Welcome to The Spur
Just thought I’d post details of the area of space that my players are currently in… It’s a long post but I hope you like! Also… apologies for any typos or atrocious grammar ;o)
The Nukuru Spur
The Nukuru Spur is a small hyperspace lane that runs from the Da'Vor system into the region of space known as the Da'Vor Expanse. The Spur begins at Kabal (Galactic Map Ref: N18) and extends towards but does not reach Vohai (galactic Map Ref: O18). "The Spur" was opened by scouts sponsored by the Hutt Anjiliac Clan who were looking for a faster route between Eriadu & Hutt Space. However this route was abandoned at Nukuru as hyperspace travel through the nebula known locally as the Da'Vor Shroud was hindered by spacial anomalies as the Shroud creates a major barrier to hyperspace navigation.
The Nukuru System:
Nukuru is a blue/white gas giant located in the Da'Vor Expanse (Outer Rim) a backwater that sits trailward of Eriadu towards the Corellian Run. Nukuru sits at the end of the Nukuru Spur hyperspace lane. Numerous scouts lost their lives trying to forge a route through.
The Nukuru system consists of 3 barren uninhabitable worlds, 2 gas giants (of which Nukuru is one) and 3 separate asteroid belts. Scientists have theorised that these belts are the remnants of other worlds that have been destroyed either by collisions or weapons of mass destruction.
Nukuru is the only world that has habitable moons:
Baoshan – an arid red tinged desert moon
Dakihr – a humid, swampy, jungle world home of the primitive, forest dwelling Chareg people.
The rest of the system is lifeless save a number of mining operations in the systems asteroid belts.
Baoshan:
The moon of Baoshan orbits the blue/white gas giant of Nukuru
Once fertile with sizeable oceans, Baoshan's history was changed when a massive asteroid impacted the world's main ocean with the resulting explosion boiling away the moons oceans and destroying all but the hardiest of its indigenous plant & animal life. The heat of the explosion was so intense that it melted the rock of the mountain ranges, with the sides facing blast wards seeming to flow downwards whilst the leeward side is jagged & sharp.
The asteroid seeded the world with Tetracite Ore (see notes) and as a result Baoshan experienced a mining "gold rush" as Tetracite mining operations were set up on the moon. Even though the system is isolated both the miners and the independent freighter pilots who transported the ore made good livings until the Anjiliac Clan took interest. The Hutts set up the largest mining operation on the moon, the Mines of Tang Khoor… a massive, mile wide shaft reaching deep into the moon's crust that is located at the centre of the asteroid's impact crater in the Dam’Ba basin.
The mine is currently operated by Buaku Anjiliac, who uses a large amount of slave labour to operate both the mines and the massive processing furnaces that surround the mine shaft but there are also workers who choose to work these mines.
Water reservoirs can still be found deep beneath the surface of Baoshan… there some mining operations that specialise in extracting this (one close to the “town” of Kediri Point)
Climate:
Baoshan is now a desolate red tinged desert world & is often plagued by intense sand storms that can last for days; this means that isolated Mining Outposts can be cut off. The sandstorms are charged with electricity (caused by the friction of sand particles) and can therefore be a hindrance to shipping. The ambient day time temperature is cool being far from the system’s sun, the majority of heat coming from the Gas Giant Nukuru, at night temperatures drop quickly to below freezing.
Rains are non-existent and the majority of water must be imported from neighbouring systems, most independent mining operations maintain moisture farms in order to supplement their supply.
Terrain:
Baoshan comprises of low plains (the old ocean floors) surrounded by the higher continents, many of which are mountainous, the peaks are angular, chiselled over time by abrasive sandstorms. The mines of Tang Khoor sit within the impact crater of the asteroid (Known as the Dam’bar Basin) and is surrounded by concentric rings of fold mountains thrown up by the impact.
Flora/Fauna:
The asteroid impact destroyed all but the hardiest of animal & plant life on the Moon of Baoshan
Scarran Hounds reptilian dogs that spit sticky venom & prey on herds of Klamosaars
Rak – Large, carnivorous bat winged avians with serpentine bodies.
Klamosaar (reptilian bipedal, often used as mounts) feed on lichens and succulents
Plant life is scarce and consists mainly of hardy lichens & succulent types that can draw moisture from deep within the soil.
