May System

The May system (hex 07.07) contains two planets. Barria, the capital planet of the system, contains the majority of the population of the May system. Located far away from the spike corridors connecting influential systems like Chhaya, Pusti, and Martinez (the base of the Corliss Triumvirate), most people passing through the May system are either interested in advanced Barrian agricultural technology, teaching from the seminaries in Aramore or Exeter, or are seeking a quiet life, far from the bustle of the larger systems.

## Barria

* Atmosphere: Breathable
* Temperature: Temperate
* Biosphere: Human-miscible
* Population: 2,600,000
* Technology: Tech-Level 4 (Agricultural Specialty)

Barria is the larger planet in the system, with major population centers at Aramore (350,000 people), New Ascot (600,000 people), and Exeter (the capital of the system, 900,000 people). Barria has one moon, Barriala, which houses the prison population of Barria.

The Barrian government in Exeter self-describes itself as a "free theocracy", with Judeo-Christian principles being evident in the laws and policies of the planet while still allowing religious freedom for its inhabitants. Although the government and religious organizations are officially separate, no Barrian leaders have been able to successfully govern without at least the church's partial support.

Barria is a largely religious planet, with over 60% of the population professing faith in Christianity. Most large cities are covered with dozens of affiliated churches throughout the city, and smaller churches dot the countryside to provide church communities to the hundreds of thousands of Barrians that live greater than a day's journey from the larger cities.

Barrian religious organizations have imported millions of plants and trees from Farusa (whose plant life is believed to be largely imported from Earth) to make the planet more Earth-like in accordance with the Christian desire to return to Earth. Outside the capital city of Exeter, a large field of imported trees, plants, and flowers (especially tulips, "the most beautiful flower in God's garden") make up a garden known as "Eden" by Barrian locals.

Aramore and Exeter host two prominent seminaries in the sector for those seeking a life in Christian ministry, the Aramore Seminary for Christian Instruction and Inspiration (ASCII) and Exeter Divinity School (EDS). Jedidiah studied part-time at ASCII while finishing up primary school education prior to departing for Farusa.

Barria is largely an agricultural planet, with an abundance of fertile plains for farming a variety of crops year-round. During the Silence, Barria provided a source of food for nearby systems that made possible the survival of less-farmable worlds, and Barrian agriculture became the beneficiary of significant investments of money, time, and resources. As such, Barrian agricultural techniques and technology are some of the best in the sector. Barria still continues to be a large exporter of agricultural products, even donating food and raw goods to the less-prosperous planet Thorfinna in the Asa system.

Exeter is home to the headquarters of Yessler Scientific, a research corporation.

## Kritopoulos

* Atmosphere: Invasive/Toxic
* Temperature: Corrosive
* Biosphere: No Native
* Population: Under 1,000
* Technology: Tech-Level 1, Medieval

Kritopoulos is virtually uninhabited by humans due to its corrosive atmosphere. However, it hosts a population of creatures of primate-level intelligence known as the Veln.

The Yessler Corporation does maintain a small observation station in orbit, and sends survey teams from time to time to check up on the Veln population. The motivations of the Yessler Corporation are unknown, but the idea of the possible conversion of the Veln people to Christianity is currently a subject of debate on Barria.

Kritopoulos offers a harsh training field for Precognition, Biopsionic, Telekinetic, and Teleportation psychic students alike to sharpen their skills.