Ghodar, planet
Prime planet of Ghodar system
A golden marble with veins of lightning flashing constantly across its atmosphere, Ghodar hypnotises travellers with its deadly beauty. The planet sees numerous visitors, persuaded to risk its toxic atmosphere and arid deserts by the promise of a fortune in ancient artifacts hidden under the sands. Few people stay long however, and the planet has only one permanent colony, it's people driven there by a desire to escape the Factions that dominate the rest of Horizon's every move rather than answering a call to an unspolit paradise.
Ghodar's atmosphere is deadly to humans: the heat is lethal within hours; the toxicity within tens of minutes. Chain lightning is frequent and dangerous
Something in the atmosphere that is yet not understood causes a frequent if irregular disharge of lightning throughout the air, even in clear skies. The lightning does eventually discharge to the desert and mountain surface alike but most often after traveilling tens or hundreds of kilometers through the atmosphere first. It is ubiquitous, though does show a notable increase over the verdant mountain valleys that defy the heat and lack of moisture elsewhere on the surface - evidence of Portal Builder terraforming. The discharges present a considerable threat to air and space craft but can be shielded against. JUMP TO CONTENTS
This bioscupled descendant of the dromedary retains its singular hump but was given the skin and strength of the long-extinct rhinoceros to increase its resilience and load-bearing capability; though usually calm and slow they are dangerous when roused and generally obnoxious through their well-earned title as 'stinkers of the desert'. Some domestcated herds have escaped to live happily in the deserts. Dirhad
Though thought to be native to Lubau, this biosculpted predator lives wild in the deserts of Ghodar, hunting other animals in the main but happy to supplement its diet with humans where possible. Enhanced to survive in the climate, travellers should be aware that the biosculpting was extended to increased intelligence, fast sprinting and a bionic armour. Recognise this creature as a large cat with light brown skin and black spots instead of fur. They also sport special skin flaps between the front and hind legs to cool their bodies. If a specimen rapidly retracts these flaps they are preparing to run... JUMP TO CONTENTS
Golden desert covers more than 80% of the total planet landmass, suffering tremendous heat under the blinding, white sun. Rare, seasonal rains create sudden, short-lived marvellous blooms that help sustain the planet's wildlife. Though a natural phenomenon in itself, the planet's small seas that help to fuel these rains are further evidence of terraforming, as they are, by themselves, unsustainable in the same heat that causes the dominant desert. Mountain ranges created by considerable tectonic activity create verdant valleys
The mountain valleys support an enirely separate ecosystem through fertile, volcanic soil and trapped moisture. More moisture is trapped in the valley than can be attributed to natural causes, even accounting for seasonal variations, but must be part of a long-established system, as the plant and animal life here is highly evolved. JUMP TO CONTENTS
The only substantial settlement in Ghodar, Juldizin Demalisi is an up and coming city with a troubled past and an uncertain future. Settled some 39 CC ago by colonists seeking to escape interference of the Factions it seems inevitable that their tendrils are digging deeper into a colony that still needs to reach out to sell it's archaeological and scientific finds to the rest of the Horizon if it hopes to grow to stability. However, the increasingly obscure proclaimations and laws issued from its ruler, Khamzi, self proclaimed "Countess of the Sun", only serve to weaken her people's resolve and political resilience.
Artifact finds across the planet prove that First-come scientists paid considerable attention to Ghodar. Though no large settlements have ever been found, many small communities supported large and small scale experiments attempting to unlock the secrets of the Ghodar geosphere and atmosphere.
