Merrick System

The **Merrick System** is a star system located in the center of the known galaxy, known for its unique and diverse array of planets, each with its own distinct characteristics and environments. At the center of the system is the Merrick Star, a yellow dwarf that has been burning brightly for over five billion years. It is the home system to the United Movian Empire and is one of the most populated systems in the known galaxy.

## History

### Formation

The Merrick system has a long and storied history, stretching back billions of years to the formation of its sun, Merrick. Scientists believe that Merrick began as a cloud of gas and dust that collapsed under its own gravity, eventually forming a protostar that would become the heart of the Merrick system. As Merrick began to shine, it began to exert a gravitational pull on the surrounding debris, eventually sweeping up enough material to form the nine planets that now orbit it. These planets, ranging from a boiling, molten world to a frigid dwarf planet on the system's outskirts, have been the subject of scientific study and speculation for centuries.

### The Kyrathi

The native civilization of Movis was known as the Kyrathi, a humanoid species with a deep connection to nature and the planet's wildlife. The Kyrathi believed that they were created by the planet itself, and their culture revolved around living in harmony with their surroundings. Their society was divided into tribes, each with their own unique customs and traditions. The Kyrathi were skilled hunters and gatherers, and they lived off the land by cultivating crops, fishing, and hunting wild game. They were also skilled craftspeople, and they made their tools, clothing, and jewelry from natural materials found on the planet. However, the Kyrathi's way of life was abruptly interrupted when the Dlanian Empire arrived in the system. The Dlanians were a spacefaring species who had conquered many planets and enslaved their populations, and they saw the Kyrathi as a primitive and inferior species that needed to be subjugated.

The Dlanians launched a devastating invasion of Movis, using their advanced technology to overcome the Kyrathi's primitive weapons and defenses. The Kyrathi fought valiantly, but they were ultimately no match for the Dlanians' firepower and tactics. The Dlanians enslaved the surviving Kyrathi and forced them to work in mines and factories, extracting valuable resources from the planet's surface. Over time, the Kyrathi's culture and way of life were destroyed, and they were reduced to little more than slaves to their Dlanian overlords.

Eventually, the Dlanian Empire collapsed due to a combination of internal conflicts and external pressures, and the Kyrathi were extinct.

### The United Movian Empire

One of the most significant events in the history of the Merrick system occurred recently when a fleet of interstellar wanderers arrived in the system. These wanderers, who had been traveling the galaxy in search of a new home, discovered the third planet from Merrick, a world that they would come to call Movis. Over the course of several months, the wanderers established a thriving civilization on Movis, building cities, cultivating crops, and exploring the planet's wilds. They also established contact with other intelligent species in the interstellar neighborhood. The Movians prospered, building a culture that prized exploration, innovation, and cooperation, but as time went on, the Movians began to grow restless, wondering what lay beyond their own world and their own system. Movian explorers would soon set out on a mission to chart the nearby stars and discover new worlds. Their missions were successful, and they returned to Movis with a wealth of new knowledge and a desire to explore even further and expand their empire.

## Orbital bodies

### *Xylo*

The first planet, named Xylo, is a small, rocky planet located close to Merrick. It has a thin atmosphere and is heavily cratered due to meteor impacts. Xylo is uninhabitable and has no natural resources of value.

### *Valtor*

The second planet, named Valtor, is a gas giant with bright red and purple stripes caused by its atmosphere's chemical composition. Valtor has a series of large, permanent storms that create stunning visuals for space travelers. Due to its high radiation levels,

### *Zephyr*

The fourth planet, named Zephyr, is a small, rocky planet with a highly elliptical orbit that causes extreme temperature fluctuations. It is home to a unique form of extremophile bacteria that can survive in extreme temperatures and radiation.

### *Movis*

The fourth planet, named Movis, is an Earth-like planet with diverse landscapes, including deserts, forests, and oceans. It is the only planet in the Merrick System capable of sustaining life, and it was settled by a fleet of traveling wanders who were seeking a new home. The people of Movis built large cities, created advanced technology, and formed a properous society.

