Phare Sector

The Phare Sector: Homesystem of the Corporate Division, made by blazer@netvision.il

System Facilities

• • M/PLT Daedalus (TIE Fighter Pilot/IWATS Training Platform) - Orbiting Ullyr
  • Abundant Corporate Division Production/Distribution Facilities and PLTs
  • Imperial Weapons and Tactics School (Sif)
  • Haven, domed mining facility (Hela)
  • Wood resources/factories (Ullyr)
  • Floating cities (Frigg)
  • Pangea Agricultural Facility (Sif)
  • City of Juraas-Kur (Sif)
  • Valhalla Mining Facility (Heimdall)
  • Loki Military Complex
  • Hodr Listening Posts

The Phare System was recently discovered by scouts from the Emperor's Hammer Strike Fleet. Phare is located no more than five light years from the Aurora System and is a system rich in natural resources, which Aurora lacks for a Fleet the size of the Emperor's Hammer...

Hela is perhaps the most inhospitable planet in the Phare System with the exception of Loki. It is a completely lifeless and barren planetoid in a close orbit to Odin. Consequently, it has the look of Hell itself. The surface of the planet is baked to a hard crust with almost no geologic activity and a thin, stagnant searing atmosphere. However, below the surface, Imperial colonists have created a small mining colony to extract some of the richest mineral and metal ore deposits in the entire system.

There is no indigenous life on Hela since the planet surface is at temperatures high enough to boil water. In fact, there is no free standing water on the planet, having been long ago evaporated. Much of the planet remains unvisited by humans as they tend to restrict their operations to the essential mining activities. There are occasional dust storms which sweep the flat landscape of the equatorial regions in which the winds reportedly exceed 700 kph. It should be noted that humans can not survive unprotected in the Hela atmosphere for more than 1-2 minutes before their bodily fluids begin to boil in the dry, searing atmosphere.

All human life on the planet is confined within a large atmospheric domed colony (called Haven) located at the southern polar region of the planet. Here, the temperatures are a relatively cool 80°C, making this area the "vacation spot" of the planet. The miners and corporate workers stationed here have a distinct distaste for their assignment. Although Hela is rich in resources, it is not meant for human occupation. However, Haven has been very successful (and profitable!) and with their automated mining operations, are beginning to produce an incredible volume of raw metal ores for the Fleet.

Thor is the forbidding and harsh home to the Grenfels and their coexistent food source, the Laakas. It's extreme elliptical orbit takes it from 0.8 AUs (when there is a brief 3-4 week "summer") to 4 AUs at its limit. It is during these times of dead winter (approximately 95% of the Thor annum), that most indigenous lifeforms hibernate or continually roam the ice covered surface of the planet for prey. Although there are several hundred species of various flying, land roaming and burrowing mammalian species on Thor, life is harsh and each species has adapted to the frigid climate in its own way. The primary reason there has been no human colonies established on this world is due to its extreme gravity, which is in excess of 2.5 times standard. Without power assisted equipment and artificial gravity control, no human would be able to survive on Thor. In addition, the glacial cover of the planet has hidden any potential mineral or natural resources lying beneath the thick icy cap.

The majority of the planet is covered with massive continental glaciers 10 to 20 km thick. Approximately 1-2 % of the planet is covered by the highest mountain ranges which just have their summits exposed above the glacial cap. These rare and isolated areas are generally teeming with life during the short days of summer. The Grenfels and Laaka tend to congregate in these areas during the "Warming" as well. During the remainder of the Thor annum, the planet is swept by massive ice and snowstorms that often encompass an entire continent. With no mountains or significant vegetation to break the weather patterns, the planets' surface of ice has been worn smooth with only a very small amount of ice being added through precipitation each year.

