they returned three years later with a greater force. Entire clans arrived to set up a defense shield system as well as start a settlement. It became known as Voy’a- “Our Take”. For some time the Mandalorians would monitor the planet, and considered colonizing it further. As more and more casualties occurred as exploration continued, they shut down that prospect and kept Voy’a as a training facility.
For hundreds of years the facility operated, with security being upgraded as technology progressed. Mightier shields, more powerful defense turrets, and field lain sensor arrays have made Voy’a a safe haven in the middle of hell. As time went on the population of the city dwindled from people choosing to raise their family in safer territory. Traitors were sent to Haestrom as punishment, dropped off on the opposite side of the planet from Voy’a.
Haestrom remained a footnote in Mandalorian society, until Mandalore the Reclaimer decided to use it again. Having trained there herself, only those invited by her now arrive to undergo the same training. Voy’a grows, and war drums beat.
