Madison M. Maxwell IV
『 amadeus 』
OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION
GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
POPULATION
GOVERNMENT & ECONOMY
MILITARY & TECHNOLOGY
HISTORICAL INFORMATION
The history of Orenda and her people is one of blood.
The Saorsa, native populace of Orenda, evolved to be a dominant and predatory race. They quickly overtook any potential competitors in the wild, banding into the clans that exist to this day. Their carnivorous ways led to them being ruthless hunters, able to easily take down prey much larger than them with their raw strength, power, and biological advantages. Domesticating the Bantha and sheep occupying the majority of the wetlands regions, they soon became adept shepherds as well as warriors.
Orenda remained relatively untouched in Wild Space for the next millennia or so. This allowed it's population to flourish in obscurity, developing into the semi-advanced race they are today. In 2 BBY, the ancient Galactic Empire would annex Orenda in order to harvest the Uranium located within for starship fuel. This is when the now-common 'mining fortresses' would be built, high-walled forts to protect the deep-delving mines within that act like scars on the surface of the planet to this day. While the Empire was eventually forced to pull out of its operations on Orenda, it marked a significant turning point in the planet's history; This was the first time that 'aliens' had landed on the planet and had attempted to 'colonize'. This was also how the native species was first exposed to modern-day technologies. Following the collapse of the Empire, Orenda fell back into relative obscurity, becoming just a marker on a galactic map that nobody gave a second-glace to.
Nowadays, the Saorsa continue to rule the planet. But, outside mining operations have moved into the old Imperial forts, essentially taking over as a garrison and installing their own operations to extract the uranium. Tense relations have been maintained with the locals since, as the last time in their history this happened, it didn't go very well. Except this time the miners are even more extreme and ruthless with their tactics, seemingly hoping to mine the planet clean of it's natural resources.
- Intent: To create a planet that serves for the homeworld of my other submission, the Saorsa; to occupy the currently empty 35-AH hex within Wild Space; to provide a location that can provide interesting storytelling opportunities for the Sovereignty.
- Image Credit: Donjon World Generator (The preview photo [Edited by myself]), Grey Landscape
- Canon: N/A
- Links: Saorsa, World Map, World Map [Tribes], World Map [Uranium]
- Planet Name: Orenda
- Demonym: Saorsa (Technically, they would be referred to as 'Orendian', but seeing as 1 sentient species dominantes the planet, they are commonly referred to just as that)
- Region: Wild Space
- System Name: Chrysos
- System Features: Orenda is the only planet of the Chrysos system if you don't count the planet's small moon of Aeoni. A yellow dwarf star is central to the system, and Orenda orbits it with a comparatively rapid orbit to other planets, travelling at 28.94 k/m around their star.
- Coordinates: 35-AH
- Major Imports: Durasteel, mining equipment, most technology/resources are imported by and for the mines (The native population doesn't import anything directly)
- Major Exports: Uranium
- Gravity: Standard
- Climate: Temperate Tundra
- Primary Terrain: Tundra, Forested, Volcanic, Wetlands, Plains
Major Locations:
The Meraki Plains:
The largest stretch of inhabitable land on Orenda, the Meraki Plains are home to the most dominant clan on the planet. They're some of the only stretches of land suitable to sustainably forage, and their relative flatness is ideal for temporary cities to appear and disappear. The name 'Meraki' is taken from the believed founder of the clan occupying the Plains, Meraki Sarang.
The Wetlands:
Occupied by the more agriculturally-inclined tribes, 'the Wetlands' are centered around the largest bodies of fresh water present on Orenda. Wild populations tend to make their home here, making it some of the richest hunting grounds on the entire planet.
The Vulcanite Outlands:
Named after the composition of this swathe of territory, the Vulcanite Outlands contains the highest levels of buried uranium on Orenda. However, they're also occupied by the most technologically advanced of the 3 tribes. The bleak and sulfuric atmosphere of this part of the planet isn't exactly friendly to the local fauna, and most animals know to stay away.
Ancient Imperial Mining Compounds:
Structured like work camps, these walled fortresses are located in various locations of note on Orenda. They were constructed by the first Empire centuries ago to mine the uranium deep underground, and have since been revamped and 'occupied' by several mining organizations.
POPULATION
- Native Species: Saorsa, Bantha, Mynocks
- Immigrated Species: Humans, Twi'leks, Togruta, various other races (Employed in the corporation mines), Mesa goats
- Population: Sparsely Populated
- Demographics: 90% of the planet is occupied by Saorsa, with the remaining 10% serving as alien species who migrated to Orenda, forcibly or otherwise.