Grenfels are huge (4-7 meters height) nomadic, savage, primate-like primitives that continually prowl the steppes and glaciers of Thor during the winter, searching for any living prey. They have adapted well to the gravity of Thor and have evolved into deadly efficient hunters to survive. The giant mammoth-like Laaka (15-30 meters height) are their preferred diet...one can keep a family of Grenfels alive for weeks. Also, there is no native flora on Thor beyond simple mosses and lichens. The skins, bones and organs of the Laaka are utilized by the Grenfels for tools, clothing and storage. The Grenfels live and hunt in family communal groups of usually no more than 5-20 individuals and are simple tool users. Most of their implements are ice or bone derived. The Grenfels linguistic capability has barely achieved a spoken language. During times of extreme weather, the Grenfels retreat to their snow caves and have been known to resort to cannibalism to survive.

Several Imperial scouts have reported observing the feeding habits of these demons. When particularly driven by hunger, they will encircle their prey and in a frenzy of blood, flesh, fighting and savagery, the Grenfels will rip apart and ingest their victims in a matter of minutes, even the huge Laaka. A pack of Grenfels roaming the ice plains is a chilling sight to behold...their white, dense, massive forms lumbering along, heavy arms swaying with their monstrous swaggering gait. Imperial personnel have been prohibited to visit Thor and most Imperials have eagerly complied. The Imperial Survey Corps estimates that between 3 and 5 million of the Grenfels inhabit this harsh world...an encounter would mean sure death at the hands (literally) of a pack of Grenfels. It seems they are especially fond of human flesh as well as the Laaka. It should be noted that all known hand-held blaster weaponry only seems to irritate these behemoths...

Thor has one small (3,500 km) moon, Mjolnir, that is hardly more than a twinkle in the Thor night sky. Mjolnir has an elongated orbit around Thor which often keeps it far away from its host planet. Mjolnir is a lifeless moon without an atmosphere. However, initial Imperial surveys indicate the presence of several promising ore deposits within its crust.

Ullyr is one of three inhabitable worlds in the Phare System singled out for primary colonization by the Empire 30 years ago. Ullyr's vast expanses of primeval forests and abundant wildlife prompted early colonization/development by several competing corporations.

The planets 3 main continents are almost entirely covered by primeval forests. The vegetation is reminiscent of that found on the Wookie Homeworld of Kashyyyk or the forest moon of Endor. The trees have been known to reach heights of 1/2 a kilometer and hundreds of meters diameter! As with most forest worlds, native life is stratified in the various levels of the forests. The larger predatory and scavenger creatures roam the forest floor, with smaller forms of life present as the aboreal column rises. At the top of the forest canopy are many primate and avian species (no native sentient) present. Food is plentiful and the planet is a rich source of strong and ancient woods.

The Wookies were originally brought to Ullyr when the Phare System was first identified and colonized by the Corporate Sector Authority (CSA). Three million Wookies were initially transported to Ullyr as slave labor for the exotic wood industry for the CSA. Only 1,500,000 remained alive at the time of the Battle of Endor and those have reverted to a primitive feudal/clan system to maintain some semblance of civilization. It is estimated that approximately 250,000 have been slain in inter-clan warfare and encounters with Imperial forces. Many of the Wookies planetside were born on Ullyr and consider it their home, not unlike Kashyyyk, their homeworld. Some of the Wookie Elders still remember Kashyyyk. Following the Battle of Endor, a year ago, the Imperial Corporations, garrisons and Fleets left the planet to its own devices and the Wookies found themselves stranded planetside. Consequently, they have had to make a life on their own, but without industrial re-supply, they are quickly reverting to barbarism and anarchy. The remaining humans, their former masters and owners, are rumored to be kept as prisoners of the Wookies and in a few of the more savage clans, as slaves or even worse, as food stock.

In a daring rescue engagement performed by the Infiltrator Wing of the Emperor's Hammer, several B-wing squadrons and a Wookie held Imperial Corporate Platform were destroyed. In the battle, several transports carrying several thousand rescued and injured Imperial Citizens were rescued. Although several hundred humans are suspected to remain planet-side, all known Wookie spacefaring capability on Ullyr is suspected to be destroyed. Since Ullyr represents an abundant source of fine wood products to aid in the construction of New Imperial City, the Fleet Commander has authorized unrestricted military action against the Wookies of Ullyr...Essentially not acknowledging their sentience. In addition, the Fleet Commander has licensed hundreds of independent Bounty Hunters to track down and terminate Wookies planetside, paying by the head. The Intelligence Division estimates that the planet will be cleared of its Wookie 'infestation' within 3 to 6 years, thus allowing the unrestricted, managed deforestation of Ullyr.

