Horus

The soul of Horus, a planet within the 6. Horizon Belt, is its people. Adapting to the planet's tempestuous nature, they've embraced a nomadic spirit, navigating the vast Red Iron Deserts. These rust-colored expanses, rich in iron and minerals, gleam under the persistent gaze of the planet's twin suns, often conjuring deceptive mirages of non-existent oases. While many inhabitants are guided by the planet's ever-shifting riches, migrating between mineral-rich zones, others have anchored their lives within its burgeoning cities. The Miner Guilds, organized powerhouses, dominate the landscape, controlling treasured mineral zones and establishing crucial trade links with distant realms. Rising dramatically from these deserts are jagged mountainous regions, hiding treasures of heavier metals and rare gems. Beneath this facade, Horus hides its heart in deep subterranean caves. Some of these underground marvels are nature's handiwork, while others stand as monuments to the tenacity of miners who've delved deep in pursuit of wealth.
Climate on Horus is a theatrical display of extremes, choreographed by its dueling suns. With their prolonged days casting relentless heat and the brief nights bringing swift cold, the skies often find themselves bathed in a purplish hue, a spectacle created by the neon gases in the atmosphere. But every so often, this serene ballet is interrupted by ferocious solar flares, challenging the inhabitants with their technological threats and necessitating innovations in shielding.
Amidst its riches and challenges, Horus beats steadily to the rhythm set by the revered Sentinels of the Red Sands. Born from the vision of the charismatic Alun Vorr, this elite force, steeped in honor and duty, stands guard. Their vigilant watch ensures that the planet's harmonious dance isn't disrupted, be it by internal guild rivalries or external entities eyeing its bounteous wealth.

Culture & Inhabitants

• Nomadic Lifestyle: Due to the planet’s harsh conditions, many native inhabitants lead nomadic lifestyles, moving between mineral-rich zones. Despite this though several large cities do exist on the planet.
• Miner Guilds: Organized groups that control the Horus caves and specific mineral-rich zones. They trade rare minerals with off-worlders, bringing in much-needed resources and technology.
• Folklore & Myths: Legends of hidden oasis or ancient treasures buried beneath the Red Iron Deserts, which many “adventurers” seek.

Technology & Economy

• Solar Harnesses: Devices that capture and store the intense solar energy. They are portable and used to power tools, vehicles, and homes.
• Mineral Trade: Horus’s economy revolves around mining. The planet is rich in rare minerals, which are traded with other planets, bringing wealth to the miner guilds.
• Automated Mining Drones: Used to extract minerals from hard-to-reach areas. However, they need to be shielded against the frequent solar flares.
• Transportation: “Sand-crawlers” and hovercrafts tailored for desert navigation, often powered by the Solar Harnesses.
• Barter System: Given the importance of minerals and the frequent trade with off-worlders, a barter system is prevalent, especially in areas away from the large cities.

Political Landscape

• Off-world Relations: Horus has a neutral stance with other planets, focusing mainly on trade. However, there are always threats of external forces wanting to exploit its mineral wealth.
• Guild Wars: Occasional conflicts between different Miner Guilds vying for control over particularly rich mineral deposits.
• Off-world Mining Corporations: The presence of companies from other planets with advanced tech, which sometimes form uneasy alliances with the native Miner Guilds.

Defense and Military

• Sentinels of the Red Sands: An elite force that specializes in desert warfare and surveillance, ensuring the safety and sovereignty of Horus's territories amidst its vast iron-rich landscapes. Their knowledge of the terrain and adaptability to the harsh climate make them formidable defenders of the planet.

Geography

• Red Iron Deserts: Expansive stretches of rust-colored sand, rich in iron and minerals, which shimmer under the twin suns. The reflection of light creates illusions of oasis or water bodies which are mirages; there are no large bodies of water on Horus’ surface.
• Mountainous Regions: Areas with jagged peaks, rich in heavier metals and gems. The rough terrain makes mining difficult but rewarding for those who persist.
• Subterranean Caves: Deep networks of caves, some natural and others the result of extensive mining. These caves offer refuge from the harsh surface conditions and are vital for the nomadic inhabitants, serving as temporary homes or storage areas.
• Red Iron Canyons: Carved by ancient seasonal rivers, these canyons are a labyrinth of passageways and cliffs, offering strategic advantages to those who control them.

Localized Phenomena

• Horus is orbited by two suns, resulting in prolonged daytime and extremely short nights. This causes high temperatures during the day and sudden drops at night.
• The atmosphere has a thin layer of neon gases, which gives the sky a vibrant purplish hue during the short dusk and dawn.
• Solar Flares: With two suns, the planet is prone to periodic solar flares which can affect technology and pose hazards. It necessitates special shielding for electronic devices.
• Wind Patterns: The rapid temperature fluctuations can create sudden, intense windstorms, sweeping the Red Iron Deserts and causing shifting sand dunes.

Type

Planet

Location under

6. Horizon Belt

Included Organizations

• Sentinels of the Red Sands