Talk:Zila (world)
The system is centered on binary stars - an orange K type and a red M type - that orbit a barycenter at a mean separation of 24 AU. The K type is an unusually stable and calm star that rarely displays activity. By contrast, the M type companion is a tempestuous body with frequent flares.
The primary retains a family of four rocky worlds and a single large gas giant. Zila, the mainworld, is the innermost world in the system. It orbits within the inner region of the habitable zone and is tidally locked to the star. The second world, which lies towards the outer edge of the habitable zone and is also tidally locked, is cold and retains a very thin atmosphere. It has extremely primitive native life (cyanobacteria parallels).
Both worlds lie far within the safe jump distance of the star and in-system travel is required for safe jump transition. This additional travel time must be factored in, though good astrogation will result in optimal jump-exit positioning, reducing in system travel times considerably.
An exotic atmosphere world and an icy superterran - a failed ice giant - lie beyond the habitable zone, and a large gas giant marks the outer edge of the system. All of the outer worlds have satellites, but no other worlds in the system are settled. --- Zila has a relatively low density and a surface gravity of 0.64 G. It has a thin atmosphere, and though it is breathable without artificial assistance offworlders may require an acclimatization period to adjust to the pressure. The world is tidally locked, with a hot face permanently facing towards the star, a temperate twilight band around the world dominated by seas, and an ice-covered dark face.
The world experiences libration - it wobbles as it orbits - causing the star to rise and fall in the sky in the twilight zone. This wobble occurs over a 27 hour cycle. The most desirable regions on the world are those that experience the greatest range of light levels. The wobble also causes the oceans to slosh, generating tides. The circle ocean passes through a narrow channel named the Bore. The thousand-kilometer-long rift experiences extreme tides and surges. Riding the Bore is a sporting event celebrated every Imperial Holiday, where sailors navigate the treacherous channel in primitive wind-powered vessels.
The worlds population are clustered into five major urban regions and many huge private estates. Although a range of agriculture is conducted on the world, Zila is particularly known for its wine production, and many villas and estates produce their own excellent vintages.
The world has no single designated starport - each populated region is a transport hub and is served by a large airport. These serve as class E starports.
The red companion star retains three rocky worlds. The inner two lie close to the star, within its narrow habitable zone, and have a 4:3 resonant orbital configuration. They are barren vacuum rocks irradiated by flare activity from the star. The third world is an icy superterran that has a far more distant orbit and displays a high degree of eccentricity. All three worlds lie within the safe jump distance of the star, requiring long sublight travel times to reach them.
- Ade Stewart-Traveller RPG Facebook Page - 16 Dec 2020