Like most moons in the Phare System, Baldyr is lifeless but may contain significant ore deposits and the special metals required to make starship hulls and weaponry. Baldyr would certainly make a prize for some corporation. The surface of Baldyr is geologically active with Volcanoes and craters being the predominant terrain. Baldyr is also the proving and testing ground for Trainees in the Imperial Weapons and Tactics School (IWATS). Almost daily, elements of Eta and Zeta squadrons, stationed on the M/PLT Daedalus, can be seen engaging in mock combats and tactical exercises.

Frigg suffers from a minor greenhouse effect. The pervasive presence of oxygen-sustained algae and other flora and fauna has produced high amounts of waste carbon dioxide and methane. Although oxygen is abundant across most of the planet, visitors are cautioned to avoid low lying or poorly ventilated areas since methane (from the swamps) and carbon dioxide can accumulate and displace vital life-giving oxygen. All Imperial Citizens visiting Frigg are issued a Breathing Mask and given a 7 day survival course for dealing with potential emergencies planet-side. The nightly swamp fires are a sight to behold...blue flames burning from pools of slowly released methane in lower lying methane pockets. These fires can be seen from the parapets of many of the Frigg cities nightly.

Although the temperature on Frigg is considered somewhat high by Imperial standards, it is an exotic planet abundant with life and surprisingly untouched by the Imperial presence in the Phare System. When the Phare System was first colonized by Imperials approximately 30 years ago, the Imperial Terraformers and Scouts knew exactly what purpose to designate Frigg. A luxury and recreation planet. Its warm climate and abundance of life was claimed to aid in the healing of the sick and aged. Scientific analysis of the water and soils indicate the presence of several, as yet unidentified compounds and elements, suggesting that this claim may have some validity. Although there has been no recorded presence of sentient species on the planet, visitors are advised that Frigg is a living "species factory" with an estimated 3,000-5,000 new biological species evolving and a similar number becoming extinct every day. Nature is working overtime on Frigg...Consequently, there may be several uncatalogued carnivorous nasties and beasties to beware of as well as the usual aquatic dangers. It should be noted that the initial surveys by Palpatine's Dark Adepts revealed this planet may have an unusually strong presence of the force, considering that the planet almost seems "alive". This theory is currently reportedly one of Sector Admiral Havok's pet projects. At any given time, several Dark Jedi can be found on Frigg, roaming the swamps and uplands of the planet...studying, cataloging, and communing with the Dark Side of the Force...To date, Havok has kept silent about the secrets of Frigg and its potential connection to the Dark Side.

Many elaborate cities were built by the colonists to meld into the local jungles and shorelines. These were constructed either on massive supports far above the wet, swampy continental plateaus, massive repulsorlift platforms, or undersea. Many cities are partially or wholly submerged with expansive undersea viewing areas and concourses. On approach from orbit, one can hardly notice the fact that the planet has 4 billion inhabitants. Since almost 93 % of the planet is under fresh water, with negligible salt/mineral content, the amount of aquatic life on Frigg is astounding. The planet has also occasionally been used as an Aquatic Stormtrooper training area. The sunsets have epic quality, the sight of which is said to calm the most heavy of hearts. With Ullyr and Sif both occupying the dusk sky every day, and due to the close orbit to Frigg, one can almost reach out and touch the large pastel orbs in the evening sky. With the added touch of the blue-white swamp fires, a night on Frigg can be mesmerizing in its display...

Each of the floating cities operates as an independent City-State which ultimately answers to the Imperial Planetary Governor and thus the Directorate. They are primarily oriented towards entertainment, luxury trade and aquatic farming. However, some have also excelled at the fine arts such as theater, poetry, music and dancing. Frigg was becoming slowly known in the Outer Rim as one of the more popular resort planets. Unfortunately, after the Battle of Endor, the tourist trade has dropped off more than 85%. However, with the arrival of the Emperor's Hammer, tourism is beginning to pick up once again, giving the beleaguered colonists hope for better days.

