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Post by Tynesh on Nov 11, 2004 16:38:22 GMT -5
What follows is a new and updated (not quite complete) description of Massil. Please give mel oads of feed back as I am keen to really develop this planet extensively. Oh and keep it clean  More will follow. I would also be keen for people to comment on the wording of many parts, I have very descriptive and flowing writing style that I often find straying from the point at hand! Tynesh |
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Post by Tynesh on Nov 11, 2004 16:38:44 GMT -5
Standard Representation: Massil
Planetary Name: Massil
World Class: Civilised – Subclass: Fortified
Population: 271,000,000
Tech Level: 7 - Imperial Standard
Tithe Grade:
Aestimare: D476
Orbital Distance: 1.2 AU
Equatorial Diameter: 13100
Gravity: 1.6
Orbital Period: 485 days
Length of Day: 21hrs 49mins
Atmosphere: Standard
Surface Atmosphere Pressure: 1.2
Average Surface Temperature: 11.5°
Hydrosphere: 57%
Life Forms: Transplanted Terran
Moons: 3
Planet Description
The Massil system is located on the frontier of the Castellan sub-sector, and is one of the closest worlds in the Anargo Sector to the Ork Empire that spills over from the Cruciatine Sector. Wind swept and weather-beaten, wide steppe-land, rugged mountain ranges and frozen tundra cover most of Massil. To the north, a vast ocean smashes the rocky shoreline with gigantic waves. Both ice caps extend many thousands of kilometres from the poles, covering nearly half the planet in giant slabs of unmoving ice.
Closer to the equator, the temperatures are more forgiving and more able to support human life. Here, areas of the windswept steppe have been cultivated to feed the population of the planet and supply the hungry worlds of the Anargo Sector. Small farmsteads and silos form a patchwork across the landscape. Despite the cold climate, the equatorial regions are veritable paradises and thanks to Massil’s near nonexistent axial tilt, agriculture can occur year round. Further from the equator, agriculture gives way to light primary industry, with mining operations found in the mountains and timber crawlers moving through the expansive forests. These forests are also home to many animals traditionally hunted for fur, food and entertainment. Licensed hunters will lead expeditions to track Cudbears, Brescian Elk and the fearsome Fang Wolves.
Massil was once the capital world and principle system in the Massilian Sub-sector, a major stop off point for trade fleets on their way to and from the Cruciatine Sector. In mid M36, the sub-sector withstood the worst of an invasion into the Anargo Sector, by ork fleets that had broken off from Waaagh! Tuskragga; which decimated the neighbouring Cruciatine Sector. For twelve years, Orks rampaged across Massil and other worlds in the sub-sector, destroying infrastructure, laying waste to cities and enslaving their populations. Following the invasion, Massil was in ruins, at the behest of the Adeptus Terra the sub-sector capital moved to Parcellum, a safer world, closer to the rest of the Anargo Sector. Over many generations, the hardy people of Massil rebuilt their world, and ensured that it would never again fall to the Orkoid menace. The main cities on present day Massil are built upon the ruins of the old principle cities of the planet, which had stood since the planets founding in M31. It is in these large walled cities that the majority of the population reside, although several millions live in smaller townships and industrial settlements. Thirty-five cities, housing some 179 million people lay scattered across the wild steppes of Massil, linked by major high-speed rail lines. Each city acts as a commercial and industrial hub for the surrounding area, with foodstuffs and raw materials sent to the markets and industries within the city walls.
The majority of the population lives in the 35 large communal cities that were after the Ork invasion in M36. Each city is a self-contained fortress with vast buried supply warehouses and store capable of lasting out a siege of several months. Designed not only to house many millions of people, commercial and industrial spaces; these cities also echo with military roles. In the event of an attack, the rings of each city can be sealed off, forcing the enemy into bitter one-sided street fighting.
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Post by Tynesh on Nov 11, 2004 16:39:06 GMT -5
Government:
The government on Massil is in effect a colonial government, run by individuals not native to the planet. Originating at the time of Waaagh! Tuskragga, an emergency leadership replaced the hereditary governor, who had died leading an ill-fated attack against the heart of the Ork forces. Since that time, the Council has continued to rule Massil even though the long deceased line of the Imperial Governor is still the rightful ruler of the planet. The government includes members of the Imperial Guard, Imperial Church and the vast bureaucracy of the Adeptus Terra. These organisations oversee many facets of everyday life on Massil, from work directives and trade agreements to military training and weapons manufacture. The majority of native Massilians have come to accept this outside control and embrace the unification it brings to the planet. As a planet under constant military alert, the population needs a strong and dedicated leadership, one that the former Imperial Governor was unable to fulfil.
