Difference between revisions of "Coruscant"

Revision as of 17:35, 1 February 2012

Coruscant
Astrographical
Region	Galactic Core
Sector	Coruscant
System	Coruscant
Galactic coordinates	(-6, 50)
System coordinates	(10, 2)
Suns	Coruscant Prime
Moons	0
Physical
Primary Terrain	Urban Cityscape, mountains
Planet Type	temperate/breathable
Planet Size	15 x 15
Points of Interest
Societal
Native Species	Coruscanti
Official Language	Galactic Basic
Approximate Population	58,665,266,203 inhabitants
Major Cities
Affiliation	Galactic Empire
Grand Moff	{{{moff}}}

The planet of Coruscant is geographically located approximately 10,000 light-years away from the galactic core and has the popular misconception of being the closest planet to the Galactic Core. For millennias, it's proximity to the galactic core has resulted in the planet playing host as the Galactic Capital since the formation of the Old Republic. Coruscant's most famous feature however is the fact it is a ecumenopolis; the entire planet now amassed into one city. It currently serves as the capital planet of the Galactic Empire.

Planetary features

Composition and structure

Internal structure

Like many terrestrial planets, Coruscant features five chemical and physical layers that results in it's designation as a Temperate/Breathable planet. The most dense layer, the Inner Core, has a diameter of ~3,400 km and is composed of molten Meleenium, Duracrete and Lommite.

The next layer, the Outer Core, of Coruscant is approximately 3,140 km below the surface of Coruscant and the transition between Inner and Outer Core occurs 5,428 km below the planet's surface. With temperatures ranging from 3904 degrees to 6702 degrees within the molten metal, it is the Outer Core that once produced the planet's internal heat. This has since changed following the development of the planet into a ecumenopolis. The Outer Core also produces the magnetic and gravitational sphere of influence (estimated to total 1.4 Gm or 1,400,000 kilometers in radius) via Eddy currents in the Meleenium fluid that the Outer Core is primarily composed of. The Outer Core is not under enough pressure to be solid, so it is liquid even though it has a composition similar to that of the Inner Core.

Coruscant's next layer, known as the Mantle, is composed of three layers of differing density and approximately 2,890 km below the surface of Coruscant, it once caused the movement of tectonic plates on the planet. This has since stopped following the planet's natural cooling and the thinning of the Mantle layers although it was formerly under enough pressure to allow the Crust of the planet to 'float' on its solid state. It is the first solid layer of the planet's composition and acted as the transitional point between the molten metals that form the planet's Core and the space-exposed crust. Despite it's geographical proximity to the Core, it's temperatures range from 550 degrees to 985 degrees; close to the melting point of many Galactic metals but hot enough to provide an ease of movement..

The final layer of Coruscant's internal structure is the Crust, a composition of variety of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks in addition to various metals that once formed deposits on the planet's surface. The upper part of the mantle is composed mostly of peridotite, a rock denser than rocks common in the overlying crust. The Crust and underlying relatively rigid Mantle make up Coruscant's lithosphere. Because of convection in the underlying Mantle and asthenosphere, the lithosphere was broken into tectonic plates that once moved. However due to its use as the Galactic Capital and millenia of development; these tectonic plates have been fused together through engineering efforts and the planet's natural degrading through age.

Surface

Prior to the mass urbanization of the planet, Coruscant was an ocean-rich world with similar terrain to those of Kuat and Corellia. However, following the massive construction works that resulted in Coruscant becoming a single city, all natural bodies of water were purposely drained and stored in vast underground caverns. This includes Coruscant's two icecaps, which both have been artificially designed to supply the Northern and Southern hemispheres with water. At this time, the only bodies of water that are visible are around the 'Western Sea'; an artificially-created set of lakes designed for tourists on holidays in addition to assist in the regulation of the atmosphere.

Due to the lack of natural bodies of water to feed, water and provide a stable atmosphere to the inhabitants, architects for centuries have designed a self-contained eco-system with the vast skyscrapers that fill Coruscant's surface. Included in these designed are Polar Cap stations; massive buildings devoted to the production of water that then provide nearby districts via a complex series of pipes.

