Juldizin Demalisi Settlement in Third Horizon, Ghodar and other places | World Anvil
BUILD YOUR OWN WORLD Like what you see? Become the Master of your own Universe!

Remove these ads. Join the Worldbuilders Guild

Juldizin Demalisi

Colony on Ghodar

Ghodar and Khamzi are introduced in the Coriolis core rules but left open to the GM to detail; that detail here is my content - Doctor Weather
Juldizin Demalisi (meaning "Star's Rest" in an old Al-Ardhan language) is the first and only real colony, not only on Ghodar planet, but also in Ghodar system. It is the seat of power of Khamzi, Countess of the Sun, who claims to rule as shah over the entire system.   GM link: Juldizin Demalisi - encounters / plot seeds
GM link: Juldizin Demalisi - NPCs    

Description

  GM link: Juldizin Demalisi - description  

City on approach

  The city spills like a waterfall from between mountain peaks
Standing in the desert plain below and looking up, you can watch the white star of Ghodar set between two great peaks and come to rest in the gardens of the palace that looks proudly down on the rest of the city. Directly beneath the white palace walls, the manors of the privileged also benefit from the higher, cooler air. Some merchants, farmers and lucky artifact hunters have managed to raise smaller properties for an equally-small air benefit on the lower slopes, whilst the plebian populace must make do on the sandy plain that begins sharply at the foot of the mountain.   No physical dome despite the toxic atmosphere
From a distance you see a sudden step change in the atmosphere over the city that marks a dome-shaped volume of safe air that resists mixing with the toxic Ghodar atmosphere, and which gives the city the appearance of sitting within flowing water. Getting closer, this changes to look more like a heat haze until you are nearby, when the phenomenon vanishes. As yet, the colony has not shared the secret of their air dome, much to the chagrin of every visiting Foundation scientist.   Lightning towers are present across the city and are frequently struck
The planet's chain lightning strikes the city as often as any surrounding area but here in a completely controlled manner, with the energy channelled efficiently through the towers into underground storage for later use. The city is entirely powered through a combination of solar and lightning energy.   JUMP TO CONTENTS  

From the inside

  Traditional shapes but only in white, grey and gold
The city looks stark to outsiders, showing a blunt single-mindedness. Though built with the traditional dome, column and arch designs, their decoration is limited to the simple colours of the planet, showing none of the celebration of the Horizon's variety seen elsewhere in the Horizon. Confident in its purpose perhaps, the city can feel like it lacks something deeper beneath the surface.   Clearly First-come but with a strong local character
Juldizin Demalisi retains the First-come preference to decorate with images of the Icons and the history of the people but one focused singularly on those of the city itself. Balanced Icon symbology is replaced by images of only The Star Singer. Murals of the Horizon's past are replaced by those showing the city's founding and independent successes. A very common design in all the city's decoration shows Khamzi with The Star Singer. Though she retains a position lesser than the Icon, the newer the image the more prominent she has become.   Calm of the evening
As the sun drops below the peaks of the mountains the air cools in the extended evening of the planet's long days. As the populace begins to lock down for the night the lightning strikes on the city's protective towers becomes more noticeable as the noise of civilisation drips away.   JUMP TO CONTENTS  

Economy

  GM link: Juldizin Demalisi - economy   Archaeology and artifact hunting
Ghodar is a source of artefacts from the past and the colonists run a considerable portion of the operations for finding and exporting them to the rest of the Horizon. Juldizin Demalisi is the hub of that operation, housing array of scientists, artificers, scouts, fences, antique dealers and manual labourers.  

Living expenses

  Ordinary level – birr per month: spartan 500 / normal 1,000 / luxury 5,000   Water and environment ‘contributions’ are an extra at 200 birr per month per household or small venture for public access - savings can be made on scaling up to larger operations  

Port fees

  A blessing on landing is included in landing fees but can be augmented.  

