Mars, Pillar of Trade

Created & Written by Khali A. Crawford

Geography

StarSide, Mars occupies a crucial position on the Major Lines of Faster-Than-Light (FTL) travel within the region known as Midgard. This strategic location played a significant role in transforming Mars into a bustling hub for trade, culture, religion, and the exchange of ideas during the early days of the Great Space Age. By being situated along these major FTL routes, Mars became easily accessible to travelers and served as a pivotal point for various activities.

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However, as technology advanced, the introduction of Solar-Rail transportation had a profound impact on Mars. Leveraging its unique position on the Major Lines, Mars strategically positioned itself as a center for Mega Shipping Corporations, allowing them to conduct its operations and engage in trade away from the watchful eyes of Solar-Rail travel. This shift in focus enabled Mars to cater specifically to the needs of these corporations and also inadvertently created an environment conducive to clandestine activities and criminal behavior.

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When we turn our attention to PlanetSide, we discover that Mars boasts a diverse landscape. The planet primarily consists of several expansive red-sand deserts, interspersed with six magnificent oceans, which are surrounded by vast, fertile grasslands and rich soil. This distinctive configuration has given rise to a habitable region along the equator called the Green Belt, where life flourishes. The Minor Yggtree, planted in this zone, serves as the source of these great seas, which branch out into sprawling rivers and lakes that penetrate the red sands, forming the Upperyard.

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Beyond the Upperyard lie the Loweryard regions, characterized by numerous deserts that the seas have been unable to penetrate. These deserts are separated by a series of imposing mountains, effectively isolating them from land travel and creating distinct and separate regions. However, beneath the planet's surface, vast expanses of interconnected caves and tunnels known as the Red Ground Keep exist, harboring their own mysteries and providing potential resources and shelter for intrepid explorers. Mars is also home to two moons, Phobos and Deimos, both of which have been colonized and terraformed ages ago.

Natural Resources

• Martian Ore; Material mined on Mars, also called Cursed Rock. Possess some inking of the Red God's power. Amplifies Curses and Hexes and other Dark Arts

History

The Violation of the Martians

In its original state, Mars was a planet characterized by a diverse range of biomes and possessed a naturally stable atmosphere. This environment supported various forms of life, including the native Martian species. These Martians were a relatively primitive civilization, still in the early stages of their development, but they inhabited their home planet. However, the peaceful existence of the native Martians was dramatically disrupted by the intervention of the Sobek Empire. The Sobek Empire, a powerful and expansive force, arrived on Mars and initiated a series of actions that had severe consequences for the indigenous population. The Sobek Empire's actions resulted in the permanent sterilization of the Martians, rendering them incapable of procreation and ensuring the decline of their species.

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As a result of this interference, the once vibrant and intelligent Martians were tragically reduced to small-minded and animalistic beings. The Sobek Empire specifically engineered the remaining Martians for a single purpose: to serve as fighters in their brutal arenas. Through a selective breeding program, the Sobek Empire sought to create a subservient population that would be used solely for their entertainment and combative pursuits. The impact of the Sobek Empire's involvement was profound and irreversible. The once-developing civilization of the Martians was permanently altered, and their potential for growth and progress was snuffed out. Instead of evolving and advancing their society, the surviving Martians were reduced to a state of primitive existence, driven primarily by base instincts and trained for combat.

Alternative Name(s)

The Red Waste | Red-Light District | Pillar of the Waefinder System

Type

Planet

Location under

The Wæfinder System