Welcome to Gaia! ::

Overview
The centaur Chariklo is know colloquially as the Pirate Planet. Peopled by scavengers, criminals, smugglers and the like, it is at best, a port of call where one's excesses will be overlooked provided your tab is promptly paid and you don't kill. At worst, it is a stinking, seething hive of villainy where anything can be acquired for the right price. And we do mean anything.

World Information
The Pirate Planet. Chariklo is a sea-covered, island dotted planet. The largest island is considered the seat of power and is notable for the large and treacherous cliffs that rise up from the sea surrounding it. It is also quite notable for the way the fog and sea-mist enshroud the islands, leaving them in a cool, almost perpetual pearly gloom.

Notable Flora and Fauna
Chariklan Gull. These fiesty and ferocious birds come in a variety of sizes and colors, all resembling, to some degree, Terran seagulls. However, it should be noted that unlike the seagulls of the Earth, Chariklan Gulls are able to communicate through what can only be called mind speech. They are also quite easy to bribe if you want one to go out and spy then report back. Some few will form permanent bonds with the Chariklans, but this is rare and seen most typically with the planet's Senshi.

Koanla. A small, quick moving fish that is highly prized as a delicacy. Living in huge schools near the surface of the sea, the koanla are mainly known for three things: the rapidity with which they breed, their tasty flesh, and their shimmering, iridescent hides which are valued for their beauty and toughness. Mostly hunted by the Chariklans and Gulls.

Humih. Living in the deeper waters of the planet's ocean are the Humih. Rarely seen unless one washes up on the beach, the humih are a mystery to the Chariklans. They are said to be gentle giants, but as they are so rarely seen, it is impossible to verify. When one does wash up, it is harvested for it's bone, hide and fat. The meat is considered too bitter for mass consumption as well as quite toxic unless certain steps are taken in its preparation.

Dafri Tree. Seen mostly on the largest island, the dafri tree is cultivated for it's wood (which shines with a delicate purple sheen when treated) and the dafri fruit which is eaten raw, grilled, juiced or turned into spirits. The fruit has a sweetly astringent taste and is considered a sovereign remedy for nausea.

Willaweed. An edible seaweed, willaweed is harvested from the cliffs and beaches where it frequently washes up. When dried or smoked, it will keeps for months and can be used in soups and stews or as travel rations similar to beef jerky. When cooked fresh, it has a pleasantly salty flavor and resembles cabbage.

Key Locations.
Jokal. The largest island on Chariklo, Jokal is home to the planet's Senshi. It is also home to the largest and safest harbor. And as such, sees the most traffic in terms of merchants, traders and smugglers. The buildings on Jokal are loud, garish and tend towards the eclectic and chaotic in terms of decor. It is also home to...

The Grand Market. Here one may purchase whatever one is searching for, whether legal or not. The one vice that the Chariklans will not allow is the purchase or selling of sentient slaves. That is simply begging for trouble to come and smack them with a stick. The more public parts of the market are full of brightly colored flags fluttering in the breeze, cheerful haggling and goods changing hands. The more questionable parts are located deep within the shops and tents of the merchants and oft-times require a specific invitation to get in.

The Gull's Nest. The Chariklan senshi's 'castle'. It is here that she hears cases and passes judgements. It is also here that scandalous parties are thrown and some very interesting trade negotiations take place...

Culture Information
People. Known as Chariklans, natives of the planet are typically brash, cheerful and affectionate. Given that most operate as scavengers and smugglers, the technology of Chariklo is as eclectic and varied as its people.

Chariklans typically come in all the sizes and colors as the people of Earth. However, all Chariklans sport pointed ears and small, delicately feathered eartufts. They also tend towards duel-toned eyes.

Society. The senshi of the planet is seen as the ruler of the planet for the most part. However, she works with a council if any large policy changes are required. However, given that at any time, the council is made up of those suspected of being part of the criminal element... well.

The common people enjoy their planet's notoriety and gleefully take part in whatever enterprises they can. Really, it's a wonder anything useful gets done.

Economy. Barter and trade! Well, and stealing, smuggling, outright piracy...
Primary Exports. Feather accessories, Koanla, Dafri wood, fruit and spirits, Willaweed
Primary Imports. Livestock/Herdbeasts, Produce, Dairy, Fabric, Metals, Tools, Anything shiny or interesting

Politics. Oh, rofl.