Dirt-Strips

Landing fees and permits 1,000 birr
Transaction fees 10% of cargo
Restricted item register 10% of value of item
Ship's blessing on leaving In birr, at three levels: 50 / 100 / 500
 

The Oasis

Landing fees and permits 3,000 birr
Transaction fees 15% of cargo
Restricted item register 15% of value of item
Ship's blessing on leaving In birr, at three levels: 100 / 500 / 4,000
JUMP TO CONTENTS  

Environment

  GM link: Juldizin Demalisi - environment   Hot but not lethal
During the day in city's lower streets the air regularly reaches 30 C but all but the frail and sick can tolerate it well enough, though the more well off often choose not to. At the high of the day's sun temperatures can reach 40 C, at which point most people cling to the shade.   The air is non-toxic in the marjority of the city
This is a priority for everyone in the city and maintenance payments are the most paid 'contributions' across the city. Only the very poorest are forced to live in areas whose air vents are not fully functional.   Long, long day
At 32 hours Ghodar's day length is difficult for the populace. Many quickly give up on it and revert to Coriolis Cycles, using technology to regulate their light. There are those though, particularly second and third generation settlers, who have adjusted their own daily cycles. These maintain an 8-hour-in-24 sleep cycle by taking a second rest during Ghodar's day, either during the height of the sun's heat or towards the end of afternoon to recharge for a long evening.   JUMP TO CONTENTS  

Locations

 
Bazaar Jump to details below GM link: The Bazaar
Cantinas Jump to details below GM link: city's cantinas
Construction sites The northern and southern edges of the city are under constant supervised automatic expansion GM link: city locations
Farms Rumours abound that the locals have advanced technology running their farms for them GM link: city locations
Housing On the desert plan below the wealthy residences, warrens of plebeian housing fills the gaps between othe landmarks GM link: city locations
Palace Jump to details below GM link: Khamzi's palace
Spaceports Jump to details below GM link: city locations
Tech station The city techs maintain the city's atmosphere system and its lightning conductors from this central hub GM link: city locations
 

Bazaar

  GM link: The Bazaar   The city is served by a single bazaar, simply known as The Bazaar
Attempts to set up other marketplaces have always failed, as no-one wants to be away from the huge crowd of customers that gathers daily. Located between the rest of the city and both its spaceports, there is no better place to bring together locals and foreigners for business.   A lesser market sprawls on all sides of the original main building
As the city has grown, so has its business but it has never been possible to expand the original, domed bazaar, as the overflow of semi-permanent structures set up around it gets increasing difficult to clear. The damage to the economy now would be too high and the populace has adapted. A higher quality of business has fully taken over the main building, now called the Greater Bazaar, and the sprawl of tents, stalls, auto-structures beyond it takes everything remaining.   Business favours the planet’s love of scientific myth
Legends walk the streets of Juldizin Demalisi each and every day, brought to life through the stories told about the artefacts found across the planet and delivered to the city for appraisal and export. These finds are the lifeblood of the city and a good story to back up and enhance the find is crucial to a good sale. As such, the Bazaar has always filled with artificers, antique dealers and fences poring over wares and jobbing scientists, scouts and labourers touting for work.   …but resource operations are growing
As the Factions gain more of a foothold in Ghodar their presence expands equally in the Bazaar: The Colonial Agency and Free League both conduct frequent prospecting and exploration operations out of the city and the Consortium’s science teams are eager to ‘liberate’ valuable finds from unsuspecting treasure hunters who are less-well-versed in the Horizon’s history.  

