Editing Jae Tellona (world)

If your astrogator made the mistake of plotting his course for the "habitable" zone of the Jae Tellona system, don't chastise him too severely when you arrive in an asteroid belt. Jae Tellona, the system mainworld, is located one orbit into the outer zone of the system. {{Unpublished cite|author=Christopher Griffen in RICE Paper SM 2716|citeName=RICE2716}}

When settlers originally came to Jae Tellona (ca. [[230]]), they made the same mistake. The small flotilla of settlers from [[Gushemege Sector]] arrived in system to stake their claims only to find they were in the middle of the system's solitary asteroid belt. Thinking they had been suckered by a corrupt colonial-office tree-kraken-oil salesman, the angry settlers prepared to embark upon the long and costly flight home across The Rift to collect some payback. Fortunately, a crewmember on one of the ships took a closer look at the system charts and discovered their folly. {{Unpublished cite|author=Christopher Griffen in RICE Paper SM 2716|citeName=RICE2716}}

Even at this distance, Jae Tellona's average temperature remains in a survivable range because of the absence of large oceans on Jae Tellona's arid surface. Because there are no oceans present to cool the planet, the energy of Dikaai, the system's solitary subgiant star, is conserved rather well. Oddly enough, if a planet with Jae Tellona's hydrosphere were in this system's habitable zone, the temperature would be infernally high and render colonization next to impossible. {{Unpublished cite|author=Christopher Griffen in RICE Paper SM 2716|citeName=RICE2716}}

Jae Tellona's original settlers came from Gushemege's rimward edge. This region was particularly hard hit by The [[Long Night]]. The peoples of the region were eager to ply the lanes of interstellar space looking for a better opportunity after centuries of hardship and subjugation at the hands of more populated and technologically advanced worlds. {{Unpublished cite|author=Christopher Griffen in RICE Paper SM 2716|citeName=RICE2716}}

The Jae Tellonan settlers were the descendents of mixed [[Vilani]] - [[Solomani]] stock. Their Vilani blood came predominantly from several warrior caste worlds of the old Vilani Empire, including [[Answerin]]. During the [[Interstellar Wars]], several roughriding Terran squadrons were sent into the region to do battle with the Vilani. After peace was made, many of them stayed. The hybrid of the two cultures featured some of the best characteristics of both human strains. The settlers who were to become the Jae Tellonans were known for their Answerin fearlessness as well as the frontier spirit of their Terran ancestors. {{Unpublished cite|author=Christopher Griffen in RICE Paper SM 2716|citeName=RICE2716}}

While colonizing a desert world is a dismal proposition for some, the Jae Tellonan settlers welcomed the challenge. In christening their world, the settlers chose the name of an inspirational Gushemegan military leader who helped guide the people of the Gushemegan colonies through the waning years of the Long Night and into the Twilight Era. {{Unpublished cite|author=Christopher Griffen in RICE Paper SM 2716|citeName=RICE2716}}

The Jae Tellonans learned to maximize their use of the planet's limited moisture resources. In addition, they learned to distill water from the skimmed atmosphere of Uunkida Gar, the gas giant Jae Tellona orbits. It therefore comes as no surprise that Uunkida Gar is named for one of Vland's largest oceans, considering its primary use for the Jae Tellonans. {{Unpublished cite|author=Christopher Griffen in RICE Paper SM 2716|citeName=RICE2716}}

While the Jae Tellonan colonists held a commonality of purpose, they could never completely overcome their militaristic roots. Descended from spacefaring soldiers, the clannish colonists found themselves splintering into opposed camps. Soon warfare began to break out between the clans. By [[350]], the warfare between the clans became so severe, Jae Tellona's population began to experience a sharp drop, at one point even dipping into pre-colonization levels. The number of young men and women began to dwindle to the point that they could no longer sustain the population growth necessary for a colony to continue to grow and prosper. {{Unpublished cite|author=Christopher Griffen in RICE Paper SM 2716|citeName=RICE2716}}

