Permafrost is the name of both an icy disk of a planetoid on the far reaches of the Draconian System , and the town that has grown on its glacial face. Sustained by the elliptical orbit of the system's secondary sun, Ballock, it is the only available place to replenish air, water, and supplies on the far edge of the expansive solar system.
Only the sunward side of the tidally-locked disk is inhabited. The other, which experiences greater extremes of heating and cooling, bristles with hazardous, unstable ice formations, pits and chasms.
Despite its size, Permafrost has about 85% of the usual earth planetary gravity and, despite lacking a molten core, a strong magnetic field. Geologists believe it might have a Mithril and Starmetal core instead. Most of the planetary body consists of water ice, while the remainder is regolith. Its atmospheric pressure is equivalent to typical high mountain climates.
Demographics
Breakdown
- Children: 954
- Adults: 2505
- Elderly: 517
- Ill/Infirm: 396
- Known Criminals: 30
- Urban Population: 2688
- Rural Population: 1288
Species
- Elf: 1192 (30%)
- Allyri: 995 (25%)
- Human: 397 (10%)
- Gnome: 278 (7%)
- Dwarf: 159 (4%)
- Uruk: 119 (3%)
- Other: 836 (21%)
Government
Permafrost is a demarchy, run by a cooperative of "guilds." Each governs a particular area of concern, such as construction, mining, fishing, luxury imports, etc.
The Navy and Marine Corps are also considered a "guild," in charge of defense and security. Many residents resent the presence of the Navy and would prefer to be left to run their own affairs.
Defences
The Docks are defended by three ballistae, which are in the process of being replaced by rail-guns. The only wall is the one surrounding the Gate District, since any attack is likely to come from the sky. However, it is strongly enforced by the Draconian System Fleet; especially since the surprise attack and occupation of the First Interstellar War (IW1).
Industry & Trade
- Fisherfolk: 709
- Oyster Rakers: 646
- Clamdiggers: 627
- Dockworkers: 302
- Service Industry: 287
Infrastructure
Permafrost is devoid of trees and supports extremely limited plant life. As a result, houses are constructed of stone, brick, or in the colder season, ice blocks. The Manor House and Gate District utilize the beautiful alabaster that is one of Permafrost's distinct natural resources. The other two districts use laterite stone or brick, which is fire-dried in dedicated tunnels. Roads are made of cobblestone.
Most terrestrial geologists would be surprised by the availability of laterite in this frigid climate, because this iron-rich rock is usually associated with tropical regions. However, Permafrost is an asteroid, and since it does not have a molten core, siderophile elements, including iron, remain close to the surface. It is possible that the wet and dry cycles of the melting and freezing creates the necessary flooding and drying conditions that are needed to form laterite.
The Frosties make use of the regular flooding and freezing cycles with basin irrigation and raised beds. Cold climate crops such as spinach and kale, carrots, turnips, and leeks are grown in the summer months to sustain the local population, leaving little for travellers. Still, some enterprising Frosties have begun to invest in greenhouse technology, and they sell the results to starfarers at inflated prices.
Water reclamation is an important part of Frosty infrastructure. The major local water source is Crater Lake, and its heavy salinity prevents it from freezing most of the year. While this salt water is a good environment for supporting food supplies and industries, it also makes the water undrinkable. The Frosties reclaim fresh water by melting ice, and through an ingenuous process of filtering with the natural freeze-drying of the Void. By tradition, starfarers are welcome to mine as much ice as they want for free, as long as they take it from outside the recognized town limits. Void-filtered water may be purchased at 1*N a barrel. Ice may be purchased from ice miners for 1*S a block. They also trade the salt byproducts of the filtration process, at 1*Sp per pound.
Districts
Permafrost divides itself into three districts. The inhabitants of the Lake District are subsistence farmers, fisherfolk or miners. The Docks are populated by labourers, especially dockworkers; and locals in the service industry, from innkeepers, to launderers and tailors, to bouncers and prostitutes.
The Gate District is reserved for administrators and the Navy and Marine Corps, who maintain a base here. By default, they also serve the functions of security and policing; mainly limited to keeping people from robbing or killing each other. The Manor House is the traditional residence of the Rear Admiral of the Draconian Fleet, who is responsible for the system's defense. They often seek promotion or retirement more quickly than Rear Admirals of other fleets do.
Lake District
- Type: Coastal
- Population: 323
- Primary Building Style: Laterite
- Secondary Building Styles: Fire-Dried Bricks
- Aesthetics: Normal
- Cleanliness: Dirty
- Upkeep: Handsome
Dock District "the Docks"
- Type: Docks
- Population: 188
- Primary Building Style: Stone
- Secondary Building Styles: Adobe
- Aesthetics: Normal
- Cleanliness: Filthy
- Upkeep: Lived-in
Gate District
- Type: Gate
- Population: 242
- Primary Building Style: Laterite and Alabaster
- Secondary Building Styles: Fire-Dried Bricks
- Aesthetics: Tasteful
- Cleanliness: Orderly
- Upkeep: Well-Kept
Assets
Traditionally, the Frosties have acquired the many things they need by trading in mined water ice and alabaster, iron and zinc. Recently, trace amounts of Mithril and Starmetal have been discovered in the run-off, and it is almost certain that large deposits must be present somewhere nearby. Locals fear it won't be long before their home, already over-populated by starfarers, will become overrun with a "gold rush."
Slope Mine
- Gathers Zinc
- 50 workers
Slope Mine
- Gathers Iron
- 50 workers
Slope Mine
- Gathers Ice
- 30 workers
Fishery
- Gathers Saltwater Pearls and Mother-of-Pearl
- 646 workers
Placer Mine
- Gathers Mithril
- 50 workers
Placer Mine
- Gathers Starmetal
- 50 workers
Points of interest
Special Features
- Bottomless Pit: 1.10 miles northeast - The Navy's surveys have confirmed that this pit literally is bottomless, as it pierces right through to the other side of the disk.
- Ancient Temple: 2890 feet south - A crystal temple of Arianrhod, of ancient Avalonian construction, is within visible sight of the town. Arianrhodians still come there to worship, and a few clergy live there year-round.
- Ruined Fortress: 1.20 miles southeast - These ruins are thought to be of ancient draconic or giantish construction.
- Butte: 1.95 miles southwest - A distinctive laterite butte serves as a visual landmark, just a couple miles outside the town limits. Locals say it is haunted and never travel there.
Natural Resources
Stones
- Igneous: Granite
- Sedimentary: Alabaster, Laterite, and Limestone
Ores
- Metals: Iron, Zinc, Mithril, Starmetal
Fish and Seafood
- Clams, Oysters, and Haddock
Other
- Water Ice
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Founding Date
4355 AC
Type
Outpost / Base
Population
3976
Inhabitant Demonym
Frosties
Location under
Owning Organization
Crater Lake by Natalia Kollegova
Climate
Polar Ice FieldAvg. Annual Temperature: 7F / -13C
Avg. Annual Precipitation: 16.97 in
Avg. Annual Snowfall: 50 feet
Seasons: Polar Summer and Polar Winter
Prevailing Winds: east to west
Flora and Fauna
- Predators: Polar Bear
- Aquatic: Haddock, Oyster, and Clams
Geography
Continental GlacierElevation: 3038 feet above sea level
Ground Cover: 0%
Gravity: .85
Composition: 89% water ice, 11% regolith
Water Features
Crater Lake
- Salinity: salty
- Depth: 256 feet
- Navigable: No
- Aquatic Animals: Oysters, Clams, and Haddock
Niiiiice. I like the way you've worked in everything into a scifi setting here.
Too low they build who build beneath the stars - Edward Young