- Primary Languages: Basic
- Culture:
The Blood Of The Covenant
The Saorsa live in migrating towns known as clans, swearing fealty to a dynasty of families who lead each group. Once a clan has exhausted the natural resources of their settled area they will move, often leading to wars for dominance over fertile land or resource-rich territory. Generally, however, a clan will hold a 'province' under their influence and will operate within it, not crossing borders into other's territories unless seeking to antagonize another clan. While one family directs and guides a clan which often are made up of smaller, minor families, each is violently loyal to others despite actual relations and treat each other as one massive familiar unit. Clans are named for the houses that lead them and are thousands of years old; The largest of them, the Sarang, command what could be a horde of more than a thousand Saorsa in their clan alone.
- Let Our Fathers Guide Us, And Our Mothers Love Us
The Saorsa are predominantly patrilineal, with the eldest male figure leading their clans. The eldest female serves as healers and emotional leaders to their flock, but on occasion, a female is forced to take control of her clan, and a male is subjugated by the more powerful partner to serve the role of a clan-wide 'parent'. This often only happens and is acceptable if the female is a direct blood relative to the clan's leading family, however.
- My, Your Spirit Shines Bright, Child
With the Netherworld event leading to a dramatic spike in Force Sensitives, the Saorsa were affected like the rest of the galaxy. Those who exhibit sensitivity to what they call The Life-Force (As opposed to simply just 'The Force') are hailed as spiritual leaders and are often forced into celibate covens by their fellows, where they serve as oracles, prophets and midwives. This practice is viewed as a tradition by many, but with the obvious advent of the space-faring age and open galactic communications, only a few clans follow these old ways and terminology and rarely use coercion to keep FS Saorsa within the organization. The majority of groups now offer this cabal as an option instead of a mandatory service to Force-sensitives to receive training and guidance. All clans have at least 3 or 4 members of this elite group, and while their role has diminished as their importance lessened due to widespread education, most members are still revered and still continue their oldest duties.
- Your Name Is Not Your Own
All infants born into a clan are not named by their parents but are named by the Force-sensitive shamans of their clan instead. It's believed this practice is respected because of the Saorsa viewpoint; as a part of the Living Force, your life is not your own, and neither is your name. Your name is simply a title granted to you by the Force, which is channelled by the monks, making them (in the eyes of the Saorsa) the fittest to determine your mortal identity. Many names carry deep meanings that are believed to offer insight into the future that the oracles see for you on your birthday.
- Earn Your Right To Bleed For Us
Outsiders who desert their clan to join another (or Aliens seeking the clan life, for any number of reasons) are forced through rigorous trials to earn their place and membership. Those who marry into a family under a clan or the clan's main family are given more leniency if their match is determined to be genuine (Usually by the shamans, who officiate every union, and they are not afraid to call out a scam if they sense one) yet all trials set forth to would-be members involve proving yourself a strong warrior or a skilled tradesperson. Exiles, who are branded, are not welcome in any clan's territory or family period, and those who associate with them are ostracized.
- Savages, Savages!
During the age of the old Galactic Empire, Orenda was annexed by them and their naturally-occurring uranium was mined for starship fuel. Due to the planet's immediate closeness to Eadu, it very well might have contributed to the Death Star project & the study of kyber crystals, but this is conjecture and has no basis in history at the moment. It was during this time that the old Imperials set up small strongholds that dot the planet to this day, usually around mining complexes to keep them protected from the locals and the hostile fauna. Surprisingly, so long as the Saorsa remained away from these facilities, they were left relatively untouched by Imperial forces except for a few skirmishes. Due to the century-old hostilities between those they viewed as oppressors and thieves, the modern Saorsa would not dare to stay in or around these old facilities, which are today happily occupied by Wild Space mining corporations; safe in the fact the locals will not tread on them. But this is often how a stray Saorsa finds their way off-world, by being brave enough to approach the 'outsiders' and striking deals to leave Orenda via a transport. On occasion, outreach programs are held by the corporations who attempt to entice to the locals into working in the uranium mines by trading labour for technology, but these have yet to last longer than a year or two. Most local workers escape the facilities after such a period, returning to their tribes.
