Vlaktes

**Vlaktes** was a terrestrial planet in the Cassiopeia Galaxy, covered in pink savannahs and canyons. It was the homeworld of the Vlaktesians.

## Description

A rocky world, Vlaktes was located on the inner eastern edge of the Outer Expanse region of the galaxy. The planet orbited two yellow giant stars and had three tiny rocky moons.

Vlaktes was an arid world covered in savannahs, canyons, and badlands. The tall grasses of Vlaktes took on a distinct pink color and shrublands took on a dark cranberry color. The planet's skyline was said to have been a particularly beautiful sight. Many denizens of Vlaktes lived in homes made of sandstone and made a living as farmers and agriculturalists. While small groups and tribes of bandits existed in the outskirts of most settlements, the Vlaktesian Kingdom was often effective at dealing with them. Small freshwater lakes also existed on Vlaktes, and most settlements were situated near these water sources.

### Government

The **Vlaktesian Kingdom** was the constitutional monarchy that served as the centralized planetary government of Vlaktes. The monarchy followed a matrilineal system of crown inheritance, meaning that the first candidate for the title of Queen was firstborn daughter of the current Queen. Most if not all of Vlaktes' villages fell under the dominion of the Vlaktesian Kingdom.

By the 60th century ASA, Sentinel Kabira Mofumahali held the title of Queen of Vlaktes.

## History

### Ancient Colonization

In the distant past, groups of colonists from the eastern Central Expanse discovered Vlaktes and decided to call the planet home. These initial settlers were of Pithecan, Aetherian, Penumbrian and Jiridanian ancestry. Over the course of thousands of years, the population of Vlaktes mixed so heavily that it led to the creation of a new and distinct sentient species known as the Vlaktesians.

While many polities were said to have risen and fallen throughout Vlaktes' history, the Vlaktesian Kingdom was the most notable government to have existed on the planet, having lasted for upwards of hundreds of years.

### Skirmish Between the Dawns and the Praeliorian Empire

Late into the year 5956 ASA, a group of freedom fighters and privateers known as the Dawns arrived on Vlaktes for a delivery job. The one who requested the job was a farmer woman named Kali Azikiwe, who wanted several packages delivered to Grand City in place of her sick husband who was too ill to make the trip himself. The Dawns who accepted the job were two Dremirian women—Annesidora and Moon—and a Makhaian Human man named Jet Lignite.

While on the way to the Grand City, the three Dawns were ambushed by the Praeliorian Empire. This imperial hunting party was led by Praeliorian High Elite Cirioma Thystamel. The skirmish ended badly, with Moon's legs having been severed from her body and subsequently taken by the Empire for crystal dust production. While the Dawns managed to escape, Moon had to have her legs replaced with a sturdy diamond material called bort. The Praeliorian Empire had partial success as they managed to obtain the chunks of Dremirian crystal that they so desired.

## Inhabitants

The main inhabitants of Vlaktes were the Vlaktesians, a people whose roots stemmed from their Pithecan, Aetherian, Penumbrian and Jiridanian ancestors who first settled onto the planet.

### Sentinels

Sentinel Vlaktes was gifted with the ability to create powerful windstorms. Most Vlaktesian Sentinels were incorporated into the upper ranks of the Vlaktesian Kingdom. Some Sentinels, like Kabira Mofumahali, even held the title of Queen.

### Notable Figures

* **Kali Azikiwe** - a farmer who once asked the Dawns to deliver packages in place of her husband.
* **Halima Tasifa** - a former young member of the Enlightened bandit tribe.

## Locations

### The Grand City

The **Grand City** was the capital city of Vlaktes and, as such, also served as the capital city of the Vlaktesian Kingdom. The Grand City was the most populous settlement on the planet, having been home to over a million people.