Gaia - Capital World of Trekylon
Gaia is a super-Earth which has the uniquely distinct feature of looking nearly identical to Earth in every way. The reason behind this is unknown, though a theory has been postulated that duplicate Earths had been created by an all-powerful race for the purpose of possible scientific study. Whatever the reasons behind Gaia, the planet now serves as the new homeworld for the Humans who have fled or been exiled from the Milky Way galaxy due to the endless wars which have ravaged the home planet. Originally settled by Trekylonian refugees who had taken shelter in Givosion space during the dark days of the Exodus, Gaia is now the capital world for the Intergalactic Empire of Trekylon, the Holy Empire of Inuyashia, and the Federate Cherokee State (the Gaian Union). It continues to serve as the final destination for groups of Humans who have either fled the Milky Way of their own accord, or been exiled as a result of military defeat.
The Basics
Gaia is a Class-M super-Earth, an Earth-like planet with a diameter and circumference two or more times the size of Earth's. In the case of Gaia, the mean radius is 19,113 km (6,371.0 km x 3), the equatorial radius is 19,134.3 km (6,378.1 x 3) and the polar radius is 19.070.4 km (6,356.8 x 3), making it three times the size of Earth. As a result, its gravitational force is 58.842 m/s squared. With an axial tilt of 24 degrees 12 minutes 21.1225 seconds, Gaia has an almost identical seasonal period to Earth. It has a longer day, at 26 hours 47 minutes 5.200 seconds due to its tidally locked rotation with its sister-world and trojan planet Hera. Nevertheless, Gaia's surface temperature is very comfortable at a minimum of -89.7 degrees Celsius, a mean of 17 degrees Celsius and a maximum of 57.3 degrees Celsius, making it habitable for all lifeforms, including Humans.
Gaia's atmosphere is also nearly identical to Earth's with only slight variations in composition and surface pressure. Like Earth, Gaia has a magnetosphere, an ionosphere, and a thermosphere in addition to the majority of the atmosphere that sustains life. Gaia's atmosphere is composed of 79.2% nitrogen, 22.15% oxygen, 0.942% argon, 0.048% carbon dioxide, and 3% water vapor depending on climate. The weight or surface pressure of Gaia's atmosphere is 303.975 kPa at sea level with a scale height of 9.7 km. Troposphere height ranges from 10 km at the poles to 22km at the equator with variations due to weather and seasonal factors. Like Earth, Gaia also has an ozone layer which acts to shield the surface from the deadly effects of ultraviolet rays from its sun.
Gaia's surface area contains 72.4% water and 29.7% land for a total of 1,530,216,000 square kilometers. Gaia's mass is three times that of Earth, with a composition of 96% iron, 90.3% oxygen, 45.3% silicon, 41.7% magnesium, 8.7% sulfur, 5.4% nickel, 4.5% calcium, and 4.2% aluminum, with the remaining 3.6% as trace elements. Like Earth, Gaia has tectonic plates and experiences regular seismic activity. Gaia has 10 large continents (Columbia, Amazonia, Europa, Orientalia, Sahelia, Arctica, Borealia, Polaria, Equatoria, and Bilbao), two subcontinents (Borealia and Bilbao, which sometimes are listed as full continents), and four major oceans (Albion, Lanka, Equatorial, [North]Polar). Orientalia is the largest continent, while Borealia, Arctica and Bilbao are variously named as the smallest. Gaia also has several islands ranging in size from Borealia (which would make it either an island subcontinent like India before it collided with the Asian landmass millions of years ago on Earth or an island continent like Australia) to the Lesser Pacifican Isles in the Equatorial Ocean. Tides are very prominent on Gaia, due to the effects of its sister-world Hera and the four moons that orbit both planets. High tide can sometimes reach as high as 20 ft when both sister-planet and moons are perfectly aligned and drop as low as 14ft during low tide. As a result, coastal ports and cities have been built upon 'built-up land' or been protected by sea gates and barriers which control the tidal flows yet allow for continued commerce. The composition of Gaia's surface matches Earth's with the difference being that Gaia's overall size means the thickness of the layers is three times those found in Earth. The lowest point on Gaia is located between Amazonia and Sahelia, in the recently named Barlat Trenches (named after the faction which had brought Trekylon to its lowest point with its unprovoked assault), while the highest point is found in Columbia's western mountains, at Mount Alterra (honoring a strong and noble ally of Trekylon).
