Myrk’ross

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Object Name: MYRK’ROSS (MIRR-kraw-uss)

Celestial Classification: Class C Planet, Tundra and Taiga Forests

Planetary Size: ~38225.94336 kmd or 3 times the size of LE

Number of Moons: 1; T’ANOC (tah-AH-nock), Class c Moon, Gaseous ~9206.76734155 kmd or 2.65 times the size of Lunar 1

Rotational Period: 20 ESH (20 hours per day)

Orbital Period: 315 PRY (planetary rotations per year)

Atmospheric Conditions: Category II

Population Size and Diversity: ≤3,000,000,000 Inhabitants (Damon, Myroks, Ursanites)

Technology Level: Level II-III (Ursanites), Level I-II (Myroks), Level V (Damon) 

Myrk’ross is covered in swaths of frozen grasslands, tundra, and small wintery forests. Interspersed throughout the cold landscape are frosty rivers of cold water and slush and frozen lakes, with multiple local species of flora and fauna huddling around them for sustenance and reprieve from the bitter cold. All of the species that live on Myrk’ross carve out a living through careful ecological consideration, intensive resource management, and fierce loyalties to one’s individual kinship groups. Typical daylight temperatures on the planet’s surface range from 220-273K°, with creatures only moving around the planet’s surface during this time. During the nighttime hours, with temperatures lowering between 180-200K°, all but the most tenacious creatures remain immobile. 

Myrk’ross is a cold and frosty world located in the Middle Rim of the Galaxy. Despite its incredibly low temperatures (ranging anywhere between 190-273K°), the planet is full of multiple species that are well adapted to their inhospitable living conditions. Myrk’ross is home to many species of trees and bushes, including the delicious Bridleberry Bush, so named for it being the favorite meal of the native Ramallion (large herd creatures ridden by the local Myrok clans). However, although there is a considerable amount of interspecies diversity on the planet, Myrk’ross is quite inhospitable to any non-native species that happen to travel to it. 

Myrk’ross has one primary moon orbiting it, the small gaseous moon of T’Anoc. Unlike many other gaseous planets or moons across the Galaxy, T’Anoc is not covered in aerial mining stations. Rather, it is home to the Tl’laloc meteorological research station, where dozens of climatologists from across the Galaxy study weather effects on various planets. Their principal goal is to discover more about how a celestial body’s atmosphere, exposure to solar radiation, and temperatures affects different species and cultures across the Galaxy. Tl’laloc station is also responsible for monitoring the atmospheric and weather conditions of Myrk’ross. The information that it sends to the relay station below has helped the local populations on Myrk’ross survive multiple near-extinction level storms that swept across the planet’s surface. Without the invaluable information that Tl’laloc station provides, many of local clans and settlements on Myrk'ross would have been wiped out long ago.

The Myroks (MEYE-rokks)

Myrk’ross is home to three principal species, the Native Myroks, the raiding Ursanite warriors, and the foreign Damon scientists. The Myroks are largely ignored by their counterparts, and prefer to scrounge the cold landscape for resources and territory over interacting with other species. Myrok society is governed through a series of clanships, each centered around a specific territory and set of ceremonial sites. For example, the Kradayron Clan, which ties their heritage to the great Chief Kradayron, occupies a series of territories located on the Northeastern rim of the planet. There, the Kradayron travel through their hunting grounds and pray to their local deities whilst trying to subsist in the harsh tundra environments of their homeland. 

Although organized in patrilineal clans, Myrok males are typically responsible for managing the religious ceremonies and honoring the Gods. Myrok females are primarily responsible for organizing hunting parties, defending one’s homesteads, and teaching their youth, although male Myroks do partake in these activities as well. Regardless of sex, every Myrok forms an intimate bond with a Ramallion foal at a young age. From then on, each Myrok youth grows alongside their faithful steed, learning to hunt, gather, and fight together. As such, the Ramallion herds that the Myrok raise are regarded not as simple livestock but as family members. It has been noted that whenever a Myrok loses their Ramallion companion, regardless of cause, it is viewed as a terrible tragedy, and the whole clan will gather with the grieving Myrok to share in mourning and provide comfort. 

Despite this widespread affection for their frosty mounts, it appears that each of the Myrok clans draw their distinct heritages to uncommon ancestors. Each of the various clans seem to practice very different customs and hold separate beliefs, the most prominent among them being their linguistic and ancestral differences. However, one universal trait among the Myrok is their emphasis on cooperation, reciprocity, and building trust through action. It is recommended that whenever one engages with any of the various Myrok clans, they bring more than just gifts to bestow upon the religious leaders. Instead, proving one’s worth through acts of cooperation and protection is the only way to ensure safe passage through Myrok homelands. 

The Ursanites

The two colonist species, the Ursanite raiders and the Damon scientists, rarely interact with the Myrok peoples unless they absolutely have to. The Ursanite chiefdoms that inhabit the most inhospitable ice shelfs of the Northwest rarely leave their territories, sequestering themselves within their fortified strongholds when not patrolling their territories. Little is known about their cultural habits, save that they sustain themselves through periodic raids of the nearby Myrok clans or Damon outposts. The lack of knowledge regarding Ursanite cultures on Myrk’ross is only strengthened by their indiscriminate hostility towards all outsiders. 

The Damon

Similarlt, the Damon rarely venture farther outside of their small outposts, content with examining the sparse amounts of tundra flora and fauna they have managed to scrounge up. The Damon appear more interested in studying all biological developments on the frosty world, spending little time forming long-lasting relationships with any of their neighbors. In any event, like the other major populations of Myrk'ross, the Damon maintain practices of self-isolation and self-sufficiency. To that end, unless one attempts to trade food supplies or supplementary weaponry, it is exceedingly difficult to strike a successful business deal with any of the local species on Myrk’ross.