Kerak (world)

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Alien Moon 312c-0 Tiny.jpg
Kerak/Forquee (Massilia 2411)
Milieu 0
C100544-A
StarportC Routine: No Construction, Major Repair, Unrefined fuel
Size1 Small (1,600 km, 0.05g - 0.09g)
Atmosphere0 Vacuum
Hydrographics0 Desert World 0%
Population5 Moderate (00 thousand)
Government4 Representative Democracy
Law4 Moderate Law (no light assault weapons)
Tech LevelA Early Stellar (jump drive)
Classic Era (1116)
B100576-D
StarportB Good: Spacecraft Construction, Overhaul, Refined fuel
Size1 Small (1,600 km, 0.05g - 0.09g)
Atmosphere0 Vacuum
Hydrographics0 Desert World 0%
Population5 Moderate (600 thousand)
Government7 Balkanization
Law6 Moderate Law (no firearms except shotguns)
Tech LevelD Average Stellar (holo data)
See also UWP
System Details
Primary M2 V
Planetoid Belts 0
Gas Giants 4
style="width: 220px; height: 250px;"
Jump map from Travellermap.com [1]

Kerak is a nonindustrial vacuum world, which warrants hazardous environment precautions.

  • Life in a vacuum requires great discipline. After all, it only takes one forgotten seal on a vacuum suit to spell death. Those who survive tend to be very methodically-minded and attentive to small detail.
  • As a nonindustrial world, it requires extensive imports of outside technology to maintain a modern, star-faring society. The need to import most manufactured and high technology goods drives the price of these goods up in the open market.
  • It is a member of the Third Imperium in the Forquee Subsector of Massilia Sector in the Domain of Sylea.
  • This is a "high technology" world with technology achievements at, near, or above the standard for Charted Space.
  • This world has an Imperial Scout base, capable of handling IISS starships and personnel.
Kerak System
Forquee/Massilia 2411
Position Distance Name UWP
Primary Heko M2 V
1 0.193 AU Gelmorth Small GG
1 1 Diam   Moon Y100000-0
2 0.568 AU Letro Small GG
1 1 Diam   A Ring YR00000-0
2 2 Diam   Moon YS00000-0
3 0.8 AU Kerak B100576-D
4 1.63 AU Hotov Y310000-0
5 3.43 AU Lavoth Large GG
1 1 Diam   A Ring YR00000-0
2 2 Diam   B Ring YR00000-0
3 5 Diam   Moon Y200000-0
4 7 Diam   Moon Y100000-0
6 4.91 AU Pillosie Large GG
1 5 Diam   Moon Y310000-0
2 7 Diam   Moon Y421000-0
3 8 Diam   Moon Y100000-0
4 10 Diam   Moon Y433000-0
5 12 Diam   Moon Y200000-0
6 13 Diam   Moon Y210000-0
7 5.42 AU Paccao Y531000-0

Description (Astrography & Planetology)[2]

Kerak lies on the Delphi Main.

  • At the founding of the Imperium this world was known as Uuduud.

Stellar Data

Kerak has a solitary primary star.

  • It is a red main sequence named Heko.
Kerak has a solitary primary star.
Heko
Solitary M Type.jpg Type Category Mass (Sol) Temperature (K) Luminosity
M2 V Main Sequence (Dwarf) 0.44 3470 - 3560 0.0565
Unit Diameter Safe Distance Habitable Zone Jump Shadow M-Drive Limit
AU 0.0041 0.0197 0.25 - 0.48 0.41 4.1
Orbit #  *  * 1 1 6
Remarks
  • The star and it's system are 3.9Gyr old.

System Data

The worlds of the system have been surveyed. They consist of:

Chart Kerak System Basic 2.png

Mainworld Data

  • The planet has an axial tilt of 28.44 degrees
  • Kerak has a sidereal day of 41.1 hours in length
  • The planet takes 251.6 days to rotate around its star.
  • Kerak is not located in the Habitable Zone of its star.
  • No life has been found to exist on Kerak.
  • Kerak has no major tectonic plates.

