Kötze

Kötze (Kötze 1309 B476AFX-B N Hi In A) is a celestial object and recognised member of the Confederated Systems in Lodestar Convoy.
== Physical Characteristics ==
As a fairly small planet (roughly 6,400km in diameter), Kötze is classified as a low-gravity world. Due to overwhelming population on such a small celestial body, Kötze is characterised by its towering skyscrapers and cityscapes that cover almost its entire surface. Kötze is the most industrial planet in the galaxy and as such has an atmosphere polluted with chemical particulates that require anyone in unconditioned areas to wear a filter mask. The planet is temperate by nature but in any populated areas is remarked to feel humid and uncomfortable on account of the factories that work around the clock.
== Government & Politics ==
Kötze has been ruled by the Kaisers of the Noble House of Kötze since very early in its history, a family and accompanying government renowned for their oppressive strictness. The House of Kötze wields absolute power over their sixty billion subjects, allowing for very few personal freedoms. Before their acceptance into the Empire in 2218, the House of Kötze was portrayed as the archetype of opposition to the Emperor. 
While marked only as an Amber Travel Zone, travellers are advised to take the utmost caution when visiting Kötze. As the government monitors and restricts almost everything that enters the planet, it is not uncommon at all to become embroiled with the local authorities over any perceived breach of the law. The most common punishment in Kötze is the death sentence, though minor infractions have been known to be commuted down to simply exile or life imprisonment. The Traveller's Aid Society recommends hiring an experienced guide when visiting the planet itself, either from the LODESTAR Kötze Highport or from a neighboring planet like Hyrba.
For a long time after Kaiser Evald I bent the knee to the Emperor and officially joined the Confederated Systems in 2218 over two hundred years ago, the strength of the House Kötze was somewhat diminshed by a string of somewhat emasculated leaders. Three years ago Kötze was succeeded rather controversially by its first female ruler, Kaiserin Adelheid I, when she accused the heir apparent, her brother, of anagathic use. Kaiserin Adelheid is the most militaristic and aggressive head of state that Kötze has had since becoming a part of the Empire, and it's certainly worrying to some of the other members of the Senate.
== Culture & Life ==
As one of the most restrictive cultures in the galaxy, life on Kötze is significantly different than anywhere else in the known universe. Its citizens are offered very little outside of working for the state-owned industrial sectors and visiting travellers are largely prohibited from interacting with the general populace. Ignorant travellers have been sentenced to death on Kötze for just sharing information of offworld affairs to the citizenry.
Despite possessing an unparalleled industrial sector and a population that is over 75% of the entire galaxy, Kötze has been unable to completely rival the Empire in terms of strength due to a few cultural factors. Most prominently is that the House of Kötze (and thus the general public too) are staunchly opposed to the use of anagathic drugs, seeing them as an affront to the natural order. While the Emperors of Volta do Mar have tacitly abused anagathics to prolong their life and their reign, the Kaisers of Kötze have lived and died in their natural lifespans. This has significantly halted their growth in comparison to their Imperial rivals, as dealing with the multitude of problems that succession invites has prevented them from being truly spearheaded by one brilliant mind like the Empire.
The citizenry are indoctrinated to view the House of Kötze as all-powerful and benevolent despite the abuses they face from the system they live under, and that the inhabitants of Kötze are better than the rest of the Empire. A large majority of the workable population are placated using a combination of drugs and virtual reality to numb them on their short rests between working shifts.
With such a large population, part of the agreement that came with accepting Kötze into the Empire was that its people not be prevented from joining the Imperial Military, and as such Kötzereicher marines and navy personnel are not an uncommon sight. Within the military it is common to confine Kötzereicher soldiers to their own squads that have minimal interaction with the rest of the military. Kötze squadrons are typically disliked by other military personnel for their attitudes.
== Trivia ==