Recreation.
1. Visit Chariklo
2. Provide Money and/or Goods
3. PROFIT?!?!
4. Have Fun!

Themisto
Plural/Possessive: Themistan
Main Export: Jade and precious stones, tapestries and artwork, water
Main Imports: People, non-native metals, paper
Industries: Woodworking, metalcraft, homebuilding
Castle: Horizon
Surface: Here!

World: Themisto is a world shrouded in near-constant fog and heavy twilight. Many ponds and rivers dot the surface, covered by a blanket of fog, beneath a thick canopy of forest trees. Bridges connect small mounds of land with larger structures with lotus-like flowers floating underneath. These bridges are very ornate and highly decorated with rich, intricate carvings and inlaid metalwork. Many patches of land are full of healthy lichens, thick trees and large stones. The overall air being as moist as it is, plants are generally thriving.

The moon itself is a healthy size and supported a proportionate population in small cities dotting its surface. All cities, villages and dwellings are connected to one another via the complex network of bridges the moon is known for.

Strange stag-like creatures were the largest herbivores on the surface. These were called fog-walker in the native language and had the tendency to “blink” from place to place. Generally gray in appearance, they blended easily with the fog. Each gender had antlers known for growing lichens and small flowering plants. These would be harvested for food and medicine if fog-walkers were hunted or died naturally.

One very odd feature of the moon is that, every so often, it simply disappears. The moon does not seem to be “gone” for very long spans of time, but only those who live on the moon are allowed to stay just before the “disappearance”. All others are asked to leave a few days prior. It seems as those the natives of Themisto know when the next disappearance will occur. When the moon returns, Themisto’s people behave as if nothing had ever happened, even when questioned.

Architecture: Structures throughout the moon resemble ancient Japanese temples and architecture on Earth with distinct differences. On Themisto, it is very common to find a home or dwelling held by Grecian-esque pillars, or a temple building using Catholic stained glass work. While Themisto is predominantly Asian in appearance, its architecture is a patchwork of other culture’s traditions.

It is difficult to determine if many structures are painted due to the generally dark atmosphere of the moon. Lights seem to be few and far between, many encased in glass or paper lanterns. Candles generally do not survive long on Themisto without being protected in some way.

Economy: Exports included fine metalcraft in the form of ceremonial weapons, armor, jewelry, sculpture and dinnerware. Woodworkers exported portions of structures like arches, doors, furniture and bridges. It seems as though the exportation of goods was more necessity than desire - to receive, one must give in the universal space economy.

Life on the moon was fairly stable in terms of weather, so the importation of food, non-native metals and other goods were more for pleasure than need. Themisto, as an ecosystem, is relatively self-sustaining though some grow restless since the moon does not have seasons as other places might. Importation of people also meant new ideas about architecture, culture, craftsmanship and religion. More often than not, the importation of people was highly desired.

Culture: Themisto is known as a destination for those who don’t fit in anywhere else. Their culture is structured such that most everyone on the moon is technically non-native in some capacity. Criminals and other undesirables who end up on the moon seeking asylum are welcomed just as anyone else would be as long as they mind themselves. The people of Themisto think of each other as brothers-and-sisters-in-arms, a large, unrelated extended family. Disruptions of these bonds, criminal activity or unnecessary violence lands dissenters in a particularly harrowing situation.

It seems as though Themisto is the last stop for the most hardened of individuals and those who choose to break the rules are confined in a special structure on the moon until its next “disappearance”. When the moon returns, oddly, the structure is empty, and the people do not speak about what had happened to its occupants.

The people are largely very secretive about all but the most superficial religious and cultural aspects of the moon, choosing to feign ignorance when questioned. Those who wish to live on Themisto permanently must go through a peculiar ritual to ensure their desire is genuine before they are accepted into the community. They are encouraged to share information about the culture they came from to enhance the conglomerate culture on the moon. Ideas are shared openly and freely with other “natives”.

Professions are not generally passed down from generation to generation within a single family unit - instead, oftentimes people will adopt other people’s surnames or familial designations. Family trees become very complex on Themisto, as members of one family may branch out and be assimilated by three or four other families. Surnames aren’t often used since they have a tendency to change.

Natives often choose to clothe themselves in traditional wear from their previous environment, weather-permitting. They then accent their clothing with sashes, masks, ropes, flowers and other items that resemble Japanese culture on Earth. This unique style is what distinguishes people from Themisto from others in the Jovian system.

