Pandor-β

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Object Name: PANDOR- β (PAN-door BAY-tuh)

Celestial Classification: Class C Planet, Tropical Beaches and Rainforests

Planetary Size: ~19112.97168 kmd or 1.5 times the size of LE

Number of Moons: 4; YTLOLK (yeh-TOL-LOL-kuh) Class b Moon, Barren-3752.19197316 kmd or 1.08 times the size of Lunar 1, KHEPHRII (KEP-pree) Class b Moon, Desert-3578.47938181 kmd or 1.03 times the size of Lunar 1, PEH-Γ (PAY GAMM-ah) Class a Moon, Forest-1215.98813945 kmd or 0.35 times the size of Lunar 1, RAYMUS II (REH-moos TOO) Class a Moon, Gaseous-3126.8266443 kmd or 0.9 times the size of Lunar 1

Rotational Period: 22 ESH (22 hours per day)

Orbital Period: 377 PRY (planetary rotations per year)

Atmospheric Conditions: Category III

Population Size and Diversity: 4,500,000,000+ Inhabitants (Allerenchians, Qotlēdré, Pandorans, Quarans)

Technology Level: Level IV (Quarrans), Level II-III (Pandorans), Level I (Qotlēdré), Unknown Technology Level (Allerenchians)

Pandor-β's landmasses are multiple series of large islands and sandbars surrounded by oceans and freshwater rivers and lakes. Vibrant Coral reefs spread across the underwater landscapes, and the planet is home to a diverse collection of aquatic, terrestrial, and aerial flora and fauna. On some of its larger continents, Pandor-β has several Sand Lakes, swaths of uninterrupted powdery dunes surrounded by dusty and rocky terrain. Said to hide underground caverns littered with precious ores, and remote oases housing the planet’s plant-like Qotlēdré, the Sand Lakes are often sought by pirates or explorers looking to prove themselves or get rich quick. Pandor-β is essentially a treasure hunter’s dream home—gargantuan oceans, white sandy beaches, and danger lurking around every corner.

Pandor-β is covered in vast collections of islands, archipelagos, sandbars, tropical forests, white deserts, oceans, and coral reefs. This tropical planet is home to over 1000 species of flora and fauna, each unique and volatile in their own right. In particular, Pandor-β’s Skyspores (gelatinous airborne mushrooms with powerful root tentacles that ejects floating seedlings), Hydralisks (gigantic quadrupedal underwater monsters who prey on anything foolish enough to cross their path) and Harpies (enormous predatory birds that feast on the livestock and young of local villagers) are among the planet’s top species and are a coveted sight for visitors. 

Pandor-β’s coral reefs cover nearly the entirety of the shallow oceanic regions, and the clear, warm waters of the coasts allow similar underwater flora to flourish. Most surprisingly, the exact number of tropical fish and invertebrates who inhabit the reefs has yet to be discovered, and it has been reported that the number of new species of flora and fauna continues to rise each orbital period. In short, the planet’s level of diverse and unique wildlife is only surpassed by the various planets within the Arcana system.

Pandor-β’s four moons are also home to many diverse lifeforms. Ytlolk, though its surface is seemingly barren and devoid of life, is actually a breeding ground for millions of species of microbes and other microorganisms. The moon’s atmosphere, though breathable, is practically infested with these microscopic organisms, and it is recommended that any species that journeys there wear extreme protective gear and a high-grade respirator. That being said, Ytlolk’s concentration of microorganisms makes it a perfect location for medical and pathogenic research stations and—just be sure not to get infected with any lethal diseases in the process. 

Khephrii and Peh-Γ, Pandor-β’s desert and forest moons (respectively), are home to more visible forms of life. Although Khephrii’s landscape has little vegetation and is plagued with violent sandstorms, it has become a haven for underground flora and fauna who thrive in the dry and warm conditions beneath the sand. Peh- Γ, despite being the smallest of Pandor-β’s moons, is the original home of the planet’s elusive and dangerous Skyspores and Poplits. A haven for fungal-based flora and fauna, Peh- Γ is overflowing with vegetative life forms that thrive in dark, dewey climates. Regardless, both moons are regularly sought out by treasure-hunters and biologists, hoping to find a quick score or encounter some rare or unknown species.

