Gibralta

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Object Name: GIBRALTA (JIH-bral-tuh)

Celestial Classification: Class A Planet, Savannah-Desert

Planetary Size: ~9301.6462176 kmd or 0.73 times the size of LE

Number of Moons: 0

Rotational Period: 26 ESH (26 hours per day)

Orbital Period: ~127 PRY (planetary rotations per year)

Atmospheric Conditions: Category III

Population Size and Diversity: ≤ 2,500,000,000 Inhabitants (Gibraltans, Rökans)

Technology Level: Level I (Rökans) Level III (Gibraltans, Rökans)

Gibralta is a small, warm planet located near the Outer Core of the Galaxy. Its surface, covered with seas of dry dirt and grasses, is only broken by periodic patches of rough brush, trees, and the occasional river and watering hole. Although there are many small settlements scattered across its arid landscape, the majority of the planet’s populations are clustered within its more tropical regions. In particular, the Northeastern and Southwestern sections of Gibralta are home to two of the planet’s most crucial jungles—the Bau’äuhan (boh-OWW-han) and the Kigïssïnii (kih-gee-SEE-EENEE)—are prime locations for permanent settlement. Unfortunately, this has fostered extensive over-colonization and over-population within the planet’s more vibrant areas. This over-population has drastically influenced the health of the local ecosystems within the “green quarters” of Gibralta. 

Gibralta is one of two twin dwarf planets that orbit around one another near the Outer Core of the Galaxy. Like its counterpart, Cantoris, Gibralta has a tumultuous climate that makes its inhabitants well aware of the limitations of one’s water or land supply. Gibralta is a world that is subject to a delicate balance, where controlling a people’s organization alongside annual precipitation and evaporation is key. The planet’s seasonal rains, combined with its large swaths of dry grasslands and year-long high evaporation rate(s) creates a dry, arid world whose small sections of vibrant greenery are in constant threat of eradication.

Gibralta’s jungles are among the few places where controlling and storing moisture is not the top priority of the location’s inhabitants. As such, they are among the planet’s most densely populated areas. In particular, it is estimated that three of the largest Gibraltan settlements-Hau’uâh (HOH-ooh-AH), Ghehépsï (geh-HEHP-SEE), and Kelblëg (kell-BLEHG)-and two of the largest Rökan villages-Krökanné (KROH-kaNEH) and Xíoloch (zee-OH-LOKK)-are located within the southern Bau’auhan Jungle. Intergalactic demographic statisticians stipulate that over half of the planet’s entire populace (~1,300,000,000 Inhabitants) live within these jungle villages, in an area that represents less than a quarter of Gibralta’s entire landmass. This extensive overpopulation has led to a planetary history filled with interspecies feuding, intense competition for resources, and xenophobic attitudes towards any other species hoping to settle on the planet.

The two primary populations that live on Gibralta are the powerfully built but peaceable Gibraltans and the small, lithe, and aggressive Rökan. Due to the planet’s constantly fluctuating levels of moisture and vegetation, most of the Gibraltan and Rökan villages tend to cluster themselves near one of the planet’s few jungles. Due to this overpopulation and enlarged population density, both the Rökan and Gibraltan have historically had turbulent relationships at best and warlike ones at worse. As a result, the leading councils of the largest Rökan and Gibraltan villages have recently forged the “Brown-Water Pact” which stipulated that “No Rökan nor Gibraltan may engage in hostilities of any kind with one another unless commanded to do so by the high council of Tree-Born Species.” Simply put, a terse and fragile peace has been struck between the two species, and though neither have engaged in full-out warfare with one another in many orbital periods, relations between them have become increasingly strained as the vibrant jungles become steadily overpopulated.

The Rökan (RROH-kahn)

The Rökan are acrobatic, tenacious plains dwellers with a passion for hunting and battle. Living within the dry and tough grasslands along the Northwestern and Southeastern sections of the planet, the Rökan are a people as hardy and unforgiving as their homelands. These 8-limbed creatures pride themselves on being some of the best makers (and users) of stone-based projectile weapons in the Galaxy. Each rainy season, Rökan villagers will host contests where the best archers and spear-throwers around will compete for the chance to gain honor, prestige, and potential mates. Only the luckiest Rökan return to their homes with any spoils, as the losing competitors will regularly come to blows with their victorious opponents. As such, strength, perseverance, and the ability to stab a few select backs heavily influences Rökan society.

The Gibraltan (JIB-brawl-TAN)

In contrast, the imposing Gibraltan are anything but militaristic. Stoic, strong, and amphibious, the Gibraltan structure their lives around compassion, empathy, and achieving harmony with their local landscape. The Gibraltan cluster their villages around the rivers and lakes that encircle the towering Gïgnügguh (GEEG-nuuh-GUUH) trees of their jungle homes. Gibraltan culture focuses on mitigating conflict, understanding one’s surroundings, and passing on knowledge to the next generation. To the Gibraltan, family is critical to one’s development as both an individual and community member—loyalty to one’s family is expected, and is viewed as the most important aspect of being a member of their species. 

Ironically, bloodlines are not strictly monitored, as Gibraltan familial structures tend to be large and polygamous. For Gibraltans, it encouraged for members of both sexes to take multiple mates and have as many children as possible, for it is said that the more hatchlings Gibraltans produce during their lifetime, the more they will be honored by their ancestors when they reunite with them in the blue waters of the Gïgnä (GEEG-naw) or the Everspring. Moreover, Gibraltans attempt to achieve enlightenment by carefully teaching their young the main principles of their people; showing unconditional kindness and understanding to all who ask for it, striking careful balance with one’s local surroundings, and passing on one’s wisdom onto all those younger than them. It is advised that whenever one comes to Gibralta, try to speak exclusively with the Gibraltans. The large and stoic amphibians are more willing to forgive and forget any transgressions that arise than their Rökan counterparts.