Safa

Atmosphere: Breatheable mix Temperature: Variable cold-to-temperate Biosphere: Human-miscible Population: Several million inhabitants Tech Level: TL2

Safa is an ice world claimed by a number of spiritual 'lodges' . These lodges are the dominant social forces on this world, the warriors pledging themselves to them all venerate aspects of native beasts. Some lodges respect predators for their cunning, others for their immense strength, or the sharpness of their teeth. Lodges form and fall as the time passes and society undergoes natural changes.
Ritualized combat is the main way disputes between individuals, families, clans, cities and even their approximation of nations is handled, coming down to either duels between a pair of combatants or gladiatorial matches with a few dozen on a side. There is honor in this combat, even for the losing side. Punishments tend to be lessened for the survivors (if any) and the outstanding controversy between the belligerents is considered settled in full no matter what the outcome.
These duels are heavily ritualized and any break from the formal proceedings is enough to taint the results and possibly render the entire fight as moot. The inhabitants do everything within their power to respect these combats.
In April 2668, Ibros and Einer of SCAF were able to organize the clans here into a formal duel, defeating a champion from each group for political dominance. SCAF was victorious, and as the clans stuck their banners the eclipse flag of SCAF rose in their place in a relatively bloodless transition of power.