Horuz

Horuz is a barren desert planet located in the Outer Rim, near the local hub worlds of Dantooine and Mygeeto, situated on the Relgim Run. It is known as a hideout for smugglers and raiders to hit nearby hyperlane routes; however, a series of Republic raids have failed to find the main base for illegal operations in the system.

Geography

Horuz is a rocky, desert world. Highly tectonically unstable, much of its surface is covered with jagged rock formations, cliffs and valleys forged by millions of years of continental shift and collision. It has several large but highly saline seas, which ensure that its surface is able to sustain a minimum of plant life. It also sports several large, flat deserts; and a small equatorial area which boasts large mountain ranges and a small zone of relative fertility, with light scrub and grass in abundance.

History

Horuz was settled relatively late in the wave of Outer Rim settlement. It was not on major hyperspace routes such as the Celanon Spur, and lacked valuable resources, so was not a priority for settlement - though a range of traders and smugglers took to using it for refueling when travelling the Relgim Run during the era of the Old Republic.
It is believed that smugglers began using the world around 200 years prior to the start of the Jedi-Sith Wars, taking advantage of its relative proximity to major trade routes to launch hit-and-run attacks on Republic convoys. In response, Republic forces launched several expeditions to the planet, but were never able to locate the main smuggler base there - anecdotally known as the Lair.
Today, Horuz is formally largely deserted, and visitors will return only a single ping for settlements planetside: Xoka's Cantina. Despite this, it is widely considered likely that smugglers continue to operate from somewhere on the planet.

Institutions

Horuz does not have formal government or institutions - as far as anyone reputable knows. However, the occasional drunker smuggler has suggested over drinks that a criminal called "the Beast" rules over the Lair, keeping the various vagabonds who stop in there in line. Whether this is true or not is anyone's guess.

Locations of interest

Formally, Xoka's cantina is the only known location of interest on the planet. However, the party discovered that not far from the cantina, a narrow valley amongst the cliffs leads to the Lair, a base for smugglers grounded in spice running and slave trading.

Environment

As most of the planet is barren, only a few small shrubs and lichen call Horuz home. While it has a number of native insects, Horuz is generally not inhabited by significant fauna.

Current events

Our protagonists visited Horuz, and rapidly embroiled themselves in local affairs. They have made a name for themselves among the local mercenaries, and are held in some regard by them after a savage fight with Jai Temmer's 'Jackers'.
Most significantly, the party managed to spark a slave rebellion in the depths of the Pit - a geothermal energy plant and slave market - during their fight with the Sith, Keiter. As they left the Pit, they managed to destroy four skiffs of guards sent to quell the revolt, and with Keiter pursuing them, the party is cautiously optimistic that the slaves may have gained a foothold.

Region Outer Rim
Planet type Desert world
Affiliation Non-affiliated smugglers
Locations of interest Confirmed: Xoka's Cantina; Unconfirmed: The Lair