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Zakuul
[fancybox4="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/eQLvVoJJpVw/maxresdefault.jpg"]PLANET NAME: Zakuul (colloquially the "World of Spires" and the "Gate to the Unknown")COORDINATES: G-15
HYPERLANE: N/A
CLIMATE: Year round lightning storms
TERRAIN: Tower-coated cityscape (originally swamps and jungles)
ROTATION: 23 hours
INHABITANTS: Humans, immigrated sentients, and various swamp-oriented nonsentients
RESOURCES: Melliculus tea leaves, Zakuul grand wood, dion berries, khyber crystals
SATELLITES: 3 moons (Izax, Zildrog, Scyva)
INTENT:
I wanted to make Zakuul canon because it's a really interesting concept that was never fully appreciated because of the Legends shift. (It's an interesting mirror of modern day American culture, if you think about it.) Of course, there were changes to be made, but I still love it. In fact, I liked tying it with the Ashla and Bogan (it seems like they're not the only ones who use that in their culture *coughLASATcough*). Anyhoo, I hope I could have this approved, as I plan on making a char from this world and exploring the culture a bit more. Maybe they'll join the Republic. Maybe they'll fall into anarchy. Who knows?[/fancybox4]
TECHNOLOGY
[fancybox4="http://cdn.mmohuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/SWTOR-Gemini-Deception-Skytroopers.jpg"]Zakuul possesses technology that would be considered very adequate for the galactic standard, and perhaps even post-modern. Their engineering techniques have allowed them to build massive towers which dwarf even Coruscant over top an old world which was not considered 'grand enough'. One of their most impressive technologies, however, is their near-entirely droid-powered military, which uniquely boasts small, but numerous warships piloted by sentient droid captains, codenamed GEMINI. These droids, while largely inferior to live soldiers due to their lack of creative thought, possess among some of the best programming in the galaxy. The idea behind the army is that, while inferior to live soldiers, can be cheaply produced and thus overwhelm the enemy by sheer numbers, and reduce the loss of life on their side.
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GOVERNMENT
[fancybox4="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/CdCRKy_mwPU/maxresdefault.jpg"]Since its inception, the Empire of Zakuul has been ruled as an absolute monarchy ruled by the regally-named Eternal Family. Despite this, it is a Force-user based meritocracy, with the Knights of Zakuul serving as the judiciary body and the Scions of Zakuul serving as the state religious body. Law and order are enforced by Justices, the leader of the Knights, and the High Justice answers directly to the monarch. While the monarch is not bound to answer to the Scions, they do hold a level of influence over the monarchy and thus they are respected and often asked to give needed counsel due to their limited ability to see into the future. The Scions also crown the succeeding ruler of Zakuul when the incumbent one passes, but bloodline determines who is next in line.
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CULTURE
[fancybox4="http://vignette3.wikia.nocookie.net/starwars/images/0/08/Scions.png/revision/latest?cb=20151027172109"]The people of Zakuul are extremely an innovative and determined people. While they have become lazy in recent times do to their long term successes, those who do rise to the occasion are considered highly respectable, particular those who are Knights. Likewise, they have a strong value for justice and honor.
A superstitious people, the Zakuul people, in their primitive days, once worship a pantheon of gods known as the Old Gods, and lived in fear. However, legend has it that their first Emperor slew Izax, the leader of the Old Gods, and led their people to prosperity. It is believed that this Emperor taught them how to harness the Force. Thus, the people of Zakuul have long forgotten their old gods, save for a few extremists, and have come to see the Eternal Family as otherworldly, almost godly.
Politically, Zakuulans tends to be isolationist, despite their empire possessing slave holdings, and thus do not like to interfere in the affairs of the greater galaxy. They see their society as the pinnacle of civilization and tend to look down on "outlanders". Though their economic activity is welcome, they tend to be viewed as second-class citizens.
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HISTORY
[fancybox4="http://vignette3.wikia.nocookie.net/jedipedia/images/7/71/Valkorion-_Thron.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20150628183205&path-prefix=de"] For thousands of years, Zakuul has been cut off from the greater galaxy and it was only until recently that they were revealed to the galaxy. Since the revelation, numerous claims have arisen: Were humans birthed not Coruscant, but Zakuul? Did Zakuul predate the Jedi, Sith, even the Old Republic? Zakuulans and members of the greater galaxy have argued this. Little can prove Zakuul's bold claims, as little remains of their earlier history barring legends. But as some say, there are always truth in legends.
In was said that thousands of years ago, Zakuul was populated by primitive humans who struggled to survive in Zakuul's unforgiving jungles and swamps. They lived in fear of the god Izax, the Ultimate Devourer. It is said that only one stood up to him, a man named dubbed the Demon Savior. This man defeated Izax with his Force abilities, and for that the Zakuul made him their king. The ruler would go on to build great cities and teach his knights how to use the Force.
