Arzank

Arzank is a star system located south of Ukmirt, Rufusland, and Fujiko; north of Valentine, and west of Refidh. It is claimed as part of the Yamatai Star Empire.

During the First Mishhuvurthyar War, an Sfrarabla Mishhuvurthyar Xhrafuklurp (SMX) forward operating base was located here in YE 29. The First Expeditionary Fleet later cut off Arzank's supplies by attacking the Kimirthro system. The SMX forces were destroyed by the Star Army of Yamatai in YE 29 via orbital bombardment.

In YE 38 it was claimed by the Yamatai Star Empire during the International Relations Conference of YE 38 to create a larger buffer against the spreading Rixxikor. Due to concerns about the safety of Arzank III, the Frontier Starport was built on Arzank II, not far from the ruins of the Mishhuvurthyar base.

In mid-YE 46, the Nepleslian Reds under the Fujiko Development Corporation begun taking notice of Arzank II, with plans of collaborating with the Mining Guild to develop it industrially.

Arank is a large star that delivers scorching temperatures to its surrounding planets. The Arzank System consists of the following:

Arzank I, a Chthonian planet orbiting just 0.504 AU from its F6V star, is a scorched remnant of what was once a gas giant. Stripped of its original hydrogen and helium atmosphere, Arzank I is now a barren, metallic world with only a trace atmosphere composed of vaporized metals like iron and magnesium. The searing heat from its star-facing side creates vast seas of molten rock, while metal vapors condense and settle in shimmering layers on the slightly cooler night side. The planet’s long rotation of 80 days subjects its surface to prolonged periods of extreme temperatures, forging a landscape of molten fissures, glowing lava flows, and jagged metal-rich terrain.

Despite the intense conditions, Arzank I’s thin exosphere, ionized by the powerful stellar winds, creates faint, ethereal effects along the horizon, giving the planet an eerie metallic sheen. With no significant atmosphere to insulate it, the planet’s dark side cools only marginally, leaving both hemispheres blisteringly hot.

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An extremely hot desert world with a nitrogen atmosphere that makes it barely habitable. Two large salt-water lakes are the only available source of water of surface water, covering 10% of the planet. Daryacheh Sefid (White Lake) is located in the northern polar region while Daryacheh Siyah (Black Lake) is located in the southern polar region. With an atmospheric pressure of 0.66 atm and a lack of photosynthetic lifeforms (Atmospheric Composition: Nitrogen: 85%, Oxygen: 10%, Carbon Dioxide: 3%, Water Vapor: 1%, Trace Gases: 1%), oxygen levels are too low for human respiration with a partial pressue of .066 atm. Due to the type of star it is orbiting, the planet is subject to intense UV radiation. But what little plant life on the planet often has a purple and blue foliage to mitigate the effects of UV radiation.

The planet would be completely ignored due to its inhospitability. But the availability precious metals at or near the surface (but buried under sand) makes it an a tempting prospect for mining consortiums. The planet once hosted a SMX base on Arzank, but its site is now just a bunch of craters. The Star Army established a frontier starport (Port Arzank) in YE 38 to serve as a means to cement their claim on the system a year later and as against the perceived threat fform Arzank III.

Also known as Yith-Urath, Arzank III is within a cooler part of Arzank's habitable zone that would allow the creation of a warm and wet world. The planet’s oceans, which cover 56% of the surface, are thick with a sickening slime—a result of chemically active waters rich in toxic sulfur compounds and metallic debris. This slime is believed to be composed of extremophilic microbial life that thrives in the briny, metal-laden oceans, feeding off the planet’s extreme heat and chemical-rich environment. These organisms would produce a gelatinous, foul-smelling sludge that clings to the water’s surface and coastal areas, making the oceanic regions hazardous for any potential exploration.

In contrast, the deserts of Arzank III are the result of the planet's brutal atmospheric dynamics. These arid regions, despite the high atmospheric pressure of 1.28 atm, suffer from extreme desiccation due to rapid evaporation caused by the planet’s heat. Strong winds blow across the surface, further eroding the land and creating vast dust storms. Salt flats and mineral deposits dot the landscape, remnants of evaporated lakes and seas, making the terrain a hostile environment for any form of life.