Services and trade

 
  • Artifacts identified, bought and sold
  • Tech sales and repair
  • Artificers, scientists, local guides and labourers can be commissioned
  • Simple, local trade and full living supplies available
  • Shuttle between the market and the spaceports – 100 birr
  Contracts and deals are only legally binding if they are sealed in The Bazaar
Details can be hammered out elsewhere but the final handshakes, signatures and gift exchanges needed to complete a deal must performed at one of the Bazaar’s dedicated negotiation tables.   JUMP TO CONTENTS  

Cantinas

  GM link: Juldizin Demalisi - cantinas   Four cantinas get the majority of the city’s business
There are many minor watering holes but none rival the four that have pride of place close to the Bazaar: The Cantina, The Caravan, Lucky Strike and Star’s Crossing.   The Cantina
More of collective agreement to hang out than a real cantina, The Cantina was never properly named or founded as a business venture. Instead the city’s lower class workforce found a convenient place to relax after work and a series of drink, food and recreation vendors set up around them. Plebeian clientele of mostly techies, labourers and machine operators.   The Caravan
Built around a small wellspring, the site of The Caravan has always been a stopping place for out-of-town travellers. Though the city has expanded, forcing ships and caravans to stop further out, the comforting watering hole has remained. Merchants and traders are the most common visitor but all foreign visitors find themselves welcome here.   Lucky Strike
Originally a haunt for local prospectors and treasure seekers to swap tips and stories, Lucky Strike has been taken over by Zenithian newcomers. The clientele still shares the same trades but the locals have stopped coming in protest of the increasing Faction presence. Lucky Strike is entirely owned, operated and attended by Zenithians.   Star’s Crossing
Only the more well to do relax here, keeping the place alive by paying its exorbitant prices. All origins mix here, top-level Foundation scientists and higher-reputation local merchants alike, happy to put their differences aside just to get peace from the hoi polloi.   JUMP TO CONTENTS  

Palace

  GM link: Khamzi's palace   Symbol of idealism turned to piety
Originally, the city was run through meetings held in the Council Chambers, situated much lower down the mountain slopes. However, when Khamzi became shah, rather than simply the Council Arbiter, a palace was built high on the slopes to instill her new authority and religious purpose.   Built of white rock and ship metal
The palace's bright, white walls are made of rock from the surrounding mountains, held in place by metal structures and foundations sourced from the original colony ship that brought permanent residents to Ghodar. Residences of the well-to-do mimic the palace designs to some degree but are all physically lower than the palace and relatively more understated, as is proper.   Blazing symbols of the sun
The palace is the main religious building in the city, even if only the privileged actually worship there. The various bulidings within its walls are all decoraterd in veneration of the Star Singer in his form as the star of Ghodar, though all decoration pales in magnificence to the sheer power of the light reflecting off the white walls mid-morning: Humans are unable to bear the full glory of the light of an Icon.   JUMP TO CONTENTS  

Spaceports

  GM link: city locations   Two spaceports or get direct invite to the palace
New arrivals have a choice between two ports depending on the quality of the service they desire. Private shuttles for the high-born and important visitors can instead land in the palace grounds, if they have a direct invite from Khamzi or the Inner Council.   Dirt-Strips
Literally spaces marked out in the sand, the Dirt-Strips are little more than a landing zone. Atmospheric control and lightning protection does extend this far but breathers are needing for long exposure. Refuelling and repairs can be conducted onsite, though may have to be arranged within the Bazaar first. Trading is not permitted here but the Solar Wind rarely police this district and dubious business is usually carried out, safe from prying eyes. Space on communal grav-loaders can be rented for 50 birr.   The Oasis
A green space, with running water features greets those prapared to pay the much higher fees but who therefore receive a much more cordial welcome. Full atmospheric control and lightning protection are operational at all times, as is a personalised welcoming service: refreshments, repairs and refuel, travel advice, full IDP, all delivered by human representative. Trading is 'heavily frowned upon' here... Private grav-carts and shuttles may be booked from 100 birr.   Partly outside the city limits
The actual landing zones of both spaceports lie legally outside the city limits. The city's authority is assumed to still be in play simply through the practicality of needing to stay on the authority's good side in order to influence the city. However, small more-dubious deals are sometimes legally carried out directly on ships or in the Dirt-Strip's landing bays.   JUMP TO CONTENTS  

