Kozwelk

[Vasemmasti]

Planet Name: Kozwelk, Khugene
Planet Type: Terrestrial
Habitable: Yes
System: Kozwelk System, Dirka Khugene. The system is in the outer rim, nearest inhabited system is Raxus.

Terrain Overview: Kozwelk is a recovering world that still suffers from the long-term effects of past industrial pollution. Temperatures on the planet's surface generally range from about 15 celcius to about 90 celcius, and the native wildlife is lush, active and fast-growing.

Kozwelk is a red planet, extremely rich in iron. The planet is too hot to have ice caps, but it still has significant amounts of water, as approximately 47% of the planet is ocean. Apart from that, it also has a high degree of atmospheric moisture, and a desert would be impossible on Khugene without major atmospherical changes.

A vast majority of the planet is a jungle-like environment, characterized by lush wildlife, though much of it has been cleared in favor of cities, industrial zones and farming. Still, unlike many industrial worlds, the citizens of Kozwelk have taken extensive action to protect the ecosystem of their home planet which is, luckily for them, quickly renewed.

East and west are determined from a research station and university in the continent of Sarakhot, built at the equator in the Okakha region. The definition of a continent on Khugene is a shaky one however, since each of the three continents, Rarazekh, Rakheim and Sarakhot are part of the same landmass. The only geographically separated significant landmasses are the Arrkoran Isles in the far south.

Sarakhot itself is mostly located in the western hemisphere, though a part of it extends to the eastern hemisphere. It is separated from Rakheim by the Kohrta Range, a high range of mountains that stops rainclouds from the south. This has resulted in several lakes in Sarakhot's side of the Kohrta range. Shezerinne Forest, a dense jungle-like environment has also sprung up here, extending out to the coastline in the south, and up to the Varkhian Chain in the north. Shezerinne is home to a great variety of species, and temperatures inside the jungle range from 70 celcius in the areas near the equator to 55 further away from it, generally dropping to around 40 to 50 at night. There are settlements at the edges of the rainforest, near central Sarakhot and at the base of the Kohrta range, but nothing major within the forest itself. Kohrta range itself is uninhabited by sentients, though some critters do live there.

To the southwest from Shezerinne lies central Sarakhot, which is quite heavily populated and farmed. Apart from the cities, there are a lot of farms that borrow vegetation from jungles and other parts of the planet. Union City was built here, and temperatures are generally around 50 to 60 celcius.

To the west from central Sarakhot lies Okakha, which extendes throughout Sarakhot's side of the Okakha sea coastline, ending at the Herherak Peninsula. Okakha is a hilly area with small patches of rainforest practically everywhere, with a somewhat more active level of vegetation than one would see in plains on earth. However, Okhaka sea is a cool one, and thus the coastline is usually "only" around 45 celcius. It is also fairly populated, especially in Dohra Caire, which is where east and west are determined from. Herherak Peninsula has a similar environment, though about 10 celcius cooler on average. Herherak is also considered to be a very beautiful place, as the red soil mingles with the multicolored vegetation, all seen for miles from the right hill.

Finally, in the southern part of Sarakhot lies Sarrothai. The coastline of Sarrothai is isolated from the rest of Sarakhot by a mountain range, which also causes southern rains to concentrate on the area, causing it to be quite lush and river filled, all of which flow back into the sea. The place is among the coolest in the planet, at a mere 32 celcius average. The area is also one of the best in the planets for mining, and thus the mountains have been heavily mined. The mines go deep and have yet to run dry.

Further south, one can reach the Arrkoran Isles. They used to be fishing communities, but nowadays they are also used as vacation spots due to their relatively cool environment and landscape. The Arrkoran Isles are all quite cliffy and lightly forested. It is also a place where many rare trees appear naturally. The temperatures in the southermost island are around 20 celcius, while the go up to 30 in the northernmost island.

