Locations

The System

“The System” is a term that encapsulates the tumultuous history and complex interplanetary dynamics within the solar system. Comprising three habitable planets—Ishtar, Ysldara, and Arukh—this fractured realm has borne witness to centuries of conflict, suffering, and technological disparity.

Ishtar

Ishtar, the third planet from the Sun, languishes with a Development Index rating of “3.” Its inhabitants endure a harsh existence, their lives marked by scarcity, decay, and the lingering echoes of war. Once a world of promise, Ishtar fell victim to the insatiable appetites of its more advanced neighbors.

Ishtar’s inhabitants scavenge for survival amidst crumbling infrastructure and rusted remnants of forgotten technologies. Once bustling cities now lie in ruins, their grandeur reduced to rubble. Food, water, and basic necessities are scarce commodities, traded in the shadowed alleys where hope has long since withered.

The echoes of ancient battles reverberate across Ishtar’s desolate landscapes. The System War, initiated by the insatiable appetites of Ysldara and Arukh, scarred this world irreparably. Ishtar’s people—once dreamers—became pawns in a cosmic game of power. Their blood-soaked history stains the very soil they tread.

Once, Ishtar held promise—a beacon of potential. But its more advanced neighbors, driven by greed and ambition, devoured that promise. Ysldara and Arukh, with their gleaming spires and interstellar marvels, eclipsed Ishtar’s light. Now, it languishes—a forgotten sibling, abandoned by the cosmos.

Ishtar from orbit, Year 905.

Ysldara

Ysldara, often hailed as the Cradle of the System, is a planet renowned for its technological prowess and the birthplace of interplanetary travel. With a Development Index Rating of 7, it stands as a testament to the ingenuity and ambition of its inhabitants. The Ysldarans, a people of keen intellect and indomitable spirit, have long since turned their gaze to the stars, seeking to unravel the mysteries of the cosmos. Their cities are marvels of engineering, with towering spires that pierce the heavens and streets aglow with the hum of advanced machinery.

The planet’s history is steeped in the pursuit of knowledge, but this quest has not been without its dark chapters. Ysldara’s role in the System War is a subject of much debate and sorrow. The Ysldarans became conquerors, their advanced weaponry and ruthless strategies leaving a trail of devastation across the System.

Arukh

Arukh, with its formidable Development Index Rating of 9, is the pinnacle of civilization within the System. A planet where science and technology have reached their zenith, Arukh is a beacon of raw industrial power. The Arukhans, a people defined by their relentless pursuit of advancement, have mastered the art of mining and resource management, harnessing the raw materials of their world to fuel their ever-growing empire—this reflects upon the Arukhan people, as they are extremely objective-oriented and competitive to a fault. Selfish survivors, they are bemoaned as cruel and without empathy. They also happen to be the most physiologically distinct—whereas Ysldarans and Ishtari can survive in one another's planets with little to no difficulty, the Arukhans have a unique nitrogen heavy atmosphere that forces them to wear respirators and heavy breathing apparati.

However, beneath the gleaming surface lies a world not untouched by the horrors of war. The Arukhans, driven by a desire for dominance, were instrumental in the initiation of the System War. Their military might and strategic acumen were unrivaled, and they showed little mercy to those who stood in their path. In the aftermath, Arukh emerged as a superpower, but at the cost of countless lives and the desolation of entire cultures.

On Ishtar

Kamadeva

Mechanized peacekeeping automaton, a Core System tech being utilized on Ishtar.

Kamadeva is a small settlement dedicated to excavating a grand junk-heap possibly containing Core Technology. Already, Kamadeva has tasted the fruits of their labour with the shanty town turning into something of a tourist happenstance on Ishtar. A security perimeter has been established, allowing the town to truly flourish.

Zephyrabad

In the northern valleys of Ishtar, Zephyrabad stands as a testament to resilience. The city’s windmills, inspired by ancient designs, are a marvel, powering the homes of those who look to the sky for answers. The bazaars of Zephyrabad buzz with traders selling wind-crafted artifacts, and its people are known for their deep connection to the air around them, believing it carries the whispers of the past.

Noctulam

South-east of Kamadeva, Noctulam is a city of life, built upon the shores of Ishtar’s great lake. Its gardens are lush and vibrant, fed by intricate aqueducts that distribute the precious water. The markets of Noctulam overflow with the bounty of the land, and its people are known for their generosity, sharing their harvest and water with all who need it.