Sif is the primary food producer of the Phare System, and most of the Emperor's Hammer Territories. Its vast expanses of plains, moderate climate and seasons, short growing cycles, moderate precipitation, etc. have all allowed the planet to be literally "tamed" within 3 decades. In addition, due to its distance to Odin and its atmosphere, Sif is bathed each local day with a low-level, non-harmful ultraviolet spectrum illumination. Climatic change is an extremely rare occurrence on Sif. Apparently, Sif's peculiar atmospheric chemistry is highly effective at screening out the infrared light spectrum but not the ultraviolet. This effect casts the entire planet in a perpetual twilight, with a orange-purple hue to everything. However, humans without UV protection will sunburn rather quickly in the Sif sun, taking on a dark, almost native complexion and potentially contracting one of various skin disorders and cancers. Once Palpatine visited Sif during a diplomatic mission and remarked that Sif reminded him of his beloved pleasure planet, Byss.

Prior to the arrival of the Imperials 30 years ago, the planet was covered with vast expanses of tundra, steppes and tall (5-7 meter high) grassy plains in its equatorial regions. Some of these original areas have been set aside, permanently designated as Imperial Parks, but these areas now amount to less than 15% of the total land mass. Almost no indigenous life remains across the remaining areas of the once giant continent, having been replaced by livestock (including the native Batkura) and genetically engineered grains and crops. The single continent, aptly named Pangea, is essentially one huge agricultural facility.

Within the past 30 years, the Imperials have managed to completely partition, irrigate, and control the harvests of both crops and livestock. The production quotas have been met on Sif enough consecutive months to make 99th percentile for the Imperial Agricultural Standard Index. Quite an accomplishment for a race of natives, the almost benign Saraii.

The Saraii, a once nomadic race, have eagerly adapted to the recent influx of Imperial technology and willingly serve the greater glory of the Empire. Since the arrival of the Emperor's Hammer forces less than 2 years ago, the local technology level has already gone from atomic age to Imperial levels.

Apparently, the Saraii had almost exhausted their own natural resources when their total population reached approximately 5 billion about 40 years ago. Without Imperial intervention, colonization, Imperial population control and improved agricultural technologies, the Saraii would have become extinct, or at the very best, reverted to ruthless barbarism and anarchy, as various tribes and clans fought over swiftly dwindling resources. Consequently, the Saraii generally look upon the Imperials as friends and ultimately, as their saviors.

Many Saraii have since enlisted in the Imperial armed forces and the Emperor (prior to his death) had shown a certain leniency in this regard to the Saraii. It is rumored that Grand Admiral Thrawn and Grand Admiral Ronin are Saraii natives, although the evidence for Ronin's origins are apparently more than rumor, as is the case with Thrawn. The tall, dark-skinned (blue, black or green) and red or yellow-eyed Saraii are fierce fighters and make excellent workers for the massive agricultural facilities planetside. The Saraii have a long history of glorious internal castes and clan warfare. Their confrontations (prior to the arrival of the Empire and the New Order), were epic...Millions of the warrior caste from each city state or nation would face off on opposite sides of a plain and charge at one another, typically armed with only slugthrowers or melee weapons. The venerated Saraii historians tell of the steppes irrigated in the spilled blood of these battles, millions of corpses left to replenish the parched Steppes. Imperial historians have theorized this may be why the Saraii feel so connected to the steppes and their homeworld. Since there are few geographic features and topographic relief on the planet, commanders of these armies had to be innovative and lightning-fast tacticians to survive and win victory.

One point worth noting are the Saraii cities. They are each an independent work of art, their tall wispy spires reaching hundreds of meters into the purple-hued sky. High canopies and walkways connect these spires in what can be best described as a spider web of a transportation system. In fact, the largest city on the planet, Juraas-Kur, was intentionally designed in a concentric geometric form to look and function like a web...Pulling all visitors into its center...The former Moff of Phare (FA Renegade/Pappy) founded the Imperial Weapons and Tactics School on Sif. This specialized branch of the new EH Imperial Academy will serve to train the newly created Auroran Home Guard and the Aggressor Wing. Since the Saraii are fiercely pro-Empire and the planet has been essentially cultivated, the Planetary Governor of Sif has one of the easier jobs in the Phare System.