The southern continent has large areas of petrified forests that are difficult to navigate due to the brittle, sharp branches
Tetracite Ore:
Tetracite is created from the secretions of the Tetra Worm. The worms gnaw through rock using and acid compound that is found in their saliva. This secretion hardens and in the right conditions will change the chemical makeup of the surrounding rocks. This new ore can then be mined and is used in starship construction (in shield generators for its conductivity & armour plating for its toughness).
Although the Tetra Worm can be found on numerous worlds Tetracite is rare as it can only be formed if the environmental conditions are right.
It is believed that the Tetra Worms were bought to Baoshan on the asteroid that nearly destroyed the moon. The worms were dispersed over the moon by the resulting explosion but by far the most concentrated deposits are found within the Dam'Ba Basin, the location of the Mines of Tang Khoor
The Da'Vor Shroud:
The Da’Vor Shroud is a nebula that limits hyperspace travel further than the Nukuru system. Navigation close to & through The Shroud is hindered by anomalies & storms. The Empire has a secret weapons research station within The Shroud.
Ord Akaris:
A former republic Supply World, Ord Akaris is dominated by its large green hued oceans & mountainous continents that are criss-crossed by deep canyons, carved out over the millennia by the wind & rain.
The world’s atmosphere is thin and many of the jagged mountain peaks rise high above its stratosphere and from orbit the world looks frozen however, once below the stratosphere the climate is fresh but temperate.
The world’s only city sprawls across a high plateau situated between sharp mountain peaks. The city is comprised of low towers containing habitation units for the planets denizens and businesses of all types along with the numerous docking bays and warehouse facilities left over from the city’s time as a Republic Supply Depot
Due to its location at the intersection of a number of minor hyperspace lanes that intersect The Spur Ord Akaris is now a major port in the area. Ships of all types frequent it’s docking bays delivering vital raw materials and consumables that are then transferred to freighters trading within the Da’Vor Expanse or shipped out to the Galaxy at large.
The Empire has its main garrison here but this has not stopped criminal syndicates & smugglers taking advantage of the many opportunities available in the busy spaceport. Most things are available here for a price & the world is popular with all aspects of the Galaxy’s fringe.
Kastemonu:
Kastemonu was once a fertile world of lush forests, low hills, great lakes & rolling plains. The world was allied with the Separatists during The Clone Wars and a major battle, both in orbit and on the ground has left the world an irradiated wasteland. Its cities now lie in ruins, its forests charred & the rolling plains are now mainly fields of ash, destroyed by orbital bombardment and the subsequent ground battle.
Survivors eke out a meagre existence either sheltering in the remains of their cities (which are now controlled by gangs) or trying to grow subsistence crops in the few areas where the soil can still support life.
In orbit, a graveyard of ships floats silently, a monument to the battle that took place. Teams of scavengers are known to operate in this graveyard, salvaging parts & anything else of value that they can strip from the dead vessels.
The system is also renowned for Pirate attacks and it is believed that a large group has a secret base hidden amongst the rubble of one of Kastemonu’s destroyed cities.
Lok'Sukahn:
Predominantly a water world Lok’Sukahn’s has numerous large islands and ocean mesas arranged in a ring formation. The oceans around the outside of the islands are deep whereas the seas between are relatively shallow and rich with life due to the worlds almost tropical climate. Millennia ago the world had one large continent but this was all but destroyed by a cataclysmic volcanic chain reaction that destroyed the centre of the continent, lowering it below sea level.
The islands are dominated by high karst mountains (the remnants of the cores of extinct volcanoes) and wide shallow rivers whose banks are scattered with small villages & towns that tend crops or fish the shallow seas. These towns & villages all pay fealty to their particular Clan Lord.
The only city on Lok’Sukahn is Luskaan and is the location of the Clan Moot where the ruling council of clans meet. Luskaan is the world’s main centre of trade for both Off Worlders and Clan members.
The 5 Clans of Lok’Sukahn:
Controlled by Clans (originally from the Core Worlds) whose sleeper ship crash-landed here millennia ago. There are 5 major clans and numerous splinter clans who have allegiance to one of the major clans either through political affiliations or family ties. One Clan is voted as the Head Clan and represents the system in the Imperial Senate.