These series of pipes run throughout the entire surface of Coruscant; connecting the kilometer-high skyscrapers together. With 59 billion inhabitants, not including transients, temporary workers, unregistered populace nor residents of orbital facilities, the skyscrapers of Coruscant have dwarfed all the remaining natural features of the planet. Layers upon layers of structures, decks, residential and commercial quarters, as well as factories and mining facilities (which now lay dormant in the lowest reaches of the planet) form a second planetary layer. It is unknown how old the lowest levels really are and who dwells in them, as they escape the notice of the upper levels.

Artificial lighting illuminated most levels of Coruscant, with advertisement holograms, propaganda and the various industrial and residential engineering pipes able to be seen everywhere. There were numerous establishments for entertainment, catering to the myriad of alien species that would flock to the planet.

Many layers, especially the ones that lie deep in the shadows of the skyscrapers are inhabited by dubious people. In some areas a wondrous fauna has either evolved, or developed from imported animals. The lowest reaches of Coruscant are a dark and forbidden place. Neither sun nor artificial light can reach that far and they are, therefore, considered off-limits. Even the dauntless do not go there without a good reason.

To accommodate for the still growing demand for space, engineers try to develop plans to re-colonize those nether regions of Coruscant. One of the obstacles facing them is large amount of carbon dioxide, the by-product of living organisms and industry. Being heavier than most gases, it sinks to the surface and makes life virtually impossible. As a stop-gap solution, Coruscant’s ecological engineers installed atmospheric dampeners, and equipped them with repulsors and various sensors. These dampeners constantly monitor their respective sections of the atmosphere and remove the excessive amounts of carbon dioxide in the lower regions. Due to the fact that the layers of carbon dioxide are as thick as several thousand meters, this process takes a long time and will likely take as long to remove as it had time to build up; several hundred years.

Native species

Despite the entire surface of Coruscant being inhabited and developed, there are several species of insectoids, arachnids, roaches, rodents, and duracrete worms that now live with the vast buildings of the planet: acting more as parasites than wildlife. Formerly, a small number of species of birds nested within the skyscrapers of Coruscant but have since become protection; the pollution of Coruscant too great for the animal to exist within.

There have been several documented alien and humanoid species that lived on the planet, with several still found in the planet's lower levels. Prior to the formation of the Old Republic, a race known as the Taung existed on the planet. An aggressive near-human race with characteristic grey skin and facial structures similar to that of the Niktos, the Taung inhabited the planet prior to the invasions of another race, the Zhell. The Taung, under the command of Mandalore the First, successfully repelled the Zhell invasions following a series of volcanic eruptions across the planet. With the planet near inhospitable, the Taung ventured out of the Coruscant system and would colonies a new planet named after their successful warlord; Mandalore. The Taung race, however, is believed to have become extinct around the same time as the Sith species.

The Zhell are the most recently documented race to have existed on the planet, and still do, after the Taung. Following their first unsuccessful attempts of colonizing the planet; the Zhell began living on the planet two years after the volcanic eruptions and the migration of the Taung. Those that believe the theory of Coruscant being the homeworld of Humans commonly believe that humans are ancestors of the Zhell. This is unconfirmed by scientific reports as this time.

Atmosphere

The atmosphere of Coruscant is a layer of gases now-produced by carbon dioxide-reactive artificial atmospheric dampeners that converted carbon dioxide into breathable oxygen. These atmospheric dampeners were installed by the Coruscant Atmospheric Reclamation Project, after scientific reports revealed the atmosphere was degrading through the massive pollution found on the planet.

The atmosphere protects life on Coruscant by absorbing ultraviolet solar radiation, warming solar stations placed on the many skyscrapers of Coruscant, and reducing temperature extremes between day and night. Dry air contains roughly (by volume) 69% nitrogen, 18% oxygen, 9.5% Carbon Dioxide 0.93% Kyvalon-4, 0.038% Rethen, and small amounts of other gases.