Upon the disappearance of the leader, the Empire of Zakuul fell into civil war as disagreements arose over the interpretation of the Demon Savior's teachings and who would succeed him. These two factions were the followers of Ashla and Bogan. The former faction saw the Force as a guide, while the latter saw it as a tool to be used. It wasn't until that the reemergence of the 'Eternal Family', as they became to be known, in the form of the Savior's Heir that they reconciled. In many ways, they survived in the form of the Scions and Knights of Zakuul, and whatever differences they may have had, they were bound by a united purpose. They weren't fueled by tranquility and introspection or self-serving passions, but rather by a singular vision.
In the succeeding centuries, Zakuul prospered and it certainly showed. Their towers grew higher and higher as they pierced the very heavens. Eventually, though, it came time to expand their empire beyond Zakuul for resources and living space, as well as to 'share their prosperity'. Zakuul conquered sectors of unknown space and used these slave worlds to feed their machine, being relatively unmatched until they came across the Old Republic beyond Wild Space. Rather than submit, the Zakuul's launched a campaign against the Republic. The war was a brutal border war and ultimately Zakuul was defeated due to possessing an inferior navy. It was Zakuul's first sting of defeat and the death toll left them stunned. Mothers wept as their sons didn't return home. Reform was demanded. Zakuul's great scientists went to work.
Droids, at the time, had largely been more of a household appliance and domestic tool for Zakuulans. The military often used them for support units, but it wasn't until after the war that droids began to replace live soldiers. Along with this, the navy of Zakuul required reform. Rather than produce the massive war machines the Republic produced, it was decided to produce as many warships as possible. Initially they were commanded by live officers, but they too were replaced with droids captains. In a revolutionary fashion, they were connected to a "hive mind", which allowed high-ranking officers to determine the actions of individual ships by the hundreds in the comfort of their office on Zakuul.
Two hundred years after the war, Zakuul has become a luxurious, though its citizens somewhat gluttonous. The citizens have become apathetic, as all their needs are met. Yet as they've had their needs met, things have become rather boring for them. Some have taken to rebellious acts to satisfy their darker urges. Despite this, there are worse people on Zakuul than simple renegades. Many extremists, particular fundamentalists of the Old Ways, such as the Heralds of Zildrog, have engaged in acts of terror in the name of their religion. Some even believe the Emperor of Zakuul has become a weak, ineffective figurehead.
Yet one could say things are better than ever. The beauty of Zakuul has inspired many to go westward into the Unknown Regions, making Zakuul a "gate to the beyond", so to speak. Tourism is booming. With new people come new ideas, though. One could say that Zakuul's citizens are becoming more familiar with the greater galaxy, and thus may become familiar with the slave worlds feeding their technological juggernaut.
The next steps in Zakuul's history may decide between continued prosperity and political implosion.
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POINTS OF INTEREST
SPIRE
[fancybox4="https://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/3785978/SWTOR_KOTFE_PlanetConcept.0.jpg"]SPIRE
The Spire is the largest tower on Zakuul, with its base beginning in Zakuul city and extending above the atmosphere into space itself. It is home to the most elite of Zakuul as well as being its seat of government. In a way, it represents Zakuul's hierarchy with many knight barracks making up the bottom levels, the offices of justices taking up space in the mid levels, the homes of the Eternal Family taking the upper levels, and finally the Eternal Throne, Zakuul's seat of power, sitting in the top sphere. Very few people are allowed to walk freely in the sphere, particularly its upper echelons. Thus, to be before the Eternal Throne is considered one of the greatest honors a Zakuulan can achieve.
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ZAKUUL CITY
[fancybox4="http://vignette3.wikia.nocookie.net/starwars/images/e/ee/Zakuul_City.png/revision/latest?cb=20160122161815"]The sole city on Zakuul for which it was named, Zakuul City is one of the most advanced cities in the galaxy, giving Galactic City and Nar Shaddaa a run for their money. However, unlike these two cities, it is not worldwide city.
Zakuul City is considered the one true Zakuul by most Zakuulans, and most other places are considered too uncivilized or too inferior to be considered a part of the empire. The city is protected by the Knights of Zakuul and serves as the ultimate seat of power for their empire.
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OLD WORLD
[fancybox4="https://36.media.tumblr.com/3411bd9ec807198f82f470accb2953b7/tumblr_nwswkoWplu1rqpqo3o3_r1_1280.jpg"]The Old World, as it came to be known, was founded by the Demon Savior and served as the capital of Zakuul up until his disappearance. Afterward, it became a battleground for the great civil war between the followers of Ashla and Bogan. When the war ended, the new Emperor decided to build anew and Zakuul City was built atop of the Old World, making it a distant memory.
However, not everyone left the Old World. Many, in fact, remain. However, it is considered forbidden for a Knight of Zakuul to venture down there, and thus there is little law and order. In the anarchy, several factions have claimed prominence, including the fanatical Heralds of Zildrog, and even resistance groups.
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ENDLESS SWAMP
[fancybox4="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/e2qlOwycL2o/maxresdefault.jpg"]The ancient home of all Zakuulans, the Endless Swamp takes up the majority of the planet outside of Zakuul City. It is highly strong in the Force, both light and dark, and thus it is common to find khyber crystals. Given the harsh environment of the Endless Swamp, it is common for knights to be sent to train and exiles to be sent to die. However, many of the latter have endured and formed their own meager tribes, but only through sheer will.
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