The Council and associated departments are located in the Imperial Circle, one of the innermost rings of Massil’s capital Massan. Although located on the planet, they are answerable to the sub-sector command on Parcellum. The entire planet is run from this location and is self-contained should the city come under siege. Although some may decry the oppression of Massilians and their unlawful form of government, it is accepted without question by the natives. The Council members may not be from Massil but they all know the importance of unity in the face of the Imperium’s enemies. Indeed, the planet is listed as having one of the lowest levels of dissention and anti-government sentiment in the sector. Both population and government are dedicated to the important role Massil has in the sector, the first and strongest bulwark against the greenskin horde.
Aside from the Colonial government, there is the People’s Council, an organisation that is tasked with organising and overseeing the social well-being of the population. The People’s Council focuses on the social side of Massilian life, dealing with personal, family and community problems. This system has no legitimate authority but continues to exist and function due to the close ties it has with the population, unlike that of the Colonial Government. It is responsible for the sentencing of social infringements and the punishment of such individuals, planning festivals and holidays, deciding upon curriculums in schools and running an extensive programme of competitive sporting events.
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Post by Tynesh on Nov 11, 2004 16:39:23 GMT -5
Religion
The population of Massil are knowledgeable of the heroic deeds and great sacrifices of the Immortal God-Emperor. However, there is less of zealous fervour often found on many other military worlds. Most forms of worship take the form of quite self-contemplation and communal prayers. Before starting a particularly hard or difficult task, many may recite psalms or favoured writings from the Ecclesiastical Texts. All Massilians offer thanks to the Emperor and those that have fallen in his service. Every month the population visit one of the many city shrines to show piety before a member of the priesthood and pay reverence to the Lord of Humanity. Group meditation and thought sessions are popular practices at these gatherings and are prevalent throughout all social groups. A social elder or youth may lead the group in readings from the Holy Texts.
Although an important facet of everyday life, the Imperial Creed takes the form of guidelines for personal behaviour and social betterment, rather than a zealous dictation of the way civilians live. Many citizens will happily listen to the interpretations of various other Imperial denominations often spoken in public by visiting Ecclesiastical members.
Society and Law
Since the founding of the planet, the citizens of Massil have dwelt in small social groups typically of 2-6 family groups; this has survived to the present day within the layout of residential areas in each city. Each social group inhabits a set of apartments which contain, sleeping, cooking and communal areas. The strong bonds in Massilian society mean that these small groups become an extended family to an individual even if they are in no way related. Every member in the group helps to earn money, maintain the apartment and to prepare meals
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Post by Tynesh on Nov 11, 2004 16:39:40 GMT -5
Military
Located on the edge of such a dangerous region of space as Massil is, the planet is constantly in a state of readiness and although not under martial law, many military practices have found their way into society and everyday life. From an early age, children are taught the importance of being able to defend themselves and those who are defenceless. At school, students will undertake survival courses and expeditions to the wilderness alongside other more academic activities. These are seen as an important time to discover any hidden talents that individuals may possess. Pupils who show outstanding leadership, courage, intelligence or technical knowledge may be fast tracked into the Officer’s Academy. Here children from all facets of Massilian society train together to lead and inspire. At 16, all children are required to serve for a year in the Cadet Core, where all youths will learn basic weapons training, civil defence procedures and the central doctrines of the Massilian Guard. Many children transfer to a PDF regiment either wanting to become professional soldiers and serve their homeworld or drafted in during times of regiment formation.
The Massilian PDF is a great source of pride and honour for all the population. The heroic defence of the planet against ork invaders has inspired many youngsters to pursue careers in the service or to enlist in the Imperial Guard. Each city district of the planet will be home to at least ten Planetary Defence Force regiments, with recruits drawn from the city and surrounding steppe. The regiments are built on strong bonds of honour and loyalty to one another, many soldiers fighting alongside family and friends they have known since their early childhood.
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Post by Tynesh on Nov 11, 2004 16:54:44 GMT -5
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