As Destiny makes her way through the 'verse we'll be visiting all sorts of interesting places.  Whenever we're bound for a certain destination that planet or moon or space station or whatever it may be will appear in this forum along with a brief description of what the place is like.  This is mostly for your benefit as players, but also if you feel your character would be familiar with the planet then you'll know what its all about.

Persephone



Persephone is an interesting mix of people and cultures.  The worlds environment is much like Earth-That-Was: desert, rainforest, plains, tundra, and such.  While not as heavily populated as the worlds of the Core, Persephone still seems a very big place to those from the Rim.  Persephone has a tradition-oriented aristocracy, a small but thriving middle class, a fair share of the poor and desperate and a shadowy underworld.

The Eavesdown Docks is the largest spaceport on Persephone.  Even folk who think themselves hotshot pilots are confused now and again by its chaotic layout.  (And woe to the new pilot trying to make his way to a dock for the first time!)  Ships often touch down only a few yards from street vendors selling cheap goods to the crews and potential passengers.  The docks are situated in the poor section of town (the nobles and other rich folk have their own private airfields) but it’s just a short drive of a long walk to the business district - in which just about anything in the ‘Verse can be bought for the right price.

The docks are home to several criminal “lords,” who collect illegal salvage, move contraband off world and have hundreds of other ways to make quick, if not Alliance-approved, easy cash.  A good crew with a flyable ship could make good coin here, so long as their morals aren’t overly high and they don’t mind avoiding the Feds.  Not far away is a famous racetrack that is home to a famous derby that brings in folk from throughout the system (not to mention the throngs of Cortex-viewers), offering a huge cash prize to the winning horse.

Like the horses, the aristocracy of Persephone all lay claim to a pedigree.  Then again, anyone with the right stack of coin can purchase his own lordship, what with its fancy sash and all.  Noble families live on large estates, attending to business, dancing at opulent balls, laying golf or tennis, and settling matters of honor in formal duels.

Persephone is an impressive cross section of humanity which is just another way to say that it’s a world with an over abundance of opportunity and danger.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:04, Sat 13 Oct 2007.

Valon



Rocky plains, and huge mountain ranges cover most of this border planets surface.  Many times the cities are built right into the face of the mountains.  Not a heavily populated planet their main export are the minerals found deep within the mountain mines.  Although there is some other shady activity going on within those deep mountain caverns...>
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:52, Sat 13 Oct 2007.

Londinium



Of all the planets, Londinium is the most like Earth-That-Was and was therefore one of the first two planets to be settled, since it needed little work to make it ready for human habitation.  Most of the original colonists from the European and American continents came to Londinum, where they honored technology.  All the buildings are constructed of the most modern material, but they look as if they were built of stone and arc of archaic design.  The general look of the cities is what book-smart folk call the “imperial gothic” style of London from Earth-That-Was.  May not look so shiny to those from the Rim, but it still makes the place popular with looky-loos and picture-snappers.

The Parliament building and government complex that surrounds it are the most impressive sights on the planet.  As big as a small city, the Parliament building contains the great debating chamber (“The House”), while the surrounding building complex provides offices for all the ministers and civil servants.  It also features a huge clock tower that has become the planet’s symbol.  Seems like almost everyone on Londinum works for the government of for businesses who deal with the government.

Government is not the only business of Londinum however.  The planet is also home to some of the greatest collections of western art in the system.  The Londinum Museum, which contains the Museum of History and the Museum of Art, is a splendid building that holds all manner of treasures.  Most come from the early days of colonization, but the most valuable pieces are the ancient artifacts from Earth-That-Was.

As the center of Alliance control, Londinum has a strong Military presence.  The Alliance flagship,  Victoria, patrols its space.  The planet is home to the elite SAS (Special Alliance Support) troops. The Ministry of Intelligence also has its headquarters here.

Londinum is heavily restricted with “no fly” zones above and around government buildings.  Any ship venturing near these areas is shot down, no warning given.  Tourists arrive on Londinium via authorized shuttles that travel to and from the others Core worlds.  Tourists may visit only those areas that are approved.  Anyone caught venturing outside the approved areas without proper ID is immediately arrested.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:11, Sat 13 Oct 2007.

