About thirty years ago, Frost IV suffered a tectonic disaster of immense
proportions which destroyed most the buildings and facilities on Frost.
Already a marginal arctic world, Frost has had enormous difficulties rebuilding.
Travelers going to Frost should expect harsh conditions.
This area of local space is just a place between the worlds. Each of
the neighboring planetary systems maintains a station in the Hub. The Aslund
station is a utilitarian military station which is currently undergoing
renovation amid yet another round of peculation lawsuits. Jacksons Whole
has a series of pleasure and work stations maintained by the various Jacksonian
Syndicate Houses. Pol's station focuses on handling trade vessels and their
cargoes. Vervain's station is a military station which in the easing of
Hubside tensions has been refitted to focus on accommodating travelers
and trading vessels.
An agricultural world with a heavy export production of garlic and
fennel. Travelers with Jump Pilot potential will enjoy the jump to Hespari
which is well known for the startling beauty of its red jump.
Every year,
thousands of Galactic citizens gather to watch or compete in the Illyrica
Solar Run. The run is made up of a series of different races for engine
powered vessels and solar sail ships between Illyrican local space and
its sun. The 1st prize in each race, one million Illyrican pounds, is offered
by a consortium of space craft design firms based out of Illyrica. This
is just one of many ways Illyrica tries to stay on the cutting edge of
space faring technology.
Illyica has long been famous throughout the Nexus for the sleek lines
and high quality of their ships. Space craft of all shapes and sizes maybe
purchased in Illyrican ship yards. There is also a flourishing trade in
antique and used space craft.
The Air and Space Museum in the city of Ariel is well worth a visit.
The museum contains extensive displays from the earliest days of flight
to the present including a working model of modern Necklin Rods.
This sub arctic world was first settled by Admiral Jackson who operated
a wholesale retail business selling items his ships had "liberated" from
passing transports. After a brief period of turmoil following the unfortunate
death of Admiral. Jackson, he fell on his own vibra knife, the planet's
government settled into a conglomeration of syndicate houses.
True to its roots, Jacksonian houses pride themselves on providing anything
and everything to customers at reasonable market prices. House Fell provides
a variety of weaponry for both large and small scale destruction. House
Dyne provides no questions asked banking. House Bharaputra specializes
in large scale genetic contracts and longevity treatments. Meanwhile, House
Ryoval,
Dreams made Flesh, specializes in unique one of a kind genetic
products.
Travelers should be aware that many of the neighboring systems consider
some Jacksonian practices illegal. Persons who have made use of House Bharaputran
longevity treatments may be detained on first degree murder charges if
passing through Beta Colony space. House Ryoval products being transported
through Escobaran space may be confiscated on the grounds that they are
sentient beings. Pol does not allow importation of House Fell neutron grenades.
A glittering tube worm of humanity in space, Kline Station is much
more than just a way station for travelers.
Travelers come to Kline Station from all directions of the Nexus. Kline
Station shops carry a wide range of goods and foods imported from all points
on the Jump map as well as local products. You shouldn't try to get away
from the station without trying one their native delicacies, the deliciously
tender newt. Local chefs have devised a stunning variety of ways to prepare
the amphibian ranging from the simple newt nugget to the sumptuous newt
l'orange.
Kline Station has facilities which cater to a variety of needs. There
are many excellent null and low g sports facilities at single and group
rates. The dining facilities in the Transient Area cater excellent cuisine
with stunning views of the outside of the station.
Newcomers may find the station a bit of a labyrinth, so hold onto the
map provided to you when you first arrive on the station. Otherwise contact
the black uniformed security officers for assistance.
As a space station, Kline Station practices rigorous sanitary screening.
Do not under any circumstances attempt to enter the station while infected
with a communicable illness. You will be quarantined. This also applies
to any animals or cargo you may be transporting. Insects are completely
prohibited.
Komarr is a key member of the Barrayaran Empire. At the center of a
wormhole rich sector of space, Komarr relies mostly on trade and travelers
for income. Travelers will be able to find accommodations and restaurants
in a wide range of prices and planetary styles.
The landscape outside the domes can be quite literally breathtaking.
Komarr is the middle of an eight hundred year project to terraform the
planet into a human habitable world. Until then, Komarrans live in domed
cities under the dual light of their sun and a human made solar array.
When going outside the domes, always make sure to check your breather gear
for oxygen levels or your vacation may be cut drastically short.
Domes are well connected by an economical public transit system. However,
the public transit tube systems in several of the major metropolitan complexes
are subject to stalls and traffic jams at peak use times. Travelers should
try and avoid using tubes from 5-9 in the morning and 4-7 in the evening.
In its long and wealthy history, the Komarrans have built many monuments
within their domed cities. One of the more whimsical is a memorial to one
of the most successful trade ventures in Komarran history, the Marat Galen.
The principal share holders set up a sizable trust fund to maintain Galen
Topiary Garden in Solstice. A series of holographic generators causes the
image of a golden antique clipper ship to sail across the surface of the
park's dome. As a more somber historical reminder, a few miles away a simple
black monolith lists the names of those who died at the Solstice Massacre
following Barrayar's annexation of Komarr.
Not everyone's idea of a perfect holiday spot, but a great world for
wilderness and company retreats.
Since they live on a marginal world with few resources, the Kshatryrians
specialize in exporting trained fighters. Military training begins very
early for both genders and general education stresses outdoor activities.
Kshatyria has some of the best schools in martial arts training available
in the Nexus. Also, the Imperial court operates several survival camps
open to Galactics which use modified versions of Kshatryian Imperial training.
This harsh desert world has a reputation for hospitality to visitors
who take the time to understand Lairouban culture. A few words in Lairouban
or Arabic and a positive attitude go a long way.
Travelers are advised that Lairoubans observe strict Islamic clothing
and food regulations. Female travelers should be particularly cautious
in their attire. Galactic women are certainly not expected to observe Purdah,
but they should be careful about going out at night by themselves and save
the sarongs for Beta Colony.
Every year,
thousands of Galactic citizens gather to watch or compete in the Illyrica
Solar Run. The run is made up of a series of different races for engine
powered vessels and solar sail ships between Illyrican local space and
its sun. The 1st prize in each race, one million Illyrican pounds, is offered
by a consortium of space craft design firms based out of Illyrica. This
is just one of many ways Illyrica tries to stay on the cutting edge of
space faring technology.