It was then that [[Makhid Jellosonar]], a general of the Hyosonuri clan, went to the Duke of Rhylanor for help. Jellosonar invited intervention by the Rhylanori to quell the discontent at home. At first, Rhylanor was loathe to accept the offer. While Jellosonar was the most powerful warlord on Jae Tellona, he was the only one to come to Rhylanor for help. The resistance, bred for desert fighting, might be strong and Rhylanor had no desire to become embroiled in a prolonged conflict. Jellosonar sweetened the deal by offering a lucrative trade pact to Rhylanor provided they help to establish him as the solitary ruler of the planet. Rhylanor accepted and dispatched military advisors to help Jellosonar conquer the enemy clans and bring them under his wing. Using advanced Rhylanori weaponry, he succeeded. {{Unpublished cite|author=Christopher Griffen in RICE Paper SM 2716|citeName=RICE2716}}

Since that time, Jae Tellona has existed under nearly a millenium of military rule. The Jae Tellonans, used to a hard life, willingly submit to the fiat of a central ruler. The central ruler is drawn from the general ranks of Jae Tellona's army. No pretense of pluralism exists on the planet. The ruler is referred to as "general commandant" by the citizenry. The general's hierarchy of staff officers provide the network by which he rules the system. Each general commandant is elected by his peers in the Jae Tellonan army. Election of a general commandant is not taken lightly, as he rules for life once appointed. {{Unpublished cite|author=Christopher Griffen in RICE Paper SM 2716|citeName=RICE2716}}

Staff generals are appointed to cities and territories by the general commandant. The native city or region of a staff general has no bearing on his appointment. In fact, staff generals are usually appointed to regions that are not their native element. The Jae Tellonans believe this promotes unity and dissipates clan ethnocentricity. {{Unpublished cite|author=Christopher Griffen in RICE Paper SM 2716|citeName=RICE2716}}

One element of Jellosonar's trade agreement with Rhylanor that continues to this day is the "Rashakhra Provision." The Rashakhras are Jae Tellonan soldiers conscripted into the Rhylanori military services as commandos. They are trained on Jae Tellona and known as one of the toughest, most disciplined military units in the [[Regency]]. The number of conscripts is limited based on current population levels so as not to upset the balance or personnel numbers of Jae Tellona's army. Though many Jae Tellonans have come to resent this provision, for most it is considered an honor to serve among the Rashakhra ranks. {{Unpublished cite|author=Christopher Griffen in RICE Paper SM 2716|citeName=RICE2716}}

The delicate balance of peace between the clans is maintained by the checks and balances of a system that could best be described as a draconian feudal technocracy. The military ranks controlled by the general commandant consist of carefully mixed clan blocs so as to prevent any one clan from obtaining a controlling majority of a military unit. Each clan bloc is privy to a large stock of top-of-the-line Rhylanori military technology, enabling them to hold power by the sheer potential force of their ranks. While some of the old clan conflicts continue to simmer to this day, the historical threat of self-destruction and the strength of the general commandant maintains the peace. {{Unpublished cite|author=Christopher Griffen in RICE Paper SM 2716|citeName=RICE2716}}

Jae Tellona's novelty tech level is of particular importance since it reflects the military technology level. While domestically manufactured weapons, sensors and computers may be purchased by the general populace for commercial and self defense purposes, only the military is allowed use of imported high-tech weaponry and electronics. The Jae Tellonan military trades with only two preferred partners: [[Rhylanor (world)|Rhylanor]] and [[Porozlo (world)|Porozlo]]. {{Unpublished cite|author=Christopher Griffen in RICE Paper SM 2716|citeName=RICE2716}}

The above description may give the wandering traveller the impression that Jae Tellona is a powder keg waiting to blow. Just the opposite is true, however. Jae Tellona maintains a remarkably harmonious society. While the planet is technically under military rule, this is more out of tradition than necessity. Jellosonar's unification of the Jae Tellonan clans was looked upon as a paradigm shift in the history of the planet. The military was not looked upon as an oppressor, but rather a liberator, freeing the citizenry from the self-imposed prison of perpetual war. {{Unpublished cite|author=Christopher Griffen in RICE Paper SM 2716|citeName=RICE2716}}

