Obsidian (Planet)
History
Obsidian (aka Loki III) is rather unique amongst the planets within the United Federation of Planets. The planet is a class H, desert world it is the third planet in the system and has one lunar satellite. Obsidian was first discovered over 150 years ago during routine scientific surveys of the Federation's outer borders. It was during this system survey that the native population made contact with the Federation requesting assistance to avoid a planetary disaster. Loki, the G-type star of the system had for millennia been destabilizing the planet's ozone, but the star entered an especially active sequence in the period leading up to Federation contact. The sustained solar flare activity having stripped the planet of most of its ozone layer, placed future generations of the natives at considerable risk. Although deemed unconventional by modern Federation historians, the decision was taken to offer Protectorate status to the planet to avoid the potential loss of life and civilization. After careful negotiations a Federation science outpost was established in Kalara, Obsidian’s only known population center at the time.
Throughout the late 2290s and early 2300s Obsidian was a flashpoint for many limited engagements between Starfleet and the Romulan Star Empire. This ranged from orbital demonstrations of force to planetary subterfuge and incitement of planetary unrest from a number of Romulan agents that had seeded themselves amongst the Kalaran’s and the nomadic tribes of Obsidian. Starfleet was eventually forced into establishing a more permanent presence on the planetary surface and established a second, larger outpost in the Taragi-shar Mountains in 2307.
After the self-imposed exile of the Romulans began in 2311, Starfleet began to work with the Kalaran population to reverse the increasing mortality rates amongst children due to the still-increasing solar flare activity from Loki. Federation scientists started working on a method to accelerate the natural restoration of the planet’s Ozone layer, although this project stalled on numerous occasions due to resistance from the nomadic tribes on Obsidian and resulting pressure from the Kalaran council not to interfere too much in the planetary development. Progress remains slow to this day, although the presence of Obsidian Command in geostationary orbit above Kalara has lessened the amount of radiation bombarding the main city due to the shielding employed by the starbase which energizes a network of shielding emitter nodes.
Geology
Being bombarded by solar radiation, Obsidian earned its name from the vast Obsidian “lakes” that are scattered across the surface. From orbit this gives the planet a uniquely stark appearance – being sandy in appearance interspersed with black glass. The planet shares a lot of characteristics with the many desert planets across the Federation – igneous heavy rock types, large sandy deserts, volcanic activity around the tectonic plates, little surface water. Networks of aquifers and supporting wells, and condensers are scattered across the surface providing water to the tribes and Kalara City itself. A handful of oases provide sanctuary from the harsher desert conditions on the rest of the planet, the largest series of which form the area around which the tribes who established Kalara settled.
There are two large mountain ranges on the surface. The Rupathan Range, and Taragi-shar Range. The Taragi-shar Range is a heavy igneous rock mountain range dotted with numerous cave networks which provide shelter to the tribes during the harsh desert day and heavy solar activity. The natural protection from solar radiation also made it the natural choice for the larger Starfleet outpost established in the early 2300s. The Rupathan range is a smaller mountain range a few days travel from Kalara and although hazardous to travel, provides the city with some protection from the sandstorms which are an unpleasant fact on the planetary surface.
Obsidian's Flora and Fauna
"Loki has made living an extreme sport on Obsidian. Anything left alive has become highly opportunistic when it comes to catching a meal. Humanoids are definitely not keeping to the top of the food chain without a fight." —Madison Indri, Fleet Admiral (Ret.)
Introduction
On a quick fly over, Obsidian might simply appear to be a desert world, devoid of much life, but closer inspection reveals a much different story.
Life on Obsidian has had to endure the erratic abuses of overactive radiation from the system's star, Loki, over the course of many millennia. While evidence of a once lush world with far more water is demonstrated by fossils, the planet has since become dominated by sand and by the remains of once catastrophic tectonic action that has left the surface partly covered in black volcanic glass, giving it its common name, Obsidian.
The life on Obsidian that has survived this abuse is very hardy and often times dangerous. Venom and poison are common aspects of survival. Many creatures are desperate to eat anything they can crunch in their mandibles and some are surprisingly large and monstrous. Although the world has been a federation protectorate for a century, not all of the surface or caverns have been explored, and it is supposed that there are very many species that UFP scientists have yet to catalog, both living and fossilized.
Beyond the wild life, there are also many plants and animals that the natives of Obsidian have domesticated and rely on for daily life.
Creatures
Chuchaki
Chuchaki are large cameloids permitted to be ridden in the city of Kalara (as there are no vehicles allowed). They are bred in a variety of types and sizes, but most commonly with long, light brown hair, and as adults they are the size of an earth oxen. The life span of an average Domesticated Chuchaki is about thirty years, while wild ones survive about half that age due to predation and injury. The chuchaki walk with a side-to-side gait, two left feet then two right feet which swings the rider from side to side. The chuchaki generally smells like an unwashed dog, with the older males being especially more malodorous. Most tribal people are very accustomed to the smell and it does not bother them. Chuchaki breeders, herdsmen, and riders smell strongly of the creatures in their care.
Domesticated chuchaki are curious and friendly, almost like very big dogs. They will sniff and nuzzle people. They can have very discernible individual personalities. They enjoy sweets and snacks and while they can seem fairly slow minded, are actually somewhat intelligent and loyal. When at rest, the chuchaki often fold their front legs only, with their back end still up in the air. This is often how the large creatures are mounted for riding. they can be saddled or hitched to carts.
They have cleft hooves that can handle rough terrain and climb slopes making them very useful not just traversing the desert, but in mountainous travel as well, though it is much more ponderous in difficult terrain and requires some skill as a rider. Although there are no hoof noises, the animals will grunt and huff quite a lot and are not quiet. They are no use for sneaking up on anyone.
