Valkath Anchorage
Overview
| Type | Asteroid Station |
|---|---|
| Region | Kryx Nebula Fields |
| Affiliation | Unaligned |
| Population | Thousands |
| Primary Function | Trade Hub |
“Mos Eisley meets Deep Space Nine”
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Description
The Valkath Anchorage was established inside a small pocket of space where the tumultuous weather of the Nebula Fields show a little restraint. It’s a sprawling asteroid fortress turned neutral freeport for all factions of the galaxy to flock to. Naturally, this attracts illicit parties, such as the Imperial Remnant, Jitai Cartel and other underworld factions, especially those affiliated with the Gray Exchange. Though, due to its strategic position in the Nebula, it’s essential that the Anchorage remains open for the more legal members of the Galaxy, such as the Governemnts of the Unified Planets, Confederacy of Terran Gates and Lanternyard Incorporated and their various institutions. While these two sides of the coin certainly have a large profile, they don’t take up far more space than every other store, group or organization in this freeport.
Key Areas
| Area | Description |
|---|---|
| The Gorge Dock | Large Central Chasm which houses most of the captial docking facilities |
| Valkath Tower | Large Structure that reaches up from the Asteroid. Saw spurs of build-ups throughout the years and looks a little mangled but structurally sound. At the apex sits Space Traffic Control. |
| Old Minerstown | Surface Level Urban area that was used as a Mining base when the asteroid was first discovered. The Area has sprawled far beyond the original reaches and covers a significant area of the 10km wide crater in which the Anchorage sits. |
| Temple District | Deeper levels of the Anchorage. The informal Area of the underworld where most of the illicit factions work. Visibile if you look down the Gorge Dock |
| Gray Bazar | One of the only openly operating Bazar’s of the Gray Exchange in the Galaxy. |
| Zero-G Refineries | A series of external and internal facilities dedicated to processing raw ores and gases mined from the Kryx Nebula Fields or traded by prospectors. These are often run by independent outfits or leased by larger corporations like Al-Rabata or the Alsafi Caliphate. |
| The Pit Stop | A sprawling, open-air (by station standards) marketplace in Old Minerstown, filled with independent mechanics, ship-breakers, and tech scavengers. One can find rare ship parts, salvaged technology of dubious origin, or hire less-than-reputable crews for risky repair jobs. Constantly noisy and reeking of ozone and burnt metal. |
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Important Figures
| Name | Role | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Sozo Kasini | Administrator of the Valkath Union | Head of the Union, de-factor governour of the Anchorage. Her primary goal is the Anchorage’s continued autonomy and prosperity, often through morally grey compromises. |
| ”Silk” | Orchestrator of the Gray Bazar | An enigmatic figure whose true identity is unknown. Silk facilitates many of the high-level deals within the Gray Bazar and is said to know every secret whispered in the Anchorage. Deals in information as much as goods, and their favor is highly sought after. |
| Daichi Ryuujin | Daimio of the Ryuujin Family | As the “Pirate King of the Kryx” and head of the Ryuujin family, Daichi directly oversees their operations from a fortified section within the Temple District. He is a shrewd and ruthless leader, focused on the trade of exotic psychoactives and rare Nebula-sourced minerals. |
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Culture and Social Structure
| Culture Traits | Description |
|---|---|
| Information as Currency | Rumors, secrets, and verified intelligence are as valuable as any physical commodity. |
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| Social Hierarchy | Oligarchic Meritocracy |
|---|---|
| Languages | Galactic Standard |
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Local Economy and Trade
| Sector | Description |
|---|---|
| Primary Industries | Trade & Commerce (Legal & Illicit) Ship Services (Repair, Refueling, Outfitting) Information Brokerage Smuggling Refining Resources. |
| Exports | Processed Nebula Minerals/Gases, Illicit Goods (via Gray Exchange/Jitai), Information/Intelligence, Mercenary Services, Salvaged Technology. |
| Imports | Raw Materials (from Duchy of Duppy, etc.), Fuel (despite some local processing), Manufactured Goods, Foodstuffs, Medical Supplies, Weaponry, Technology. |
| Currency | Galactic Credits are standard, though barter, faction-specific scrip, and untraceable digital currencies are common in the Gray Bazar and Temple District. |
Law and Order
| Governing Body | Valkath Union |
|---|---|
