Jol and Nar
Home of the Hylar and their watery homeworlds of Jol and Nar, the Garian system is one of the great powers of the northeastern quadrant of the galaxy. The system’s proximity to the Primor Gate keeps the Hylar interested in the threats on the other side of the galaxy, but they enjoy a privileged position near well-defended routes between the wormhole and Mecatol Rex. They are among the most scientifically advanced powers in the galaxy, and most of the other Great Civilizations employ Hylar technologies.
Jol
Covered almost entirely in deep, frigid oceans with a few small, rocky islands battered by crashing waves, Jol is home to the capital of the Hylar. From the deepwater capital of Wun-Escha, the sum total of the Universities’ knowledge is gathered, sorted, and focused towards the singular goal of reclaiming the Headmaster’s lost power in the galaxy.
While submersible shuttles are available to visitors, most nonaquatic species stick to the orbital stations and floating trade platforms when conducting business. Because of the pressure at depth, some Hylar native to Nar require environmental suits to cope, though the various structures can be sealed and depressurized for comfort. This is particularly true of the habitation platforms, clear pressure domes built around huge open-space platforms with several strings of pearlescent habitat spheres dangling deep below. The platforms are used for farming, recreation, and landing pads, while the habitat spheres are individual homes. The habs can vary their depth, keeping their main platform exposed to the surface or submerging deep enough to avoid sunnier seasons.
Wun-Escha
Deep in the ocean, at the edge of a polar trench bisecting the planet Jol, Wun-Escha is the capital of Jol-Nar. The ancient city is in a constant state of modernization, as great crab-like automatons weave duranium strands into new arch-bridges that extend out over the deeps with long strings of habitat spheres dangling into the dark.
Back from the edge, much of the architecture resembles large, porous stones or curled shells. In addition to the Headmaster’s Campus, Wun-Escha hosts a number of prestigious laboratories. Many are on the cutting edge of one or more areas of study, including the Ubluin Su School of Prosthetics, whose cybernetic appendage work has applications in medicine, environmental suits, and military contracts.
Headmaster's Campus
The Headmaster’s Campus is a series of forty buildings laid out in a spiral arrangement with a cone-shaped tower that expands upward at its center. Most of the government bureaucracy is in the central tower, while the rest of the sprawling campus is home to government and military research laboratories and to satellite campuses of prestigious universities.
The Deepwrought Archive
Created by visionary Ta Zern, the Deepwrought Archive changed Hylar society, ending the competitive nature of the universities by pooling knowledge. Making the sum total of scientific knowledge public gave every bright mind the best opportunity to make the biggest contributions to science for their people. While there is a physical data and artifact storage facility on Jol, the archives are available to most Hylar via special encrypted savant access that works within Hylar cities.
The Deepwrought Archive’s library is a series of seven large shafts drilled into the dark rock of an undersea shelf, capped with heavy metal bunker entrances and topped with shining beacons, each lit to represent a different branch of scientific study as the Hylar organize them. The topmost levels of each shaft feature a visitor area, public library, and museum, but beneath that are vast storage areas for digitized data archives, restoration rooms, and staff accommodations.
The Black Trench Facility
Hidden deep within an oceanic polar trench is the Black Trench Facility, a top-secret research laboratory hidden from the Galactic Council. Here, Hylar scientists set aside morality and consequences in the name of furthering scientific understanding. Nothing in the name of science is forbidden here, no experiment too risky, no field of study too dangerous. Their goal is to one day match the technological might of the gene-sorcerers, and in that pursuit, they consider nothing off-limits.
The facility has significant security systems in place, but most are automated, and the number of Hylar guards there is small. The Black Trench’s greatest defense is secrecy.
Nar
Covered in shallow, temperate oceans, Nar has endless coral reefs and a variety of algae, weeds, fish, and crustaceans it farms and ranches to feed the Hylar. It also has a significant tourist industry, which is uncommon in other home systems of the great powers. While Jol is home to the Headmaster, the Circle of Regents, which manages the government, meets on Nar.
Nuun-Dascha
The great undersea city-school of Nuun-Dascha is only a hundred meters from the surface, which keeps the water warm and bright. The older part of town features the Circle of Regents government building, but the rest of the city is focused on education, particularly early childhood education. Because of its diverse population, as it draws young Hylar from all over, Nuun-Dascha is also known for its stunning array of experimental fusion cuisine.
To accommodate off-worlders, a series of plasticon-enclosed walkways have been laid in various portions of the town. Air-breathing visitors can stroll along the seabed as if walking down the street, experiencing Nuun-Dascha as if they were one of the thousands of Hylar swimming by.
Circle of Regents
Members of the Circle act as regional governors and oversee various branches of scientific study. They meet regularly in person or remotely at the Circle of Regents building in the older part of Nuun-Dascha to carry out the Headmaster’s policies.
The building, known informally as “the loop,” is a ring-shaped structure with a large circular courtyard and, like most major buildings in Nuun-Dascha, is completely submerged. The black-green stone is carved to resemble grooved brain coral. The various regent offices, libraries, and studies are nestled within the ring structure, while the courtyard handles official business. The courtyard can transform based on the day’s schedule, coral dividers allow it to accommodate several dozen minor or several major committee meetings, or even the entire body of regents at once.
The Reef
A small equatorial archipelago, the Reef is a popular spot for off-worlders. Many humanoids enjoy the tropical climate and pay a premium to stay on one of the many resort islands, diving by day and watching waves caress the sand through sunsets. However, some of the islands are set up for diplomatic meetings. Most such activity occurs on Allabul Island. Every bit as exclusive a resort as other Reef islands, Allabul uses its comforts to lower the guard of diplomatic visitors.
Star Name and Type
Garian, yellow main sequence star
Population Status
homeworld, 3.22 billion (81% Hylar, 19% other)
Government
Circle of Regents under the Headmaster
Major Imports
raw materials, refined materials, manufactured components
Major Exports
technology, foodstuffs, exotic matter
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