Northwest from Sarakhot lies the continent of Rakheim, and the region of Vanganehrs comes immediately once one crosses the Kohrta Range. The Vanganehrs is a rather dry area by Kozwelk standards. It only has small patches of forest peppered around a rather flat plain that has a general tendency to slope down towards the Tarokahrt Ocean in the west. The area has been subject to heavy industrialization, and even today civilization there mostly centers around factories and other manufacturing industry. In general, things in Kozwelk are "Made in Vanganehrs". Vanganehrs is generally quite hot, around 60 celcius througout the region.

North of Vanganehrs lies Sarozac, a region between two seas which are named after it. It is a fairly quiet region, where the major exports are fish and grain. It is more forested than Vanganehrs and fairly elevated, which the exception of the lakes and the coastlines of the seas. A short mountain range extendes from the nortwestern coast of the Ank-Sarozac sea to Hkarro Draka, and the region Sarozac is fairly hilly and cliffy in generaly. Temperatures are usually around 45 to 50 celcius.

To the north lies Hkarro Draka, encompassing the north pole of Kozwelk. The north pole is highly volcanic and dominated by geysers and a central volcano. However, apart of these, the place is the coldest in the planet, at a mere 15 celcius. The place is mostly a research station, though there are also power plants in Hkarro Draka, since the constant eruptions and the volcanic vents make it very easy to harvest energy. The area also houses one of the most mysterious creatures in Kozwelk.

South again, separating Rakheim and Rarazekh, lies the Isthmus of Krezhe. It is also mainly characterized by light rainforest, cliffy and hilly environments and fishing, like most northeastern Rakheim. It is also the quickest land route from Rakheim to Rarazekh.

Rarazekh itself, the largest continent in Kozwelk contains places such as Erc Throam, Rakith Forest, Thatagon Peninsula and the Karharezen Peninsula. The Varkhian Chain and the Jhaoran Chain connect Rarazekh to Sarakhot.

The Thatagon Peninsula is a warm area, around 60 celcius, and tight jungle throughout. There are inhabitants in it, especially in the tip of the peninsula, and it also has its share of rare creatures one cannot find elsewhere in nature.

By the equator starts the Rakith Forest which stretches north. It is a large jungle extending from the shores of the Okakhan sea to a few hundred miles from the Thatagon Peninsula. Rakith forest is generally used for logging, through they are also swiftly replanted so as not to deplete their resources. Nowadays, Rakith is quite similar to Shezerinne, including in temperature.

To the north from the Rakith Forest lies a dryer area known as Erc Throam. Starting from the northern shores of the Ank-Sarozac Sea. A low mountain range marks its edge near the Ank-Sarozac. The closest Kozwelk ever comes to anything arid, Erc Throam nevertheless has a fair bit of vegetation, even if it is simply in the form of small forested patches. It is not very tightly inhabited, though the flat plains make it a good area to farm in. Temperatures range from 25 to 35 celcius.

The Varkhian and Jhaoran chains are both fairly similar when it comes to climate. They are both cliffy and filled with jungle-like vegetation that never really springs into an actual forest. Temperatures in the Jhaoran Chain are around 45 celcius, while those in the Varkhian are usually around 35 celcius.

Notable Geographic Features: Hkarro Draka, Kohrta Range, Arrkoran Isles.
Capital City: The capital of Khugene is Raku Caire, roughly translating to "Union City". It is the only city on the planet of Khugene most outworlders would give one whit about, and it is situated in central Sarakhot, and houses about 23 million people, almost all Kozwelk Dwarves. In modern Kozwelk, with the whole planet under a central government that is under the republic, all legislation is done from the "House of Public Affairs" In the center of the city. As far as surroundings go, Union City is actually pretty boring, but it is the most important place on the planet.
Major cities:
Metadrone Station
Actually a space station that has turned into something like a community, the Metadrone was the answer to the looming environmental problem 500 years ago. It is in slow orbit around the planet, keeping it constantly between the planet and the sun. The station is used to monitor and adjust the atmosphere of the planet, much like the atmospheric scrubbers of other places, though made largely with the technology that Kozwelk had before being found by the galaxy as a whole. Nowaways, it also functions as a spaceport, and a spaceborne city of sorts. The station has about 14 million people in it a any one time, but the concentrated interstellar traffic means that the amount of people on the station can sometimes be over 20 million. The station is generally kept fairly cool, at around 23 celcius.

