Planet Profile: Pandora
Posted on Sun Jun 8th, 2025 @ 5:59pm by Ensign Kasm
660 words; about a 3 minute read
Species Profile: The Drahvathi (Pandorans)
Planet of Origin: Varridra Prime
Classification: Mammalian Biped
Morphology: Short, broad-shouldered hominids resembling muscular, upright pandas.
Average Height: 1.4 – 1.6 meters
Average Weight: 110 – 140 kg (due to dense musculature and high-gravity adaptation)
Skin/Fur: Black-and-white patterned fur; black eyes with enhanced low-light vision
Notable Features: Prominent beaver-like incisors used for excavation and processing raw minerals
Homeworld Gravity: 2.6g (gravitational adaptation includes dense bones, redundant musculature, and compressed organ systems)
Disposition: Stoic, scowling by default due to facial structure; collectivist, industrious, and intensely curious once trust is established
Federation Status: Prospective Federation Member; under observation since First Contact with USS Havenshire
Planetary Profile: Varridra Prime (Pandora)
Location: Beta Quadrant – Sector 7145
Climate:
• Average Surface Temperature: 18°C (temperate, but extremes in mountainous zones)
• Atmosphere: Oxygen-nitrogen based; thick due to gravity
• Weather Patterns: Frequent thunderstorms; persistent high-altitude fog due to rapid evaporation and dense cloud formations
• Precipitation: Regular, often intense rain in valley regions; snow above 2,500 meters
Rotation & Orbit:
• Rotation Period: 15 hours (short days, necessitating tightly structured work/rest cycles)
• Orbital Period: 367 standard Earth days
• Axial Tilt: 11° (mild seasonal variation)
Topography:
• Mountainous terrain dominates most of the landmass
• Deep, mineral-rich canyons carved by millennia of tectonic activity
• Subterranean cave systems abundant; some developed into massive underground cities and mining operations
• Limited lowland plains used primarily for agriculture
Flora:
• High-gravity adapted vegetation: low-growing, thick-stemmed shrubs; wide-leafed ground creepers
• Luminous mosses and fungi prevalent in caves and under forest canopies
• “Chimewood” trees: dense-trunked flora with vibratory seedpods used for communication and music
Fauna:
• “Stoneback Draviks”: massive armored herbivores used for transport and quarry pulling
• “Glimmerbats”: bioluminescent cave-dwelling flyers that detect crystal resonance
• “Whiptails”: apex cliffside predators with prehensile tails and extreme vertical leaping ability
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Cultural Overview: The Drahvathi Consortium System
Social Organization:
• The Drahvathi emphasize collectivism and purpose through a social structure known as the Consortium.
• Children are raised in tight family units until adolescence, then undergo a Pathing Ceremony to choose between Mining or Farming Consortia—the foundational vocations.
• As they reach the age of majority (approx. 21 Earth years), individuals may transfer to advanced Consortia, including Medicine, Science, Transportation, Governance, and more.
• Individually, they are fearless and tend to not consider their own safety when performing tasks.
Economic Structure:
• Primarily focused on Dilithium mining and refinement, as well as agrarian self-sufficiency
• Until 50 years ago, Dilithium was regarded as purely ornamental, used in statuary, jewelry, and art
• A pivotal accident involving energy redirection through Dilithium led to the discovery of warp field interactions
• Subsequent experimentation—tragically costing hundreds of lives—eventually resulted in rudimentary warp-capable vessels
First Contact History:
• Initial warp signal detected by the USS Havenshire, which was patrolling near the Beta Hedari Expanse
• First Contact protocols initiated; the Drahvathi responded with cautious optimism and respectful diplomacy
• Cultural compatibility noted in terms of communal focus and scientific curiosity
• The Federation assigned a liaison science team to monitor the safe development of warp technologies and to assist in regulatory guidance
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Notable Technologies (Pre-Federation Contact):
• Steam and combustion-driven mining equipment, reinforced for high gravity
• Crude Dilithium-based energy relays used in power plants and industrial lighting
• Crystal harmonic chambers—early devices used in warp experimentation; some models resonate hauntingly like musical instruments
• Analog computation systems housed in large, thermally shielded bunkers
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Current Federation Outlook:
• The Drahvathi are a species of interest due to their independent discovery of warp technology
• Despite limited exposure to outside space, they’ve shown ethical restraint in expansion.
• Federation scientists are currently helping develop safe containment protocols and structural compensators for use in high-gravity environments
• Cultural exchange programs have begun, introducing Drahvathi delegates to Starfleet Academy preparatory studies
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