Pok'Riolk

Pok'Riolk is the homeworld of the Shar species and is the second planet in the Hrish system.

Geography

Pok’Riolk has a similar geography to Earth, with all biomes being present, though with different coverages due to the more arid and warm climate of the planet. Deserts and tropical rainforests cover 26% more area on Pok’Riolk than Old Earth while temperate rainforests are 37% smaller.

Climate

The average climate of Pok’Riolk is drier and warmer than Earth’s, making endothermic adaptations a much rarer occurrence. Due to the wider difference in surface temperature between land and sea, giant sand storms from the deserts are common and are viewed in a similar manner to the yearly hurricanes of Old Earth.

Fauna & Flora

Much of the fauna on Pok'Riolk is reminiscent of the biodiversity that was prevalent on Old Earth before the Permian Extinction, with reptiles and synapsids filling the vast majority of ecological niches.

Flora on Pok'Riolk is hardy and drought resistant and is very reminiscent of the type of plants found in the Old Earth deserts.

Natural Resources

Pok'Riolk is known for lack of exportable natural resources, having to import food, lumber, water and metallic minerals from off-world to support their 30 billion inhabitants. Some of the few readily available exportable resources from Pok'Riolk are mineral salt and geolithic minerals (precious gems).

History

Due to the conservative and cautious nature of the Shar, the history of life and civilization on Pok'Riolk is long and detailed. A significant portion of ancient history was during the Saur'rok Empire, a culture defining civilization comparable to the Roman Empire, that lasted for almost 4000 years. It took nearly 27000 years for the Shar to progress from basic agriculture to reliable space travel.

Tourism

Tourism on Pok'Riolk is not a particularly extensive industry compared to other worlds, with a small amount of visitors coming to tour the various sand-shaped stone megaliths scattered across the continents.

Alternative Name(s)

“Mother’s Embrace” - Translation of Pok’Riolk into Basic-

Type

Planet

Inhabiting Species

• Shar