Ouerea

Ouerea, which is the fourth planet from the Uueoa-Esa star, is the first planet to be colonized by the Unathi. It was successfully colonized with Jargon and Alliance assistance on February 3rd, 2438. Ouerea is one of two habitable planets in the system, the second being Moghes. The planet was discovered and accurate models of its position and orbit were made in 1483 by Izweski astronomer Kizar Yuiz'ku, and it was discovered to be habitable in the 20th century. In general the planet's biome is roughly similar to Moghes with mild variations. The ecosystem is a lot less complex than Moghes, with most of the planet covered in grasslands and forests with small, simplistic wildlife and fish. However these ecosystems are under threat by extensive and exhaustive mining operations being done by Hephaestus Industries.

Geography and Climate

Ouerea's biomes are less complex than Moghes, with most of the planet dominated by forests and grassland, and a single large savanna between the Riztizkzi and Yuaz seas. Early surveys revealed a massive and complex underground cave network snaking across most of the planet, including large caverns and canyons. Most of these subterranean features are filled with water and host to a large variety of underwater wildlife. Izweski Rangers and Hephaestus survey teams continue to explore these cave networks but the vast majority of them remain unmapped and unexplored. The sheer size and depth of the caverns continue to perplex xeno-geologists. Hephaestus mining operations focus heavily on expanding and digging inside pre-existing cavern systems mapped by their teams.

The four major seas of Ouerea contribute to the planet's higher average humidity than Moghes. During Ouerea's Versakh season the humidity near the coast is high enough that Unathi that remain outside for extended periods can develop an irritating skin condition as an Ouerean-native mildew develops on their scales and hide. This mildew is extremely difficult to remove with normal bathing and must be treated with topical cream, and is deeply embarrassing for affected Unathi.

Notable Locations

The Sahhat Crater is located in the middle of the savannah wrapping around Ouerea. It is a wide, deep crater which formed when a large volcano exploded and collapsed on itself two to three million years before present era. It houses a very deep, large lake at the bottom of the crater, and a decent area of flat grassland, as well as the town of Sahhat. Sahhat itself is a small aquaculture town. It is a city built to preserve the natural beauty around it, and is something of a tourist destination for Unathi and a few rich xenos. The depths of the lake branch off into unexplored underwater caverns that are filled with fresh water and all types of native fish.

The Trizkizki and Riztizkzi Seas are the major center of the life on Ouerea, where almost all of the large cities on the planet are. It was the region first chosen for colonization, with New Skalamar being the first city to be established during the colonization project. Fishing Guilds dominate the economy of Ouerea, though other industries are growing. These industries were originally oversaw by the Skrell who ensured strict environmentalist policies, but when the Hegemony regained control of the colony nearly all forms of regulations were chucked out of the window, and now guilds have near total autonomy at the expense of the environment and their workers. The mountain slopes to the southeast of Riztizkzi are covered in a tropical rainforest and are home to a few unique avian species, as well as some smaller tree-dwelling creatures. The peninsula that houses Um’a’yid is likewise lush and covered with tropical jungles.

Um’a’yid itself is a city nestled near the coast of the Sea. It’s a major port for shipping over the seas. Its major industry is fishing, and a huge number of fishing boats and deep-sea trawlers operate out of its port. Being tropical and humid, it’s seen as a less desirable place to live. However, the jungles are rich and the amount of food that can be naturally harvested makes it an appealing place to live. Unathi who can tolerate the humidity find it to be a pleasant, rather large city with steady employment rates and affordable homes.

Tr’ha’rem is a shipping city on the land-bridge at the very edge of this thick jungle. It’s an important shipping port for cargo destined to be sent overland to Sahhat. It’s also a stop along the shipping route from Kr’ath to Z’ek. Goods produced and harvested in the forests are shipped throughout the Sea. It is a moderately large city, and due to being at the northern edge of the equator, it is considered more livable than Um’a’yid or Z’ek due to being less hot and humid.

