Planet Profile: Solaria

Photo by Cyrus Crossan on Unsplash

Planet Profile: Solaria

Location: Milky Way

Vestar Constellation: Cassiopeia

Star System: Achird

Planet type: Earth Analog, accompanied by a belt of ice and minerals which creates a perpetual rainbow effect across the sky.

Current Date: 2467, A.D., just over a year since the end of Andromedan and Vestar events within Ransom.

If Earth references are to be made regarding the overall style of Solarian dress, architecture, and the like, for the sake of simplicity and ease, such influences may be regarded to be Ancient Egyptian, Ancient Greek, Edwardian, and Indo-European.

Planetary Trades:

Solaria is known for its rich resources of peridot, ruby, and sunstone, as well as for its vast fields of wheat and florals, including native sunroses, starry Ethella, and starberries. Another economic draw is the coveted metal Stellanene, created utilizing solar flare energy, fallen shooting stars, and minerals from Solaria’s belt to create a lovely, rare yet nearly indestructable substance.

Uses:

The gems are coveted for traditional bridal jewelry in the system, as well as temple ornamentation and healing mineral composites.

The flowers are rare, sought after by botanists and lovers, and used in religious ceremonies; floral artists and painters come to enjoy the bounty.

Stellanene is used in many ways: armor, jewelry, ship’s plating, and to replace scarce diamonds in the industry. A stellanene gem is easier to acquire despite being worth twice as much.

Social Hierarchy

1. Traditional monarchy

2. Catholic priests, temple priestesses and virgins

3. Jewel Class

4. Flower-Keepers

5. Middle Class, known as Mandasti

6. Low Class, known as the Ettreta

The traditional monarchy is currently held by King Solan and Queen Saturnia.

The Catholic hierarchy of priests, relatively small on this planet, has been elevated, giving them greater ease in performing their vocations. An abbey has been built in the valley below the palace, to diffuse contemplative prayer, heal the sick, preserve knowledge, and provide for the traveler.

This status is shared by the temple priestesses and virgins. However, their morals differ little from the Catholic inhabitants, so religion is their central disagreement.

The nobility is mostly comprised of worthy knights and those made wealthy by the gem trade, hence the Jewel Class.

The Flower-Keepers have special status, indispensable to the temples, and enjoy a fulfilled and modestly prosperous life.

The Mandasti often feels like the only breath of common sense and normalcy to visitors, differing little from middle-classes elsewhere.

The Ettretta is mostly made up of those who have been pushed out by monopolies of the two upper classes, or who refuse to work for a living.

Religion

The Crown’s religion was only adopted recently; Catholic missionaries arrived via crash-landing in a meteor shower only fifty years prior. Catholicism was easy to adopt, thanks to the King’s vision of the Magi prior to the event, but most of the population still worries about leaving tradition; so Catholicism is still only held by about a third of the royal city, and 40% of Solaria’s overall population.

Solaria’s central religion, Cosmotaria, believes in five goddesses: Solaria, Queen of the Heavens, associated with the sunlight and its powers, as well as truth; Elunara, mother of the moon and princess of wisdom; Eostreja, lady of the stars and protectress of virgins, giver of clarity, and charity; Eirtania, goddess of the earth, life-force and healing; Gioiadita, flower goddess, maker of the harvest and guide of the virtue of love, and lover of children.

Each goddess has ten handmaidens, angelic figures. Each is assigned a gem and flower, which becomes a sort of amulet for those who wear them. Peridot, ruby, sunstone, opal, and moonstone are the five main stones.

Above all these deities is a sole father figure, Ra-zé, King of Creation and father of Solaria. He gives her all to dispose of as she wishes, with humans as her own to love. It is she who has chosen for herself sisters to aid in her work, and daughter guardians. Harmony is kept by the melodies they spin, which carves the stars, water, flowers, the moon and jewels. All else was crafted and gifted by Ra-zé, who acts as protector and overseer. A fear of lightning exists due to legend that those who fail Ra-Zé in the protection of the fragile will be struck.