Mainworld Size (S)

Kerak is a Small World between 900km and 2,400km in diameter. The world has very low gravity between 0.05G and 0.09G. The horizon will appear about 2km away.

  • Following extensive survey the planet has been confirmed as having a diameter of 2353Km.
  • The planetary survey confirmed that Kerak has a mostly rock core with a density of 0.59 Standard
  • Surface gravity of the planet is 0.11g

Mainworld Atmosphere (A)

Kerak has a pressure of less than 0.001 atmospheres which requires the use of a Vacc Suit. TL–8 or more advanced survival gear is required to settle this world.

  • Due to the lack of atmosphere the local population live in sealed environments and only venture outside in appropriate protective equipment.
  • The plant of Kerak is little more than a cold rockball. Mean surface temperature of the planet is -110c / -166f.

Mainworld Hydrosphere (H)

Kerak has no free-standing water or ice on the surface. Wilderness refueling isn't possible on this world. Water for the inhabitants needs to be imported and extensively recycled. These worlds are classified Desert World or a Hell World depending on their atmosphere.

  • Hydrosphere of the planet has been surveyed at 4%. The water on the planet is not free standing but held in the form of ice in deep crevices and caves located across the planets surface.
  • Although the ice does exist there is insufficient quantity in a single location to provide a strong water source for a sophont population to survive without imported additional supplies.
  • The ice is dispersed across the entire planet with no single area having any significant volume at this time having been located.

Mainworld Geography and Topography

Blank World Map Gray.png
(Blank map, vacuum world.)

History & Background (Dossier)[3]

Comp-Prog-Dav-R-Deitrick-Starter-Trav-Page-16 16-July-2018a.jpg

Kerak lies on the Delphi Main, an important trade route straddling the border between Massilia Sector and Delphi Sector.

World Starport (St)

Kerak has a Class B Starport, a good 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 most kinds of repair, and construction of non-starships. Most ports of this classification have both a Highport and a Downport.

  • This world is host to a Scout Base.
  • Located on the Delphi Main Kerak is a planet that does have a steady flow of ships arriving with goods and people.
  • In any given week c10 vessels will pass through the system.
  • Kerak starport consists of Kerak Downport located on the planetary surface and Kerak Orbital located in orbit above the planet.
    • Kerak Downport
      • Substantial starport providing a gateway to the planet and also the 3 corporate areas on the planetary surface.
      • Repair and overhaul facilities exist for small ships and small robotic factory facilities exist at the starport for production of standard parts required for repairs.
      • Extensive warehousing and logistics facilities are located in the downport along with regular shuttle services to both the Kerak Orbital and orbiting starships where required.
      • The Imperium also maintains a small garrison of soldiers at the starport who supplement the private corporate security firm to ensure sovereignty and control of the starport is maintained.
      • There are no shipbuilding capabilities on Kerak at this time.
    • Kerak Orbital
      • Primary location of the Imperial Scout Service base in the system.
      • Also acts as additional starport facilities to those located at the downport and can host larger vessels that are unable to land on the planets surface.

World Population (P)

Kerak has a population of 600,000 sophonts (hundreds of thousands).

  • This is a Nonindustrial World, too small to support the complete chain of production of most goods from start to finish.
  • There are 3 cities located on the surface, each managed, maintained and governed by a different corporation. The cities are purpose built arcologies designed to house the corporations workforce and their families.
  • The population of the planet is centred around a corporate lifestyle of prospecting and initial exploration of the mineral wealth that has been identified across the planet. Each corporation is therefore staking claims in various regions of the surface based upon their findings.
  • Besides the 3 cities there are many small corporate facilities both fixed and mobile both on the surface and also in areas beneath the surface that are being investigated.

Urbanization

There are three major cities.

  • The cities are all constructed in a similar way to each other. Prefab modular units are initially connected, everything from living accomodations to office complexes. These units are interconnected with prefab corridor units. Over time expansions are added from building materials that have been brought to the planet and the original modular units are encompassed within the larger on planet assemblies. Throughout the cities airlocks and sealed spaces are the norm to ensure the populations safety.