The Z'ek crater in the Trizkizki Sea is an archipelago surrounding the collapsed caldera of what is theorized to have been a massive supervolcano which erupted more than 400,000 years before current era, with the precise date unknown. It islands are tropical, and comparable to the Malay Archipelago of Earth. There are many uninhabited islands which are considered to be picturesque and natural wonders of the relatively simple planet.

Z’ek itself is considered to be an island paradise by Humans who visit Ouerea, but due to its humidity, it is considered one of the least desirable places to live by the majority of Unathi due to embarrassing and constant fungal infections on their scales.

Kr’ath is a city right on the water, in the foothills of the craggy, relatively young mountains. Surrounded by a wide swath of coastal lowland dominated by grasses and dotted here and there by trees, it also has a rich farming economy. It is considered by Unathi to be one of the most beautiful cities on Ouerea. The young peaks are bold, deep blue granite covered over with snow. The Trizkizki Sea is a beautiful bottle-green and is still tropically warm off the shores of Kr’ath. The wide, gently rolling grassland stretching between Kr’ath and New Skalamar is picturesque and dotted with serf's farmsteads.

Kr’ath is considered to be the laid-back paradise that many Unathi dreamed of, and after Moghes’ devastation in the war, it has become one of the most sought-after places to live by members of the nobility. It remains a highly stratified city with serfs literally barred from entering many areas of the city.

Year and seasons

A year on Ouerea is 510 days, and similar to Moghes the resident Unathi have divided the year into 15 months with 34 days each.

Versakh is the first season. It lasts 5 months and is typically marked with warm, wet weather and an average global temperature of 35°C. Culturally, like on Moghes, Versakh is a time of rejuvenation and relaxation. During Versakh it's completely acceptable for Unathi to take time off of work during the afternoon when the temperature is the hottest in order to nap or bask in the sun. This also marks the beginning of the typical hunting season, though on Ouerea this is more ceremonial.

Kasavakh is the second season. It lasts 5 months and usually brings cooler, wet weather with average global temperatures around 30°C. Kasavakh is regarded as a time of productivity and bounty. Kasavakh is typically the busiest time of the year for Unathi. During hot days Unathi are still permitted to take time off in the afternoons but doing it too much during Kasavakh makes them appear lazy.

A map of Ouere, with cities and major locations labelled.

Travakh is the third season which lasts 5 months and marks the end of a calendar year. It is the driest time of the year for most of Ouerea, with temperatures dropping to an average of 19°C until the beginning of Versakh. Travakh is regarded as a time of rest and contemplation. Holidays during the months of Travakh tend to focus on honoring and celebrating the family, both past and present, and tend to be in-door affairs. Outdoor activities tend to lull during this period.

Tul (Tusk)

Tul are large, muscular, leathery creatures, about a head taller than your average unathi that are native to Moghes but introduced into the local ecosystem. They have sharp claws on each feet and the strange ribbed, flat teeth found on most herbivores. Their most striking feature, however, is their tusks. A large array of long, pointed tusks protrudes from their skull and jaw. They move like a cat - deliberate, pronounced movements, with very broad shoulderblades.

They have a long flat tongue they use for feeding. Tul are commonly poached for their tusks which can be used in various luxuries, from jewelry, to cutlery, to pieces of ornamental weaponry. Hunting Tuls requires personal permission from the Lord of the land, and the honor is almost exclusively reserved for the landed elite. Common Unathi found poaching Tul's or illegally trading the tusks are often given harsh prison sentences.

Owning these animals is reserved for only the richest clans due to how tightly they are controlled. They are sometimes brought out for large events by Lords to impress guests and visitors. Sometimes they can be found wandering the private gardens of the wealthy.

The tul also have a few small myths surrounding them. According to some regional cultures, the tul cultivated the forests before the Sinta could walk on two feet, whereas some say they were responsible for raising the sun - sticking their long tusks into the ether and pulling it back up into the sky. Some of the oldest clans will have a tul displayed as the clan's insignia