The Basics
Gaia is a Class-M super-Earth, an Earth-like planet with a diameter and circumference two or more times the size of Earth's. In the case of Gaia, the mean radius is 19,113 km (6,371.0 km x 3), the equatorial radius is 19,134.3 km (6,378.1 x 3) and the polar radius is 19.070.4 km (6,356.8 x 3), making it three times the size of Earth. As a result, its gravitational force is 58.842 m/s squared. With an axial tilt of 24 degrees 12 minutes 21.1225 seconds, Gaia has an almost identical seasonal period to Earth. It has a longer day, at 26 hours 47 minutes 5.200 seconds due to its tidally locked rotation with its sister-world and trojan planet Hera. Nevertheless, Gaia's surface temperature is very comfortable at a minimum of -89.7 degrees Celsius, a mean of 17 degrees Celsius and a maximum of 57.3 degrees Celsius, making it habitable for all lifeforms, including Humans.
Gaia's atmosphere is also nearly identical to Earth's with only slight variations in composition and surface pressure. Like Earth, Gaia has a magnetosphere, an ionosphere, and a thermosphere in addition to the majority of the atmosphere that sustains life. Gaia's atmosphere is composed of 79.2% nitrogen, 22.15% oxygen, 0.942% argon, 0.048% carbon dioxide, and 3% water vapor depending on climate. The weight or surface pressure of Gaia's atmosphere is 303.975 kPa at sea level with a scale height of 9.7 km. Troposphere height ranges from 10 km at the poles to 22km at the equator with variations due to weather and seasonal factors. Like Earth, Gaia also has an ozone layer which acts to shield the surface from the deadly effects of ultraviolet rays from its sun.
Gaia's surface area contains 72.4% water and 29.7% land for a total of 1,530,216,000 square kilometers. Gaia's mass is three times that of Earth, with a composition of 96% iron, 90.3% oxygen, 45.3% silicon, 41.7% magnesium, 8.7% sulfur, 5.4% nickel, 4.5% calcium, and 4.2% aluminum, with the remaining 3.6% as trace elements. Like Earth, Gaia has tectonic plates and experiences regular seismic activity. Gaia has 10 large continents (Columbia, Amazonia, Europa, Orientalia, Sahelia, Arctica, Borealia, Polaria, Equatoria, and Bilbao), two subcontinents (Borealia and Bilbao, which sometimes are listed as full continents), and four major oceans (Albion, Lanka, Equatorial, [North]Polar). Orientalia is the largest continent, while Borealia, Arctica and Bilbao are variously named as the smallest. Gaia also has several islands ranging in size from Borealia (which would make it either an island subcontinent like India before it collided with the Asian landmass millions of years ago on Earth or an island continent like Australia) to the Lesser Pacifican Isles in the Equatorial Ocean. Tides are very prominent on Gaia, due to the effects of its sister-world Hera and the four moons that orbit both planets. High tide can sometimes reach as high as 20 ft when both sister-planet and moons are perfectly aligned and drop as low as 14ft during low tide. As a result, coastal ports and cities have been built upon 'built-up land' or been protected by sea gates and barriers which control the tidal flows yet allow for continued commerce. The composition of Gaia's surface matches Earth's with the difference being that Gaia's overall size means the thickness of the layers is three times those found in Earth. The lowest point on Gaia is located between Amazonia and Sahelia, in the recently named Barlat Trenches (named after the faction which had brought Trekylon to its lowest point with its unprovoked assault), while the highest point is found in Columbia's western mountains, at Mount Alterra (honoring a strong and noble ally of Trekylon).
Geographical Features of Gaia
Continents - Gaia has ten continents with a wide range of geographic features. Orientalia, the largest continent if one doesn't count the addition of Europa, has the least diversity due to the lack of any desert terrain. Columbia, a continent nearly half the size of Orientalia, has the most variated landscape with a desert that is the largest on Gaia. Orientalia has the largest plains on Gaia, making it ideal for livestock and agriculture. Columbia's 'Great Plains' provide both Trekylon and Inuyashia with the agricultural bounty both empires require. Columbia and Amazonia both contain the largest forests on Gaia, with Amazonia having the largest rain forest. While only 10% of the forests are harvested, both Trekylon and Inuyashia have enacted strict conservation laws protecting the forests and replanting trees to replenish them after the harvests. Atlantis has an abundance of both deciduous forest and jungle, which makes city construction easier by utilizing the trees themselves as foundations for the many buildings. Borealia, Arctica, Bilbao, and Polaria are sometimes considered continents and sometimes considered subcontinents. Borealia and Timoria are both listed as island continents because of their size and isolation from the larger landmasses. Equatoria is also listed as an island continent.
