Basillica

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Object Name: BASILLICA (BASS-sil-lick-ah)

Celestial Classification: Class C Planet, Mesa/Sand

Planetary Size: ~20387.169792 kmd or 1.6 times the size of LE

Number of Moons: 3; CORBIUS (KORR-bee-uss) Class b, Silver and Silicon Moon, ~3571.53087816 kmd or 1.028 times the size of Lunar 1, TAU’MANÖR (TOW-mann-OOR) Class a, Copper and Hydrazine Moon, ~1389.7007308 kmd or 0.4 times the size of Lunar 1, P’TAHARA (PUH-TAH-hara), Class b, Bronze and Gold Moon, ~3613.22190008 kmd or 1.04 times the size of Lunar 1

Rotational Period: 26 ESH (26 hours per day)

Orbital Period: 260 PRY (planetary rotations per year)

Atmospheric Conditions: Category II

Population Size and Diversity: +1,000,000 Inhabitants (Käbons, Miscellaneous Species)

Technology Level: Level IV (Käbons, Miscellaneous Species) 

Basillica is a medium-sized metallic planet located near the Middle Rim of the Galaxy. Its large mesa biomes and stretches of arid deserts are only interrupted by the planet’s large lakes and oceans of liquid metal. Aquifers of liquid copper, gold, bronze, and tungsten cover the planet, smothering all that get in their way. Despite this, these deep pools of rare minerals create a world ripe for resource extraction. Subsequently, multiple interstellar corporate mining entities have established colonies on Basillica to extract its natural resources. However, amidst the creation of multiple extraction operations, the native Käbon (KAY-BENN) have not suffered. Instead, they have thrived, as their in-depth knowledge of Basillica its resource pools have effectively monopolized their control of the planet’s natural resources. 

Basillica is a world ripe for mineral mines and poor for large populations. Its naturally parched terrain would make typical traversal and inhabitation difficult enough, but its large springs, wells, rivers, streams, and lakes of liquid metal make it tantamount impossible. There are no natural waterways on Basillica, with the local plant flora and fauna being the only source of potable liquid across the entire surface of the planet. 

Moreover, the planet’s surface is littered with the fossilized remains of many animals, plants, and other species unlucky enough to get caught within one of Basillica’s metallic pools. In particular, Lake Ichoräe (ick-KORR-AYY), one of Basillica's largest metal aquifers, has encased thousands of creatures in liquid gold. So many fossilized corpses are strewn across its shiny surface that the locals have taken to call the lake “The Pool of Death”. Similarly, Åuräe (YOR-RAY) Falls, nicknamed “the Artery of the Gods” is one of Basillica’s principal tributaries for its major metalways. Like its other golden counterparts, Åuräe Falls are a constant danger for the unwary and foolish, as its metallic streams threaten to coat anyone or anything in liquid gold, sentencing them to a slow and painful death as they are immobilized forever.

Basillica has three primary moons, the silvery silicon-based Corbius, the coppery hydrazine-filled Tau’Manör, and the golden and bronze P’Tahara. Each of these moons host extensive deposits of rare minerals, and in a similar fashion to Basillica, feature tributaries of metals and metalloids instead of any typical potable liquid. In addition, each moon has pockets of rare resources not present on Basillica, making them valuable mining locations in their own right. 

In particular, Corbius, unlike its bronze and golden parent planet, is a silicon-based moon rich with lakes and rivers of pure silver. Its grey, spongey surface is more adaptable and hospitable than the dry and barren landscapes of Basillica, and features small microbiomes with aquifers of semi-potable water. As such, colonists or inexperienced prospectors have settled on the silvery moon, hoping to form semi-permanent mining colonies there. However, the Basillican Käbon populations prefer to stay away from the silvery moon. Calling it “The Tears of Nouríí” (in reference to the silvery-skin of Nouríí (NOOR-REE), the fabled progenitor of all of Basillican life) the Käbon believe that the moon is the estranged child of their principal deity. As such, the Käbon believe that traversing to Corbius is equivalent to desecration, and, fearing that any movement on the moon’s surface will incur Nouríí’s wrath, they chose to leave the moon uncolonized.

Unlike Corbius, Tau’Manör is anything but welcoming. A bleak, arid rock, Tau’Manör’s landscapes are a chaotic assortment of copper-plated rock formations and rivers, lakes, and oceans of hydrazine. Used primarily as a basic fuel source and as heating component, hydrazine is extremely flammable and unstable, and is incredibly valuable to all spacefarers with vessels operating under combustion-based systems. This makes Tau'Manör an ideal rest stop for all intergalactic travelers.

Tau’Manör’s coppery landscapes are extremely electro-conductive and are prime locations for extensive mining operations. This has made Tau’Manör a coveted colony for off-the-books resource refinement depots and black-market trading posts, which attract all kinds of intergalactic scum and villainy. When approaching Tau’Manör, it is in everyone’s best interest to safeguard all of their valuable items and come with cargo to trade or money to spend. Arriving on Tau’Manör without the intention of engaging in some sort of business deal is ill-advised to all who want to leave the moon alive.