Chuchaki hair can be woven for coverings and dyed the color of the desert to blend in. Often woven chuchaki coverings are used in tent making and for canopies. Certain breeds of chuchaki provide finer wool, while others are more suited to utility purposes. Chuchaki can also be milked and many dairy products on Obsidian are sourced from chuchaki milk, chuchaki cheese is often a breakfast staple. Chuchaki meat is primarily from certain breeds developed specifically for better meat and slaughtered at a prime age before they toughen, as most of the breeds are tough and gamy. Raising chuchaki for skins and meat is generally done by some tribes who move between the Oasis villages and the foot hills to finish their herds on scrub grass before selling to the city market.
Wild chuchaki still roam, running by getting up to speed and moving in mass, like herds of desert buffalo. They tend to be found in the foot hills of the mountain ranges where there are scrub and brush to feed on.
Siniki
The Siniki is a desert adapted boar. These tend to avoid confrontation with people, but can be deadly if one is trapped or confronted in the wild, using its tusks to gore. Many tribes have productive markets in Siniki tusks which are supplied to craftsmen. Siniki are a favorite animal to hunt, although in recent decades their numbers have been in decline. Some oasis tribes have developed a conservation program to keep the breeding numbers of Siniki up in the wild and ensure good future hunting. Siniki also tend to be a favorite food of many wild animals, so there is a lot of pressure on their numbers, in spite of their large litter sizes and easy breeding in the wild. There are currently programs with the UFP to establish a domesticated breed of Siniki, but so far they are not easy to domesticate and don't breed as robustly in confinement. Locals are also concerned about creating a weaker breed with less survivability in its genes that might contaminate the wild population; if it's accidentally released, the impact on the entire ecosystem would be devastating.
Ortananni
Ortananni are Ostrich sized reptilian creatures with bird like features, having a mix of scales and feathers. Although flightless, they are extremely fast sprinters with very powerful legs. These roam the desert in packs, and are opportunists when it comes to meals, turning nothing down, really. Although they are intelligent enough to work together, they also are easy to trick and capture. Ortananni ranching involves herding the creatures in enclosures. When well fed, certain breeds of the females lay eggs fairly often, a product highly sought after in the markets. Feathers and skins are used in many products and the meat is the closest thing to chicken on Obsidian III.
With some doing, particular Ortananni can be bred and broken in for riding, but this is less common than other types of riding beasts.
Fleet Admiral Madison Indri retired to Loki III and runs an Ortananni Ranch
Eralsu
Riding Eralsu are imposing six-legged beetle mounts which were first captured by adventuring parties as larva and brought back from the distant Rupathan Mountains. The radiation-reflective carapaces of the Eralsu seem highly polished. Eralsu are not very personable and are generally trained to be obedient through pain when young. Wild Eralsu are untamable. An Eralsu larva must be raised and conditioned by the prospective rider which makes them a very unusual mount. They're no use to resell, save for their exoskeleton and to be otherwise ground for animal fodder. Eralsu carapaces are very useful as armor and are highly effective protection against much of Loki's radiation. Eralsu shed every year and the carapaces are collected. Adventurous tribes sometimes brave the cross desert trek to gather larvae and carapaces. There are a number of very curious myths and stories surrounding the Eralsu, including mythical Eralsu capable of flight, spitting poison gas, or burrowing magical tunnels that seem to connect the world.
On Obsidian, riding an Eralsu makes you a badass in your community.
Hikiri
desert beetles the size of a large hand, giant pincers, can ruin supplies and swarm.
Serenti
Desert beast that might kill/ eat stray people
Qatarak
There are several species of Qatarek, they are best described as Sand-Fish A creature that swims though the sand as though it were water. Some are broad and flat, like a Ray or Skate and came equipped with a poisoned tail barb. Others almost Shark-like, with wide mouths and rows of teeth.
They are predatory, carnivorous and dangerous; the smaller ones hunt in shoals, the larger ones alone or in small packs. They mostly take smaller game animals, but the bigger ones are capable of taking an adult Eralsu, so unwary people are easy prey. None of the species has eyes, they move and hunt through a range of sensory organs along their bodies which sense vibrations in the sand. Some of the Ray-like ones are ambush-killers, laying in wait just below the surface for anything that happens by. Particularly dangerous are areas of Fog-Sand, Obsidian's version of quick-sand. Hard to spot, deep pools of ultra-fine, almost dust-like, sand that will not support the weight of a man. Qatarek are common in such places and creatures who stumble in seldom survive. Qatarek develop a tough skin, rough like sand-paper, which gives them grip and traction in the sand. The skin is prized for making desert boots, mottled with the natural ridges and swirls of Qatarek Sand-Ray skin patterns. The soles are made of laminated layers of belly skin, which is even tougher than the rest of the durable hide.
Zarban
burrowing sand slugs/ grubs- poisonous, unless you know how to prepare them safely
Vultures
Sand Fleas/ Mites
Kalpask
Ten-legged, oversized "centipede" type creature with a mouth 'made of knives'. lives in the mountains and charges at vehicles. Territorial. Hunted for their exoskeletons and protein for animal fodder. Makes egg sacks that are great source of high quality oils but are difficult to collect.
Mignar fruit
Used to make Halavani wine. Domesticated vines grown under force field cover outside of Kalara. Smells like lilies. The grape berries are also consumed as a fruit and can be turned into a rich fruity jam, popular at breakfast.
Obsidian dates
A sort of mix between a date and an olive. When young they are yellow-green, firm and tangy, but when dried in the sun they turn dark, rich, sweet and chewy. Dates, both fresh and dried, are eaten at all times of the day, for breakfast, as a snack, for lunch and dinner.