The atmosphere has a mass of about four quintillion (4x1018) kg, three quarters of which is within about 11 km (6.8 mi; 36,000 ft) of the surface. With the atmosphere becoming thinner and thinner with increasing altitude, scientists within Coruscant have successfully pushed the atmosphere to a higher level via the artificial dampeners to accomodate for the many kilometer-high skyscrapers.

Culture

Galactic Capital

Following the formations of the Old Republic, the invention of the hyperdrive by the Corellians and Duros allowed Coruscant to officially become the capital of the democratic union that was the Old Republic. In just 53 years later, the known galaxy at the time officially recognized Coruscant as the 'Galactic Center; with the planet being the closed planet in proximity to the galactic core. It would remain as the Galactic Capital for twenty five thousand years; where it saw the planet develop into the ecumenopolis that it is today.

Since the formation of the Old Republic and the developed status of Coruscant in political affairs; the planet has always been a primary objective in inter-galactic wars. Despite this, the planet of Coruscant has always remained in the control of the "Galactic Government" despite numerous assaults and bombardments that the planet has suffered for centuries.

Imperial Palace

The Imperial Palace, formerly known as the Palace of the Republic, is the residence of the Emperor of the Galactic Empire. Having been rebuilt following the formation of the Galactic Empire, the Palace had been radically changed from it's previous state that placed it on the top 10 wonders of the Galaxy. It's design was often said to resemble a merge of a cathedral and a pyramid, however it has since been redesigned to incorporate Sith architecture similar to that of the Sith Temple. With polished gray-green rock and mirrored crystals making the exterior of the Palace, Imperial architects have ensured that the Palace is always eliminated as a symbol of the Galactic Empire.

Following the transformation of the Old Republic to the Galactic Empire, Emperor Drayson ordered the Imperial Palace to be the tallest building within Coruscant. This was achieved and the vast Palace extends three kilometers into the sky. In addition to the vast towers of the Palace that hold a variety of departmental offices, such as the Imperial Information Center, and resident halls; the Palace features a 'Grand Corridor' with the rumored belief that a Victory-Class Star Destroyer could comfortably fit within the vast space filled with sound-activated colour changing Ch'hala trees.

Overall, there are twenty thousand rooms connected over fifty structures that make up the Imperial Palace. With the Palace being the central hub of all political and military endeavors of the Galactic Empire, several unique rooms are found throughout. A six hundred person capacity Senate room, similar to that of the Old Republic's, is used by the Imperial Throne and the Imperial Government whilst formalizing Imperial plans. Also featured within the Palace is the Imperial Throne room; a sunken auditorium, similar to a large crater, dug into bedrock. On the audience decks, there were flat stone benches arranged in long arcs, where visitors could come to hear any pronouncements from the Emperor himself. What was unique about this chamber was that the audience could hear everything the Emperor said; the Emperor was also able to hear anything said to him from the audience decks.

The Emperor's Royal Guard, an elite battalion of specially trained troops under the direct command of the Emperor, is directly responsible for his safety and can, if needed, deploy the Palace's troops and vehicles to defend the structure at the touch of a button. In cases of emergency, the Imperial Royal Guard can draft reserve forces at their own discretion from the Palace Security, the regular military as well as those in the civilian reserve.

The Palace also harbors a special detail of Imperial Intelligence. These women and men are highly trained and scrutinize every person entering. Such precautions are necessary in order to keep the vast number of visitors under surveillance and provide adequate protection for the working staff.

Senate District

The Senate District, once the most important district within the Galaxy, is located on Coruscant's equator and served as the seat of the Galactic Senate at the end of the Old Republic. The architects of the Old Republic designed the Senate Building, a massive shield-shaped dome building with a diameter of two kilometers and several hundred meters high, to be able to withstand an aerial bombardment up to the point of full planetary destruction. The Building fills the entire District, the remaining space surrounding the Senate building taken up by security buildings and personal residences for the senators that once lived on the planet as representatives of their systems.

Until the dissolving of the Senate, renamed the Imperial Senate following the formation of the Galactic Empire, the building remained in use. It is now, however, left as a symbol of what once was the Old Republic.

