Astarte

> *"Our ancestors left Earth for the unknown, to explore the universe and get a deeper understanding of the Human nature without the restrictions of governments or even morals, long time established among our kind. The first pioneers landed in this world, the capital of our nation and the place where all began, to make those dreams of a better future possible."* - **Theresa Lausson, High Leader of History and Preservation**
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## ***Overview***

Astarte is a planet orbiting Thebes, in the Thebes System, in the Orion Nebula region, in the Orion's Arm of the Milky Way. It is located at 134 light years from Earth. It was colonized by humans coming from Earth and the Sol System, as dissidents, and here they founded the nation known as **The Heptarchy of Orion,** or also known as **The Directorate**. The settlers arrived to the planet and named it after this ancient human goddess.

## ***Geography***

Orbiting Astarte, we can find 5 moons: Leiva, Tildan, Udil, Babel and Ares. Only Tildan has a considerable size, being the rest dwarf moons.

There are three oceans on Astarte: a small one over the north, a small one over the southern pole, and a large one that goes from north to south connecting both poles and splitting the continental mass. The Oceans are known as Olis, Neris and Mekaia.

The planet has two poles, and one large supercontinent divided into three large subcontinents, that for geopolitical reasons are taken as three continents. These are ***Sayan, Rodina** and **Ikeda.*** The poles are known as ***Akara*** and ***Elena***

The Continent of Ikeda and Rodina are the most populous and where most cities are located. The Continent of Sayan is more agricultural and primary based.

* ***Ikeda***: It the most important continent in the planet. It hold Eldeia, the Capital and largest city on the planet. It also holds the city of Origin, the oldest settlement among the original 5 outpost created by the Settlers. It has a total population of 2,2 Billion. The economy of the region spins mostly around financial assets, such as banking and insurance, stock exchange and as the seat of many important companies. It is also a center for administration, real estate and health.
* ***Rodina***: Its the second most populated one, with about 1,4 Billion inhabitants. Most of the industry is based around shipbuilding, military facilities and Education. It holds important universities dedicated to Economics, Architecture, Physics and Engineering. A large part of the economy is also centered around manufacturing.
* ***Sayan***: The total population is 1,1 Billion. It is mostly a rural region, mostly dedicated to large scale food production, not only to feed the settlers of Astarte, but to export it to the colonies of the Thebes system, since without food produced here, the colonies could not survive, as many have a deficit on food production since their own hydroponic production is still not enough to cover the demand.
* ***Elena***: Is mostly an ice wasteland. It has some facilities, and up to 138 million residents on several scientific domes and residential refuges. Also large portions are dedicated to drinking water and energy production.
* ***Akara***: Has a population of 162 million people, in the Islands located off the shores of the Neris Ocean and in several domes across the icecap, mostly for minerals and scientific purposes. There is mostly a section also dedicated to drinking water extraction and energy production, as well as fossil fuels.

## ***History***

It was settled in 2206, by a human colony ship that was put into hibernation for over a generation. The original settlers were discontent with the Terran authorities, due to differences on ideology.

When colonist arrived, they were pretty much cut off from the rest of humanity. They reorganized themselves first with a constitution. Due to their ideological preferences, government was given to a Council, known as the Heptarchy. The members of this council are chosen through meritocracy, and represent the main fields of life in society: ***Economy and Production***, ***Science and Technology**, **Health and Wellbeing**, **Education and Historical Preservation**, **Diplomacy and Colonization**, **Art-Culture and Entertainment**,* and ***the Military***. The State was organized to find efficiency, and progress, specially on technology and sciences without restrictions. This mean no ethical work in design of IA or Genetic modifications. Also focus was made on preservation of the past.

The Planet was more or less fully colonized by 2267, and soon, the Heptarchy started to colonized their system, and later other worlds.

The Planet's capital, *Eldeia,* is also one of the oldest settlements on Astarte. It was founded by the early colonist in the most suitable land they could find in the planet, after a reunion the place was chosen and the colony ship alongside the settlers landed in this new world. There is an immense monument in the central square of Eldeia depicting the early settlers, a source of pride not only among Astartesians but among all inhabitants of the Heptarchy.

Colonist started to claim land when the authorities open the initial settlements to colonization, still it was pretty much regulated so not to empty the capital city.

## Institutions

The Planet Astarte holds the main center for Science and Technology ministry headquarters, one of the most vital and important to the entire nation. This makes Astarte the most advanced of the worlds of the Heptarchy. Most of the innovations and latest scientific research are held here.

It holds as well the Directorate Council, where the 7 Heptarchs reunite to resolve matters of state and to keep society as productive and advance as they can.

## ***Culture***

Astarteans are seen as luxurious and elegant, pretty much admired by many in the Heptarchy but also despise as arrogants.

One of the most cultural aspects is the focus on science and technology. Many kids are encourage to take jobs as scientists or engineers and to ask themselves about philosophical questions and problematics. Thus, emotionality and emotion in general are badly regarded while logic and logical thinking are praised.

Kids and adults are then pretty much not allowed to cry in public and try to learn more about certain topics to outpast their neighbours and colleagues in erudite conversations. In Highschools, debates are encouraged and research on the debates the students have are also posible assignments.