P’Tahara is the only moon of Basillica that most closely resembles the planet it orbits. P’Tahara has swaths of aquifers full of bronze and gold, and rivers that traverse the entirety of the moon’s surface. The continuous flowing of P’Tahara’s various metals have formed pockets of rare and powerful alloys, which has granted the moon the nickname of “Guél’dellin’s (GWUH-ell-ih-dell-EENN) Forge” (after the Käbon deity of smithing, mining, and craftsmanship). However, unlike its counterpart moons or Basillica itself, P’Tahara does not host extensive mining operations or trade posts. Instead, it is a haven for intergalactic crafters and tinkerers. The prevalence of unique alloys and raw ores has attracted the most experienced prospectors and metalsmiths. 

The Käbon (KAE-bonn)

The primary native species on Basillica and its moons is the Käbon people. Organized into many different-sized communes, each of the Käbon peoples operate independently, with minimal interaction with one another. Though many of the communes hold similar cultural beliefs, the only universal custom that the Käbon share is their unique pantheon of Gods and Goddesses. Among them are Nouríí the All-Mother, Guél’dellin the Maker, and Qur’okka (CURE-rok-KAH) the Husk (the Käbon goddess of dryness and death). It appears that every Käbon commune worships each of their gods differently, with some groups praising one god more than another. However, every Käbon seems to uphold two universal “truths”; 1) Basillica was the ancient battleground between mighty and terrible beings that battled against their planet’s all-powerful ancestors and 2) the metallic rivers, lakes, and seas are the bloody remains of their fallen Gods. 

Käbon Culture

Käbon society is centered around three virtues: Honor, Duty, and Tenacity. Each of these virtues can be (appropriately) expressed in a multitude of ways. For example, upholding the first virtue of Honor can be as simple as respecting elders, listening to the wisdom of others, or maintaining commitments made to other Käbons. That being said, upholding the first virtue can also be as complex as structuring honest business dealings with the mining operations on Basillica without disenfranchisement of either party. Above all, honoring the Gods is one of the required ways of upholding the first virtue. To the Käbon, the lessons and wisdom of the gods and their deeds must be remembered and respected, for without them, Basillica would not exist. 

Similarly, the second virtue, that being Duty, can be expressed and upheld through a myriad of means in Käbon society. Duty to one’s family, to one’s commune, to one’s self are all common examples. Though one’s Duty can be quite simple, discovering one’s Duty can become a lifelong journey for Käbons. Some find answers through praying to the Gods, others encounter their various duties through life experiences. The highest level of self-discovery that a Käbon can achieve is finding one’s Duty to Basillica and the entire planetary system. Nonetheless, discovering one’s purpose is uncommon at best and is therefore treated with the utmost dignity and respect. 

The third virtue of Käbon society, Tenacity, is not comparable with the other two. Unlike Honor and Duty, Tenacity is a constant trait that is expected from every Käbon from the moment of their birth. Käbons of all ages, shapes, and sizes, are expected to remain steadfast and strong in the wake of an inhospitable world, the proverbial burial ground for members of its pantheon. While showing “weakness” such as pain, emotion, or vulnerability is not forbidden—in fact, demonstrating these weaknesses is seen as a way of being “true to oneself” and upholding the other virtues—yielding to these troubles is societally shunned. As such, activities such as self-harm, exhibiting destructive behavior and suicide are viewed as “beneath virtuous and pure Käbons”. Allowing one to be defeated by weakness or hardship is synonymous with the “ultimate betrayal” of the three virtues, and therefore every Käbon must always strive to overcome any obstacle whenever physically possible. A common Käbon saying is that “the Gods do not punish those with strife or weakness, but those who surrender to them”. In other words, Käbon society draws a fine line between overcoming obstacles through enduring hardship and surrender. 

Miscellaneous Species

Outside of the native Käbon, the only species on the planet are the employees of various corporate entities devoted to resource extraction and terrestrial research. Each of these companies have their own landholdings with sophisticated resource extraction operations located on specific territories across the planet. Historically, when consulting with the native communities in these areas, these companies have tried to swindle the Käbon peoples and tip the balance of power into their favor. So far, none of these endeavors have been successful. As one prominent employee of the Brackánna (BRAW-ack-KAN-nah) Mining Corporation once noted, “To try to deceive a Käbon is to try to swim upon a star. Nothing gets by them, and if met with resistance, they make terrifying enemies. If one hopes to ever make successful dealings on Basillica, direct and honest communication with the Peoples is required. Otherwise, one risks a swift and uncompromising death.” 

As such, the Käbon have been able to strike many successful and profitable business deals with most of the intergalactic companies on Basillica. For both parties, the reality of the situation is rather straightforward; the Käbon have the knowledge, willpower, and experience required to successfully mine these valuable resources from the planet’s surface, and the companies have the desire, skills, and resources available to do so. Simply put, the relationships developed between these corporate entities and the various Käbon peoples become increasingly mutualistic; the Käbon peoples benefit socially and economically from the miners being on their world, and the miners benefit economically and bureaucratically from successfully engaging with the Käbon. Therefore, it is in every being’s best interest to not become involved with the complex politics of these corporate entities and the Käbon peoples. Otherwise, you may not be facing the wrath of one society, but two.