The religious of Cosmotaria are divided into five groups.

Liralei – because it is a goddess-centered religion, the main functions are fulfilled by women, who train for ten years after being selected from the ranks of the consecrated virgins. Like Catholic priests, they fill a mediator and motherly role, their greatest duties being prayer, lessons given to the virgins and handmaids, symbolic ceremonies, and care of her spiritual children. Patience, charity and piety are her greatest virtues, and she takes time for all who come to her with their faults and troubles. Only daughters of Gioiadita and Eirtania might marry.

Tèras – These are the fathers of the Liralei, who are guardians and guides for their daughters at all times. They perform special functions regarding Ra-Zë.

Mitá – Similarly, the mothers of the Liralei. They are specially dedicated to Solaria and Elunaria, and in the ceremonies of these goddesses they are at the right hand of the priestess. Besides continuing to nurture their daughters and other children, they assist with the formation of the handmaids.

Voithèrei – these young men are acolytes, usually brothers of virgins, or occasionally those accepted by special circumstance. Their function is similar to altar servers, but they are also body guards and guardians of the women. Unlike virgins and daughters of Solaria, Elunara and Eostreja, the acolytes may wed, but their roles are then diminished to allow for family duties.

Vira – Vira are the virgins consecrated to the love of, and service and prayer to, Ra-Zë and the goddesses. They spend most of their time in prayer, charitable works on the temple grounds, service in the temple, and in lessons. As daughters of the goddesses, they have for their spiritual sisters the handmaids of each.

Amira – Amira are the little princesses of the Temple, young girls, 7-17, who take lessons from the other groups. Some will leave for marriage, but many find their calling to be Vira and possibly, Liralei.

Relics:

A sacred relic is the sunstar, a great mauve-colored gem that shimmers blue and amber in the light, roughly equal in size to the heads of titan sunflowers. According to tradition, its the heart of a star which fell from the heavens when its time had come; at a time when the wayward Solarians were losing faith and falling ill. But Solaria took pity and preserved the star’s life-force, making its energy field a healing one as a sign of love, comfort and protection even when the children abandoned her. At one time, the stone was damaged in a war, leaving one sharply cut edge which glows an iridescent aqua. A message on the stone has thus been obliterated and is not even kept in legend.

Clothing

Clothing varies by class and lifestyle, but takes after such dress as those from Ancient Egypt and Greece, India, and medieval Europe.

Royal: mainly medieval fantasy, but bearing links to those cultures above in tunics and fabric. Colors generally in rich jewel-tones, mixed with strong earthen hues and pure pastels for princesses.

Priestesses and virgins: white garb like that of Egypt and Greece, with occasional alternative garb in deep blues, reds, and the like. Priestesses wear heavy mantles intricately draped, and virgins are veiled in blue and silver.

Knights/Jewel-Class: Jewel-tones but moderated in comparison to the Crown. Black, brown and metallic are also favored. Knights prefer traditional tunics and breeches, robes for ceremonies; the rest of the class tend to push their status by outrageous or innovative, imported dress to contest each other.

Flower-Keepers: practical but beautiful as befits their special rank. Pastels, greens, and earthy hues; usually wear a garland somewhere, as a wreath, necklace, or belt.

Mandasti and Ettretta: carefree and common-sense, they are only mindful of style to fit their station; if a color is rich, the style is simple, and vice versa.

Adornments and accessories:

Because of the importance of jewels in their culture, only priests and Catholic religious go without. Even the poor wear at least a rhinestone of topaz. For most the jewelry is a sign of devotion and trust, and protection from the goddesses; the jewel taken by each at 16 makes the chosen goddess as one’s special patroness and protector. Intricate adornments are worn by upper classes. In the case of those Catholic inhabitants, they instead consider jewels to be a reminder of God’s creation, the virtues, and Our Lady.

