BARD PAPER: OPAL9500

Lewis

X427344-8

by Lewis Roberts

PHYSICAL APPEARANCE
ORBITAL MOTION
HISTORY
SOCIETY
SYSTEM DETAILS

PHYSICAL APPEARANCE

Lewis is a small world with a diameter of approximately 6400 kilometers, a very thin, tainted atmosphere, and large salty oceans covering three-quarters of the surface of the planet. A young world, Lewis is one of several satellites of Zenthra, the only gas giant in the system.

The night sky as seem from Lewis is one of the wonders of the Imperium, First the gas giant Zenthra has gorgeous multicolored bands. The ring of Zenthra has been described as "A ring of diamonds." The other four satellites of Zenthra are uninhabited, but they are bright in the night sky, which adds to the beauty of the night sky. Finally the magnetic fields of Zenthra send charged particles into the upper atmosphere of Lewis, creating striking auroras almost every night.

The planet itself is equally beautiful. It has large peaceful oceans which come ashore onto sandy beaches. The land is covered by a huge variety of plants. The weather on Lewis is fairly mild. There is almost no axial tilt, yielding one constant season. One of the few drawbacks to the planet is the Yabba Tree. The Yabba Tree is not really a tree, but as it is a tall (3-5 meters) leafy plant, so most people call it a tree. The tree and its 23 subspecies are the most prolific species on the planet, and are found on all 6 continents. While the Yabba has huge flowers, that are extremely attractive, they release huge amounts of pollen. Unfortunately humans are highly allergic to this pollen. Vargr and other species derived from Terran stock also react to the pollen. The pollen accounts for the tainted atmosphere in the UPP. People who breath the pollen have a severe allergic reaction, resulting in trouble breathing, hives and an accelerated pulse. This proves fatal about half of the time,unless treated. The treatment is fairly routine, but involves a fairly extensive series of injections. After several years of being on planet ninety percent of the people become used to the pollen, and no longer have to wear filter masks. The remaining ten percent of the population never becomes used to it, and is forced to continue wearing the masks. For this reason, all buildings have extensive filtration systems. The planet's atmosphere is very thin and requires the use of compression masks.

ORBITAL MOTION

Lewis orbits the gas giant Zenthra in just over seven standard days. It is tidally locked with Zenthra. So one side always faces the planet. Since Zenthra is so big in the sky, (3.75 degrees, over seven times the angular size of Luna), it eclipses the sun each once each time Lewis orbits it. The eclipse lasts about two hours. Inselberg (see below) is situated in a prime viewing site for this, and most visitors view the eclipse several times.

HISTORY

Lewis has been owned by the Tukera Family since it was granted to them by Emperor Zhakirov in 684, for services rendered. The Tukeras used it as family retreat, and vacation spot. They would also reward Tukera Line employees with luxurious vacations there. In 948, Baroness Belinda, the Tukera family administrator in charge of the planet, needed to raise money to cover massive gambling debts. She sold settlement rights, for the continent of Desmoaned, to a colonization firm from Rethe/Regina, and used the proceeds to settle her gambling debts. Upon the learning that part of their private vacation spot had been sold to simple farmers, the rest of the family was infuriated. Belinda was removed from her post and disinherited. She fled to Rugbird/Aramis, where she died in an argument with a Vargr pit boss. Over the next few years the family tried to get the settlement contract thrown out, but the courts ruled that the family had given Baron Belinda full rights to negotiate, and they would have to live with her mistake.

The settlers were fed up with life on Rethe, a poor crowded world. They decided to strike out and build a new life. They were planning on shipping out to District 268, but when the land on Lewis came on the market, they snapped up the once in a lifetime offer. They set out to build a settlement that was a pleasant place to raise a family. All around them they saw natural beauty, they pledged to preserve that beauty for future generations. They designed their settlement to have minimal impact on the environment. They practiced organic farming. Instead of using pesticides, they released geneered predators that ate the pests. They designed their homes and buildings to blend in with the natural scenery. Some homes blend in so well that they are hard to spot from a distance.