Kan Dohr
The largest city in Vanganehrs, Kan Dohr was built near a lake that is also near the Kohrta Range. The city and everything around it is highly industrialized, and its population rivals that of the capital. It is generally not very known, as trade tends to go through Union City and Metadrone station. Still, its role in industry makes it a very important place.

Dara Thora
Built in the eastern tip of the southernmost Arrkoran Island, Dara Thora is one of the places that might interest random offworlders. It is a beautiful city despite its relative youth, and it has been built to historical standards, borrowing from cities all over Kozwelk to achieve aesthetics many offworlders like. Indeed, the place is mostly used as a holiday resort by Kozwelk natives and outsiders alike. It has a permanent population of about 7 million, but vistors tend to double this amount on a regular basis.

Dohra Caire
A city that lies exactly at the equator in Okakha, Dohra Caire does not exist in the east or the west. It defines east and west. The exact point designated as the "center" of Kozwelk is a momument in the courtyard of the Dohra Institute, which in turn is at the center of the city. The city is the center of learning and academia, and the Dohra Institute is the most esteemed place of research and study in the world. As such, Dohra Caire has a population of 13 million, and has a higher standard of living than most places. It is a place of class and wisdom.

Khoa Thora
A city built in the tip of the Thatagon Peninsula, Khoa Thora is mostly known for being an ideal place for biochemisty experiments. The rich variety of different animal and marine species make such a lucrative effort. In addition, fishing is common here. Khoa Thor has about 5 million inhabitants.

Draka Thora
Draka Thora is a small settlement in the north pole. While the place is dangerous both due to native wildlife and native geography, it is still a favored place of both thrill-seekers, researchers and whoever is looking to harvest energy from the abundant geothermal sources there. Draka Thora only has about 2 million inhabitants.

Morka Dohr
A city at at the base of the mountain range in Sarrothai, Morka Dohr is a major exporter of various minerals, though mostly iron. The area also has many refineries. Morka Dohr is a settlement central to the mining operations, but the mines themselves stretch on throughout the mountain range with small outposts every once in a while. Morka Dohr has a population of approximately 12 million.

Kora Dohr
A settlement at the southern edge of the Rakith Forest, near the Okakha Sea lies Kora Dohr. Kora Dohr is a major exporter of wood and wood-based products, though wood is no-longer very needed. Nevertheless, the extraordinary quality of Rakithian wood has kept the community alive and kicking at a decent population of 4 million.

Arok Thora
While ruins of old civilizations are found in many places, the ruins in Erc Throam are easily the best preserved. The relative lack of moisture has slowed their deterioration. Arok Thora itself is a quiet little settlement that is mostly centered around a research station, and it only has about 800,000 people. However, the ruins of old Erc Throam have made it a subject of global interest.

Sentient species: Kozwelk dwarves
Non-Sentient species of note: Linky link.

History: While Kozwelk was only discovered by the galactic community as a whole 400 years ago, it has had a rich history before that. The only sentients that are known to have developed in Kozwelk are the Kozwelk Dwarves who have sparse written record to approximately 15,000 years back.

In the past, the continents of Kozwelk were likely more fragmented, but they have since melded closer together due to tectonic plate movement, forming a sort of supercontinent. This developement is known to still be going on.

While the lush environment supported the Kozwelk dwarves well for over a dozen millenia, their constantly expanding consumption finally started having a serious effect on the environment over 500 years ago. This led to the construction of the Metadrone which slowly stabilized the situation.

The metadrone drew alien attention to itself, and 400 years ago, a xenobiologist named Irla Kozwelk showed up on the planet. After establishing contact, Kozwelk joined the republic, though they retain almost all of their autonomy only agreeing to assist the republic in key matters.