Solstice

Solstice (|Soul-stiss|) is the second planet from the sun in the Solanis system. It is classified as a desert world, with most of the planet's water isolated to various oasis scattered throughout its surface. Due to this, the practice of moisture-farming is prevalent. The populace of the planet are made up of a number of settlements of various sizes. Solstice is the primary site of the system's criminal underworld and hosts a large junker-trade as there are many scrap-dumps on the planet.

Physical Characteristics

Solstice is a desert planet, alternating between dense sandstone beds, semi-arid plains, and sandy dunes . The deserts of Solstice are peppered with oases where the underground aquifers breach the surface. The atmosphere of Solstice is akin to Calderia, containing enough oxygen to sustain life. The gravity of Solstice is near that of Calderia, only negligably lower. The flora and fauna of the planet has evolved to thrive in the harsh environment, and can be increadibly dangerous. Some docile animals have evolved on the planet, and are often used in ranching.

There is a large section of desert in the south pole known as the Wastes. Originally inhabited by Elites during the Great War, it is regarded as a highly dangerous area by the planets inhabitants. There is no oasis in the Wastes, nor is there any sign of any past settlement surviving the war.

Population

Solstice has no sentient home-species and its original population was entirely immigrants, predominately humans. The culture of Solstice is intertwined with its frontier. Due to having little oversight in the beginning of the system's settling, the people of Solstice developed a 'rough-and-ready' mentality. 81% of the population owns a firearm. Their culture is built around ideas of rugged individualism, perseverence against the hostile environment, and a large farming population. There is a large population of Freelancers on the planet, in part due to the lack of oversight from either government. There is also a large scrapping and junking economy, with repair shops found in almost every settlement.

While most settlements have their own local law enforcement, the Cheyenne Rangers are the predominant peacekeeping force on the planet. After the war, the Rangers maintained their structure of responding to settlements that call for aid. Due to their function as a quick reaction force, they operate in small teams. The population values accuracy and speed in combat, leading to gunslinging's popularity. 84% of the population owns a firearm, making it the most heavily armed population in the system. Most organized criminal groups stray away from large frontier towns due to this. Instead they harass smaller, more isolated settlements.

There is still superstions about the Wastes. Rumors of Elite sightings and ghost settlements saturate the storytelling of the populace. Despite the rumors and concerns, no excursions are permitted into the Wastes by the Rangers due to the harshness of the environment and the lack of any water.

Cities & Settlements

Solstice is filled with small frontier towns. Some are settled near a mine, some near an oasis. Many in the semi-arid areas are just a loose collection of farmsteads. Livestock ranching is prevalent due to the rugged nature of the animals on the planet, and the meat they produce.

Cheyenne - The capital of Solstice, if only in name. A large town known for its trade and shipyards. Barton LTD is headquartered in Cheyenne.

Dakota - The largest mining town on Solstice. Its economy brings locals in the western hemisphere to the region at least once a year for it's 'Trade Fair'.

Bright End - Known to the locals as the 'edge of the world'. The last frontier town before the Wastes, known for its scrap and junking economy.

Orbiting Bodies

Wayne - A small moon with a singular self-sufficient lunar colony of the same name.

Eastwood - A small moon.