Shangri-La

Shangri-La is one of the seven Cradle Worlds of humanity.

## Geography

Shangri-La is unusual amongst the Cradle Worlds - large swathes of the planet appear purple from orbit, though for what reason is still uncertain. The planet also features vast oceans, an inland sea on its largest land mass, and extensive jungles. These jungles are almost impassible, making transit by air- or voidcraft almost a necessity.

Prior to the Scourge's arrival, Shangri-La was renowned as one of mankind's most popular tourist locations due to its breathtaking scenery, sumptuous plant life, and dazzling multitudes of mostly-harmless fauna. As a result, luxury hotel complexes and small spaceports evenly pepper its entire surface, each one separated from the next by miles of jungle. Many of these spaceports have played host to Scourge mining assets in the decades since their conquest of the planet, as Shangri-La's crust contains vast mineral wealth.

Shangri-La is orbited by two moons, known as Helen and Persephone. Little is known of these worlds, save that they play host to some particularly terrifying beasts that the Scourge have begun breeding en mass for parasite implantation.

## Reconquest

Due to Shangri-La's minimal orbital infrastructure, lack of major cities, and light Scourge garrison, it was deemed a prime target for invasion by the United Colonies of Mankind shortly after the Reconquest began. Operations began on February 5th, 2671, with light resistance offered by the Scourge forces in orbit; however, the majority of the Scourge refused to be drawn into a decisive engagement, resulting in an asymmetric hit-and-run campaign conducted against UCM void assets for the better part of the year.

The ground war proceeded in much the same way, as Shangri-La's unique geography made defining battle lines all but impossible. The highest dropship per capita ratio in the Reconquest was required for UCMA forces here, in conjunction with extensive strike carrier and troopship support. Despite these advantages, ground forces on Shangri-La were unable to contain the Scourge, resulting in a grinding state of affairs.

### PHR Involvement

On October 8th, 2671, while the vast majority of UCM void assets were out hunting down the remaining Scourge warships, a task force belonging to the Post-Human Republic arrived in-system, sweeping aside what few orbital defences were present and beginning landing operations at multiple obscure sites across Shangri-La. UCM naval assets were able to reform into a coherent fighting force after 72 hours, but were unable to bring the Republic to battle, possibly due to advance warning from PHR intelligence agents.

Though the PHR had achieved total surprise, casualties for the UCM forces were surprisingly light, making it clear that the Republic was not on Shangri-La to destroy Colonial assets and instead had another objective. As major pockets of Scourge resistance still remained planetside - in addition to a reformed Scourge presence in the void - the UCM opted to ignore the PHR's operations, refocusing their efforts on bringing Shangri-La to heel.

This "live and let live" approach lasted for several weeks, but would eventually be broken when a UCM reinforcement wave en route to a surface battle against the Scourge was entirely wiped out by an unknown force. As the battlefield was close to a PHR dropsite, it was presumed that the Republic was behind the attack, though they denied any wrongdoing. After a week of consideration, the UCM's Admiralty agreed to respond to the PHR forces in force, with a full-scale naval battle breaking out between the two forces on November 12th.

Due to exceptionally poor tactics, UCM losses during the battle were egregiously high; however, their superior numbers eventually won out, forcing the Republic to quit the system. Despite large numbers of PHR ground forces being stranded, they were able to continue to pursue their mysterious objectives, despite efforts by the UCM to bring them to heel.

### Conquest

In May of 2762, the commander of the PHR's ground forces - Aurelia Felix - was able to secure passage off of Shangri-La for herself and her remaining troops, conceding the system to the UCM. Despite continued threat from Scourge forces, the UCM declared Shangri-La open for exploitation - if not fully conquered - that same month, though presumably ground operations are continuing.