Oceans - More study has been conducted both on and below the water surface since the settlement of Gaia. Thus far, the deepest area of the oceans (and also of the planet) has been named the 'Barlat Trenches' in the Atlantean Ocean running from just 10 miles off the Atlantis south coast to 20 miles from the coast of Polaria. Surrounding the Trenches, groups of sea volcanoes erupt slowly, spreading 'sea pillows' across the ocean floor. Other trenches have been found in the Lanka Ocean, but they are not as deep as the Barlat Trenches. Just offshore of Atlantis, between it and Europa, a series of underwater mountain ranges has been discovered, and given the name Thera Range. It is believed that, in 3 million years, this range could become the basis for a new linear chain of islands between Atlantis and Europa. Along the coasts of all the large continents, coral reefs and kelp forests provide shelter and sustenance for the variety of ocean life. These reefs and forests have also been placed under protection of Trekylon and Inuyashia as part of the joint Conservation Acts.
Continents - Gaia has ten continents with a wide range of geographic features. Orientalia, the largest continent if one doesn't count the addition of Europa, has the least diversity due to the lack of any desert terrain. Columbia, a continent nearly half the size of Orientalia, has the most variated landscape with a desert that is the largest on Gaia. Orientalia has the largest plains on Gaia, making it ideal for livestock and agriculture. Columbia's 'Great Plains' provide both Trekylon and Inuyashia with the agricultural bounty both empires require. Columbia and Amazonia both contain the largest forests on Gaia, with Amazonia having the largest rain forest. While only 10% of the forests are harvested, both Trekylon and Inuyashia have enacted strict conservation laws protecting the forests and replanting trees to replenish them after the harvests. Atlantis has an abundance of both deciduous forest and jungle, which makes city construction easier by utilizing the trees themselves as foundations for the many buildings. Borealia, Arctica, Bilbao, and Polaria are sometimes considered continents and sometimes considered subcontinents. Borealia and Timoria are both listed as island continents because of their size and isolation from the larger landmasses. Equatoria is also listed as an island continent.
Oceans - More study has been conducted both on and below the water surface since the settlement of Gaia. Thus far, the deepest area of the oceans (and also of the planet) has been named the 'Barlat Trenches' in the Atlantean Ocean running from just 10 miles off the Atlantis south coast to 20 miles from the coast of Polaria. Surrounding the Trenches, groups of sea volcanoes erupt slowly, spreading 'sea pillows' across the ocean floor. Other trenches have been found in the Lanka Ocean, but they are not as deep as the Barlat Trenches. Just offshore of Atlantis, between it and Europa, a series of underwater mountain ranges has been discovered, and given the name Thera Range. It is believed that, in 3 million years, this range could become the basis for a new linear chain of islands between Atlantis and Europa. Along the coasts of all the large continents, coral reefs and kelp forests provide shelter and sustenance for the variety of ocean life. These reefs and forests have also been placed under protection of Trekylon and Inuyashia as part of the joint Conservation Acts.
Unique Animals of Gaia
Avataris summis equus (Cresthorse) - one of three Gaian equines, the cresthorse is a reptilian-mammalian hybrid that roams the jungles of Amazonia, Sahelia, Bilbao, and the Colombo Archipelago. Cresthorses have fangs, but due to evolution, these fangs are not as sharp as those of a typical Earth carnivore. This is believed to be due to the shift in the dietary sustenance of the cresthorse from carnivore to omnivore. Cresthorses feed on mainly nuts, leaves, small fruits and berries, but they also feed on small reptiles, amphibians, and insects. Due to importation and domestication, cresthorses have spread to Columbia and Europa. Cresthorses are protected by a joint edict of Trekylon and Inuyashia, with the Federate Cherokee State and the Great Zulu Republic the most recent signatories to the edict.
Cresthorses range in size from roughly the size of a deer to the size of an Earth pony. The males mature within 4-6 years, while the females mature within 3-5 years. Mating season generally takes place in mid to late spring, with the females giving birth to live young. Cresthorses live about 25 years, which means one female can give birth to as many as fifteen offspring in their lifetime. While cresthorses prefer the humidity and warmth of the jungles, they have been shown to be easily adaptable to the more temperate environments in Columbia and Europa.
Cresthorses range in size from roughly the size of a deer to the size of an Earth pony. The males mature within 4-6 years, while the females mature within 3-5 years. Mating season generally takes place in mid to late spring, with the females giving birth to live young. Cresthorses live about 25 years, which means one female can give birth to as many as fifteen offspring in their lifetime. While cresthorses prefer the humidity and warmth of the jungles, they have been shown to be easily adaptable to the more temperate environments in Columbia and Europa.