Raymus II, unlike its other counterparts, is a moon solely utilized for harvesting energy and other resources. Raymus II is a gaseous moon with no actual landmasses, and as such, the local mining operations are within a series of large aerial Sky Cities. There, the remnants of Quarran conquerors of old retrofitted and rebuilt several of their former battlecruisers to make portable mining metropoles. There, the miners carefully extract the volatile and dangerous resources from the moon’s atmosphere, including Xenon, Hydrogen, Potium, and Valerium. These resources are incredibly valuable throughout the Galaxy, and are often used to fuel ships and power large settlements. However, it is advised to all wayward pilots that they minimize their travel throughout the moon. Unless they are willing to trade for raw materials or unrefined fuels, the main purpose of Raymus II’s mining operations is to harvest materials and sell them to freighter ships for future transport, either to refining facilities or the Intergalactic market. Thus, little attention is paid towards conversing with economic outsiders—or providing any formal aid.

Pandor-β is populated by four principal species: the plant-like Qotlēdré hunters, the native Pandorans, the reclusive aquatic Allerenchians, and the remnants of Quarran colonialists and conquerors. Despite their differences, each society has managed to develop some semblance of symbiotic relationship(s) with one another. One of the most notable of these is the interaction(s) between the Qotlēdré hunters and native Pandoran warriors. 

The Qotlēdré (KAWH-tih-LEE-drah)

The Qotlēdré have frequently aided the native Pandorans throughout the ages, gathering food and valuable skins in exchange for manufactured goods and supplies. Despite the Qotlēdré  culture of self-sustenance through warfare, raiding, and hunting, the local tribes on Pandor-β display a distinct interest in expanding their technological repertoire, presumably to better hunt their prey. 

The Quarran (KWAH-renn)

Another excellent example of the complex relationships on Pandor-β is the Quarran survivors. Located primarily on Raymus II, they provide supplementary technological advances and mining equipment to both the planetside Qotlēdré and Pandoran populations in exchange for knowledge about local aquifers, watering holes, and reliable food sources. 

The Allerenchians (AHL-ler-ENCH-ee-an)

Little is known about the Allerenchians species or their society as a whole. Allerenchian technology, weaponry, and social structure(s) are currently unknown, save that the species lives at the bottom of Pandor-β’s oceans. These withdrawn water-breathers only surface when they wish to strike commercial deals with Pandoran traders or the Quarran colonists on the surface. There, Allerenchians purchase valuable fuel canisters, ship parts, and weapon ammunition in exchange for strange and unexplainably durable shells and animal bones. It is rumored that Allerenchian cities house large interdimensional portals, perhaps connecting their underwater civilization to a distant home world. In any event, caution is paramount when interacting with Allerenchians, especially if one manages to encounter them beneath the surface. 

The Pandoran (PANN-dorr-an)

Pandoran society is centered around the exploration of the unknown, often resulting in the plundering of other species, or in many cases, other Pandorans. Members of a stratified society, female Pandorans appear to be more powerful than their male counterparts, as their ability to bare children makes them more “valuable.” However, it seems that this has not led Pandorans towards a particularly patriarchal or matriarchal society; rather, it has imbedded Pandoran folklore with the notion that having female Pandorans under one’s employ or within one’s family is a sign of good luck and that “the Stars bless them”. 

Another key aspect of Pandoran society is its selective permissiveness towards raiding the other species on the planet. Although the Pandorans have inhabited Pandor-β longer than any of their counterparts, their desire for priceless treasure is only matched by their need to achieve a successful bargain. This has led Pandoran societies to actively seek cooperation over extortion with the other local species on their planet. 

That being said, Pandorans have gained a reputation for being ruthless raiders and serial kleptomaniacs, coveting anything seemingly worth value. Any species that travels to the system is advised to keep a close eye on their valuables and a ready appendage on their weapons. Furthermore, Pandorans, although not considered technologically basic, have a habit of seeking any form of technological improvement, be that weaponry, armor, technology, or ships. It is recommended that whenever someone travels to the Pandor-β system, they never bring anything with them that they absolutely cannot afford to lose.