Royal - Elaborate headresses/hairstyles for women. Diadems are replaced in daily wear by elegantly crafted hair accessories, discarded in private family time. This daily adornment had in previous ages been a decorative half mask, which marked the attribution linking their character and patroness. Only two members of the royal family have taken this up, for the sake of personal reasons. The men wear jeweled brooches of their crest; the King bears a great sun jewel. Stellanene and leather adornments are hallmarks of the House.

Priestesses and Virgins – Ceremonial decorations are commonly in gold, with some stellanene for priestesses. Plated belts, armbands, and circlets are common, as in an apron of metallic satin and velvet, spun by orb weavers; this is called the adhonga, and symbolizes motherhood, labor, and servitude. Virgins are limited to a silver lining on their veils, a silver corded belt with five goddess stones, and a silver silken sash draped and looped about the skirt, known as the amarta; it symbolizes the pure yet powerful waves of the sea. The treasure of the religion is the sunbelt, a golden girdle with a great gem of power worn by the high priestess of Solaria.

Knights and Jewel-Class – Again, knights prefer simple and traditional accessories. They’ve embraced lightweight leather and carbon plating for style, and vambraces even in daily wear. They prefer pendants and brooches of religious or military significance, and large belt buckles with their crests. Also popular are traditionally embroidered boots and detachable sleeve,s a way of giving the Ettretta a means of income. The Jewel-class, however, tends to abandon tradition and simplicity. Their status and work is evident in the number of jewels gthey wear; any outer garment may be encrusted with stones.

Mandasti – Embroidery is an ancient and beloved favorite; men still tend towards leather gauntlets and other accessories, as it’s become a visible association with Solarian manhood.

Ettretta – the only adornments most have access to are handmade from natural fibers; they make sure they have some form of the traditional woven cuffs and headdresses. Other adornments are typically greenery, rough stones or flowers.

Calendar:

The Solarian calendar is fourteen months long for the longer trip around Achird. Each month is determined by the fullness of the dual moons of Casayta and Saturnia, with the first day of the month being the fullness of Solaria’s gate, as it’s called.

The calendar is marked as follows in relation to Earth’s calendar:

Methods of Travel

Interplanetary travel is not a frequent occurrence with only 25% of the population having left Solaria at any time. Most travel is made by travelers to the planet or by outbound students.

Long distance travel across Solaria is generally by scenic river routes, though there are some transportation aircraft for hire at high prices.

Most travel is done by riding horses, wolf-dogs, or Mytèrri goats. In town, most traffic is by foot or carriage.

Technology

Medical: advanced in comparison to other aspects of Solaria, about equivalent to modern methods; healing is far more advanced with lost medieval techniques.

Communications: Comet messengers are still a favorite for messages within villages and cities; there are few methods of long distance communications, outside of interplanetary receivers. Instead, for personal communications a Vio-cam is used for voice messages and calls, finding routes via digital maps, and photos. Computers are used only for technical work.

Entertainment: no television or digital entertainment exists. The loss of one’s mind and eyes by any damage is disapproved of by Cosmotarian standards.

Weaponry: most weapons retain primitive and traditional style, upgraded for strength and durability. Stun pistols are a common self-defense tool. Traditional swords are preferred in combat, even by the army, but other weapons are kept in backup to match that of any foe.

Music

With the arrival of missionaries, travelers and check-in visits from Vestar, some ancient and galactic composers have been introduced. Non-vocal works are preferred in this regard, other than hymns and chants taken for the Mass.

Solarian Music:

Traditional genres include Solarian classical, sacred (some appropriate pieces are borrowed for Catholicism), sacred and festival dance, folk, ambient and ancient.

Borrowed composers who are reminiscent of Solarian style are Ola Gjeilo, including vocals; Adrien von Ziegler, Mozart, Handel, Tchaikovsky, and St. Hildegard; thus it is not unheard of to encounter these pieces while strolling the streets.