### *Calliope*

The fifth planet, named Calliope, is a gas giant with a ring system composed of ice particles and rock fragments. The planet's atmosphere is composed of various gases, including methane and ammonia.

### *Pyxis*

The sixth planet, named Pyxis, is a small, rocky planet with a thin atmosphere and an extremely high concentration of various minerals, making it a valuable resource for mining.

### *Eurydice*

The seventh planet, named Eurydice, is a gas giant with a beautiful, iridescent atmosphere caused by the interaction of light with its gases. It has a series of permanent storms that create a stunning visual display.

### *Aegis*

The eighth planet, named Aegis, is a small, icy planet located on the outskirts of the Merrick System. Its surface is covered in frozen water and various minerals, making it a potential target for mining operations.

### *Andromeda*

The ninth planet, named Andromeda, is a large, rocky planet with a thick atmosphere that makes it difficult to explore. It has a series of active volcanoes that create a beautiful but dangerous landscape.

The Merrick System is also home to several unique phenomena, including a series of asteroid belts and a massive cloud of interstellar gas and dust that creates stunning visual displays for space travelers.

## Other stellar features

### Asteroid belts

#### Lynden Belt

Named after a famous astronomer who discovered it. It's located between the second and third planets of the system and is composed mainly of rocky and metallic asteroids. There are several mining operations in this belt, as it is a rich source of rare metals.

#### Valdis Belt

Named after a legendary warrior queen of an ancient civilization that once inhabited the system. It is located between the fourth and fifth planets and is composed mainly of icy and rocky asteroids. There are a few mining operations in this belt, but it is not as rich in resources as the Lynden Belt.

#### Nova Belt

This belt is located between the seventh and eighth planets and is composed mainly of small, rocky asteroids. There are no mining operations in this belt as it is too small and contains few valuable resources.

### The Aurora Cloud

The interstellar gas cloud in the Merrick system is known as the "Aurora Cloud." It is a massive cloud of ionized gas and dust particles that glows with a soft green and purple light. The cloud is located beyond the outermost planet of the system and is constantly changing shape due to the solar winds and magnetic fields of the system's star. Although the Aurora Cloud is beautiful to observe from afar, it is dangerous for any spacecraft to enter due to the high levels of ionizing radiation and electromagnetic interference. Only specialized research vessels equipped with advanced shielding and radiation detectors are capable of entering the cloud to study its properties.

## Space stations

### Mova Station

This massive space station orbits around the gas giant, Calliope, and is the largest space station in the system. It serves as a hub for interstellar travel, and also houses a research facility where scientists study the unique properties of the gas giant and its surrounding moons.

### Starlight Mining Facility

Located in the asteroid belt between the planets Zephyr and Movis, the Starlight Mining Facility is a joint venture between several corporations who have pooled resources to mine the rich deposits of rare minerals found within the asteroids.

### Helix Observatory

This advanced observatory is located orbiting the planet Eurydice and is designed to study the stars and galaxies beyond the Merrick system. It is run by a team of dedicated scientists who use state-of-the-art technology to gather data on distant celestial objects.

### Movis Orbital Spaceport

This is a spaceport that orbits the planet Movis that was made shortly after Movis was discovered by the traveling wanders. The station is primarily self-sustaining and relies on solar panels and solar batteries to be powered.

### Merrick Dlanian Outpost

This outpost is located near the edge of the system, hidden within the nova asteroid field. It is run by a society of Dlanian-Movians and is used to home specifically Dlanians. The outpost is heavily guarded and only accessible to members of the Dlanian race.

### Nebula Shipping and Trading Company

This company specializes in interstellar trade and operates several cargo ships that transport goods and resources between the different planets and space stations in and out of the Merrick system. The company also runs a small space station orbiting Movis, the Nebula Trading Post, which serves as a hub for trade and commerce within the system.