Galactic influence

Military

Due to the status as the Galactic Capital, it was often thought that the capture of Coruscant would result in a military surrender - due to the devastation that'd be caused by removing a large chunk of the Galaxy's Government. However, Coruscant under the Old Republic was never a feared military thread, rather it was the fear of the political government that allowed Coruscant to wield a large amount of persauvive force in disputes.

This would change, however, following the beginning of the Clone Wars. Large amounts of space on Coruscant would be transformed into Military Staging Areas and troops of the Republic's Grand Army became more visible as they patrolled the planet. Military defense stations were installed around Coruscant and defensive turbolaser platforms were placed throughout the city's landscape.

Following the formation of the Galactic Empire, Coruscant would remain a mainly-defensive planet but fear of assault on the Imperial planet has prevented the majority of enemy governments from planning an attack. With a permeant Imperial Fleet and Legion guarding the planet, in addition to the many Golan II stations constructed during Grand Moff Goth's reign over the planet.

Despite Coruscant's fame as the Galactic Capital, it is not the Planetary Headquarters of any Imperial Armed Forces.

Imperial Army

Whilst primarily not the headquarters for the Imperial Army, a large presence of Army High Command is often found on the planet to attend the numerous meetings, conferences, social events and additionally situations that require the presence of the Army Leadership. There is also commonly one member of Army High Command attending Imperial High Command meetings on the Army behalf, acting as the Army's voice within the Imperial Palace.

Since the Clone Wars, a highly visible presence of Army personnel has been seen on the highly populated planet. Army troopers are a common site as they patrol along the 'streets' of Coruscant, whilst the highly recognizable members of the StormCorp are common place amongst the tourist popular areas of Coruscant; giving the Galaxy the misconception of the Imperial Army comprising of purely Stormtroopers.

Many districts on Coruscant hold Imperial Army garrisons, allowing the planet to defend any land assault that may occur. With anti-personnel and anti-vehicle weaponry installed in many of the Coruscanti Skycrapers in addition to the numerous defense platforms, Coruscant can become a deadly battlefield.

Imperial Navy

With an Imperial Fleet stationed at Coruscant, there isn't a moment when arriving vistors at Coruscant are escorted in by TIE Fighters or catch a glimpse of an Imperial Star Destroyer. With the requirement for all-round protection a high requirement for the Galactic Empire, a permanently assigned Fleet has always provided the inter-space protection whilst operating the numerous orbital defenses alongside the Coruscant Security Force and the Sub-Adult Group.

The planet is also home to the Imperial Port Authority.

Sub-Adult Group

With the large population of Coruscant, the strong presence of the Empire and the home of COMPNOR, the Sub-Adult Group of the Empire plays a large part within Coruscant. The majority of Coruscant's youth population join the Sub-Adult Group and are quickly brought into the Imperial world. Many receive first-hand experience with the Empire's operations, often being granted access to the Imperial Military and various administrative branches as they begin training for admittion into the Academy.

Older members of the Sub-Adult Group assist in the running of Coruscant's planetary defenses, working alongside the Imperial Military whilst benefiting from the piratical experiences that they are given. Although no Sub-Adult Group member has had to defend Coruscant from a hostile force, many are willing to raise arms if the Empire asks them to.

Coruscant Security Force

With such a large and diverse population, often riddled with visitors for non-Imperial planets, crime has had a constant presence on the planet. The Coruscant Security Force is tasked with providing local law enforcement and security on the planet, working alongside the Imperial Security Bureau and the Imperial Office of Criminal Investigations to ensure a high level of security on the Imperial capital.

The majority of their work occurs within the Undercity, although recently they have been able to divert their attentions to illegal immigration and possible security breaches for the constant stream of arriving shuttles. Their work has lowered since the infamous Imperial Colonial Police operations on crime during Year 7 and 8, with the crime rate dropping significantly.

Planetary Defenses

Coruscant has a three tier defense system. The first and "uppermost" tier is a series of Golan II Defense Platforms, circling the planet in a protective orbit of heavy shields and heavy weaponry. Manned by the Imperial Navy and the Coruscant Security Force, the near-impregnable stations are designed to provide adequate time for an Imperial Fleet to arrive whilst eliminating as many threats as possible.

