Retika

Retika: The Homeworld. In near constant contention between its native races: The Retikan Seadwellers, and the Retikan Landdwellers (or Itakians), this world is battle scared and near the end of its life cycle. With the home star, Ret, in its death throes, both species must either come together to find a new homeworld... or die trying. Or maybe not. The Seadwellers, who've been in power for the last 400 years, have made significant advances in faster than light travel, developed on the backs of the Landdwellers. The Homeworld is dying... and the other galactic powers have such plentiful resources... They should be worried.

Geography

Retika is a Class M planet, that is 82% water, and 78%of that is saltwater ocean, unlike the Earth's 71% percent water, with 98% being saltwater ocean. The saltwater oceans contain massive coral reefs that play host to 80% of the aquatic life-forms, including the major population centers for Retikan Seadwellers. These reefs are the most prominent in the tropical and subtropical areas of the planet, but extend into the colder waters near the poles of the planet as well. The Deep Oceans are dark and cold, with the only pockets of life found clinging to geothermal vents. Though there are tales of mega-fauna that roam the Deep Oceans, using their size to guard the vents and preying upon any Seadwellers who dare risk exploring beyond what their lung-bladders can naturally handle. Ice caps cover a good portion of both poles, but they are both like Earth's North Pole, where there is no actual land, only permanent ice. The landmass is a super continent, called Itakia, similar to Pangaea in Earth's ancient past. Itakia spans the northern-southern diameter of the planet and has several unique biomes, nearly all of which have been tamed or settled in some fashion by the Retikan Landdwellers. A large freshwater sea, once thought to be several great lakes that merged early on in the planet's history, span the length of Itakia, providing the Landdwellers with a source of fresh water, boat travel, and seafood. A small, manufactured reef also exists in the bottom middle of the Lake-Sea (Lake Aikati), built by the Seadwellers who choose to live there rather than the major Reef-Cities.

Fauna & Flora

Retika is a planet so rich in biodiversity, that two separate sentient species have developed on it. Aquatic plant life abounds in the coral reefs, from kelp-like forests to coral structures that nearly breach the surface of the water, to the strange aquatic fungi that thrive in the Deep Ocean, clinging to the geothermal vents. Some sea grasses and types of kelp are grown in large coral structures to give Seadwellers a source of vegetable food, and at one point, were considered a delicacy by the Landdwellers. Aquatic animal life is just as rich, with a multitude of fish and crustacean species that the Seadwellers have domesticated as sources of food. Some specific types of fish are even considered pets, being treated like a cat on Earth would be. Large mammals roam the prairies of Itakia, domesticated by the Landdwellers and treated like cattle. Avians fly overhead, revered or at least respected, by most early Landdwellers, able to fly free without aid. Reptiles roam the marshes and deltas that border both the Lake-Sea and the Oceans. Insects and arachnids serve as pollinators and pests. Small mammals burrow beneath the ground, aerating and fertilizing the ground for the starchy plants life that the Landdwellers cultivate for food. Legends speak of a true amphibian, the size of a full grown Earth grizzly bear, roams the swamps and marshes, hungry for the unprotected eggs of the Seadwellers who dare leave their nests unattended. And the Seadwellers who dare use submarines to to explore The Deep Oceans always share warnings about the Mecshate....The Leviathan.

Natural Resources

Bounties of animal and plant products sustain both the Seadwellers and Landdwellers for most of their development, until the groups reached a level of technology capable of producing Faster-Than-Light (FTL) travel. Then new sources of minerals were needed, but could be found on Retika's two moons and neighboring planets.

Alternative Name(s)

Ret IV (galatic designation)

Type

Planet

Included Locations