Government: Themisto is very secretive about its government, usually opting to send a small delegation for political matters to Jupiter or the other moons of the Jovian system only when absolutely necessary. These delegations claim to have the blessing of the people of the moon, but it is questionable whether these delegations have any technical political power in the Themistan government (they may not be a government ruler or political worker in any capacity, for example).

Senshi: Sailor Themisto is not a ruler on the moon, but a guardian. The senshi has their own series of special houses built all across the moon, and each house has an attendant who is in charge of maintenance and upkeep. As Sailor Themisto travels from city to city, he or she will stay in this house and be looked after by the resident attendant. All the houses are identical, which contrasts the eclectic traditions of other buildings.

The senshi oversees large building projects, religious festivals and usually helps welcome new people onto the moon. Visitors don’t receive Sailor Themisto’s greeting most of the time, but if the person chooses to live on the moon, the senshi will make an appearance.

Themisto and House Jupiter: Sailor Themisto does not tend to leave the moon unless absolutely necessary, considering it bad luck. When the need arises to travel to Jupiter, Sailor Themisto is usually in the company of one of the house attendants and only stays on the planet until they are no longer needed. The moon orbits all alone and isn’t one of the main Galilean moons, so Themisto’s political power and standing is negligible at best.

Themisto and the Moon Kingdom: Themisto does not recognize the Moon Kingdom as its ruler. Jupiter is considered a “ruler” by necessity only.

Moira

Plural / Posessive Moiran

Imports Metals, Gems, Fine Textiles, Timber
Exports Crops and Livestock, Wool, Leather, Farming Equipment

Geography Moira's geography spanned the whole gamut, ranging from arid desert to frigid tundra.

Jotha Tundra
YO-thah
Enjoys half of the year in pitch back night and half of the year in an unyielding day. This polar cap is situated at the bottom axis of the planet and is home to very few people. At night, the sky is lit up by a Borealis.

Eowardumm Plains
EE-oh-wahr-dum
The temperate zone of Moira, and the most densely populated of the planet. this region actually describes several chains of island-line continents on either side of the equator.

Umomand Deserts
you-MAHM-und
Arid desert land dotted with fertile oasis'. This land-mass' population is concentrated around these oasis', though farmland would often spiderweb out and irrigate when needed.

Climate
Jotha Tundra
YO-thah
During the Long Night, temperatures can reach as low as 100 degrees Moiran (celcius). Things aren't much better during the Long Day, still sinking as low as 60 degrees Moiran below zero. During the Long Night, the weather tends to be very wet, including freezing rains, snowfall, and even sleet and hail in some cases. The weather is more temperate comparatively speaking during the Long Day.

Eowardumm Plains
EE-oh-wahr-dum
The plains enjoyed four seasons a year, with snow in the winter, rain in the spring, heat in the summer, and chills in the fall. The growing season is longest here, so the agriculture is truly booming in this region of the planet.

Umomand Deserts
you-MAHM-und
Naturally unfarmable, but can be tamed. During the day the temperatures can reach 120 degrees Moiran and at night only cooling off to about 70. Sandstorms are a danger in this region, often times blacking out the sun. These storms can last anywhere from 1 to 4 hours. However, these storms only happen once every few months.

Fauna
Jotha Tundra
YO-thah
Most fauna in this region resides in the freezing oceans.
Nihlan nee-LAHN. A fish with white flesh and lightly oceanic flavor. Caught in the wild by families to feed themselves and grown in responsible fisheries to ship across the planet.
Delanduil del-AN-doo-eel. A crustacean prized for its sweet meat. These animals are impossible to breed in hatcheries, so they need to be caught. They are prized because only so many are caught in a year to maintain a healthy population.