The second tier is a series of planetary shields, allowing the planetary command to deny access to incoming ships whilst providing a deflector shield to prevent planetary bombardments that could devastate the local population.

The third tier and last tier is an array of rooftop turbolasers, SAM launchers and surface-to-air cannons akin to the point-defense systems on some capital ships. Some are operated automatically, others by Human gunners and astromech droids.

Notable sights

Skydome Botanical Gardens

The Skydome Botanical Gardens is a bio-complex in the Fobosi District of Coruscant and the former headquarters for the Order of the Canted Circle; an old social group for Coruscanti's until it's dissolvement during the rise of the Empire. Constructed during the Old Republic by a wealthy Galactic News Service philanthropist, the gardens displayed exotic and endangered flora within a rooftop terranium. The Carnivorous Plants section was of special note, and the Gardens themselves were often host to dignitary meetings.

Grand Reception Hall

The Grand Reception Hall, or Grand Hall, is an enormous building on Coruscant found in the Monnel District. It is the oldest continuously-operating government building on Coruscant; having been constructed several centuries prior to the collapse of the Old Republic.

More than a thousand meters long with 14 tiers of seats, the Grand Reception Hall could seat about 500,000 sentient beings. Open-aired with local landing pads for shuttles and transports, the Grand Reception Hall is an awe-inspiring site.

Grandis Mon theater

The Grandis Mon was a theater on Coruscant. The Mishra tapcafe on New Cov was attached to a theater made in imitation of the Grandis Mon.

Galactic Museum

The Galactic Museum us a museum and a vast repository of data that was established on Coruscant over twelve thousand years before the Galactic Civil War. The museum contains information and artifacts from almost every known planet in the Galaxy, as well as a hall devoted to information about the Sith following the emergence of the Order of the Dark Hand. Several wings contain some darker, obscure pieces of information that could be found in the Galactic Museum.

University of Coruscant

The University of Coruscant, or Coruscant University, was an institute of higher learning famed for it's Musical studies courses and exceptional training in astro-navigation. With numerous colleges and campuses located across the planet, the University is capable of providing most degrees currently in existence within the Empire.

ISB Central Office

The massive office complex housed the Imperial Security Bureau, in addition to holding an underground prison network.

Monument Plaza

Monument Plaza, also known as Monument Park, was constructed on a large plaza on Coruscant. Circling the summit of Umate, one of the highest peaks of the Manarai Mountains, it attracted thousands of tourists each day to touch the giant lump of rock in the center; it was said that Monument Plaza was the only place on Coruscant where people could touch bare rock.

Huge statues and colorful banners decorated the grounds, while restaurants and shops were built into the plaza walls. Amongst the popular sites in or near the plaza were the Manarai restaurant, the Galactic Museum, and the old Senate Hall.

History

Pre-Republic

The history of Coruscant stretches past records and many of the beliefs regarding Coruscant come from legends and scientific discoveries found long before the development of Coruscant's planet-wide city. Many believe that Coruscant is the true homeworld of Humans, with galactic exploration causing the diversity and genetic differences between the many sub-species of Human found through the Galaxy. The very early history of Coruscant is a bit sketchy and is not well known.

Around 200,000 BBY, the near-Human Taungs attempted to conquer the planet's inhabitants; the Zhell. For years, battles were faught between the two factions before a volcano erupted; resulting in an ash -filled sky for two years. The Zhell were all but destroyed, technology sustaining their lives until the ash had been removed and they had drove the Taung offworld.

One hundred millennia later, Coruscant was a planet-spanning ecumenopolis in a constant state of development. New buildings were being built on top of old buildings as the population of the planet grew without restraint. In the forgotten underlevels of the city, there was darkness, pollution and crime.

In the time of the Infinite Empire of the Rakata, Coruscant was one of many planets that were enslaved to develop the Star Force. Under Rakatan domination, Coruscant's development was limited as the growing Rakata Empire began sending their newest slaves to colonize many mid-Rim planets. The Rakata were eventually decimated by a massive plague, leading to slave revolutions on Coruscant and other subjugated worlds.