Galebright: Population: c.165,235

  • The home of Gale Industries on Kerak.
  • Large city on the planet and situated 150 miles from the starport in the southern hemisphere

Heelong : Population: c.142,510

  • Home to Ashgaag Mineral Extraction
  • Located in the northern hemisphere close to the north pole of the planet

Nantus: Population: 124,490

  • Home to Tyllichar Chemicals
  • Located deep within a large ravine in the southern hemisphere
  • The remaining population c167,765 are located either at the starport (some 12,000 people) or spread across the planet in small relatively isolated communities. Almost the entire population are employees of one of the 3 corporations who are operating on the planet.

Linguistic Topography

The most commonly heard languages are:

World Technology Level (T)

Kerak 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:
  • The following tech levels can be applied to Kerak. It should be noted that although the world is effectively balkanised and being operated by 3 independent corporations, each of those corporations is almost identical in terms of capabilities and tech level engaged.
    • High Common TL:D
    • Low Common TL:B
    • Further Subcategories:-
      • Energy TL:F (Energy provision on the planet is provided by advanced fusion reactors. Such technology was not initially developed on the planet but rather brought in as part of the colonisation)
      • Electronics TL:D (Advanced meson comms is used in day to day activities)
      • Manufacturing TL:B (Kerak is not a major manufacturing base and such does not invest extensively. It does however make use of advanced robotics in small manufacturing plants used to maintain local infrastructure and requirements.)
      • Medical TL:D (Medical facilities on Kerak are of a very high standard with capabilities to carry out organ cloning amongst other high tech medical procedures)
      • Environmental TL:D (Environmental technology is such that within the urban areas the population lives in excellent living conditions with "artificial" environments including open green spaces)
      • Land Transport TL:D (At this level of capability Land Transport is replaced by grav vehicles)
      • Water Transport TL:D (At this level of capability Water Transport is replaced by grav vehicles)
      • Air Transport TL:D (At this level of capability Air Transport is replaced by grav vehicles)
      • Space Transport TL:D (At this level Jump 5 ships can be serviced and maintained which does enable the starport on the planet to support the large long range bulk freighters)
      • Personal Military TL:C (High tech weaponry could in theory be developed and maintained on Kerak however there is currently no authorised manufacture of such items)
      • Heavy Military TL:C (High tech heavy military could in theory be developed and maintained on Kerak however there is currently no authorised manufacture of such items)

World Government (G)

Kerak has a Balkanized Government. There is no central world government. The world has several governments competing for control of the world. These may be allies, cooperating, competitors, or at war with each other.

  • Kerak has no central government authority. The planet is "governed" by 3 distinct corporations all of whom claim regions of the planet as their own.
  • The three corporations are:-
    • Gale Industries
    • Ashgaag Mineral Extraction
    • Tyllicar Chemicals
  • Each corporation maintains law and order within their territories however a common agreement exists between all 3 to the level of such activities. Employees and contractors for one corporation only enter another's territory provided appropriate paperwork and licences are in place.
  • Each of the corporation's has a legislative authoritative organisational function. They set the rules and structure that society abides by and how it is governed. Each of the corporations however operates with different lower level organisational constructs:-
    • Gale Industries has a very loose organisation structure that relies on the communal and collective mindset of the employees. Every employee has a voice/vote that on a regular basis supports and shapes the direction that the corporation and how it governs on Kerak is going.
    • Ashgaag Mineral Extraction has single Director that sits at the top of the organisation and effectively makes all the key decisions albeit supported by several other senior managers who help them in that process.
      • Recently Ashgaag Minerals has faced some significant issues with employees pushing back against decisions being taken that have impacted daily life. Such decisions have caused considerable disquiet amongst those living and working on the planet.
    • Tyllicar Chemicals operates with a Board of Directors located on the planet who are ultimately answerable to their parent company based elsewhere in the sector.

World Law (L)

Kerak has a moderate level with laws covering many areas of government and interaction. These laws are simple enough that most people can act as their own advocate, though for serious issues a professional is recommended. Law enforcement officials will be present, but not in great numbers. All firearms except shotguns, and anything more destructive, are typically regulated or prohibited.

