

The Tanarsus System is a star system located within the Core Sector of the Orion Arm. It consists of a single G-Type main sequence star and eleven planets.

Unmanned probes first entered the Tanarsus System in 2101 after observations made from Earth revealed the likely possibility of a planet suitable for human life with only minimal terraforming required. The planet Tanarsus, for which the system was named, remained an alluring target of colonization but it’s position on the periphery of explored space at that time left prevented any serious efforts until after the Second Scinfaxi War.

The first colony ships reached the system in 2165 and consisted mainly of refugees. As the colonies grew, the Tanarsus System became an attractive prospect for migrants across the Orion Arm and its population grew rapidly. When the borders between the Soviet Union and Greater German Reich were formalized as part of the Soviet-German Convention of 2209, the Tanarsus System was listed as independent with both powers committed to respecting its neutrality. In the following decades however both sides began manipulating the system’s politics and supported the creation of various satellite states.

In 2246 the system was plunged into conflict and became the site of what many historians consider the first interstellar war. The victory of the Soviet aligned Desna Pact defined interstellar politics between the GGR and USSR for the next 40 years and led to the outbreak of the Soviet-German War in 2285.

System Composition

Hel

The innermost planet of the Tanarsus System, Hel is a rocky, volcanic world, marked by massive volcanoes and magma flows that can stretch for hundreds of kilometers. It’s surface temperature ranges from 500 K to 1400 K and has proven so intense that unmanned probes have disintegrated in a matter of hours. A Soviet research station existed in orbit over Hel from 2251 to 2263 before being decommissioned.

Mucheniye

Perpetually covered in immense storms, the surface of Mucheniye is dark and gloomy even when the sun is at it’s zenith. A large ocean dominates much of the planet, while it’s sole continent and few island chains are nearly always covered in layers of deep fog and constant rain. A large volcanic range extends across the planet’s equator and periodic eruptions can send thick clouds of ash across the entire planet.

Barren in nearly every type of natural resource, Mucheniye would have largely been ignored if not for the discovery of a sprawling alien ruin in 2198. Labyrinthine in nature and constructed entirely of an oily black stone, the structure has been the focus of archeologists and explorers for nearly a century. The ruins extend for hundreds of kilometers and several dozen manned research stations are located on its periphery. Many more lie abandoned, the result of the planet’s harsh weather as well as a series of disasters that have plagued those studying the ruin since it’s discovery. Regarded as one of the highest mysteries of the Orion Arm, the Ruins of Mucheniye are the subject of much debate, interest, and superstition.

Novyi Ternopil

Originally a mineral rich yet arid and lifeless world, Novyi Ternopil underwent large scale terraforming in 2214 with the process only completed in 2278. Now covered by a large inner sea and abundant plant life, the planet was intended to become a colony world of the Federation of Novorossiya and Volhynia Republic. The outbreak of the Soviet-German war has disrupted these plans and settlement of the planet has been limited to a collection of scattered settlements and decommissioned terraforming outposts.

The planet for which the system was named, Tanarsus was already home to many primitive plant and animal species at the time of it’s discovery. A relatively quick terraforming process of 5 years resulted in the rapid spread of Terran species and the eradication of most of the planet’s native lifeforms.

Tanarsus is just over one and a half times the size of Earth, but with a slighter colder climate overall and shorter seasons. Winters on Tanarsus can be particularly harsh and often feature immense amounts of snow while Summers are marked by large thunderstorms and occasionally hurricanes. Oceans cover 65% of the planet’s surface, while it’s continents feature rolling plains, vast mountain ranges and large stretches of tundra towards it’s poles.

Human settlement on Tanarsus is scattered as a result of multiple independent colonization efforts. A small majority of it’s population resides on that planet’s largest continent, while the remainder is spread across the continents of Opalia and Galleria as well as numerous surrounding island chains.

Tanarsus’s two megacities, Dikoye Polye and Celovac are each home to well over thirty million people and are the capitals of the Federation of Novorossiya and Carinthian State respectively.

Fegefeuer

A pale gas giant, Divina has been the site of large scale atmospheric mining since the first colonists arrived in the Tanarsus System. Thousands of automated drones as well as various manned ships crisscross the planet, delivering a constant supply of hydrogen, helium, methane and hydrogen to dozens of stations. State owned corporations from Tanarsus reap the lion’s share of Divina, but an increasing number of private companies from across the Orion Arm have begun to establish operations around the gas giant as well.

Ewig

The largest of the system’s three gas giants, Ewig has a prominent ring system consisting of countless particles ranging in size from micrometers to asteroids several hundred kilometers in diameter. While the majority of these particles consist entirely of water ice, rocky material has also been detected throughout the rings.

Several moons orbit Ewig, the largest of which is home to an orbiting civilian trade outpost and refueling center. Several military stations are also suspected to be present orbiting Ewig within it’s rings, although their presence has never been confirmed by any government.

Divina

A vivid azure gas giant, Divina’s atmosphere is comprised of large amounts of methane giving the planet it’s striking appearance. While too distant to be suitable for large scale atmospheric mining, Divina has increasingly been the site of adventure tourism and orbital cruises. In contrast to the hazy featureless appearances of Fegefeuer and Ewig, Divina’s surface is marked by active and highly visible weather patterns. It is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful sites in the Orion Arm.

Skalbmierz

A small barren world consisting primarily of ice and rock, Skalbmierz has been of little interest since a brief surveying effort was made in 2163. Warships of various Tanarsus navies have periodically performed weapons tests on the planet and as such is usually off limits to civilian craft.

Kroclov

Kroclov is a low density moon consisting of roughly 25% rock and 75% water ice. In 2219 the planet was subjected to heating via radioactive decay with the intent of creating an internal liquid-water ocean. The program was successful and today several automated and manned stations provide water replenishment to orbiting vessels.

Lovech

Heavy cratered and scarred, Lovech is a harsh frozen world sometimes sometimes used as a training ground by Carinthian Marines. At least one permanent Carinthian military facility exists on the planet as well as several anchorages in orbit used to house a portion of the Carinthian reserve fleet.

Vinkel

Vinkel's surface is a dull red marked by a large impact crater that scars it's otherwise smooth surface. It is known to have large amounts of sulfur and other common minerals, but has yet to be surveyed in depth.