ZDENO
The Sarnath System in the Tuvian Arm of the Ancerious Galaxy is inhabited by a pair of Unaligned planet-states, Zdeno and Marchand, with a combined population of nearly 20 billion. These two states represent a major trade hub in the Tuvian Arm and, whilst occasionally at odds with one another, are closely linked politically, economically and culturally. As of 2487 AT, the planet of Marchand is being occupied by the Imperial Jade Navy in the aftermath of the Sarnath Campaign.
GEOGRAPHYZdeno and Marchand are twin planets that orbit the star of Sarnath at an almost exactly equal distance, approximately 120° separate from one another. Both are rainy temperate in climate, with significant precipitation throughout the year. Winter sees some snowfall, particularly in interior upland areas, whilst summer sees frequent thunderstorms. The two planets have large oceans with significant stocks of sealife, including aquatic megafauna, and most landmasses consist of low-lying swamp and coastal regions rising to sharp volcanic mountain ranges and formations.
Zdeno's landmass is spread across various small islands and archipelagos with no major continents to speak of. It has a highly active ring of volcanoes known as the Great Sky's Office, which loops around much of the planet. |
ZDENO
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GOVERNMENT
Zdeno operates under a plutocratic system, although as it is a closed planet with most of its trade being conducted aboard orbital dockyards, little is known about the political architecture of the Zdenii peoples. The most commonly encountered legal institution by outsiders is the Merchant Adventurer's Hall, a mercantile and shipping conglomerate which is believed to be a significant political entity on the planet of Zdeno. It's current chief executive appears to be Captain Bergon of Patire.
ECONOMY
Both planets are rich in mineral resources thanks to their volcanic past, and have thriving seafood industries, as well as fertile swamplands that support a range of gums, reeds and fungi.
The twin planets' domination by trade organisations and concerns, along with the system's position along several key trading routes dating back centuries, have made the Sarnath System into a regional trade hub. Although it does not rival the importance of entrepots such as the Ancerium hub of Aedleshaven, the Sarnath System is important to the economies of the nations around it and is a key location in the Avarian.
Orbital trade stations such as the Crossdock over Ba-sten see millions of tonnes of cargo flow through their ports.
The twin planets' domination by trade organisations and concerns, along with the system's position along several key trading routes dating back centuries, have made the Sarnath System into a regional trade hub. Although it does not rival the importance of entrepots such as the Ancerium hub of Aedleshaven, the Sarnath System is important to the economies of the nations around it and is a key location in the Avarian.
Orbital trade stations such as the Crossdock over Ba-sten see millions of tonnes of cargo flow through their ports.
PEOPLE
The Zdenii stand at nearly eight feet tall on average. An arthropod species, they have powerful limbs, hard shells and boast six limbs, including four legs and two sets of opposable pincers with four digits besides the primary pincers. They are, at first glance, more welcoming and polite to strangers than their neighbours in Marchand, but their thought processes are far more alien and their world is less popular with visitors. Little is known of their religion, but they are believed to worship a cyclical deity known as Temnos.
HISTORY
Millenia ago, the first contact between Zdeno and Marchand quickly devolved into an arms race. A standoff war, marked by the deployment of tectonic agitator missiles, ended in a brief but punishing exchange of fire between the two developing nations which triggered vast volcanic upheaval, earthquakes and other natural disasters on both planets, leading to the collapse of national governments and the disruption of general societal norms.
After an extensive period of rebuilding, representatives from the two planets signed the Armistice of Ashen Skies, which banned the use of so-called 'planet-buster' weaponry and encouraged trade and co-operation in the establishment of solar system infrastructure. It was at this point that trade organisations grew to dominate the political landscape of both planets, as public governments had failed to handle the situation and had led the system to war whilst private corporations built a successful exchange network.