All of it suggests Arzank III may once have been a vibrant, water-rich planet. But it is impossible to further investigate due to the world currently inhabited by fanatical, metallic anneloid creatures that are suspected to be some sort of nano-mechanical life form. Possibly all that remains from a dead civilization, confirmation cannot be obtained due to the fact every expedition sent to study them up close has abruptly disappeared. Due to the danger of the surface, warning beacons have placed in high orbit repeatedly warning against going beyond the beacon's orbit.

From remote observations, Arzank III has a thick 1.28 atm pressure (Nitrogen: 71.5%, Carbon Dioxide: 20%, Sulfur Dioxide: 2%, Methane: 2%, Water Vapor: 2%, Hydrogen Sulfide: 1%, Oxygen: 0.5%, Trace Gases: 1%) with 56% hydro coverage.

A massive gas giant at the outer edge of the system's habitable zone. Other then its immense size and beautiful rings, the Arzank IV is of no real interest beyond gas mining. It has a system of 5 major moons, the most significant being the furthest one, Blith.

Almost the size of Yamatai, Blith is a terrestrial ocean moon orbiting the massive gas giant Arzank IV featuring a Yamatai-like atmosphere and vast oceans. Thanks to the higher energy output of its parent star and its thick atmosphere, Blith maintains a temperate climate with evidence of moderate volcanism not uncommon for moons around gas giants.

Blith’s surface is dominated by vast oceans, which cover 56% of the moon. These oceans are kept warm by the combination of greenhouse gases and energy from the Arzank star, as well as tidal heating from Blith’s interaction with Arzank IV. While it has gentler weather, the intense radiation experienced on the surface of the moon makes colonization difficult.

Even with the moon's own magnetic field providing some protection. The production of oxygen is likely the result of extremophilic life located within the oceans that provide additional protection against radiation.

Due to the historic lack of a substantial permament population, Arzank was not a standard stop on the PAINT network. One needs to make use of their own privately own vessels to reach the frontier starport on Arzank II. Beacons litter the orbit of Arzank III warning of the dangers below.

Prior to the arrival of the Nepleslian Reds in mid-YE 46, Arzank II was largely populated by Star Army of Yamatai stationed at the Frontier Starport and Yamatian civilians either choosing to homestead nearby or running small shops and businesses at the starport. A large part of this is due to the inhospitable environment of the planet.

Here's an automatic list of all characters currently in this place (based on structured data from their character pages).

The Arzank System offers a wide variety of roleplaying experiences due to its diverse planetary environments and ongoing geopolitical intrigue. Players can explore numerous themes, from survival on inhospitable worlds to exploration of ancient ruins.

• Frontier Life on Arzank II: Characters can experience the harsh realities of living on a barely habitable desert world. With minimal water sources and precious metals buried under sand, players may be involved in mining operations, smuggling resources, or navigating the complex relations between local miners and the authorities. The nearby Frontier Starport serves as a hub for traders and explorers, offering numerous opportunities for encounters and alliances.

Arzank has the following rumors.

• The Secrets of Arzank III: Several expeditions to Arzank III have disappeared without a trace. Those who’ve escaped tell stories of metallic creatures attacking from below the sands, while others claim the anneloid creatures are guarding something far more valuable deep beneath the oceans—a lost city of unimaginable power. Maybe they are just mad claims from those that want 15 minutes of fame.

• Precious Metals on Blith: While Blith may be too irradiated for large-scale colonization, recent surveys suggest massive deposits of rare metals beneath its ocean floors. Mining outfits are quietly discussing whether they can develop safe, radiation-shielded extraction platforms to tap into these resources.

• Strange Signals from Arzank I: Arzank I is a barren, metallic world, but some explorers have recently claimed to have picked up strange signals coming from the planet’s molten landscape. Is it simply the result of magnetic interference, or could there be something—or someone—alive amidst the molten rock?

The original article was created by unknown. Demibear created the current article on 2024/09/09 07:25. All images (unless noted otherwise) were created with midjourney.com by demibear. Maps were created with https://azgaar.github.io/Fantasy-Map-Generator/ by demibear with a starting heightmap from the game Rock3.

Approval Thread: https://stararmy.com/roleplay-forum/threads/arzank-system-update.72385/