Thorwald (world)
| Thorwald/Arcturus (Solomani Rim 3026) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Classic Era (1116) | A559869-D
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| See also | UWP | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| System Details | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Primary | G0 V | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Planetoid Belts | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gas Giants | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Thorwald is a moderate population world with over a hundred million, but not yet a billion sophonts in population size.
- It is a member of the Third Imperium in the Arcturus Subsector of Solomani Rim Sector in the Domain of Sol.
- This world toils under the control of a military government with conditions reflecting that situation, including curtailed civil rights and limited freedoms.
- This is a "Puzzle" world designated as an Amber Zone. Caution is advised since the world has an environment, laws, customs, life forms, or other conditions that are not well understood and might be a danger to a visitor.
Description (Planetology)[edit]
Stellar Data[edit]
Thorwald has a solitary primary star. Thorwald 
Type Category Mass (Sol) Temperature (K) Luminosity G0 V Main Sequence (Dwarf) 1.06 5860 - 5930 1.22623 Unit Diameter Safe Distance Habitable Zone Jump Shadow M-Drive Limit AU 0.0102 0.0918 1.04 - 1.83 1.02 10.2 Orbit # * * 4 3 7 Remarks
Mainworld Data[edit]
Native Lifeforms[edit]
Thorwald is the home of one of the most unusual plant forms known: the leyden tree. The tree secretes an internal metal lightning rod, and when lightning strikes, the charge is deflected through a net of filaments into cellular capacitors, where it is used to convert organic molecules from low to high energy forms, supplementing photosynthesis as an energy source. The electricity is distributed by a web of metal-infused root clusters, which power the metabolism of glowing plant-like organisms that in turn fix nitrogen for the tree. An electrical storm over a leyden forest is a spectacular sight, best viewed from a safe distance. One of the biological wonders of the Galaxy, some wonder if the Leyden Trees are really biological at all -- or if they were designed by the Ancients.
Thorwald Dragon[edit]
A large, reptilian armored hunter native to this world. It is capable of living in the upper branches of the world-trees and withstanding multiple lightning strikes -- hence its scientific name: Draconia electris. Left undisturbed, the Dragon can live up to 180 years.
Because hunting this beast is one of the ultimate (and often deadly) thrills for native and tourist alike, strict regulations are in place. Hunting the Dragon without a license carries stiff penalties and jail time.
The Thorwald Dragon has been stocked on numerous worlds as far away as the Spinward Marches to provide a hunting "experience," but there is no experience like stalking the beast in its native territory, a kilometer high in the tangled, eerie branches of the world-trees.
IISS GURPS Astrographics Survey[edit]
3026 Thorwald (Imperial) - Amber Zone
Starport: Class V.
Diameter: 5,200 miles (8,300 km). Gravity: 0.58g.
Atmosphere: Thin oxygen-nitrogen.
Hydrographics: 92%.
Climate: Tropical.
Population: 720 million.
Government: Military Rule.
Control Level: 6.
Tech Level: 11.
World Trade Number: 5.
History & Background (Dossier)[edit]
The legendary world of massive trees -- some containing entire towns. The University of Thorwald is the leading school of environmental design and ecology in the region. Being so close to Sol and other high-population systems, Thorwald's biggest industry is tourism. For those that cannot afford a visit, the Thorwald Tourist Council (TTC) produces lavish virtual worlds that are almost as good as the real thing.
Those wishing to move permanently to Thorwald had better find a different place. As an autonomous world, Thorwald III sets its own immigration policy, and the fees are extreme. For those that do live on Thorwald, strict birth control is in place to limit the human population. Those that wish to have more than two children must send the "excess" offworld.
World Starport (Sp)[edit]
Thorwald has a Class A Starport, an excellent quality installation which includes all the expected amenities including refined fuel for starships, brokerage services for passengers and cargo, and a variety of ship provisions. There is a shipyard capable of doing annual maintenance, overhauls and other kinds of repair, and construction of both starships and non-starships. Most ports of this classification have both a Highport and a Downport.
World Population (P)[edit]
Thorwald has a population of 700,000,000 sophonts (hundreds of millions).
World Government (G)[edit]
Thorwald has a Captive Government or Colony. The world is ruled by an external government, there is no self-rule. This is a colony or conquered area. The local government is an oligarchy appointed by, and answerable only to, the external government.
This world is under military rule.
World Law Level (L)[edit]
Thorwald has a high law level with laws covering many areas of interactions of people, corporations, and the government. A few worlds with this law level may be Amber Zones. Any interaction with the judicial system requires an Advocate trained in the local legal system. Law enforcement is present almost everywhere, either as people or via technology. Legal proceedings can take weeks to months to resolve and involve a dozen or more people. All objects specifically manufactured as weapons are typically regulated or prohibited (outside private residences or visiting starships).
World Technology Level (TL)[edit]
Thorwald possesses a Technology Level of TL–13 or TL-D in Hexadecimal Notation.
- Common Communication technologies for this TL include: Holovideo recorders.
- Common Power Generation technologies for this TL include: Miniature super-batteries, prototype collectors, advanced fusion plants.
- Common Transportation technologies for this TL include:
- Land, Water & Air: Personal G-Tubes and advanced gravcraft.
- Space: Advanced interplanetary spacecraft (System Craft).
- FTL: Jump Drive-4.
World Culture[edit]
- Allegiance: Autonomous region, Solomani Confederation
- Population: 70 Million (permanent) 300 million (+ tourists)
- Capital: Swift Angel
- Major ethnic groups: German, Scandinavian, Solomani (u), Swis
- Major religions: Norse Pantheon
- Major languages: German (official), Anglic (official for tourist trade)
- Major industries: Tourism, timber, banking, higher education, virtual environments
Thorwald Wine[edit]
A famous, and famously expensive, drink fermented from berries that grow only on the vines inhabiting the very tops of the world-trees. They are often harvested by balloon -- from this comes the famous balloon logo on the top-quality bottles of the wine.
Historical Data[edit]
Non-canon: There was an Ancient presence in the Thorwald system, although puzzlingly none (at least so far discovered) on Thorwald III. Rather, they inhabited an outer-system planet (since destroyed, probably in the Final War). Perhaps they, as the Vilani after them, had set aside the world as a nature preserve.
The Solomani were not so delicate in their treatment of Thorwald -- at least at first. It was settled by a large contingent from the colony ship Caravan X in the years following the Interstellar Wars. An initial wave of exploitation gradually gave way to awe as the wonders of the world were discovered. The initial settlers formed a technically illegal "defense pact" and, sometimes with force, scared off later waves of colony ships. Eventually the special status of Thorwald was recognized by the Second Imperium, in return for extra taxes on the tourist trade. Independent and self-sufficient during the Long Night, Thorwald joined the Terran Union on the condition that its old Imperial rights be restored and respected, and that no military forces be stationed in-system. This agreement remains in place.
References & Contributors (Sources)[edit]
- ↑ "Jump Map API" and map location from Travellermap.com