Pagus-II

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Object Name: PAGUS-II (PAH-guss TWO)

Celestial Classification: Class C Planet, Salt-flats, Stormy, Shipyard

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

Number of Moons: ~35-45 Revolving Engineering Satellites (RES) and Orbital Construction Bridges (ORB)

Rotational Period: 30 ESH (30 hours per day)

Orbital Period: 380 PRY (planetary rotations per year)

Atmospheric Conditions: Category III

Population Size and Diversity: ≤5,600,000,000 Inhabitants (Aplexan, Pagussapiens)

Technology Level: Level IV-V (Aplexan) Level VI-VII (Pagussapiens) 

Pagus-II is a large, stormy world that is home to one the most technologically advanced, innovative, and commercial societies in the Galaxy. Located near the Inner Core of the Galaxy, Pagus-II is atypical in many respects. Its wind-swept landscapes are dotted with small hills and valleys, with vast fields of salts and sediments interspersed in between. Known locally as the Pälákaá (PAW-LAH-kah-AAH) Plains, these spacious salt flats are highly conductive, and uniquely suited for soldering and wiring any electrical components necessary for intergalactic vessels. Additionally, though the flat lands across Pagus-II are frequently covered in small, localized vortices of wind, water and lightning, the Pälákaá Plains are nonetheless home to many large industrial centers. 

Pagus-II is widely regarded as one of the finest examples of intergalactic engineering and innovation. The home of the electrokinetic Pagussapiens and large communes of Aplexan scientists and political refugees, Pagus-II is a haven for technological and scientific advancements. Multiple sprawling Metropoles dot Pagus-II’s landscapes, the largest of these being Plaákánn’ (plah-AH-KAH-ah-NNAH). Covering almost a quarter of the planet’s total landmass and housing nearly 250 million Aplexans and 2.5 billion Pagussapiens, Plaákánn’ is the capitol of Pagussapien civilization. Despite its large size and extreme population density, Plaákánn’ is nonetheless considered underpopulated, for its tower-like Starspires (or Gáh’dühüa (GAH-ah-DOO-hoo-ah) in standard Pagussapien text), take up most of the city’s space. Metallic monoliths that stretch thousands of meters into the sky, the Starspires can easily house many Plaákánn’ inhabitants within a relatively small space. This makes a city as condensed as Plaákánn able to safely and comfortably contain nearly half of the planet’s population.

Pagus-II’s outermost atmosphere is surrounded by several roving artificial platforms of varying shapes and sizes. The two main platform types are the Revolving Engineering Satellites (RES’) and the Orbital Construction Bridges (ORBs). The RES are small, autonomous drones that travel around the outermost reaches of Pagus-II’s atmosphere. Measuring any size between 10 to 100 square meters, they are responsible for carrying important cargo and passengers to the various orbital space stations located across Pagus-II’s shipyards. Despite their small size, the RES are critical to the development of the advanced—and famous—technologies of great renown. Conversely, the ORBs are enormous, rotating platforms scattered just outside of Pagus-II’s gravitational field. Measuring anywhere between 1 and 100 square kilometers, the ORBs double as both space stations and the primary construction modules of Pagus-II’s shipyards. Additionally, the ORBs are the primary locations where Pagussapien architects and engineers and Aplexan scientists collaborate to invent and manufacture some of the Galaxy’s most innovative spacefaring technologies. Thus, the ORBs are biodomes, shipyards, research stations and trading hubs all rolled into one.

The Aplexan (AY-PLEKS-an)

Pagus-II is primarily home to two technologically advanced species; the scientifically inclined Aplexan refugees and the technopathic and electro kinetic Pagussapiens. The Aplexan scientists present on Pagus-II’s surface are mostly clustered within Plaákánn’ City and Geñäkkah Gettán (GEH-nyeh-AAH-kah GEY-taah-AN) Station. Survivors of the turbulent conditions of their homeworld, these political refugees have managed to find asylum on the metallic and salt-encrusted world. Interestingly, the native Pagussapien populations welcome the wayward Aplexans with open arms. Perhaps due to their shared interests in scientific discovery, technological innovation, and spaceship manufacturing, the Pagussapien consider the Aplexan as something akin to long-distant cousins, and thus, welcome their long-delayed return “home”. Nevertheless, Aplexans often choose to mostly settle and procreate with their own species, preferring to keep their relationships with their Pagussapien hosts relatively fraternal. 

Aplexan society on Pagus-II is far different from those on other planets. Sectioning themselves within the larger metropoles on the planet’s surface, only the most elite and skilled scientists are chosen to work in the system’s orbital shipyards. Preferring to govern themselves, the majority of the Aplexan refugees have isolated from the rest of Pagussapien society. As the Pagussapiens are lenient and accommodating hosts, the Aplexans on Pagus-II believe that becoming involved in Pagussapien politics, bureaucracy or economic interests is akin to dishonesty, treachery, and cultural meddling of an intolerable degree. Moreover, as Pagus-II is virtually devoid of all types of flora and fauna coveted by Aplexan society, they sequester themselves within their own sections of Pagus-II’s largest cities, creating vibrant biodomes full of samples of flora and fauna gathered from their home planet. Despite their host’s skepticism, these Aplexan refugees firmly believe that they are responsible for preserving some of their home world’s natural wildlife in the event of total planetary annihilation. 

The Pagussapiens (PAH-guh-SAY-pee-en)

Pagussapien society appears to be organized in a loose hierarchy based on one’s occupation. Pagussapien shipbuilders occupy the highest rung on the socioeconomic ladder, a position only granted to those most skilled. Meanwhile, architects and designers rank among the lowest of social standings, for the Pagussapien consider the ability to “work with the skin of our forefather’s" as the highest honor one can achieve. To the Pagussapien, those who solely design objects “cannot truly comprehend the power of making something until they pour their souls into their creations.” In other words, building, wiring, welding, and other forms of manual labor are highly coveted activities within Pagussapien society. However, that is not to say designing buildings or ships is not valuable. Rather, the reality of Pagussapien manufacturing is that one can only achieve the highest honors in life if they can successfully create a design and then construct it themselves. The combination of invention and creation together is one of the only ways to achieve a full, happy life on Pagus-II. 

The native Pagussapiens take immense pride in their technological successes. Tall and lanky beings, their inherent ability to sense and control electrical currents makes them excellent electrical engineers and technicians. Furthermore, their natural gift for “sensing” the inner workings of a machine simply by touching it makes the Pagussapiens one of the most valuable and necessary species for any complex intergalactic manufacturing operation. Though the origin of their natural “technopathic” abilities currently mystifies intergalactic biologists, Pagussapien lore claims that the use of their third “eye” (in reference to a large membrane within their skulls) allows them to peer into the “soul of the machine”. As such, Pagussapiens consider all machinery to be “alive” in their own way, each having a “spirit” and personality of some kind. Therefore, Pagussapiens highly value their “brothers and sisters of metal,” and consider all of their creations, big or small, to be their “children.” To the Pagussapien, the loss of a valued machine, regardless of purpose or reason, is a tragic waste and is to be avoided whenever possible. They reason that the “life” of a machine is equally sacred to that of any organic being, as while they inhabit shells of inanimate metal, they have the “minds and souls of any sentient creature.”