  • The Law on Kerak does have subtle differences between each corporate entity and also how the starport operates, however overall their is some level of consistency that is relatively standardised across the planet and the different factions. The system of law is best described as "traditional" with a process involving judges, jury's and robust criminal investigation of alleged crimes.
  • Each corporation does have the right to create specific local law and does do this, however such laws are readily available to Travellers to try and prevent actual breaches occurring.
  • Any defendant is presumed innocent until proven otherwise regardless of which faction is prosecuting the case.
  • For the most extreme cases the death penalty does exist within the Kerak legal systems, however it has been many years since it was last enacted.
  • The law level like all worlds has differing levels and categories and the following levels apply. Although each corporation interprets some of the details differently the following levels are consistent across Kerak.
    • Overall Level: 6
    • Weapons and Armour: 6 (All firearms except shotguns and stun weapons are illegal. Even shotguns and stun weapons do require a permit/licence and are rarely seen in the hands of the general population.)
    • Economic: 6 (Moderate permitting and zoning laws are in place. Registration fees are required for professional licences and proof of capability to carry out Professional roles is required)
    • Criminal Law: 6 (Public surveillance is carried out with cameras located throughout most urban and public areas)
    • Private Law: 6 (All disputes that break the legal code must be held in a corporate managed venue with appropriate management oversight)
    • Personal Rights: 8 (The corporations absolutely control day to day life in relation to personal information. Each employee is corporate registered and all data access and controls are strictly maintained.)
  • Security and policing across Kerak with the exception of the starport is carried out by Corporate Security. Starport security is maintained by a privately contracted security corporation who operate several startports across Massilia.

Imperial Landed Nobility

Kerak, as a member world of the Third Imperium has a member of the Imperial Landed Nobility who acts as an Imperial representative to the world.

Trade Data

  • Importance: 1 (ordinary)
  • Additional Economic indicators:-
    • Gross World Product per Capita: 151,200cr
    • World Trade Number: 8
    • Inequality Rating: 43
      • c.43% of the population are living at a lower standard than the rest of the population. These individuals are in roles that are traditionally seen as menial or lower grade roles. In addition such individuals and their families are likely to be living in older, substandard facilities and having to work extended hours to provide for themselves.
    • Development Score: 71
    • Tariffs - Varying Tariffs
      • Each corporation applies tariffs to their goods and services and as such there is no standard in place that is consistent across the planet.

World Economy

  • Resources: B (abundant)
    • Significant quantities of rare elements such as lanthanides have been located on the planet along with quantities of silicate minerals.
  • Labor: 4 (tens of thousands)
    • Dominated and driven by the corporate work force and their families that live and work on Kerak.
  • Infrastructure: 5 (limited)
    • Outside of the urban areas there is almost no existing infrastructure and all travel is via grav vehicles purely to travel to a prospecting region.
  • Efficiency: +1 (average)

World Culture

  • Heterogenity: 4 (harmonious)
    • Society on Kerak despite being spread across 3 distinct corporate groups is relatively harmonious. Each corporation operates in a distinct region of the planet and keeps a discrete distance from each other.
  • Acceptance: 6 (aloof)
    • Locals are all aligned with their company values and lifestyles. Although visitors are welcome there is a local view that visitors dont always fully understand the nuances of life on Kerak.
  • Strangeness: 4 (somewhat distinct)
    • Due to the nature of life on Kerak eg hostile external environment combined with excellent environmental living conditions in the urban areas, Kerak does have a distinct style of its own.
  • Symbols: C (very abstract)
    • Symbology in and of itself is not particularly abstract, however the way each corporation operates and their "localised" usage of similar words and phrases that often have different meanings can and has caused problems over the years.

World Timeline

Major events that have affected this world and the wider region that it lies within:

References & Contributors (Sources)

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  1. ↑ "Jump Map API" and map location from Travellermap.com
  2. ↑ Additional system and world details by Roger Nicholls
  3. ↑ Additional population and social details by Roger Nicholls

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