Hearth

Hearth (designated Nomadum V) is one of six planets in the Nomadum system (two colonized, four non-colonized). A mostly industrialized planet, Hearth is known for its big corporations that manipulate its government to get away with highly unethical business practices. Colonization began in 2398 by colonists of Italian and British descent during the "Great It-Brit Travels of 2397-98" (a term coined by native Heartheans). The planet took some time to grow a stable economy and heavily relied on its neighbor, Galway, to provide financial support. In the early-to-mid 25th century, the Official Bank of Hearth was established, giving the planet a stable economy and increasing its population tenfold.
Of course, like everything, it came to an end. No longer were the days of people forming their own businesses and making a name for themselves. Done were the days of names like Mar Aire and Daniel Vincenzo. Big businesses like MT Steel bought out the steel companies and R.E McIntosh overtook the furniture business. Do you think that some average joe would allow this? Of course not. The Big Corporate Wars plagued the planet until the onset of the Insurrection, which ended these wars unofficially and unceremoniously. As of the present day, Hearth is comparable to the 21st century United States. It has its enemies, it has its allies, and political parties clash everyday.
== History ==
=== Pre-Colonization ===
As far as historians can tell, Hearth was formed along with the rest of the universe during the "Big Bang". For hundreds of thousands of years, large mammals not to different to modern-day gorillas roamed the planet as the dominant species. They were so powerful, in fact, that many Heartheans believe that they halted the evolution of other species. They hunted aquatic-dwelling lifeforms, avian creatures, and other mammals during their time. There was no real threat to the species other than the harsh climate. Summers brought intense droughts and winters brought temperatures so cold that it would freeze over entire oceans. 
This species would go extinct long before the time of the Forerunners, presumably during the "Great Freezing". This was the worst winter that the planet had ever experienced, with its entirety being covered in frost. The cold destroyed everything in its path besides those who resided in the seas, ultimately making them the new dominant lifeforms on the planet. Most of them were docile, peaceful animals, making conflict unlikely and allowing them to live in peace for many more generations. Only one carnivorous lifeform was found to exist. They dwelled in the deepest parts of the planet's oceans and would feast on approaching deep-sea fish.
Their numbers were way too small and food was scarce, leading to their extinction only a millennia later. Fast forward a few hundred-thousand years later, and the Forerunners happened to have come across this frozen planet. Noting that it was almost inhospitable, they left it behind without considering the benefits that may come from colonizing the planet. A rare element known as Primis (literally translated to First in Latin) were buried far beneath the surface. They lined the caverns of the planet's vast oceans and shined almost as bright as a diamond. Not only were they beautiful, they had the ability to power warships if processed enough. They were a suitable replacement to the expensive methods used by the Ecumene at the time.
During the earlier days of the Forerunner-Flood War, the Flood had somehow discovered Hearth. Even they could tell that the planet was devoid of much life, so little in fact, that it would be more effective just to infect a small group of wild animals on another planet. And so it sat, awaiting for someone or something to colonize it. When the Halo Array was activated everything was wiped out, and I mean everything. A group of surviving Forerunners known as the Overseers had made their way to the planet, hoping to find something of use. The planet was still in the middle of the Great Freezing and was still clearly inhospitable. The Overseers had attempted to drill their way into the ice to no avail. It had been hardened by time and nothing could penetrate it. 
One young member of the group, Newcomer-of-Blinding-Light, had noted the ice wasn't even slippery. It had the texture of metal and the hardness of warship. They left the planet empty-handed and without more knowledge of what laid beneath the oceans' surface. Just a few days later, the planet was repopulated by a keyship. These were not its natives, however, and were rather a mixture of wildlife from other planets. This was most definitely a mistake and was most likely caused by a keyship malfunctioning. Nonetheless, these creatures began to thrive. Giant mammals known as Manus Suaviter (literally "Gentle Hands") now controlled the surface of the planet. Contrary to their name, they were territorial predators. They had used giant rocks and sharpened tree branches to kill their invaders.