The military is actually proportionately smaller than those of most other Regency systems. The revered training and discipline of a Jae Tellonan battalion, however, makes them the equal of most Regency army brigades. At age 17, all Jae Tellonans are conscripted into the army and are taught, in addition to basic weapons, tactics and fighting skills, the tenets of civil defense and desert warfare. The length of conscription is one term. Many Jae Tellonans opt to remain in the military for a second term, but for the most part, the only "lifers" in the Jae Tellonan military are those who become Rashakhras. {{Unpublished cite|author=Christopher Griffen in RICE Paper SM 2716|citeName=RICE2716}}

Jae Tellona's populace for the most part thrives on trade, producing components and materials for many offworld industries. The Jae Tellonan silicon industry, for instance, claims to cut more silicon than the rest of the subsector's worlds combined. Indeed, Jae Tellona's main specialization is the production of military-grade silicon components. {{Unpublished cite|author=Christopher Griffen in RICE Paper SM 2716|citeName=RICE2716}}

Jae Tellonans take pride when they see their part in the greater scheme of things. While the planet's pre-stellar TL-8 doesn't allow them to compete with neighbors Rhylanor and Porozlo in most industries, Jae Tellonan craftmanship and attention to detail is respected subsectorwide. {{Unpublished cite|author=Christopher Griffen in RICE Paper SM 2716|citeName=RICE2716}}

As a leading exporter of many technological components, Jae Tellona is resented by many other systems in the subsector for their trade surplus. Jae Tellona ships a great deal, but is rather stingy on importation for several reasons. First and foremost is the aforementioned trade limitations imposed by the general commandant. Second is the culture of the Jae Tellonans themselves. Accustomed to hardship and relatively few material comforts, Jae Tellonans simply don't demand many consumer products. They work hard, play hard and enjoy travelling the wild outbacks of their harsh and unforgiving world, but they don't buy much in the way of entertainment, fashion or leisure products. {{Unpublished cite|author=Christopher Griffen in RICE Paper SM 2716|citeName=RICE2716}}

Because of this, Jae Tellona is frequently at the center of TNS financial news pieces. They have been subjected to numerous economic sanctions in the past from other systems in [[Rhylanor Subsector]], but maintain their monolithic stance and show no signs of abating their aggressive trade policies. {{Unpublished cite|author=Christopher Griffen in RICE Paper SM 2716|citeName=RICE2716}}

Hyosonuri Starport, located in the industrial city of Dan Mokheidi, is a meticulously maintained and highly functional starport, albeit a bit small. A large portion of the starport is allotted to Jae Tellona's government-controlled freighter fleet and small but efficient SDB squadron. Eight ports are reserved for offworlder starships. {{Unpublished cite|author=Christopher Griffen in RICE Paper SM 2716|citeName=RICE2716}}

The seat of government lies in the small and seemingly provincial city of Brokari Ai. Located next to one of the planet's few permanent oases, Brokari Ai is more a military base than a city, though a fairly large commercial sector exists to serve the needs of the general commandant's brigade. {{Unpublished cite|author=Christopher Griffen in RICE Paper SM 2716|citeName=RICE2716}}

Offworlders will find Jae Tellonans surprisingly friendly and forthcoming. They criticize their leaders quite freely and without fear of reprisal. Casual observers and self-proclaimed civic experts attribute the unwillingness to overthrow the government to a general malaise or complacency on the part of the Jae Tellonan masses. Those who are so misinformed fail to remember that Jae Tellonans are descendants of Vilani military castes. Committed to duty and efficiency, the Jae Tellonans subscribe the old addage, "If it ain't broke, why fix it?" {{Unpublished cite|author=Christopher Griffen in RICE Paper SM 2716|citeName=RICE2716}}

Their society, under military rule, prospers to a degree that the Jae Tellonan populace finds satisfactory. Most see no reason to alter the system or liberate the government, thereby risking a return to the bloody days of old. {{Unpublished cite|author=Christopher Griffen in RICE Paper SM 2716|citeName=RICE2716}}

Jae Tellonans, for the most part, are dark skinned with black or dark brown hair. Their eye colors have a much greater natural range, with hazel, amber and light brown being the most common. Jae Tellonans, due to their ascetic lifestyles, are rarely overweight. Poor physical condition is taboo in Jae Tellonan culture. "The gluttonous man," it is said in Jae Tellonan proverbs, "has drawn too long on the well that nourishes us all." {{Unpublished cite|author=Christopher Griffen in RICE Paper SM 2716|citeName=RICE2716}}