Diantha

View from Orbit

Diantha appears as a green and white planet with a band of yellow-brown dust that circulates the equator. In orbit around the planet are six large orbital refineries, four zero-gravity manufacturing facilities, several transfer stations, and a large space station. Ships are constantly moving between the surface and the orbital facilities.

Surface

The surface of the planet is a combination of two extremes. The northern and southern latitudes are temperate but subject to dust and lightning storms. The middle of the planet is a series of active techtonic plates that have created active volcanoes. This activity has created a band of smoke and ash that constantly circulates the planet, occassionally spawning tornados that spiral into the northern climes before fading away. Most of the population living on the planet is above or below 30 degrees north and south latitudes.

Population

Most of the planets population lives in the cities surrounding the starports or in one of several large towns. The rest live in many small settlements that provide limited agricultural goods. There is also a small percentage that live on the orbital facilities. Many of those have residences on the planet and frequently rotate between orbit and planet.

Industry

The factories and refineries on and around Diantha are responsible for the manufacture of a wide range of goods sold in the Dalicron sector as well as the neighboring sectors of Atravis and Cegul.

Culture

There is no homogeneous culture on Diantha. While the system focuses on manufacturing there are a large number of additional businesses and services that exist to support those activities. As a result the citizens of the planet haven't developed any specific culture but are a reflection of the varied species that exist in the galaxy.

History

Diantha is one of the oldest settled systems in the Dalicron sector. Its proximity to the Hydian Way meant it was surveyed early in the outward expansion of civilization. For more than 1,500 years it was a poor production agricultural world. Travellers and explorers moving down the Hydian way visited cities, or set up bases of operations.
As the Galactice Republic expanded into the sector the need for finished goods began to drive the need for local production. The habitable nature of the northern and southern latitudes prompted the creation of manufacturing facilities and soon the planet was in the manufacturing business. Corporations were attracted to the proximity to the Hydian Way and the relative stability of the lands.
During the Negai invasion, in 4 ABY, Diantha was raided and it's orbital facilities were damaged. It has slowly rebuilt many of those facilities but instability in the region has decreased demand and slowed recovery.

Notable Features

Ash Candle Run

Dangerous places attract daring people. Such is the case on Diantha. Over 200 years ago a group of adventurers travelling along the Hydian Way visited Diantha to explore its surface. These adventurers were led by a dashing media personality named Kal Tolan. Kal was known throughout the galaxy as someone that found dangerous places and did dangerous things. On Diantha he found an area, a wasteland, that was full of fractured mountains, erupting hot springs, and narrow valleys. Within a year he had mapped out a pod racing course through this wasteland, calling it the Ash Candle Run due to several tall ash-spewing spires at the end of the run.
Kal's notoriety attracted thrill-seekers from all over the Outer Territories and the Ash Candle Run became a popular location for racers and spectators. A town, Tolanville, sprang up near the start of the run, offering all things pod-related, including lodgings and all of the supporting services. After several years working the location Kal moved on to other venues.
The Ash Candle Run has remained open and has an annual contest, the Outer Loop Annual, that attracts contestants from near and far. The Outer Loop Annual runs an extension of the Ash Candle Run that dips below the surface into ancient lava tubes and across lava lakes. The prize for winning the competition is 20,000 credits.

Grid Location: N-23

Climate: Hot & Humid

Gravity: 1.2

Common Hazards: Weather

Atmosphere: Thin, Tainted, filter mask required

Temperature: Varies

Moons: None

Diameter: 15,000 km

Length of Day: 33 hr

Length of Year: 86 y

Starport: Good

Population: 2,000,000

Government: Local and Corporate, no planetary representation

Law Level: Moderate - no heavy weapons

Major Exports: Manufactured Goods

Major Imports: Agricutural

System: Diantha System