The evidence of both the terraforming and the system-forming within Ghodar is enough to persuade the hopeful that there must be Portal Builder ruins alongside the First-come somewhere on the planet. As yet these have not been found. Either our searches have so far been too poor or Ghodar itself was the ancient ones' experimentation, rather than their home. JUMP TO CONTENTS
From the data collections and musings of Aaliyah Naifeh, Professor of Xenoarchaeology and Senior Lecturer in Astronics, as recorded in the astronics and stellar-archaeology archives of Fermal-Garoud’s Mathematical Institute
Atmoshpere
Lethal to humansGhodar's atmosphere is deadly to humans: the heat is lethal within hours; the toxicity within tens of minutes. Chain lightning is frequent and dangerous
Something in the atmosphere that is yet not understood causes a frequent if irregular disharge of lightning throughout the air, even in clear skies. The lightning does eventually discharge to the desert and mountain surface alike but most often after traveilling tens or hundreds of kilometers through the atmosphere first. It is ubiquitous, though does show a notable increase over the verdant mountain valleys that defy the heat and lack of moisture elsewhere on the surface - evidence of Portal Builder terraforming. The discharges present a considerable threat to air and space craft but can be shielded against. JUMP TO CONTENTS
Flora and Fauna
DromedonThis bioscupled descendant of the dromedary retains its singular hump but was given the skin and strength of the long-extinct rhinoceros to increase its resilience and load-bearing capability; though usually calm and slow they are dangerous when roused and generally obnoxious through their well-earned title as 'stinkers of the desert'. Some domestcated herds have escaped to live happily in the deserts. Dirhad
Though thought to be native to Lubau, this biosculpted predator lives wild in the deserts of Ghodar, hunting other animals in the main but happy to supplement its diet with humans where possible. Enhanced to survive in the climate, travellers should be aware that the biosculpting was extended to increased intelligence, fast sprinting and a bionic armour. Recognise this creature as a large cat with light brown skin and black spots instead of fur. They also sport special skin flaps between the front and hind legs to cool their bodies. If a specimen rapidly retracts these flaps they are preparing to run... JUMP TO CONTENTS
Geosphere
Arid deserts broken up by mountain ranges, small seas and tiny oasesGolden desert covers more than 80% of the total planet landmass, suffering tremendous heat under the blinding, white sun. Rare, seasonal rains create sudden, short-lived marvellous blooms that help sustain the planet's wildlife. Though a natural phenomenon in itself, the planet's small seas that help to fuel these rains are further evidence of terraforming, as they are, by themselves, unsustainable in the same heat that causes the dominant desert. Mountain ranges created by considerable tectonic activity create verdant valleys
The mountain valleys support an enirely separate ecosystem through fertile, volcanic soil and trapped moisture. More moisture is trapped in the valley than can be attributed to natural causes, even accounting for seasonal variations, but must be part of a long-established system, as the plant and animal life here is highly evolved. JUMP TO CONTENTS
Locations of interest
Juldizin Demalisi - capital city
Julidizin Demalisi - capital city of the Ghodar colonisationThe only substantial settlement in Ghodar, Juldizin Demalisi is an up and coming city with a troubled past and an uncertain future. Settled some 39 CC ago by colonists seeking to escape interference of the Factions it seems inevitable that their tendrils are digging deeper into a colony that still needs to reach out to sell it's archaeological and scientific finds to the rest of the Horizon if it hopes to grow to stability. However, the increasingly obscure proclaimations and laws issued from its ruler, Khamzi, self proclaimed "Countess of the Sun", only serve to weaken her people's resolve and political resilience.
First-come ruins
Numerous archaeological finds of First-come scientific explorationArtifact finds across the planet prove that First-come scientists paid considerable attention to Ghodar. Though no large settlements have ever been found, many small communities supported large and small scale experiments attempting to unlock the secrets of the Ghodar geosphere and atmosphere.
Portal-Builder ruins
Portal-Builder finds remain elusiveThe evidence of both the terraforming and the system-forming within Ghodar is enough to persuade the hopeful that there must be Portal Builder ruins alongside the First-come somewhere on the planet. As yet these have not been found. Either our searches have so far been too poor or Ghodar itself was the ancient ones' experimentation, rather than their home. JUMP TO CONTENTS
From the data collections and musings of Aaliyah Naifeh, Professor of Xenoarchaeology and Senior Lecturer in Astronics, as recorded in the astronics and stellar-archaeology archives of Fermal-Garoud’s Mathematical Institute
CC61, The Founding
System
Ghodar
Known for
Atmospheric chain lightning
Khamzi, Countess of the Sun
---
Atmosphere
Hot, toxic - protective clothing and breathing aids required
Day / year length
30 hours / 2.7 CC
Distance to star
4 AU
Geosphere
Arid (desert, mountain) with verdant oases
Gravity
0.9 standard
Orbit
1 moon, 1 space station, rock ring at 43 degree tilt
Population
Low 100,000: majority First-come, human-humanite mix
Size (diameter)
11,456 km
Space ports
Juldizin Demalisi, Ghodar Station
Temperature
40-60 degrees (day) / ~30 degrees (night)
Ghodar
Known for
Atmospheric chain lightning
Khamzi, Countess of the Sun
---
Type
Planet
Hot, toxic - protective clothing and breathing aids required
Day / year length
30 hours / 2.7 CC
Distance to star
4 AU
Geosphere
Arid (desert, mountain) with verdant oases
Gravity
0.9 standard
Orbit
1 moon, 1 space station, rock ring at 43 degree tilt
Population
Low 100,000: majority First-come, human-humanite mix
Size (diameter)
11,456 km
Space ports
Juldizin Demalisi, Ghodar Station
Temperature
40-60 degrees (day) / ~30 degrees (night)
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