Sacred, folk and ancient music tend to be vocal. Sacred is sung often by virgins in the temples, used for private prayer, and in ceremonies. Folk as well as dance, are usually sung in group settings for fun, while ancient is comprised of mysterious songs everyone knows in part, but only a few remember in full.

Ambient music is used in meditation and storytelling, blending melody and the recreating of sounds from a particular setting.

Famous names include: Sello Girdata in ambient, Estella Vorminna in classical as well as Morphus d’Cantino; Loralei Gioiala and Vira Amira-Mala for sacred music.

Literature

Philosophy is a highly prized and cultivated form of literature, especially philosophical fiction such as Boethius’ Lady Philosophy. Philosolphical works known by everyone include Caverras’ Solir e’Cogitaë, relating all of life and thought to the life force and symbolism of the sun; Näfradh, by the ten ancients, a be-all of logic and reason; and Quir’Eta Alitheya, by Lord Duraë, on truth and it’s perception, meant to address the rampant selectivism of history, but despite its popularity didn’t change man’s mind much.

Folklore and fairytales inspired by stars or aspects of the goddesses are beloved by maidens and younger groups. These favor the allegorical and parable forms, but most types are enjoyed. Classics include tales of the Eight Children of Achird, the Seven Princesses of the Evening Star, the Warrior of Galderra, and the epic of the Sky-Prince. Well-known authors include Laurelia Hyvötte in fantasy, K. M. Kavil in Sci-fi, and Maura Mae in Folk.

History

The earliest historical records date back to 4670 P.ӕ. or pӕrconnia. The dating system marks the age of Achird and its cycles from the time Solarians were created. Thus, the modern Vestar date would have a total of 12,735 years added in pӕrconnian terms. However, the Vestar dating system has become a secondary one on Solaria, as has the Common Tongue.

No one is quite sure of the beginnings of Solaria and her people, and numerous legends have cropped up. According to the most prevalent tradition, and widely accepted belief, Ra-Zë birthed the world out of a desire to give his love to others. His only daughter, Solaria, was only a little one playing in the heavenly gardens when she was caused to fall by a rebellious rosebush (for all things had a spirit then) and plummeted through the glassy mist into space. Ra-Zë’s acolytes were at work building the universe through song, light and dance. When the father saw his beloved falling, he ordered the acolytes to cease and catch her before she could be injured by the flames of Achird. The acolytes dropped their instruments and with a long, rolling note, high-pitched and sweet, a planet spun into being, and by their hands she was gently lowered to its surface. However, it had long been ruled that anyone who fell from heaven must be exiled for seven days and seven nights, so the child Solaria was abandoned with much pain. Ra-Zë wept, and by his tears came the rain which watered the planet’s surface, and gave forth rich and varied vegetaion worthy of Solaria’s divinity, perfuming the air and softening the ground beneath her feet to ease the pain a little. Everywhere she went, springs bubbled to the surface to comfort her with their sound, and luminous flowers bloomed at her tred. But the rose-bush was cursed with thorns, and was never to be seen on land there. It could only drown in the waters and weep for its rebellion. Solaria was lonely, so children of each kind were fashioned to be her companions, whom she taught to speak, to love and to know; and animals of all kinds filled the land for her pleasure. But whenever she looked up, she wept bitterly, for the days were long and she could not see the roof of heaven or her father, only the bright, glaring light of Achird. For, in leaving heaven, her divinity was fading, dimming all that she was; and if there was even a moment of delay that seventh day, she would be lost, exiled forever. So Ra-Zë removed a piece of his own heart and placed it in her, giving her one of his gifts to own, even if her divinity was lost. Together, they used that power to hang the stars from heaven’s sky, marking where it lay, to give her hope and peace. But the spirit of the rosebush had not taken kindly to its punishment, and had passed itself into the children of Solaria. Some strove to keep this child-mother with them forever, and some plotted to attack her and never permit her to return, neither to remain. The acolytes were on their way to scoop Solaria up to heaven when the first stone was thrown, and the girl, tumbling into the river, drowned. With the piece of her father’s heart still beating, the acolytes, after some nearly unwrote mankind’s presence, returned her to her father. He revived her, and would have ordered the acolytes to continue with their plan, had Solaria herself not intervened for those she loved, insisting that the divine lights could banish the dark spirit. So it was that Solaria became the Queen of the Heavens, mother of Solarians.