Sex quadrupes equus (Gaian Sleipnir) - The second equine species of Gaia, the Sleipnir was named for the mythical six-legged horse used by Thor in Earth's Norse mythology. Despite its mythical connotations, the Gaian sleipnir is an evolutionary leap for the equus species, despite the unknown reason for the evolution of two additional legs. It is believed that the slightly stronger gravitation pull of Gaia may be the reason behind this strange mutation, while others believe that the mutation may have been the first stage in a gradual evolution toward stronger, more numerous limbs. Whatever the reason, the Gaian sleipnir uses all six of its legs to move from one grassland to another. Sleipnir habitats range from the grasslands of Sahelia to the forests and plains of Columbia and Orientalia and they even share grazing lands with cresthorses in southern Columbia and Bilbao (where they've been imported). Unlike the cresthorses, sleipnirs are herbivores, preferring grasses, leaves, fungi, berries and nuts. Just as in the cresthorses, sleipnirs are under the joint protection of Trekylon and the Federate Cherokee State, with the recent additions of the Dual Crowns of Lutetia and the Federal Republic of Preusen. Inuyashia is expected to join as signatory in the coming month.
Slightly larger than the cresthorse, and more muscular due to the additional legs, sleipnirs can weigh as much as 1900 lbs. Males mature between 7-10 years while the females mature between 8-11 years. Sleipnirs have been known to give birth to pairs of fowls at a time, and a female may give birth to as many as 20-25 offspring in her lifetime. Sleipnirs can live as long as 100 years under the right conditions. Unlike the cresthorses which prefer the humid, warm environment of the jungles and rainforests, sleipnirs can thrive in both humid and dry climates, making them a climate-adaptable animal that can survive just as well in the dry grassland and savannas as in the deepest rainforests. Alongside their four-legged Terran cousins, the Gaian sleipnirs are used in the ceremonial cavalry ranks of all the powers of Gaia including the Federate Cherokee State and the Great Zulu Republic.
Slightly larger than the cresthorse, and more muscular due to the additional legs, sleipnirs can weigh as much as 1900 lbs. Males mature between 7-10 years while the females mature between 8-11 years. Sleipnirs have been known to give birth to pairs of fowls at a time, and a female may give birth to as many as 20-25 offspring in her lifetime. Sleipnirs can live as long as 100 years under the right conditions. Unlike the cresthorses which prefer the humid, warm environment of the jungles and rainforests, sleipnirs can thrive in both humid and dry climates, making them a climate-adaptable animal that can survive just as well in the dry grassland and savannas as in the deepest rainforests. Alongside their four-legged Terran cousins, the Gaian sleipnirs are used in the ceremonial cavalry ranks of all the powers of Gaia including the Federate Cherokee State and the Great Zulu Republic.
Heran equus desuper (Heran blue skinned horse) - A recent third equine species, imported by Heran settlers to Gaia, the blue skinned horse (blueskin horse or Cerul in Heran) thrives mainly in the Colombo Archipelago and in scattered areas close to the Heran settlements on Gaia. Their blue skin is the result of natural evolution on Hera and it remains unknown as to the processes that caused the evolution toward blue skin. The ceruls are reptilian with dominant equine features which has so far also been unexplainable. Carnivorous, the ceruls sustain themselves on amphibians, reptiles, small rodents, insects and crustaceans. Their natural range on Hera are islands, coastal areas, marshes, and hilly forests where they can easily track their prey. Ceruls grow to the size of Earth's longhorn cattle and can sometimes be just as raucous, especially during mating season. Mating season is generally from late spring to mid-summer, when an observer can hear the low roars of the males calling to the females. Males mature between 12-15 years, while females mature sooner, between 9-12 years. Ceruls can live up to 35 years, giving the females the ability to give birth to as many as 10-15 offspring in their lifetimes.
Because the Ceruls are imports from Hera, limited numbers of them have been recorded in the wild. As a result only the Herans are at present responsible for the protection of these animals. But it is expected, as their numbers spread, that the powers of Gaia will extend the same Conservation and Protection Acts laws to the ceruls as already with the cresthorses and sleipnirs.