Paquin



Known far and wide as the “gypsy planet,” Paquin is home to more carnivals and sideshow’s, galleries and theatres then you could shake a cruiser-sized stick at.  It also seems to be home to every con-artist and swindler in the system.

When it was being therefore, Paquin was chosen to host a grand opera house.  Paquin’s unique atmosphere produces sunrises and sunsets the likes of which would lift even the burden of death, with colors ranging from purple to blue to red to orange.  This stunning display provides a wonderful natural backdrop for the opera house, which is located on the shore overlooking a vast ocean.

As the new opera house brought theatre lovers to the planet, more theatres were built to take advantage of the new trade.  Paquin is the place to see all manner of entertainment from Nob theatre to experimental dance  Many new plays debut here, and those that become popular travel to the Core where they play for the elite.  Artists and writers make Paquin their home to be “closer to the muse.”  Paquin is the artistic center of the Border worlds and rivals Sihnon in terms of culture (though the people of Sihnon will get all manner of indignant denying this!)

Like other worlds, Paquin has a dark side.  Countless carnivals and sideshows dot the world, providing good honest entertainment for the prairie folk, featuring circus acts and magic shows, freaks and jugglers.  But there are those carnies who exist purely to fleece their patrons of their cash or use their bright lights as cover for even darker activities.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:12, Sat 13 Oct 2007.

Osiris



Osiris is the heart of the Alliance’s judicial branch.  Here the High Court hears important cases.  Their decisions affect the interpretation of parliamentary law with repercussions throughout the system.  The Court is housed in a large pyramid-shaped building (honoring the Egyptian god of the dead for whom the world was named) in Capital City.  The most important law firms are also based here, linked to their branch offices on other worlds by the Cortex.  The University of Osiris boasts the most prestigious law school in the Core, as well as a fine medical school.

The corporate offices of the Blue Sun Corporation are also on Osiris.  Originally on Sihnon, they were recently moved into a massive structure that is attached to a combined manufacturing plant, distribution center, and space dock.  The Corporation complex is off-limits to everyone except the employees.  No one enters, even on business, without first undergoing a thorough background check.  The very latest in security systems makes this complex high impossible to break into.

Landing on Osiris is restricted, though not as heavily as some planets (just so long as you don’t go near Blue Sun).  If you claim you need to see your lawyer, you’ll usually be permitted to set down. University students and their parents are always welcome.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:01, Sat 13 Oct 2007.

Regina



The mineral-rich planet of Regina is known for its massive mining operations.  Over three quarters of the population work in one part of the mining industry or another.  Most of the mines are run by the Corone Mining Consortium, although there are still a few local owners hanging on.  Corone’s workers are underpaid and their working conditions can be extremely dangerous.  The miners of Regina take a stoic pride in their work and the suffering they endure.  As if things were not hard enough, the ore-processors and atmospheric conditions of Regina have created conditions for a disease called Bowden’s Malady, a degenerative affliction of the bone and muscles that leaves its victims weak and in constant pain.  While there is no cure, regular treatment with Pasceline-D halts the progression of the disease and makes life tolerable.

The Alliance sponsors regular shipments of the expensive drug to Regina.  The drug is drop-shipped to central locations and delivered by train to the individual mining towns.  The people of the world are dependent on this government handout, though shipments are not as frequent as they should be.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:14, Sat 13 Oct 2007.

Athens



Located in the Burnham quadrant, Athens is a world known for rapidly changing weather and winds that blow constantly.  Aside from that, the climate is relatively mild.  Certain crops thrive here, and there’s plenty of beautiful marble to be quarried and shipped off-world.

One of the few outer planets to fully support Unification Athens was captured by the Independents.  “Ownership” of the world changed hands several times during the course of the war.  Finally running low on manpower and weary of ground battles on this otherwise minor rock, the Alliance took to bombing the worlds major cities to drive out the Browncoats.  ‘Cept for the piles of dead civilians and heaps more hurt and homeless that lost everything, the strategy worked.

Recently, the Alliance opened up the bombed-out cities for legal salvage operations.  Licenses for thse operations can be obtained from Untied Reclamation or (more slowly) from the Alliance.