The surface and atmospheric conditions on Njord make life impossible planetside. Even on the frozen ammonia seas, the turbulent violent nature of the Njordan atmosphere in which one of the feared Methane Cyclones can develop and sweep across half the planet in 2 hours, effectively preventing even the existence of domed cities. The intense gravity on Njord also makes unprotected existence impossible. Consequently, there is no life on the planet of Njord. Only the mining crews from the orbiting moon of Heimdall ever set foot planetside and then only for brief, nerve-wracking workshifts. Thousands of miners die every year mining Tibanna gasses from the planetary surface. But because of the immense profits they might make, hundreds of miners continue to volunteer for the duty every day.

Njord would have been ignored if not for the abundance of Tibanna gas which is mined to keep the Imperial war machine of the Emperor's Hammer Strike Fleet operating efficiently. Tibanna gas is an extremely rare gas that is used primarily as a hyperdrive coolant and blaster/ion enhancer. When the gas is spin-sealed and frozen in carbonite, it is converted into a simple form that can be readily transported to where needed. The quality of the Tibanna gas on Bespin is legendary but has been tapped primarily by the New Republic after the Battle of Endor. However, the Emperor's Hammer is fortunate that the Tibanna gas is both abundant and also naturally spin-sealed by the chaotic and intense atmospheric pressures of Njord. Several corporate mining crews will sortie from Heimdall each day to perform the highly dangerous, but necessary and highly profitable collection operations.

Tyr is a small (2,000 km) geologically unstable moon of Njord. Its surface is intensely scarred with by craters from meteor impacts from the Frey Asteroid Belt. Its surface is also marked with many hydrogen volcanoes, perhaps the most fantastic and deadly sight in the System. When the temperature of trapped hydrogen beneath the frozen Ammonia and Helium seas becomes too high as it rises to the moon's surface, there is a massive fiery eruption as the hydrogen escapes and ignites under its own kinetic energy. The result looks like a ball of flame rising from the planetoid.

Several mining corporations have attempted to consolidate the hundreds of claims and stakes on the planet of Njord. But so far to no avail...There is too much money to be made. The mining operations are independently owned by various small corporations, families and even individuals. However, even this apparent organizational chaos is working remarkably well since the amount of military-grade Tibanna Ion and Blaster gases exported from Njord is at record levels.

Civilization on the barren, lifeless Heimdall is confined to one large, sprawling Spaceport/Mining City named Valhalla. This city is a marvel of modern engineering, a permanent city over 6 kms in diameter is completely and securely anchored into the underlying frozen methane seas. The city is completely self contained with impressive, state-of-the-art recirculation systems and self-contained hydroponics, technical, economic and living sections. Emergency repulsorlift generators have been placed throughout the support structure in case of increased geologic activity. The Tibanna gas collection, precipitation and refining plants of Valhalla are constantly running. Approximately 500,000 human (Imperial) colonists, gas miners, technicians, guildsmen, administrators, etc. inhabit Valhalla.

Loki, the furthest planet out from Odin, is a cold, lifeless frozen ball of methane and other gases. There is no significant atmosphere or hydrosphere. All liquids have been frozen solid as the temperature hovers near absolute zero. The planet houses a massive military complex that rivals garrisons on most industrialized worlds. Further details on Loki and its forces remains classified. However, the Emperor's Hammer recently recovered the ISD Relentless from this installation.

Loki's one moon, Hodr, houses several listening posts and training facilities with total Imperial Intelligence personnel planetside numbering between 5,000 to 20,000 on any given day. These listening posts keep an ever vigilant eye on the outer reaches of the Emperor's Hammer Territories with the most sophisticated network of satellites and communications gear the Empire has to offer. In addition, hundreds of Intel Agents induced with mind-focusing drugs, comm enhancing drugs and stimulants, watch their probe monitors in conjunction with thousands of probe droids across the Outer Rim.