Shortly after this time, the dating system and calendar were developed and proper religious habits begun. Within a few hundred years, after much trial and error, the seven tribes which had evolved joined under a monarchy, which devoted itself to developing an ever more advanced civilization, for the sake of protecting her people. The first Queen was Auryleya, and her husband was Veregard. All who came after strove to imitate their love of the people and sense of duty.

Mythological beings

Elves, known as the E’clara – It is said that the first children of Solaria who were not overtaken by the dark spirit were dismayed by Solaria’s tragedy and left the ranks of men to dwell apart. Upon reaching maturity, they experienced no other change but wisdom, being preserved by Solaria’s grace, gifted for their purity of heart. These elves drew the beauty of heaven and nature into themselves and were fairer to look upon than all others for they seemed to radiate light; light given to them from the knowledge of the True Creator, which no one else could understand. So the Elves were seldom seen, and passed into myth and legend. Structures too graceful to be manmade are often stumbled upon in the wilderness and deep in the forests, or high on the hilltops, eerily draped in greenery yet as though only left yesterday; and the air shimmers as though with untold secrets, so no one knows whether this race still lives on in secret.

Spirits – these latter aspects of the E’clara have mingled the tale with that of the children of the dark spirit, said to be cursed with a silent walking of Solaria, leaving signs of their presence at the least expected moment. Some paint the spirits as mournful and contrite, intervening in unjust death sentences or attempted killings; but others say the spirit of anger remains, and should one be caught at night near any dark body of water, where roses are known to be, and which does not reflect the dual moons above, the sound of stirring water and creeping vines may be heard, and one must run without looking back; else the spirits may be one’s downfall.

The Dark Spirit - Also known as the Dhghuerr, this is the worst of all terrors that could be encountered on Solaria. It is believed that even the drop of unbalanced anger draws the Dark Spirit forth, and if the fault is not mended by the third hour, among a hiss of icy wind and the shuffling of unseen steps, possession, death or ailment may strike. Hence why anger is a closely managed emotion, and Solarians tend to remain calmer than most.

Great Cats - Two species of Solarian cat have achieved mythical status, although they are more than myth.

The Imwemiew, the name of which comes from the original language of the planet, is a massive underwater cat. Its velvet coat is of deep ocean blue, paired with a bright salmon nose and crystalline blue eyes. It has a slightly serpentine neck and tail, as well as webbed paws. It’s said to make its lair in air pocketed caverns in the river banks, and possesses a cautious yet playful nature, protective of those who enter its territory.

The second mythical cat is the Dawe, an oversized tiger-like creature with a tabby coat, sometimes reported prowling the mountains and woodlands. It possesses a quiet, majestic nature, and mainly hunts deer and goats.

Neither cat has been known to attack humans unless provoked, and while sightings are rare, it is considered a breathtaking experience and a benevolent blessing from Eirtania.

The Star-Prince

One of the few legendary personages is that of Myn’nhmira, said to be the acolyte who saved Solaria from her fall, the one who drove the rose from heaven, and who fought back the Dark Spirit. For these acts, he was raised to a place of honor as Solaria’s guardian, prince of the acolytes and of Solaria’s garden of stars. Shortly after the system’s birth, Myn’nhmira fought the Dark Spirit on an icy, unborn planet, over a blessing given to Creation, which the Spirit countered with a curse. But the Dhghuerr was crippled from that fight, and chained so that it could not haunt the people with its full potency. It was also Myn’nhmira who brought the Sunstar to heal the people.

School

‘Grades’ are denoted by two year periods of progressively more advanced and hands-on work.

