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First settled in the second wave of Human expansion in the mid-2300's, the planet Danais
boasts an impressive equatorial rainforest that covers just under 60% of the planetary surface.
Colonies quickly sprang up along the edges of the forest, specialzing in agrifoods, biomedicines, and
large-animal safari hunts deep into the interior. Blessed with virtually no axial tilt, it was
soon discovered that Danais had an almost year-round growing season. The fertile land of the
southern non-jungle sections of the planet were converted nearly overnight to massive tracts of
farmland tended by automated equipment.
Desired by both the fledgling Free Worlds league and the economic giant Isle of Skye,
the Terran Hegemony arbitrated Danais to the status of a joint-colony world--building a
facility is similar to, but smaller than, the famous Castles Brian
near the capitol of Reméal. The planet slowly grew over the years, being raided occasionally
by both sides during the Age of War. The coming of the Star League brought with it the SLDF,
which established many training bases and proving grounds on planet. During the First
Succession War, Kenyon Marik personally led the assault of Danais--declaring it the capitol
of the new Grand Barony of Danais and appointing his second in command, Lord Jules René, as its
first Baron. The trigger-happy troops of the new Baron gleefully destroyed any non-Marik
ship attempting to leave planet, supposedly shooting down three fleeing SLDF transports in the process.
Slowly picked apart in the following centuries, the planet has suffered more from
the loss of spare parts for the automated farm equipment than any ravage of war.
The topography of the planet varies considerably, from flat lowland plains marked by small rock
hills to highland valleys criss-crossed by streams. Volcanoes that produce rich soils are fairly
common in the humid tropical forests, as well as on the fertile southern plains. Danais has no
permanent ice cap on either pole, but did once have a massive canal system to water the crops
around New Paris in the days of the Star League. One a breadbasket for the surrounding planets
in the Grand Duchy of Danais, thanks to the destruction of the Succession Wars the planet can now
barely feed itself. Mining has slowly become a more profitable past-time, with Ceres Metals
opening three venture facilities to test the feasibility of collecting the aluminum,
iron oxides, hydroxides, and kaolinite, other minerals that are washed out of the soil by leaching
and erosion.
The Equatorian Rainforest occurs in a large belt-like region with a high annual rainfall
of generally more than 1,800 mm (70 inches) and a hot and steamy climate. Temperatures remain high, usually
about 30º C (86º F) during the day and 20º C (68º F) at night. Where altitude occasionally increases along
the borders of equatorial rainforests, the vegetation is replaced by montane forests and crops of
trees like the Shielded-Pagoda (Contego Quinquiplicoequus) at the treeline - 11,200' (3414m).
Vegetation in the rainforest is dominated by deciduous trees such as teak, thickets
of mega-bamboo, and a dense undergrowth. Mangrove forests occur along estuaries and deltas on tropical
coasts.
Most of the herbaceous food for animals is found among the leaves and branches of the canopy,
where a variety of animals have developed swinging, climbing, gliding, and leaping movements to seek
food and escape predators. Monkeys, flying squirrels, and sharp-clawed woodpeckers are some of the
animals that inhabit the treetops. They rarely need to come down to ground level. Above the ground surface
the space is occupied by tree branches, twigs, and foliage. Many species
of animals run, flutter, hop, and climb in the undergrowth. Most of these animals live on insects
and fruit, although a few are carnivorous. They tend to communicate more by sound than by sight
in this dense forest strata. Pressing rumors of Neohominid tribes continue to persist since the days
of the first landings, but no proof has yet come to light.
Current Events:
- Baron Hastor René has recently succeeded his elder brother Jene in a near-bloodless coup for control of the planet.
- Four Harper Heavy Tanks have recently been purchased by the city council of New Paris.
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Major Points of Interest:
Warning: This planet has recently undergone an internal political revolution.
Travelers are cautioned that such sudden and swift changes have been known to lead to
open warfare in and around major civilian and industrial areas both during and after the
event. It is recommended that all non-natives avoid the planet until such time the
situation stabilizes itself.
1. Reméal: Capitol city
Pop: 3,500,000
Government: Feudalistic
Defending Units: Baronial Guard
2. Marik Militia HQ: Abandoned Star League Facility
Pop: 500 (est.)
Government: Military
Defending Units: Marik Militia
3. ComStar HPG-A
Pop: Unknown
Government: ComStar
Defending Units: Unknown
4. Danais Amphibious Combat Training Academy
Pop. 2500
Government: Military
Defending Units: Conventional fleet
5. New Paris: Agricultural Center
Pop: 5,830,000
Government: Feudalistic
Defending Units: City Guard
6. Abandoned SLDF Proving Grounds
Pop: 300 researchers and staff
Government: Corporate
Defending Units: none
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