Because the Ceruls are imports from Hera, limited numbers of them have been recorded in the wild. As a result only the Herans are at present responsible for the protection of these animals. But it is expected, as their numbers spread, that the powers of Gaia will extend the same Conservation and Protection Acts laws to the ceruls as already with the cresthorses and sleipnirs.
stellio manibus pedibusque nudis ungulam (Ki'lin) - When the first Klingon to set foot on Gaia as part of the early scientific survey of the new capital world discovered this species of jungle forager, it was he who gave the common name to the animal, Ki'lin. A reptilian with the hair and hooves of a mammal, the ki'lin roams the jungle undergrowth looking for an easy meal. Ki'lins are scaly, except at their tails, the backs of their limbs, and their manes, which are a brilliant display of pink fur. A single horn at the tops of their heads serves a double purpose, for mating and for challenging more aggressive species. Despite their fearsome appearance and carnivorous eating habits, many in Inuyashia have taken to adopting and domesticating them as pets. A similar trend has started in Trekylon, and this could prompt both governments to adopt strong measures to regulate the resulting commercial trade in ki'lins.
Ki'lins are around the size of a Terran German sheperd dog and are a green-grey in coloration, fringed with the mammalian pink fur. Their habitat ranges from the jungles of Sahelia, Orientalia and Equatoria to Amazonia. The males mature between 2-4 years while the females mature between 3-5 years. Mating season is between mid-spring and early summer, when the males' hairy fringes are at their most brilliant in order to attract a female. Females can give birth to as many as 15 offspring in their 20-year lifespan. Ki'lins like to forage for insects and arthropods, but will just as readily stalk small birds, rodents, amphibians and fishes. To date, no one has been attacked by a ki'lin, but during the dry seasons on Gaia, travellers and hikers are warned to stay clear of any groups of ki'lin as they are likely prone to attack due to scarcity of prey. Ki'lins will especially, if prey is scarce, attack small pets and children. People seeking to purchase them as pets are advised to keep a good stock of various meats in order to avoid having their children attacked by the hungry ki'lin.
Ki'lins are around the size of a Terran German sheperd dog and are a green-grey in coloration, fringed with the mammalian pink fur. Their habitat ranges from the jungles of Sahelia, Orientalia and Equatoria to Amazonia. The males mature between 2-4 years while the females mature between 3-5 years. Mating season is between mid-spring and early summer, when the males' hairy fringes are at their most brilliant in order to attract a female. Females can give birth to as many as 15 offspring in their 20-year lifespan. Ki'lins like to forage for insects and arthropods, but will just as readily stalk small birds, rodents, amphibians and fishes. To date, no one has been attacked by a ki'lin, but during the dry seasons on Gaia, travellers and hikers are warned to stay clear of any groups of ki'lin as they are likely prone to attack due to scarcity of prey. Ki'lins will especially, if prey is scarce, attack small pets and children. People seeking to purchase them as pets are advised to keep a good stock of various meats in order to avoid having their children attacked by the hungry ki'lin.
maculosum cervus (Kelbi deer) - The Kelbi deer was first named by xenobiologist Fenius Kelbi when he came upon a group of then grazing in the tall grasses between forests in Columbia. Kelbi are so docile and curious about their new Human neighbors that it was reported they would approach the xenobiologists with no fear. Kelbi have also shown curiosity when encountering encampments, often sifting through discarded food remnants for an easy meal. Although Kelbi are easy to observe in the wild, little information is available outside base observations and fecal evidence left behind by the herds. The Trekylon Science Ministry is considering further studies in the wilds, of these precocious animals.
Kelbi are slightly smaller than the Terran white-tailed deer and behave almost exactly as their Terran counterparts with the noted exception of curiosity when confronted by Humans and Herans. They have small horns on either side of their head, behind their ears. Their fur is short, with many spots which help break up their silhouettes while in the grasses. The males use their horns when competing for a mate, while it is unknown to what purpose the females use them, if any. Males mature between 3-5 years, while females mature between 4-7 years. Mating season starts in the spring and can sometimes last as long as mid-summer. They feed on grasses, leaves, berries and small fruits. Kelbis have a lifespan of 35 years and a typical kelbi family can have as many as 25 offspring. Kelbis habitats range from the grasslands of Columbia to the mountains of Europa and Orientalia. Kelbis prefer temperate to subpolar environments.
Kelbi are slightly smaller than the Terran white-tailed deer and behave almost exactly as their Terran counterparts with the noted exception of curiosity when confronted by Humans and Herans. They have small horns on either side of their head, behind their ears. Their fur is short, with many spots which help break up their silhouettes while in the grasses. The males use their horns when competing for a mate, while it is unknown to what purpose the females use them, if any. Males mature between 3-5 years, while females mature between 4-7 years. Mating season starts in the spring and can sometimes last as long as mid-summer. They feed on grasses, leaves, berries and small fruits. Kelbis have a lifespan of 35 years and a typical kelbi family can have as many as 25 offspring. Kelbis habitats range from the grasslands of Columbia to the mountains of Europa and Orientalia. Kelbis prefer temperate to subpolar environments.