Each clan has its own enclave, from the surface these appear as circular, walled structures with few features on the outer walls save communications arrays etc. The living quarters are situated on the inside of the circular wall & the structures extend my metres below the surface with power generators and recycling units situated on the lowest levels. Landing pads jut out into the open central space at various levels.
Recently a civil war has erupted between the clans as they via for power in their small corner of space.
Tallarn:
Tallarn is an industrial world and the main centre of manufacture and is governed by a number of Corporations.
Tallarn’s atmosphere has become polluted over the millennia and its sky is dark, it’s sun obscured by clouds laden with contaminants which constantly rain pollutants on the surface below.
One side of the massive city of is walled, forming a cliff face against the sea which breaks regularly against it. A massive power station is built in to its base on the ocean side, taking energy from the waves to help power the city. On the land based side a vertical shanty town has grown steadily up the wall, encompassing dwellings, shops & entertainments, all supported by scaffolding and heavy duty synthrope.
The city comprises massive skyscrapers that house both people & business (similar to blocks in Dredd), The wealthy live in the higher levels whilst the workers live in the lower levels, closer to the pollution & smog of the city floor, those unable to afford to live in the blocks live on the city floor.
Due to its corporate nature failure hits people hard; there are many stories of former corporate execs who have fallen from the wealthy heights to eking out an existence in low town.
The wealthy never visit low town (unless “slumming”) and travel between the massive towers via airspeeders.
Whilst the blocks are spread throughout the city there are 4 distinct areas where the blocks are more closely situated, these areas surround the headquarters of the 4 major corporations that control the world. Each corporation has its own military personnel and a small fleet of defence vessels that are used mainly to protect their system from Pirate activity.
Outside of the city limits lie the industrial wastes, vast areas of land taken up by manufacturing facilities with towering chimneys that belch pollutants high into the atmosphere, massive blast furnaces & swathes of waste ground which is covered by derelict industrial units and twisted debris (this area is inhabited by gangs & feral types). Further out lies land destroyed by extensive strip mining which is pitted with toxic pools of stagnant liquid.
All of Tallarn’s natural resources were depleted long ago and the corporations import foods & the raw materials necessary for the manufacture of the corporations products, their businesses remain profitable due to the endless supply of cheap labour on hand as people arrive seeking employment.
Sumenep:
A frozen world & location of a high security prison facility operated by one of the Corporations of Tallarn.
Catachan:
Catachan is a desolate system made up of 3 inhospitable worlds, with either toxic atmospheres or no atmosphere at all, and an extensive asteroid belt. The system is governed by the Mining Guild who operates numerous facilities both on the systems planets and within the asteroid belt.
Shatterpoint Station is a large space station from where the Mining Guild governs the system.
Tathis:
An uninhabited world whose terrain consists mostly of mountainous rain forests and low lying swamps. The world’s wildlife is dangerous and has long been used as a testing ground where the younglings of the Clans of Lok’Sukahn are sent to complete their rite of passage.
Da’Vor:
Da’Vor is a colony world comprising low hills & plains on 2 large continents. Most settlements are small and the system relies heavily on imports.
Am Imperial Garrison is located here and The Empire are currently in the process of constructing a massive TIE Fighter production facility here, Imperial traffic in the region is therefore heavy as supply ships are constantly bringing in materials. These convoys are protected by 5 Imperial Frigates that patrol the system.
Sarukaam:
Sarukaam is a hot rocky desert world with high mountain ranges and terrain similar to that of the Arizona desert with tall weathered rock formations. There are a number of small seas around which colonies have been established.
Herat:
Mountainous Tundra world.... Mountains, fjords, cold climate... Hardy colonists. City built into the walls of a fjord. The system is controlled by The Empire which maintains a strong garrison here.
Ashkelon:
World that is like Africa with all of the terrain such as savannas, jungle, desert and low mountain ranges.
Kyriat:
World where majority of land is made low hill ranges and plains… rift valleys are the only areas where flora & fauna thrive… from space it looks grey and desolate with swathes of colour marking the rift valleys
Bantir:
A water world, inhabitants live on floating towns, many making a living from fishing. Also has massive plankton farms which is processed & turned into food stuffs.
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