Eowardumm Plains
EE-oh-wahr-dum
Along with having the most people, the Eowardum Plains also has the most variety of fauna.
Floror FLOR-or. A rather crazed and extremely stupid farmyard bird. They have to be kept separated from the other animals because they will fight anything and everything that the encounter that is not another Floror. They are also unable to self-regulate when they eat and so they will literally do so until their stomachs burst. Their meat, however, is cheap and their feathers make excellent insulation for blankets and coats.
Tinaindil tin-AIN-dil. A large bovine creature raised for its meat and hide. Placid and slow moving, they graze on whatever flora they are near. The flavor of their meat is directly affected by what they eat, so the purer sweet grass a Tinaindil can graze on, the better and more expensive the meat. The hide is used to make clothing, textiles, and even tools in some cases. They can grow to be about the size of a fully grown Moiran and are often times used to pull carts and farming equipment.
Delulas dee-LOO-las. Kept for it's warm and soft wool instead of it's meat, this animal often times doubles as a family pet. If shorn twice a year -- once at the beginning of spring and once at the end of summer -- a family can live from the resulting wool. A spring shearing produces wool that was used to keep the Delulas warm in the winter and can be used to create insulating garments and heat-resistant cloth. A summer shearing will yield a wool that was grown to wick heat away from the body and can be used to make summer garments.
Ralith RAL-ith. A small wild canid. This creature is nocturn and hunts small livestock like Floror. It is not uncommon for a farmer to wake up and see three or four slaughtered birds in the morning because he didn't secure the coop up well enough. They are forever the bane of all livestock caregivers.

Umomand Deserts
you-MAHM-und
Sirorion see-ROR-ee-on. A large lizard the roams the deserts. This beast can last for weeks without water due to an internal canteen like sac that they can draw hydration from. They are largely passive creatures, but have been known to lash out should an unsuspecting passerby wander into their territory. Sometimes they are hunted for their scaled skins, but other than that they are left alone. Their meat is dry and tasteless and only eaten in extreme circumstances.
Fyriand FEAR-ee-end. A mid-sized canid creature. Scavenges but never kill its own prey. Omnivorous. Afraid of everything, and so they are easy to fend off. Large ears for detecting approaching predators. Largely nocturnal, though they may be spotted in the early morning and late evening. Instead of lashing out when cornered, this creature will just play dead. Many Moirans leave out scraps for the Fyriand that live nearby.

Flora
Jotha Tundra
YO-thah
None. The climate is too cold to support any flora

Eowardumm Plains
EE-oh-wahr-dum
Most of the flora in this region consisted of cultivated crops, though there were a great many different species of wildflowers and ferns.
Ilpetta il-PET-uh. A grain cultivated for breads, poridgees, and fermented drinks. Often times the staple of poorer household pantries.
Damal DAHM-ahl. Starchy roots which are rather bulbous and come in a variety of colors. can be prepared in a variety of ways. Eaten raw can cause sickness, however.
Foma FOH-mah. Another root crop which grows in a conical shape and is white in color. Can be eaten raw or cooked.
Zinovia zin-OH-vee-ah. Bright violet vegetable which grows on a vine in arbors. Extremely juicy. Often times stewed into a sauce.

Umomand Deserts
you-MAHM-und
Flora in this region grew in the scattered oasis where the Moirans settled.
Alysia ah-LEE-see-ah. A large fern-like plant which grows wild. When the leaves are cut off and the bark stripped away, the meat of the trunk can be stewed and eaten as a meat-substitute The fronds are often used for decoration and to provide shade.

Architecture Due to the use of geothermal energy, homes and built into the earth to make harvesting and utilizing this energy more efficient. Homes usually are buried under a hill-like mound, with home gardens on top. In the case of the Jothan Tundra, the mounds are topped with solar panels because the permafrost of the tundra is too thick and difficult to cut through to access the geothermal energy that the other regions enjoy.


Economy Barter / Trade system
Culture Agrarian. Everyone who can hold a tool either farms or creates tools and items that can make farming easier.
Social Ranking Egalitarian

Government No matter what part of the planet a Moiran was on, they could count on the regions being governed by a central parliament of citizens elected by pure democratic processes by the people. Each continent was split into regions by population and each population had a separate parliament. In cases of continent-wide decisions, the parliament would reach a consensus and then send one representative to vote on behalf of the region. In the case of a planet-wide decision, the continental parliament would come to a consensus and send a representative to vote on behalf of the continent. Each Parliamentary Representative had a term of 3 cycles and a lime of 2 terms.

Alignments ???

Regarding the Moon Kingdom Moira was consistently in good standing with the Moon Kingdom and enjoyed open trade with the people who lived there. Moira was allowed stalls at the markets of the Moon Kingdom whenever they pleased, and there were plenty of Moirans who moved there in order to set up more permanent fixtures for trade. The same thing happened with denizens of the Moon Kingdom on Moira.

Technology Blended agrarian and advanced technology. Any and all technology was devoted to the advancement of sustainable and responsible farming and agriculture.