Geotera
Icon for Geotera
Summary
Once an adventure resort, Geotera is now a planet of geological violence. Between earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, oceans of acid, ash storms, floating rocks, and intense lightning, the odds of surviving a trip are close to zero. People still try, and rarely return.
Better Left Alone
Every stellar system has a few planets or moons that are considered extremely dangerous and off-limits to manned spaceflight. Geotera stands out among this company only for its history. It was home to aliens before being home to humans, only for natural disaster to end its habitability for all. More recent events have drawn treasure hunters to the planet in hopes of finding what past civilizations left behind. They instead get a lot more than they bargained for.Call to Adventure
In the age of expansion, Geotera was classified as a garden world, but its small size and volcanic activity deterred most from settling. The exploration company Galaxy's End took the risk, and in 2534, established the planet as a vacation spot for the adventurous. They advertised beautiful vistas, natural hot springs, curated hiking trails, and volcanic sightseeing trips. Resorts blossomed on the planet over the next century, and the discovery of pre-human alien ruins further bolstered their success. Xenoarchaeologists flocked to the planet, with various organizations buying rights to establish places of study.Point of No Return
An earth-shattering eruption brought the adventures to an end in 2643. While few records of event survived to today, simulations suggest the eruption would have swallowed surrounding resorts whole. Pyroclastic flows would have extended to neighboring locations soon after, and within days, ash clouds would have covered the planet.
Though human life would have been evacuated, native life wasn't so lucky. Between the plummeting temperature, lack of sunlight, and acid rain, the volcanic winter would have killed most life. By the time of the Scream, Geotera was already suffering its own catastrophe. In destroying interstellar technology, the Scream merely left the planet to suffer in solitude.
Did you know?
We've had means to monitor supervolcanoes and prevent eruptions since the pre-stellar age. Between the eruption and the Scream, no equipment or records still exist that could answer the question of why these methods weren't used on Geotera.The Abyss
The Protectorate Alliance rediscovered the planet in 3156 and found it no more welcoming. Intense ionic activity can fry ships and cause rocks and boulders to seemingly float. The oceans remain acidic and corrosive, capable of melting through most vacsuits. Eruptions across the planet refresh rivers of flowing magma. Many have attempted expeditions to the planet, hoping to find valuable technology, but none succeeded until 3208. First was the Emerald Legion, seeking a data disk from the alien ruins on the planet. Pursuing them was a group containing members of the Night Knights and Unchained Armada. The Night Knights' success helped end the Legion Incursion, and unfortunately has spurred many to attempt to replicate the journey. None have succeeded, and most lost their lives. Geotera remains an attraction to the adventurous, only now it requires abandoning one's self-preservation.
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Timeline
2534
Galaxy's End turns Geotera into an adventure resort
2587
Alien ruins attract researchers to the planet
2643
Supervolcano eruption forces evacuation
2665
The Scream cuts off access
3156
The Protectorate rediscovers Geotera
3208
Night Knights pursue the Emerald Legion at great risk
Oh my, what a friendly place this is, you have described. ^^
A lot of unofficial Challenges
I bet your commander isn't the only one frustrated with over-confident pilots!
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