Alderaan
A Peaceful Planet.
Alderaan: Basic Information.
Allegiance: Currently Independent.
Native Species: Killik.
Moons: One.
System: Alderaan System.
Region: Core Worlds.
Terrain: Varied. Similar to our planet.
Atmosphere: Breathable.
Landmarks: The Castle Lands, Crevasse City.
System Information: The Alderaan System contained five planets. The planet Alderaan was the second from the sun. This system also contained an asteroid that was the only known source of Bondar Crystals, which could be used in the construction of lightsabers.
The Shining Star.
Alderaan was the origin planet of the insectoid race known as the Killik, but another species known as the Celestials moved them from Alderaan before Humans settled there. Humans came to Alderaan from Coruscant around 27,500BBY and settled the planet as a peaceful civilization in harmony with the planets natural ecosystem.
The planet has a highly varied terrain consisting of grassy plains, snow capped mountains, small oceans, jungles and more. It is sometimes referred to as the “Shining Star” of the Core Worlds. Since it was colonized Alderaan has been a deeply cultural society. Art, music and philosophy are common pursuits for Alderaanians, as is the pursuit of knowledge. When the Galactic Republic was formed in 25,053BBY Alderaan was one of the Core Founders. Where Coruscant was considered to be the heart of the Republic, Alderaan was its soul.
Conflict Comes to Alderaan.
Alderaan has always been a strong political presence in the Galactic Republic, but always very peaceful in its intentions. This changed at the start of the Great Galactic War however, when the Sith Empire invaded Alderaan conquering the planet and taking the entire royal family hostage. The Republic acted swiftly and brought in a solid counter-offensive that recaptured the planet and dealt a heavy blow to the Empire.
Alderaan became one of the stronger voices for war against the Empire within the Galactic Senate as a result of their invasion. When the Treaty of Coruscant was signed Alderaan seceded from the Republic and declared themselves an independent system. In fact the crown prince of Alderaan marched out of the senate in protest. Various political factions on Alderaan viewed the actions of the crown prince differently, and when both he and his mother died within a few days of each other the political climate took a turn for the worse. The parliament could not decide which noble house should inherit the throne and when House Thul tried to settle the matter by force (with some Imperial backing) civil war erupted.
War Within a War.
The civil war on Alderaan was no longer an internal matter once a forgotten house returned from obscurity with the Empire in its corner. The Republic followed suit and started pouring support into House Organa. With the planet now independent neither faction was willing to let the other gain the upper hand. Officially neither the Republic nor the Empire had any troops on the planet, but it was obvious to all that the civil war of succession now had both sides invested in it.
This planet is going to be a big point of interest for us in game as it is one of the “PvP Planets” that Bioware are giving us. A civil war with massive superpowers dabbling their fingers in the mix is an awesome setting for this Player verse Player theme in my opinion. I am really interested in seeing how much (if anything) changes within the political structure of the planet due to your actions. And furthermore, how much (if any) of an effect this has on your PvP experience on Alderaan.
-Gav.