Peculiarities

  Khamzi’s strange laws
The mental health of the city's ruler is not openly questioned for fear of attracting the attention of her Solar Wind militia and reprisal but it remains in doubt. Khamzi's proclamaitions have become steadily stranger over the years and are no longer grounded in the real-life problems of the city and its running.   Poets, treasure hunters and artificers everywhere
Legends walk the streets of Juldizin Demalisi each and every day, brought to life through the stories told about the artefacts found across the planet and delivered to the city for appraisal and export. These finds are the lifeblood of the city and a good story to back up and enhance the find is crucial to a good sale.   Toxic planet but no physical dome
The colonists have somehow harnessed Ghodar's power with their atmosphere control and lightning towers and they are not sharing their secrets. Foundation scientists crawl the planet in serach of ancient insight but hav yet to find who in Juldizin Demalisi truly understands the science behind the city.   JUMP TO CONTENTS  

Politics

  GM link: Juldizin Demalisi - politics   Khamzi: shah in name, emir in practice
The city's ruler, Khamzi, Countess of the Sun, claims to be shah of the planet and system but in practice is recognised by the Factions as only merely emir of the region her city economically influences. She has good control of local settlements that are symbiotic with her city, and the space station in obit, but beyond that has only control of an area in which her Solar Wind militia is physically present.   An "Inner Council" takes care of the day-to-day
The colonists coming to Ghodar on The Independence ruled themselves through a council comprised of all adults of stationary level and above. At some point this was disbanded in favour of an Inner Council of 13 representatives. The colonists are doubtless not proud of this change and so the full story behind the transfer of power is not a matter of public record.   Faction influence is on the rise
Rumours suggest that many of the city's colonists - first and second generation alike - despair at the loss of independence they had started to build on Ghodar. With every passing moment the Consortium digs its talons into the colony and out into the system beyond and the Free League sees no reason why Khamzi should own a whole star system.   JUMP TO CONTENTS  

Religion

  GM link: Juldizin Demalisi - religion   The city’s highborn form a cult of sun worship around Khamzi
Few outside her inner circle are invited to Khamzi's ceremonies and so exaggerated rumour is likely responsible for the more outlandish tales of heresy. Nonetheless, imagery of the sun permeates much of the – relatively – older city, representing Khamzi's connection to the star of Ghodar, a supposed avatar of the Star Singer’s. It is claimed by the faithful that Khamzi is the Icon’s daughter, blessed by the light of the star that gave her great wisdom and understanding of the universe.   The Traveller evolved into the Star Singer
The colonists heading to Ghodar where known to have particular reverence for The Traveller but somewhere in their time on the planet they started to recognise him as The Star Singer. Few images of The Traveller’s Ship survive around the city’s shrines, now usually replaced with symbols of the sun, musicians and musical instruments.   Citizens worship the Star Singer; foreigners are encouraged to do the same
Most inhabitants of the city seem happy to retain a worship of The Traveller and even Star Singer. Few still extend that worship to Khamzi herself but the faithful are known to exist.   Yesheriti Diri – The Spider’s Web – hangs in the sky as a reminder of the presence of evil
The system's asteroid belt should not be visible from the surface of Ghodar but there it hangs, shining a bright silver in the sky. Locals try not to look at it for too long to avoid bringing down The Spider's ill will upon themselves and their family.   JUMP TO CONTENTS
CC61, Gambler
Planet
Ghodar  
---
Type
Capital
Sovereinty
Her Highness Khamzi, Shah of Ghodar planet and system, Countess of the Sun and daughter and blessed of The Star Singer
Population
Human, humanite
Origin distribution
First-come dominance
Icons worshipped
Traveller, as Star Singer

Remove these ads. Join the Worldbuilders Guild


Cover image: desert by kalhh

Comments

Please Login in order to comment!