By 2267, the Great Freezing finally subsided. The worst winter in all of recorded history had finally began to show weakness. In about thirty years (2297), the first trees since the beginning of this "doomsday scenario" had began to grow. Oceans finally opened up and what were once frozen landscapes became plains and rainforests. The Manus Suaviter had began to die out around this time. Their thick fur did not counter the heat of the springs and summers. Heat stroke was the most common killer of the Manus, wiping out about 57% of their population. This was the complete opposite to what happened to the first dominant mammals, which all perished because of hypothermia, starvation, or dehydration. The remaining 43% took refuge near and around glaciers or polar landscapes, attempting to escape from the heat.
This plan failed and the species went extinct in 2300, approximately 98 years prior to the arrival of humanity. And so the planet sat in wait once again, hoping that one species would last. In 2397, the final year before humanity's arrival, all but 2% of the planet's surface was now devoid of the Great Freezing's effects. A large chunk of ice had broken off from one of the oceans was all that was left. Creatures were now allowed to roam freely without the threat that a frozen planet brings, causing a new wave of prosperity to the planet. For the first time in about 3 million years, the planet's great mountain ranges were no longer covered in frost and were now visible.
=== Colonization ===
The Great It-Brit Travels of 2397-98 were coming to a close in the later half of the latter year. Some people considered this project a failure, a complete and utter squandering of resources provided to them so generously by their governments. They hadn't done much in the year that had passed besides attempting to find a planet that required very little work to colonized. This all changed when they stumbled upon Hearth. This Earth-like planet was perfect! Breathable air, a stable source of resources, this place had everything. Colonization began shortly thereafter, cities popping up every now and then. It was common to see freighters carrying mining tools and other equipment throughout the planet alongside, as was seeing important looking people prowling the streets. By 2412, the planet was (almost) fully colonized and was showing remarkable success. Following the discovery of Primis the planet began to gain interest from businesses, especially those who partook in the reselling in precious goods. Yet, despite the flooding of foreign business entities, family owned and local corporations still dominated Hearth. Big companies like United Cargo attempted to overthrow the little companies but were stopped by the overwhelming support to those "little guys." In 2454, all but one part of the planet had been touched by humanity. The large plate of ice that had drifted away from its original resting position had ended up lodged in the planet's north pole. Decisions were made to allow this large piece of ice to remain as a piece of Hearth's history (later leading it to become a famous tourist trap). Naturism (a religion that believes that nature is the only holy thing in this universe) was outraged by this. They believed that a piece of ice that was only caused due to a horrible winter was not nearly as valuable as a rainforest. They, of course, attempted to destroy the plate in the "Ice Revolts of '56", which left six shot dead and fourteen hundred wounded following the arrival of Hearth's militia.
Realizing that this whole thing was one big operation orchestrated by the higher-ups at the Hearth Church of Naturism, the religion was banned entirely by the planet's government. Pope Adam II was detained for acts of terrorism alongside his co-conspirators the following month. Naturale, the home city of Naturism, was burnt to the ground by the militia and all holy texts were confiscated. People had believed this to be a violation of their rights to their religion, but no attempts to revoke this were made. They didn't want to be the next ones to be killed by the militia because of their attempts to revolt against their "fascist government." However, over time, people began to grow violent despite their fears of being executed. The buyout of the Harrow Corporation by MT Steel was the breaking point for those who were already enraged. 
=== The Big Corporate Wars ===
==== Initial Uprising ====
February 3rd, 2456. People attempting to "liberate" one of Harrow Corporation formerly owned mines during a rainstorm, wishing to bring harm to its new foreman. MT Corporate Security ordered the foreman and other high ranking employees into the mines, barricading the entrance with its "ancient" gate systems. The lightly armed security guards were no match for the thousands of rebels and were forced to allow them into the mines. This was a colossal example of incompetence and unwillingness to show devotion to their company who had provided them so much. The foreman was forced out of the mine, hung up on a pole, and shot dead by the orchestrator of the riot. A few days later, many people who were confirmed to have been involved in the attack were arrested and given life sentences. The colony's militia, posing as prison guards, freed a few of the rioters and brought them to a ridge a few miles west of the prison. Expecting freedom, the rioters tried to thank the men only to be shot and dumped into the river below the ridge.
Category:Planets