| Primary Laws | Neutrality: No open warfare between recognized Factions. Disputes are to be handled through arbitration or covertly Docking and Trade Tariffs: All vessels must register with Space Traffic Control and pay assessed duties on declared cargo. Non-compliance results in impoundment or denial of services. Respect Mahākāla Authority: Interference with Mahākāla enforcers during their duties is strictly prohibited and met with swift, often brutal, force. |
| Enforcement | The Mahākāla, local Police-Warrior-Sect |
Factions
| Faction | Goals | Influence (1 - 5) |
|---|---|---|
| Imperial Remnant | Acquire restricted technology/weaponry, recruit disillusioned individuals, establish covert supply lines, undermine Unified Planets/Confederacy influence. | 3 |
| Confederacy of Terran Gates | Ensure safe passage for its merchants, monitor Imperial Remnant and Jitai Cartel activities, gather intelligence on Nebula politics, procure strategic resources. | 3 |
| Security Compound Company | Provide high-end security services to corporations and wealthy individuals, recruit experienced operatives. | 2 |
| Unified Planets of Sol | Maintain a visible presence to deter aggression, protect trade interests, gather intelligence on illicit activities and hostile factions. | 3 |
| Kryx House of Representatives | Advocate for the interests of smaller, independent Nebula systems and prospectors within the Anchorage, seek fair trade practices, mediate local disputes. | 3 |
| Danube Research Corp. | Acquire unique biological samples or anomalous data from the Nebula and brokers, conduct discreet research. | 2 |
| Lanternyard Incorporated | Secure trade routes for its goods, establish favorable contracts for resource processing (Zero-G Refineries), gather corporate intelligence on competitors. | 4 |
| Gray Exchange | Expand its network for all forms of illicit trade, launder funds, act as intermediaries for discreet transactions, gather and sell high-value information. | 5 |
| Unified Planets Navy | Keep docking and servicing privileges | 2 |
| Jitai Cartel (Ryuujin Family) | Dominate the trade of exotic psychoactives and rare Nebula minerals, expand smuggling routes, eliminate rivals, maintain their fortified holdout as a power base. | 4 |
| Archivo Urkantone | Acquire historical artifacts, lost data, or cultural treasures that pass through the Anchorage. May fund expeditions into the Majorum Drift. | 1 |
| South Rim | Establish a foothold for their trade networks expanding from the South Rim, seek new markets and resources, potentially challenge established smuggling rings. | 2 |
| Galactic Law Enforcement Agency | Monitor and gather intelligence on major criminal enterprises, potentially run covert sting operations. Limited direct jurisdiction. | 2 |
| Trask Intermediaries | Establish a local franchise as a fuel depot and logistics turntable | 1 |
| Various Shipbuilding Companies | Buying Goods from unaligned actors outside of their domestic markets | 2 |
Points of Interest
| Point of Interest | Description |
|---|---|
| ”No Lanterns Here” | A relatively upscale cantina near the Gorge Dock, frequented by ship captains, official faction representatives, and those wishing to make legitimate (or at least publicly presentable) deals. Known for explicitly not accepting Lanterns, the currency of Lanternyard Inc. |
| Ryuujin Family Compound (Temple District) | The heavily guarded operational base of Daichi Ryuujin and the Jitai Cartel’s Ryuujin family on the Anchorage. So opulent, it’s ceiling ornaments are said to be of Earth Gold. It’s the heart of their exotic goods trade and a no-go zone for most without an explicit (and usually dangerous) invitation. |
| Mahākāla Citadel | A heavily fortified section within Valkath Tower that serves as the headquarters, barracks, and training ground for the Mahākāla. Access is strictly forbidden to outsiders. |
| The Silk Road | Gray Bazar |
Recent Events
“Haraxas” Shortage: A rare celestial phenomenon temporarily disrupted the harvesting of a key psychoactive flora used by the Ryuujin family. This has led to increased prices, heightened tensions among their clients, and opportunistic rivals trying to fill the void, leading to skirmishes in the Temple District and the outer asteroid fields. Administrator Kasini is under pressure to restore order without overtly taking sides.
Adventure Hooks
The Stolen Ledger: A high-ranking member of the Gray Exchange has had a data slate containing records of their illicit deals (implicating several major “legitimate” figures on the station) stolen. Silk wants it back discreetly and is willing to pay handsomely, but other factions (like the Unified Planets Navy or GLEA) are also desperate to get their hands on it.
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Additional Details
Internal Transport: A network of trams, grav-lifts, and precarious catwalks connects the various districts. Unofficial “taxi” services operate in the deeper levels, often run by less-than-reputable individuals.