Overview: Riitala IV

[schoon]

RIITALA IV
(Pronunciation: REE-tah-lah)



Stellar Primary: Riitala (Spectral Class K∅)
System Planetary Bodies: 2 terrestrial, 1 asteroid belt, 2 terrestrial, 3 gas giants

Habitation: Riitala IV, Tä Port
Principle Export: Bio-Pharmaceuticals

General Information

Riitala IV is in the outer portion of its primary's habitable zone, and is characterized by harsh, mountainous terrain and freezing temperatures year round except in the equatorial regions.

Its primary value and export is bio-pharmaceuticals based upon its flora, a local moss (Bryophyta) known as Sammal. By itself, Sammal can be synthesized into a variety of drugs of varying potency, and it is farmed in geodesic greenhouses in equatorial and near-equatorial areas.

Sammal gains entirely new and vastly more valuable properties when "processed" through the native food chain. It is the principal food source for native herbivores, Kasvii, and when consumed in sufficient quantity, their tissues become infused with the same elements that are synthesized into pharmaceuticals. Kasvii are consumed by Kausa, known locally as "Terror Cats" due to their intelligence and size, and the Kausa excrete a substance that, after purification, is worth many times its weight in platinum. This substance is why Riitala warrants a gate.

[Ced23Ric]

Riitalans are known for their proverb "Winter is coming."

[randolph]

Riitala
...
bio-pharmaceuticals

[Dukayn]

Riitalans are known for their proverb "Winter is coming."

freezing temperatures year round

More likely to be "It's always friggen winter here"

[Ced23Ric]

"Riitala. The cool place to be."

[Wadmaasi]

All I can picture is a dude in his leiderhosen (or whatever) tootin' his big-ass horn and yodeling, "REEEEEEEtalaaaaaaaaa."

[schoon]

(see the OP for an update)

Political & Societal Overview

Though a considerable oversimplification, Riitala IV, is generally considered to be part of the Free Colonies, as the independent nature of its populace had never fully accepted Unionization. Divided into "Preserves," it is a loose Federacy, with leaders selected mostly from the ranks of senior hunter-trackers.

Sammal farmers, despite the fact that many become financially well off, suffer from cultural bias. Farming was never considered a prestigious profession, as the properties of Kausa excretions were discovered some time before the process and components of its creation were understood. Thus, despite their increased affluence, they do not enjoy increased influence. This dissatisfaction has led to many to support Unionist or Ijad beliefs.

The majority support and idolize the hunter-tracker ideal of upward mobility through apprenticeship, innate ability, and long, dangerous treks into the preserves, even those that never intend to follow that path.

Military Overview

The Solar Union's first attempt to bring Riitala back into the fold was a near disaster. Having allied with agricultural leaders, they adopted a fortress mentality, working out of fortified domes. Neither their frames nor personnel ever adapted well to the cold. The tracker-huntere led Colonial forces owned the preserves, and operations against them met with defeat after defeat.

The realization that their current strategy - and command leadership - would not produce success forced Terran Union leaders to adopt an unconventional transition strategy.

...more to come...