Despite this, mistrust between the two cultures continued, and organisations on both planets used the existence of the other as a spur to justify investment in arms, manufacturing and other industrialisation measures. Although was no appetite for war amongst the upper echelons of leadership in the Sarnath System, and they privately collaborate closely on many projects and issues, the tension kept the population focused and distracted from domestic issues such as poor pay, inflation, and inadequate service provision, especially in larger cities. The Sapient Development and Equality Index for Sarnath remains considerably lower than the average for other Tuvian Arm systems of a similar technological level, regardless of economic and political system.
In late 2486 AT, an oceanic deity cult known as the Carcaros Brotherhood began to gain traction on both planets. Believed to be a corruption of the Temnos deity of Zdeno, this cult rapidly spread throughout the system. Little is known of its practices, but it is believed that key iconography includes small statuary icons of some kind of arthropod deity, as well a crude pincer symbol formed by two lines of unequal length. The Carcaros Brotherhood is believed to have been behind rapid changes in leadership in the Merchant Adventurer's Hall and Guild of Commerce, and is known to have ties to the Merger. After the disappearance of a Jade Imperial secret service agent on Hornqvist, the refusal of existing MAH and GoC contacts to speak to Imperial representatives, and an increase in pirate activity in the area, the Jade Empire launched a campaign against the system in early 2487 AT.
Following the defeat of the GMGC navy, the occupation of the Marchander cities of Cass, Halak and Debrusk, and the orbital bombardment of Hornqvist, the GMGC capitulated. The Jade Empire swiftly formed the Coalition Provisional Authority to restore law and order to the planet of Marchand.
Although there were isolated reports of Zdenii combatants present on the ground at Ba-Sten and Halak, the MAH officially declined to support the GMGC during the campaign and did not send any vessels to the conflict. Following the occupation of Marchand, the MAH observed a de facto truce with the allies, who in turn were unwilling to launch a second planetary invasion whilst the Marchand campaign was proving so costly.
After an extensive period of rebuilding, representatives from the two planets signed the Armistice of Ashen Skies, which banned the use of so-called 'planet-buster' weaponry and encouraged trade and co-operation in the establishment of solar system infrastructure. It was at this point that trade organisations grew to dominate the political landscape of both planets, as public governments had failed to handle the situation and had led the system to war whilst private corporations built a successful exchange network.
Despite this, mistrust between the two cultures continued, and organisations on both planets used the existence of the other as a spur to justify investment in arms, manufacturing and other industrialisation measures. Although was no appetite for war amongst the upper echelons of leadership in the Sarnath System, and they privately collaborate closely on many projects and issues, the tension kept the population focused and distracted from domestic issues such as poor pay, inflation, and inadequate service provision, especially in larger cities. The Sapient Development and Equality Index for Sarnath remains considerably lower than the average for other Tuvian Arm systems of a similar technological level, regardless of economic and political system.
In late 2486 AT, an oceanic deity cult known as the Carcaros Brotherhood began to gain traction on both planets. Believed to be a corruption of the Temnos deity of Zdeno, this cult rapidly spread throughout the system. Little is known of its practices, but it is believed that key iconography includes small statuary icons of some kind of arthropod deity, as well a crude pincer symbol formed by two lines of unequal length. The Carcaros Brotherhood is believed to have been behind rapid changes in leadership in the Merchant Adventurer's Hall and Guild of Commerce, and is known to have ties to the Merger. After the disappearance of a Jade Imperial secret service agent on Hornqvist, the refusal of existing MAH and GoC contacts to speak to Imperial representatives, and an increase in pirate activity in the area, the Jade Empire launched a campaign against the system in early 2487 AT.
Following the defeat of the GMGC navy, the occupation of the Marchander cities of Cass, Halak and Debrusk, and the orbital bombardment of Hornqvist, the GMGC capitulated. The Jade Empire swiftly formed the Coalition Provisional Authority to restore law and order to the planet of Marchand.
Although there were isolated reports of Zdenii combatants present on the ground at Ba-Sten and Halak, the MAH officially declined to support the GMGC during the campaign and did not send any vessels to the conflict. Following the occupation of Marchand, the MAH observed a de facto truce with the allies, who in turn were unwilling to launch a second planetary invasion whilst the Marchand campaign was proving so costly.