- What's Yours Is Now Mine
Several mining corporations operating in Wild Space have had subsidiaries set up in the ruins of the old Empire mining fortresses, rebuilding them and resuming the uranium mining. Due to Orenda's lack of planetary government, they are not burdened by laws except those enforced on them by factions. But as the planet currently is not being held by anyone, they are beholden to no-one, and ruthlessly mine the planet for her riches. Prisoners are shipped in from Kessel and various other locations across the galaxy for labour, and a few even resort to slave labour to keep costs low. Workers are housed in restored barracks, usually under armed guard. The native population has learned to stay away from the facilities lest they are tempted into joining the workforce through promises of security, technology and wealth. Mostly empty promises, of course, but the crooked overseers of these facilities give them just enough to ensure the ignorant Saorsa believe their pretty little lies. Those who are led into the facilities through their programs are often mistreated heavily, exposed to terrifying new species and experiences, and overworked to death. The main source of 'aliens' joining clans is often when a group of them escape with a Saorsa back to their own family and are welcomed as honoured survivors. Not all of these subsidiaries are malicious, however; Some are quite amenable, and with bribes or wits they are happy to ship someone off-world if they so desire.
GOVERNMENT & ECONOMY
- Government: Tribalism
- Affiliation: N/A
- Wealth: Medium-Low - Orenda's people are simple nomadic folk, and do not actively seek out credits or riches. Though, they could be considered rich in that they own many worldly possessions; Most Saorsa have trophies they take from hunts such as pelts or horns that could fetch a pretty penny. The mining groups are growing wealthy off of the planet's uranium deposits, however.
- Stability: Medium - As there is not one firm leading force behind the individuals on this planet, stability changes wherever you go. Many of the larger clans have the foundations of history spanning a thousand years, and remain unshakable forces of law and order within the territory they control. The moment you leave a clan's territory (Or, enter one without permission) all such 'stability' is thrown out the window and you're essentially fair game. As always, the miners do as they please in this regard too, but if a hostile force tried to force them out they would attack like cornered beasts.
- Freedom & Oppression: Laws are different between clans, but many share similar rules; Undue murder, robbery, and other traditionally 'criminal' acts are outlawed and those who break them are often put to death or exiled. The corporations, however, are not ruled by any planet-wide laws, and thus do as they please.
MILITARY & TECHNOLOGY
- Military: When united for a cause, the clans of the Saorsa can be an impressive and terrifying fighting force, chaotic but organized as well. However, they hold absolutely no ships or navy, and even if you wanted to, there is too much bad blood between clans to be able to get them to agree to anything, much less fight shoulder-to-shoulder. Meanwhile, the mining corporations present on Orenda are well-equipped... Even if it's to protect their profits.
- Technology: Left mostly untouched until the old age of the Empire, during the initial annexation of the planet the Saorsa were subjected to a technological boon thanks to the leftover Imp technology. While that is nowadays ancient, it provided the Saorsa with their first access to relatively futuristic gear, and it's not uncommon to see a warrior of a clan wield a vibroblade or a blaster, or a healer using bacta. For the most part, however, the Saorsa remain in a state of low-tech. Modern-day, some bartering occurs between the mining corporations and the Saorsa, just enough to keep them in the loop -- But not enough to get them anywhere near the level of other races.
HISTORICAL INFORMATION
The history of Orenda and her people is one of blood.
The Saorsa, native populace of Orenda, evolved to be a dominant and predatory race. They quickly overtook any potential competitors in the wild, banding into the clans that exist to this day. Their carnivorous ways led to them being ruthless hunters, able to easily take down prey much larger than them with their raw strength, power, and biological advantages. Domesticating the Bantha and sheep occupying the majority of the wetlands regions, they soon became adept shepherds as well as warriors.
Orenda remained relatively untouched in Wild Space for the next millennia or so. This allowed it's population to flourish in obscurity, developing into the semi-advanced race they are today. In 2 BBY, the ancient Galactic Empire would annex Orenda in order to harvest the Uranium located within for starship fuel. This is when the now-common 'mining fortresses' would be built, high-walled forts to protect the deep-delving mines within that act like scars on the surface of the planet to this day. While the Empire was eventually forced to pull out of its operations on Orenda, it marked a significant turning point in the planet's history; This was the first time that 'aliens' had landed on the planet and had attempted to 'colonize'. This was also how the native species was first exposed to modern-day technologies. Following the collapse of the Empire, Orenda fell back into relative obscurity, becoming just a marker on a galactic map that nobody gave a second-glace to.
Nowadays, the Saorsa continue to rule the planet. But, outside mining operations have moved into the old Imperial forts, essentially taking over as a garrison and installing their own operations to extract the uranium. Tense relations have been maintained with the locals since, as the last time in their history this happened, it didn't go very well. Except this time the miners are even more extreme and ruthless with their tactics, seemingly hoping to mine the planet clean of it's natural resources.