The family offered to buy out the colonists, but the now thriving colony refused. The Tukeras then tried less pleasant means of persuasion. In 963 the colonists were able to persuade the Ministry of Justice to launch an investigation. After two weeks, the Imperial inquisitor ruled that Tukera was innocent of all charges. Soon thereafter he purchased a large and expensive yacht and retired.

The Tukera seemed to accept the settlers, occasionally administrators would try to buy out the settlers, but the settlers steadfastly refused to budge. The impasse lasted until Baronet Rogarr was named administrator of all Tukera Family property in the Marches in the year 1073. The thought of settlers on his beloved Lewis, goaded him to no end. Finally he decided on a plan of action. Rogarr had gone to school at the Imperial University on Capital. One of his classmates and best friends, was Derrin Aeontalla, who was now Marquis Aeontalla of Aramis. With the help of Marquis Aeontalla and several other nobles indebted to the Tukera family. Rogarr was able to persuade the Imperial Court to declare Lewis a Red Zone, forbidding all traffic with the planet. With the exception of Tukera family ships, who were granted a special dispensation allowing them access.

The Tukeras made a final offer to the settlers; middle passage, and 1000cr each if they would leave now. A few thousand settlers took the offer. They thought life under an Imperial Interdiction would be unbearable. The remainder decided that Lewis was their home, and they wouldn't leave to make some sniveling noble and his toadies happy. One of the chief instigators of this response was Dwayne Muurgan. His fiery orations stirred the blood of the settlers and gave them a will to resist. He thought that once the planet was sealed, the Tukeras would move in with hired guns, and try to exterminate the settlers. To forestall this he had the settlers manufacture small arms, so that they could defend their homes.

Even though the Tukeras had done some unpleasant things in their past, they weren't about to send in mercenaries to slaughter over 80,000 men, women, and children. Baronet Rogarr thought it best if they simply waited until the settlers gave up. He ordered that each year a liner land at the settlement and offer free passage to anyone willing to give up all claim to the planet. For the first few years no one took the Tukeras up on their offer, but after a few years, a few settlers would leave each year, ten one year, fifty the next. These emigrants are one of the few sources of information about conditions on lewis. By 1100, seven thousand settlers had chosen to leave. But that still left over seventy thousand still on the planet.

When the settlers bought rights to settle on Lewis, those rights only pertained to the continent Desmoaned and the archipelago to the north. Desmoaned is a smallish continent, about four million square kilometers. The interdiction restricts the settlers to this territory and no other. Tukera family security monitors the continent for violations. The penalty for violating the boundaries, even accidentally, is exile from the planet.

The Civil War slowed down the flow of visitors. Only those Tukera employees from the Domain of Deneb could get to Lewis. This created a bit of economic strain, but Tukera was willing to absorb the cost. There was some talk of opening up the planet to paying customers. But this talk was quickly squashed by Tukera higher ups. They thought the exclusiveness of the planet, was well worth the cost.

The settlers received little news of the Civil War, and it did not impact their lives at all. At least that is what they thought. On 152-1119, three Vargr Corsair Destroyers landed at the Settlement and looted and burned most of it. After filling their holds with booty, they took off, but as a final act of cruelty bombarded the settlement from orbit. Three quarters of the settlers, over 45,000 people, died in the attack. It remains one of the more senseless Vargr attacks in Regency history.

Tukera personal on planet immediate offered their help to the surviving settlers. Unfortunately the small hospital at Inselberg would be swamped with all the victims, but Tukera offered to ship anyone in need of medical assistance, to Patnir, the nearest star system with adequate medical facilities. Of course, no one who left would ever be allowed to return. Most settlers decided a life in exile would be better than no life at all. After the attack and subsequent evacuation, only five thousand settlers were left on planet. Those who had survived resolved that nothing would force them from their land. Many survivors blamed Tukera for the attack, suggesting that the Vargr were working for Tukera or at the least Tukera did not stop the attack.

