Foraces

View from Orbit

Foraces is a mixed world of green, blue, and red. For the last 500 years the planet has been undergoing an active tectonic plate cycle. This has a large number of volcanoes and near-surface magma flows.
In places far from the plate boundaries the landscape is quite different. Grass plains and forests cover the landscape. Unfortunately these areas are not common. Constant ash and poisonous gas discharges has scarred most of the planet surface as well as the planets oceans.
As a result the view from orbit shows a planet that is covered in black and red lines, often pressed against blue ocean, with spots of green appearing randomly about the planet.
Within orbit can also be seen the spacecraft flight readiness platforms. These small stations perform the final fittings and testing of all spacecraft produced by the planet. There are four stations positioned, geosynchronously, about the planet. Traveling near these stations is forbidden.
A small, distant moon orbits the red and blue planet.

Surface

The surface of Foraces depends heavily on where one is. If you are near the plate boundaries you will be subjected to an atmosphere that is full of ash and poisonous chemicals. Hot liquids burst from the ground in random locations where magma comes close to the surface. The oceans in these areas are often so hot as to be dangerous to the unprotected.
If you are away from a plate boundary you are likely to find a patch of green with trees, grasses, and animals. Most of these areas are populated by small towns or large estates. The locals refer to these areas as Greenlands.
The active geology has allowed the creation of numerous geothermal power planets, providing more than enough power for the manufacturing process as well as the Greenland settlements.

Population

The population of the planet lives in two different environments. Those working in manufacturing live in enclosed environments within the active zones. They are often pale skinned as they see very little sunlight, even if they have positions that allow them to be outside. The atmosphere allows little light into the regions around the facilities. The companies provide basic services to the employees. More sophisticated services are available in the Greenlands.
The population living in the Greenlands is primarily the upper class of the planet though there are those that tend farms and provide other services to the wealthy. There are also several vacation locations that have been built to provide some relief to the manufacturing workers.
Also on the planet is a large military base. This base is meant to defend the manufacture of military spacecraft. There is a battalion of troops always on planet backed up by several AT-AT's, AT-ST's and smaller ground craft.
There is also a small contingent of the population that works on the flight testing centers, including one dedicated to military craft. This platform not only has the newly produced spacecraft but also a wing of starfighters dedicated to its defense.

Industry

Foraces specializes in the production of small spacecraft and surface flying craft, both private and military. Prior to the fall of the Empire it provided craft to all systems in the sector, and a few other sectors nearby. Since the fall the production of military craft has been restricted to the Empire of Dalicron. The production of private craft has not stopped though there are restrictions on the capabilities that can be installed, avoiding the covert attempt to create assault vessels.
Foraces produces most of the components it needs for the creation of its vessels. Additional components are imported from Renforra.

Culture

The culture of Foraces varies depending on where one is. Within the spacecraft manufacturing facilities the employees are normally more highly skilled and live in family units. They're lives are more suburban and safe. This is true of those that work in the base or in the estates in the Greenlands.
With the production and refining facilities life is harder and risks are greater. Drink and violence are common amongst there refining groups, who live closer to the dangerous environment. It is not uncommon for fights to break out in the refining quarters.
Most of those living outside the manufacturing and refining facilities live simple lives farming and raising livestock. Many have held their farms for generations, passing down the farm from parent to child. These families vary in age and race as well as the types of goods they grow or raise.

History

Foraces was surveyed very early in the sector's history. They found a planet that seemed to be in the processes of self-destruction with the volcanos and lava flows overtaking the grasslands and forests. Their report was not favorable though they did indicate that the geothermic possibilities of the planet would provide for energy-intensive operations.
The reports describing the Greenlands attracted settlers and they soon began appearing throughout the habitable sections of the planet. Ash storms and volcano eruptions occassionaly spread soil-enriching elements across the planet, but they destroyed as well. Fire tornados would spawn from the Ashlands and wreak havok as they sped across the Greenlands.
For hundreds of years the planet provided little for the sector but became a settlers paradise. And then came the Kurgodus, raiders with a great fleet. In a single day their fleet encircled the planet and drop ships hit settlement after settlement, looting and killing those that had spent generations building their estates or farms. The Kurgodus raided and then left. The planet was devastated, and yet it continued to survive. New settlers came in and took over the farms that had been abandoned.
And 100 years later the raiders appeared again. The population tried to stand up to them, but they were struck down. This time, though, forces from the capital of the sector, Dalicron, hunted down the raiders and, in a grand space battle in the Kala system, defeated every ship.
Before settlers could come back in strength a corporation arrived on the planet, set up geothermal plants, and began manufacturing processes using the abundant power to great effect. They soon signed an agreement with the governor in Dalicron and became administrators of the planet.

Notable Features

The Floating City of Kurjosan

Within a large lava flow on the planet of Foraces lies the Floating City of Kurjosan. This city is a collection of thirteen large, disk-shaped, platforms connected by strong bridges, that floats on a large lake of lava. The surface of the disks contains structures that appear to be buildings. They have walls with doorways and roofs protecting the building interiors. The buildings are randomly distributed across the disks with no discernable streets or pathways.
Explorers and researchers have attempted to set up camps on the disks but every month one of the disks submerges below the lava for thirteen minutes.
The city is marked with a B on the map above.

Grid Location: I-8

Climate:

Gravity: 0.8

Common Hazards: Fire Tornadoes

Atmosphere: Hazardous and Standard

Temperaturs: Hot and Standard

Moons: 1

Diameter: 10,000 km

Length of Day: 23 hr

Length of Year: 337 d

Starport: A - Excellent (Shipyards)

Population: 70,000

Government: Corporate

Law Level: 7 - High (Pistols prohibited)

Major Exports: Starships

Major Imports: Technology, Agriculture, Luxuries

System: Foraces System