Campaign:NHNE/Places/Sparks
Summary[edit]
Sparks B100695-A N Va Na Pi Fr
Planetology[edit]
Sparks is one of the major settlements in the Belt, based on the second largest body and forming one of the most important powerhouses of the economy.
The body is, itself, some 800km in diameter and has been artificially spun up to provide internal gravity of up to 0.3G. This is supplemented in many places by artificial gravity which brings many locations up to the human-standard 1G.
It should be noted that the surface of Sparks is inherently dangerous as the spin rate provides a negative surface gravity. If you let go anywhere but at the poles, you will be thrown off the surface.
Sparks is populated in the extensive tunnels and caverns beneath its surface, particularly around the equator but with large clusters at the poles where the two ports are situated.
There are two areas of cratered terrain: The Northern area is characterised by two craters of 500 and 250km diameter with other smaller strikes later. The Southern area is characterised by multiple interlocking and overlapping strikes consistent with a hit by the remnants of a rock that broke up shortly before impact. It is conjectured that this rock struck an orbiting body, carrying the orbiting rock's remains, and its own various constituent parts, into Sparks as several small, related hits over a 1000km diameter area like shot from a shotgun.
Population[edit]
With a population of 4.9 million, Sparks has a large population relative to the rest of the belt. This is concentrated such that 40% is in just 3 cities: One at each pole and one at Yaoley Crater.
Generally, the population is very sparse - less than 1 person per square km of surface or one person per 20 cubic km of exploitable volume.
Government[edit]
Sparks is effectively a giant archology sealed against vacuum and self contained regarding the majority of its needs on a short term basis. It is administered by the board of environmental concerns - a bureaucracy.
Law[edit]
Sparks is relatively low law-level for the system. But they are fairly strict on enforcement of such rules as do exist.
Arms[edit]
Firearms (provided they are not fully automatic) and melee weapons are permitted but should be worn openly. It is considered a gross breach of etiquette to carry hidden weapons.
Drugs[edit]
Supply and possession of addictive narcotics is illegal. Being under the influence of any narcotics while operating equipment that may endanger another is also illegal.
Information[edit]
Programs designed to deliberately bypass the security of, or damage the information of another is illegal
Travel[edit]
Landing is permitted only at registered ports. There is no specific requirement regarding proof of identity, but there is a customs check to ensure that no illegal items are imported and to collect import taxes.
Economy[edit]
Sparks has extensive docks at both poles and houses facilities for the the Belt's Naval Force. The ports handle over 6 million 10 dTon equivalent containers per year - or about 30% of the container movements for the entire Belt.
The interior of the body has been extensively tunnelled and a considerable network of "Tube" trains (Hyperloop Train) exists to allow transport about the body.
Mainline Routes on the Sparks Hyperloop