Crasepe

Description: The Crasepe System (pronounced "Krer-sepp") is considered the heart of the Palalyrn Cluster. When the research starship, UPF Goldenflight (see Palalyrn Cluster timeline) successfully completed its first interstellar hyperjump in 424 f.y., it emerged near the Crasepe System. And the rest, as they say, is history. Till this present date, almost 300 years later, the population of the sole habitable planet, also called Crasepe, has grown tremendously due to the continuous influx of migrants and adventurers from the Core Systems (which is the collective name for the Frontier Sector and the Rim Coalition).

Most of the planet Crasepe is a land mass punctuated by alien forests, crystalline growths, and rolling hills. The one exception is the Crasepe Great Rift which cuts across thousands of miles just south of the equator. Crasepe has two seas; they are named the Jewel Sea and Sapphire Sea, so named for the scintillating reflections of the Crasepe sun on the water. There are no indigenous intelligent lifeforms and only a few animals are noteworthy. Perhaps, the most famous and interesting creature of Crasepe is the Reezen which is described below.

Cities of Note (in order of population size):

• • Rigspar - This huge sprawling megapolis is clearly observable from space. Rigspar actually comprised of two individual cities originally called Rigun and Spartacus that merged together when their urban boundaries grew too fast too soon. Rigspar is the largest megapolis in this sector of space and also has the most modern and high-tech infrastructure comprising of criss-crossing skyways, highways, trainways, and towering skyscrapers. Rigspar also houses the largest planetary space port that is constantly bustling with incoming trade. Located near the space port are the offices of the Corporations from the Core Systems. (25% Human, 25% Yazirian, 20% Vrusk, 20% Dralasite)

  • Minrod - Only slightly larger than Xavja, the second largest megapolis lies on the eastern shores of the Jewel Sea. The beaches of Minrod are exceptional and Minrod is also well known for its landmark - the Infinity Tower - a rocket-shaped building that is eight miles high (and four miles square at the base). Minrod has a planetary space port that competes with the facilities provided at Rigspar. (25% Human, 24% Yazirian, 24% Vrusk, 20% Dralasite)

  • Xavja - Pronounced "Zav-ya", this large megapolis is also the coldest (since it is the second closest to the South Pole). Xavja is a popular tourist destination for people who just cannot get enough of winter sports. In fact, many advertising brochures show dralasites and vrusks skiing down indoor slopes and the most famous is the "Icecapades Ski Slopes" whose highest point reaches almost four miles and its varied slopes, having different degrees of difficulty, boast real alpine trees imported from the Core Systems. (25% Vrusk, 25% Dralasite, 24%Yazirian, 20% Human)

  • Kandra - Kandra only attained megapolis status about a decade ago. It has a small planetary space port and houses a bustling industry dealing with advanced military technology. Yearly, flocks of byrds (see "Unique Flora and Fauna" below) can be seen flying to the sandy beaches of Kandra and are considered a nuisance to many (except for conservationists). (25% Human, 25% Yazirian, 20% Dralasite, 20% Vrusk)

  • Urson - This city is the next in line to be elevated to megapolis status. Urson is the northernmost city and sits on the Urson Basalt Cliffs facing the Sapphire Sea. The city has been carved into parts of the Basalt Cliffs and long tunnels even run underground as far as two miles deep. (25% Humans, 24% Yazirian, 23% Vrusk, 23% Dralasite)

  • Creezo - Considered by locals to be "the middle of nowhere", Creezo grew into a city to support the agricultural farms and agrotechnology research centres that dot the Creezo Plains. The city has gained considerable repute for being a getaway from the hustle and bustle of life in the megapolises. (Mixed)

  • Riatavin - A large town famous for its underground limestone caverns. Many people visiting the caverns (which are clearly marked out-of-bounds and dangerous by local lawkeepers) are reported lost and wild stories of monstrous creatures abound among the citizens. (Mixed)

  • Amundsen - Amundsen has the credit of being the southernmost city on Crasepe. The city, however, has the notoriety of being lawless and corrupt. Also, gang fights are a daily affair as "punkish" Dralasite and Yazirian "dudes" battle it out in the oft deserted streets. (30% Dralasites, 30% Yazirian, 15% Human, 15% Vrusk)

  • Banuo - A veritable hot bed of crime bounded by a crude jigsaw of small, sleazy neighborhoods, Banuo is quickly shrinking as its status slips from being a city to that of a town. (Mixed)

  • Nymhnya - This thriving town is a popular tourist resort. Those who come here are certain to take a trip to the nearby "Crasepe Great Rift" -- see the planetary map above -- which separates Nymhnya from Xerxia. (Mixed)

  • Jallor - The prestigious UPF Military Training Academy is sited in Jallor. (Mixed)

  • W'kidtl - This small Vrusk colony is a famous arts resource centre. (50% Vrusk, 20% Human, 20% Yazirian)

  • Xerxia - Xerxia is a relatively small village built around a "hush-hush" research centre. (Mixed)

Adventure Hooks:

• • "Don't Give Me a Reezen" : The population of the Reezen or "cute furry abominations" - as some people call them - is reaching dire levels (see "Unique Flora and Fauna" below). It is estimated that for every living being on the planet, there are about a hundred Reezens roaming the streets and wilderness areas. Research scientists at Xerxia have discovered a genetic code that will curb the reproductive rate of the Reezen, but are reluctant to implement the genocide scheme on the cute creatures. However, someone (a Sathar agent, perhaps) has recently entered the complex and stolen all the research material. The chief research scientist approaches the heroes and tells them the implication of the theft: The genetic code alterations when spliced with that of one of the major SF races will completely wipe out that race in the long term. Is that not "reezen" enough to go on a hunt for the thief?

  • "Leviathan" : Some unidentified creature is swallowing the pleasure electro-yachts and sinking the cruise ships in the Sapphire Sea. Witnesses report seeing a huge reptilian head sticking out of the water (think Nessie of Loch Ness but multiply the size of this space "Nessie" by fifty times). The adventurers could be part of the UPF Military tasked to search for the creature either via travel on the surface (flying or ship) or underwater (submarine).

  • "Centrifugal Overload" : Full-fledged adventure (coming soon).

Unique Flora and Fauna:

• • Reezen - Cute little furball creature that has become a loving pet and also pest on the planet due to their rapid reproduction cycle. UPF scientists have classified them as semi-ameboidal mammals (lacking pseudopods). They survive by absorbing blue grass.

  • Blue Grass - As the name implies, the grass on Crasepe has varying shades of blue. Scientists attribute the strange coloring to certain chemical compounds found in the soil.

  • Byrd - The byrds of Crasepe are bird-like feathered creatures having four wings (arranged in a pattern similar to that of the dragonfly). Flocks of byrds annually migrate and during this period, conventional air travel is a rather dangerous proposition.