Then again, these cities are so chaotic that its not so hard for the unlicensed to sneak in and out.

The world’s farmers were more fortunate then the city dwellers.  Those dwelling in rural areas found it easier to scratch by during the war.  It’s taken time, but they’re slowly reconnecting their ties to the rest of the ‘Verse.

Athens has four moons, all therefore and a lot nicer to live on then the planet they circle.  Folk on the moons live by farming and ranching.  Everyone keeps an eye out for Reavers since undefended moons are easy prey for the nearby marauders.  On Whitefall, the fourth moon, the threat of Reaver raiding parties has made the settlers over protective and perhaps a bit paranoid.

There is also a rumor currently circulating that the Blue Sun corporation has a hidden factory or complex located in the mountains on one of the moons, though what they manufacture or why they would come here is anyone’s guess.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:15, Sat 13 Oct 2007.

Torrance Station



Torrance Station is the hub of the rim worlds - most trading goes through it, and one can find all sorts of illegitmate work.  Originally built to be near the center of the straggling rim planets, years of poor maintainence and regular impacts with space debris has caused this small station to be pushed further out - it now resides most closely to Lilac and sits precariously on the edge of Reaver territory.

This became an issue of high concern to the stations occupants and managers, their proximity to Reaver territory causing a dramatic decline in business.  However, as usual, the Alliance could not be bothered with their troubles.  So instead Torrance Station formed their own patrolling fleet, equipped with fire power.  The fleet however has brought little comfort to those traveling to the station and as a result it has begun to fall to disrepair.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:15, Sat 13 Oct 2007.

Beaumonde



The heavily industrialized planet of Beaumonde is the manufacturing hub of the system.  Its cities are surrounded by factories that produce everything from computer parts to ceramic coffee mugs.  Some of the factories are owned by Blue Sun, though there are rumors that a few of these are not really factories at al or, if they are, that they’re turning out something other then canned beans.  Security is tight at all Blue Sun plants, so no one has ever been able to get inside one of these buildings to find out.  Or least if they did, they never got back out to tell the tale.

Due to the high industrial output,  pollution is a problem.  Beaumonde’s cities are covered in a perpetual haze.  Weather control systems process the worst of the pollution, but the science-minded reckon the long-term effects may not be quite so simple to take care of.  Every year more pollutants find their way into the water and the soil, causing all manner of difficulty for those who live off the land.  Some people have moved their homes and businesses underground to escape the air pollution.

Once you get away from the cities and out into the countryside, the air quality improves a mite.  Farmers and ranchers manage to make a good living.  There is also a thriving spaceport on Beaumonde, much like the more famous port on Persephone.

New Dunsmuir is the capital of Beaumonde.  The city is the only one on the planet that has no factories.  Located on an ocean, New Dunsmuir is a popular tourist destination.  Many wealthy factory owners make their homes here, as do those who work in the tourist industry.  New Dunsmuir is a beautiful city with avenues of trees and carefully maintained flower gardens.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:16, Sat 13 Oct 2007.

Santo



One of the great triumphs of Terraforming is the planet Santo.  The planet is picture perfect with clear blue seas, azure skies and ideal weather.  Though it has a thriving agricultural base Santo was once known for the tourists who thought it a paradise.  The rich flocked to the planet as an exclusive vacation spot and resort communities commanded every good view to be had.

The war ended Santo’s glorious days as a destination for the rich and beautiful.  Though the planet escaped destruction, no one from the Core worlds dared travel here while the fighting was about.  Hotels and casinos were abandoned.  Those that stayed open did so by finding other ways to attract costumers.  Brothels, strip clubs, and other ventures catering to less savory appetites opened up.  Santo’s has become known as a “fun” place, no matter what pleasures you’re into.  After the war, casino owners found that they could avoid Alliance restrictions by operating in this out of the way place.  The world became a Mecca for high rollers (and those who were not so high).

Santo’s resorts are now beginning to recover.  No longer a playground exclusively for the rich, Santo attracts a more middle-class crowd.  Its resorts are still beautiful, its small towns picturesque, its casinos open twenty-four seven.

You’ll have a good time here, but you might not want to bring the kiddies.