Tukera family spokespersons vehemently denied these charges, "Our system defense boats were patrolling the outer system, they rushed to the planet as soon as the alarm was raised, but were too late. The entire Tukera family sends it's deepest sympathy to these victims of Vargr aggression."

The remaining settlers set about rebuilding their home. There was enough food at outlying farms, to get them through the first growing season. The first year was the roughest, but by pulling together, the settlers were able to overcome the difficulties. It took the settlers five years to rebuild their homes.

In 1125 they reorganized their settlement, and created a government that they still use to this day. Before this they had no formal government, now they elected a Governor, and ten Speakers. The Governor would serve for life, and was charged with freeing the planet from its interdiction. The settlers elected Justin Muurgan, grandson of Dwayne Muurgan. He was only 29 when elected. He still serves as Governor to this day. When asked about the length of his political career, he responded,"The Governor serves for life, and I refuse to die anywhere but where I was born."

The Speakers are elected every two years. Note that there are an even number of Speakers. The settlers value consensus, and wanted their representative to come to an agreement, not just out vote each other. The Speakers find issues that effect the settlement, and figure out a solution that is best for the most people. Most of the issues are fairly mundane, such things as land use, new construction, and farming schedules.

When the Tukera liner came in 1126, the Governor was the only settler to take passage off planet. He was also the last settler to ever leave the planet. Governor Muurgan immediately got in contact with the survivors of the Vargr attack who had been evacuated. He gathered them together on Xenon Station, a beat up mining station, located in the Patnir System. Once they were settled, he set out to convince the Domain of Deneb to lift the interdiction on his home world. For decades he has spoken to every Imperial official, that would see him. To each of these he told the history of his world. Most sympathized, but were unable or unwilling to do anything to help.

Governor Muurgan also spread the word about Lewis, to the media, he would talk to any reporter, no matter how small their publication. His passionate pleas have aroused a great deal of public support on several worlds, notably La Belle/Lanth, Zivije/Rhylanor and Thingen/Sabine. It has become a fashionable cause, there are rallies, fund raisers, and lots of speeches. Some of these people have tried to create a boycott of Tukera Lines and related companies, but it has had little effect so far. Tukera Lines has suffered since the Domain of Deneb was cut off from the rest of the Imperium. Their public connection to Margret's faction hurt them in the eyes of many Domain residents, who saw Margret as another schemer who was helping to destroy the Imperium. Today they are fraction of what they used to be, but the family that was left in the Domain still has enough money and power to affect their destiny.

When Norris announced the Representational Reforms, Governor Muurgan thought that he would be selected as Lewis's representative, but the Tukera family were able to convince the Regency that they should select a representive. Since this time the Tukera family has becoming one of the leaders of the Resistance movement, trying to obstruct the reforms at any cost.

Most members of the Regency Senate have been reluctant to overturn the interdiction of Lewis, since it was an Imperial decree, and if the Senate were to overturn it, this would signify that the Senate could overrule the Emperor. While currently there is no emperor, many members cling to the hope that there will someday be one. Lately some of the more democratic members of the Senate have taken up the cause, mainly using it as a tool against Tukera and the Resisters. They see it as an example of what the Resisters stand for and how they harm people. One small victory they have managed to achieve, is that the new UPP in the 1201 census figures, features the Settlers's tech level and government code. This is a small victory, but it is a first step. Gov Muurgan does not care that some supporters care more about damaging the Resisters than Lewis, he just wants his home to be free.

SOCIETY

The settlers have been able to create a self sufficient society. It helps that they area farming community and can grow their own food supplies. They do not have a great deal of manufacturing capabilities, mostly small machine shops which hand make parts on demand. They are able to keep running the few mechanical devices that they did possess. These are mostly farming vehicles. Their medical facilities are top rate, and able to cope with almost any problem. There is one hospital for the entire settlement it is located in Grenwinae. Which is the only true city the settlers possess. The hospital has about a dozen helicopters which it uses to transport patients, and deliver doctors to the outlying farms. Power for the settlement is generated by a hydroelectric power plant, which uses wave power. Most people use animal powered wagons and carts to get around. They find these easy to maintain, and also have a very low impact on the environment. The settlement is very close knit. They have weekly gatherings where they talk and socialize. These gatherings involve dancing, music, and other performances by the citizens of the settlement. There are no pure entertainers, the settlement is not big enough to support non-productive members. These gatherings also serve to draw the community together, making it an extended family.

