This little project is turning into a world-building exercise! I've been working on the written report that I want to include with (and on) the map. It's about 50% done. Here's a sample of what I have so far, giving an overview and a detailed description of one of the planet's superpowers.
Planetary Overview
Planet 2589-34-108-3, known to its inhabitants as “Helcar,” is an icy Terra-sized planet orbiting the white dwarf star 2589-34-108 outside the normal habitable zone. It has a breathable atmosphere, but surface temperatures are below M-class planet standards, varying from 147 to 254 degrees Kelvin. Helcar's surface is covered by a frozen-over ocean, a cluster of three volcanic continents, and an assortment of small volcanic islands. The surface is barren of indigenous life.
An abundance of geothermal energy supports a vibrant oceanic bio-system and permanent human settlements. Human life on Helcar depends on two critical technologies: geothermal engineering and biological engineering. Since volcanic vents are their most abundant sources of energy, human settlements are built on, around, and inside active volcanoes. Across the colony, all settlements enjoy a level of technology comparable to early 23rd-century Earth. Some nations have particularly advanced technologies.
Political Overview:
The Genomian Confederation and The Vulkanian Alliance dominate the planet in an uneasy strategic stalemate. Each of these powers enjoys sole control over an entire continent. A smattering of smaller and poorer countries inhabit the third continent, where they often clash in territorial disputes and vendettas. Many of these small wars have become proxy conflicts between the two great powers.
The Genomian Confederation:
The Genomian Confederation has matched, and in many ways, exceeded the capabilities of Terra in the areas of biological engineering and medicine, eradicating most natural causes of aging and death. Their average lifespan is several centuries and is increasing rapidly, and their oldest citizens are approaching a thousand years old without any apparent loss of function. However, reproduction is very slow and carefully regulated, for Genomians do not tolerate genetic imperfection in their offspring. Genomian exports include seed stock and breeding livestock for almost every settlement on the planet.
Genomians have sole control over two powerful weapons of mass destruction. The first, preferred weapon is that of famine. Genomian crops and livestock, which constitute most of Helcar's food resources, are genetically programmed to wither and die when exposed to certain catalysts. When these catalysts are released in a settlement, they will destroy the food supply within a week, forcing the inhabitants to either give in to Genomian demands or die of starvation.
The second Genomian weapon is a quicker method is known as “Scouring,” Genomians release a potent cocktail of deadly toxins, bacteria, and viruses in a targeted settlement. In the confines of a settlement, this Scouring will incapacitate 90% of a settlement within an hour and kill 100% of the settlement within 48 hours. This method is considered a last resort, and is only used against the gravest of threats.
Genomians used both these techniques to subjugate or eliminate their worst enemies during the conquest of the southern continent, eight hundred years ago. Back then, Genomians released these weapons using clandestine agents. In modern times, they have developed the ability to strike with dispersion drones from fortified airbases.