Over the next two centuries, Coruscant was linked to other Core Worlds, including Corellia, Alderaan, New Plympto and Duro, by hyperspace cannons, via the Herglic Trade Empire. It was during this time that the Coruscant government peacefully absorbed the nearby Azure Imperium. During these pre-Republic years, the languages of Coruscant and its neighbors meshed to become Old Galactic Standard.

Early Republic

The invention of the hyperdrive in 25,053 BBY allowed the formation of a Galactic Republic and Coruscant to become its captial. In less than 50 years, Coruscant became known as the galactic centre and would hold this mantle throughout the reigns of the Republic and the Empire.

From the very beginning, Coruscant, as the Republic's capital, was the primary objective in several wars. The earliest among these was the Tionese War with the Honorable Union of Desevro and Tion in 24,000 BBY, in which Coruscant was bombarded with Tionese pressure bombs. Other early battles included the Alsakan Conflicts, the Duinuogwuin Contention, the Great Hyperspace War, the Third Great Schism, the Great Droid Revolution, and the Great Sith War.

Clone Wars

As Supreme Chancellor Drayson gained in power, and other major politicians and entities became more aggressive, political instability surged both throughout the galaxy and on Coruscant, threatening the capital itself and inflicting heavy violence on and near the planet.

In 33 BBY, terrorist organization The Flail, accusing the Galactic Senate of corruption, disrupted public services of Coruscant, including commerce, communications, traffic and weather, destroying property and lives while doing so.

By 23 BBY, as the end of the Separatist Crisis approached, the Confederacy of Independent Systems had become a significant threat to the stability of the Republic. Many systems seceded from Republic control, resulting in a mass exodus of Aqualish and Sy Myrthians from Coruscant. Around this time, numerous senators experianced several assassination attempts on them as Seperatist leaders increased their terrorists acts in an effort to turn the tide of the war.

Such incidents prompted the Republic to implement numerous changes on Coruscant in the name of increased security. Huge stretches of the cityscape were transformed into military staging areas, and clone troopers of the Republic's Grand Army began to be seen patrolling most of the planet. The fanatical pro-Human COMPOR was founded, the local SAGroup led by Nenevanth Tion marching in a patriotism parade. COMPOR pressured senior officials into deporting from the capital all members of species whose homeworld had joined the Confederacy.

Despite the numerous precautions taken, in 19 BBY the Confederacy of Independent Systems succeeded in making a surprise raid on Coruscant. Bypassing the heavily fortified Corellian Sector by use of secret hyperspace routes through the Deep Core provided by Supreme Chancellor Drayson, a Separatist fleet took the city planet completely unaware. While the Separatist ships engaged the Republic home defense fleet, an army of battle droids descended upon Galactic City. The Battle of Coruscant eventually turned in the Republic's favor and the Separatist's armada was forced into a full retreat. However, the battle had shaken much of the population, and large portions of the city had been decimated by falling ships or collateral damage caused in the vicious fighting.

At the conclusion of the Clone Wars, Coruscant was renamed Imperial Center following Supreme Chancellor Drayson's Declaration of a New Order as part of the reorganization of the Galactic Republic into the Galactic Empire.

Galactic Empire

While the planet's name was officially changed during Drayson's rule, most working-class denizens of the Empire continue to call the planet-city by its old name. As part of the Humanocentric policies of the Empire, non-Human species are also compelled to live in segregated areas (also known as "ethnic neighborhoods") of Imperial City, the largest and best-known of which is known as Invisec. Those that do enter other parts, whether by intention or mistake, are often punished brutally.

During the reign of the Empire, a proclamation by Drayson made Imperial Center the only planet in the galaxy where political science students could do postgraduate work. The reason was twofold: foremost was the hope that the future politicians and technocrats of the galaxy would be more likely to accept the values and rule of the New Order; second was that the brightest students could be detained, either voluntarily or by force, on Imperial Center to assist in the running of the Empire.

The Emperor also began to shape Coruscant with his own designs, and this included the installment of almost one million surveillance systems throughout the ecumenopolis. Massive shield generators were placed all over Coruscant and lend the planet a foreboding, almost gothic look. The Palace of the Republic was rebuilt and renamed the Imperial Palace.