After Prétos, classes are separated into all-male and all-female classes. Naturally, the Temple has accepted the duty of educating Solaria’s children, those who are not homeschooled. Knights, as well as the Ettretta, prefer the latter option, but still send their children to the common theological lessons which are free of charge. Catholic prefer homeschooling on this point, and lessons at the abbey.

Not unlike Vestar classes, younger classes focus on building basic skills, but progress more rapidly. An emphasis is placed on the various arts, theology, and philosophy, which are begun even at the youngest levels. At the end of Soleam, most begin to train and work with someone of their chosen profession, if they have not chosen the religious life; or some may choose to train with their parents for homemaking.

Those who choose a profession which will extend outside of Solaria’s sphere attend Vestar’s Universe-City, in the systm of Dabih in Capricorn. Professions connected to Vestar may be studied there, as well as those which one may wish to utilize officially off of Solaria, such as medical professions, or history of a galactic nature, external archaeology, and the like.

Language

Solarian is the main language of the planet, but there are twelve sub-dialects based on region. The three most common are Ach’ndwglós, the first tongue which is still used in theological and philosophical circles; Epsilglóssa, the high form of Solarian used in formal writings and documents; and Hryarchaiós, used in scientific circles.

Solarian, known as Achirdata, is the only form of the language in daily use. The recently introduced Common Tongue has also been utilized, for the sake of the numerous travelers to the region.

Dictionary of Some Basic Words and Phrases in Achirdata

Hi (informal) – Etis

I greet you with peace – Etis-het

Hi (formal) – Nefrehtä

Good morning – Alondei

Good Day - Alon’haer

Good Afternoon: Alora

Good Evening – Alon’ev

Goodnight – Alos’nhyta

Night blessing (May the Star-Keeper keep you) - Eos-fylakas-inä

How are you? - Ay’avlo antas?

Pleased to meet you – Ëstä imei anantis

I love you – É äst’ä

Thank you/thanks – Ämhaer; Irari

Please – Aurös

Sorry (informal/formal) – Scyö; Adalantet

You’re welcome – Eirthäte

Where? – Varsje?

What? - Ayet?

How? - Amoranil?

Why? - E’cana?

Who? - Nantei?

Touché; that’s a point (equivalent) - Vhayta

Mother/Momma/Mommy – Mitená, Mitei, Mitei-tei

Father/Dad/Daddy – Aberro, Peras, Perei

Brother – Dero

Sister – Una

My Lord – M’ostati

My Lady – M’idilei

Princess (formal, informal/senatorial) – Amira, Sabé

Prince (formal, informal/senatorial) – Eoslytë, Mejsé

King – Estanei

Queen – Istanimiri

Daughter – Dira

Son - Eosi

Sweet/sweetheart – Mӕla, c'ӕla

I - É

Me - Évae

You (masculine/feminine)– Aer, Eir. As a general, formal address as in the night blessing, inä. In contractions, generally limited to ‘ay’ and ‘a’ at the beginning of the contraction.

They - Etei

We - Vey

He - Os

She - Es

It – Vint

That - Vht

Exclamations:

That’s quite the melody can be positive of good happenings, or said sarcastically of something that disrupts plans, referring to how the world is said to be created by melody.

Likewise, “High Harmony!” can be used in surprise or confusion at such times.

“Stars in flight!” is a frequent phrase of upset, particularly at wasted time.

Vint Mentá – an ancient exclamation of frustration, of which the original meaning has been lost, and now is purely venting material.

Expressions

• Don’t delay the dance (for a broken lace) – literally, don’t cry over spilt milk; no big deal

• If all the candles of Eostreja don’t bring it to light, nothing will.

• It seems the sun’s out for you – literally, why don’t you understand?

• That’s just the thorns on the rosebush – literally, that’s perfect, in a sarcastic or ironic way.

• That’s just the way the stars burn - equivalent to, the way the cookie crumbles; and, this is meant to purify us like the stars.

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