The Tukera facilities on the planet are centered at Inselberg, a small resort on the largest continent, Greenhaven. To avoid the Yabba pollen, the city is domed. The city has several large luxury hotels, a casino, amusement park, dance clubs, concert amphitheater, golf courses, and dozens of other amusements for guests of the Tukeras. The restaurants are some of the best in the subsector. Guests are pampered the moment they step foot off the starship door. Everything is the best that money can buy, but guests don't have to pay for anything, Tukera picks up the tab for everything. Everything except for the casino, there you have to risk your own money. The staff at Inselberg exists solely to fulfill the slightest whim of guests.

Inselberg is not the only resort on the planet. Glacier Point is a resort on the Northern tip of Greenhaven. It specializes in winter activities, such as skiing and ice sailing. There are several small villas located on isolated islands to the south of Greenhaven. These are available for guests who prefer a more isolated vacation. Tukera also runs several grav yachts which tour the planet, showing off the wonders of the planet. These yachts even plunge to the bottom of the ocean, to show off the fascinating marine life. Life on these yachts is not austere, the yachts are bigger then most starships. They include ballrooms, swimming pools, and everything else the idle rich would want. There are several other sites, that are of interests to guests; Crystal Caves are a large cavern system 75 kms northwest of Inselberg. Most visitors take a day trip from Inselberg. There is an active shield volcano located on the western edge of Greenhaven. This is one of the largest shield volcanos in the Regency.

Security is very tight around Inselberg. Tukera officials refuse to disclose exact figures, but it is believed that there are about five hundred Tukera Line security troops on planet. In antebellum times, there were hundreds of top of the line security robots, but it is presumed that use of these has fallen off since the Virus. Security, while tight, is very transparent to the guests at Inselberg, most never notice it. It is unknown why Tukera keeps such a large security force, on a resort world. It is possible that they fear attacks from the settlers on Desmoaned. There is a small class D starport at Inselberg. While small it is one of the nicest looking class D starports in the Regency.

Tukera biologists have developed a partial vaccine for the the Yabba Tree's pollen. It allows a person to breath the pollen, with no ill effects, but a toxic residue builds up. After a month, use must be discontinued. Severe nerve damage can occur if use does persist. The vaccine, allows vacationers to tour the fabulous beaches of Lewis, go skiing, all without dealing with messy filter masks. Though compression masks are still required.

System Detail
Orbit	Name	UWP	Satellite Orbit	Satellite UWP
Primary	BZ 46588	F8 V
1	Yilla	X-900000-0
	Damion		2	X-100000-0
3	Grecgory	X-100000-0
4	Aerathoa	X-564000-0
5	Zenthra	LGG
	Diamond Ring		6	X-R00000-0
	Gennifer		12	X-100000-0
	Lewis		15	X-427344-8
	Hunter		40	X-770000-0
	Artemis		45	X-468000-0
	Aimee		55	X-799000-0
6	Barkenoff	X-859000-0
3	Dwight	X-535000-0
	Davros		5	X-R00000-0
8	Firefly	X-452000-0
	Shadows		8	X-132000-0
	Ember		30	X-S00000-0
	Grunt		40	X-140000-0
9	Dale	X-665000-0
10	Megalith	X-A8A00-0
	Rhodes		4	X-S00000-0
	Donkey		5	X-S00000-0
	Czarina		8	X-S00000-0

Note: While Artemis looks like an attractive world from the UPP, it is far from it. It is currently undergoing severe vulcanism. This makes the planet extremely dangerous.

References: The Traveller Adventure
The Regency Sourcebook: Keepers of the Flame