ALDERAAN
Type: Plains, small seas
Location: Core
System: Alderaan
Moons: None
Natives: Humans, thrantas
Languages: Basic
Points of Interest: Aldera City
Debut: A New Hope
Destruction: A New Hope
Everyone has heard of the Alderaan tragedy. Grassy plains and beautiful cities, celebrated museums and alien ruins; an entire culture destroyed with as much effort and care as Grand Moff Tarkin had compassion.
The perfect example of a world totally at peace, Alderaan was bereft of weapons even during the Clone Wars and Palpatine's New Order. The native humans - who were sometimes known as Alderaanians - lived in harmony with one another on their beautiful planet. Rolling hills and grassy plains gave way to sparkling seas and deep blue oceans, dotted with refined cities and settlements. Thrantas soared overhead and dazzling glimmerfish glided through the waters. The few metropolitan areas of the planet were designed in such a way to complement their surroundings. The capital city of Aldera's skyline consisted of gently curved, gleaming white buildings that formed a subtle bridge between the green grasses and white clouds. Here, students from across the galaxy studied at the famed University of Aldera, a learning institution that promoted freethinking, much to the chagrin of the Empire. Other centers, such as Crevasse City, melded so perfectly with their surroundings as to be almost invisible from a distance. Though Alderaan maintained no military force, it did have a presence in both the Republic and Imperial Senates; distinguished figures such as Bail Antilles, Bail Organa and Leia Organa represented Alderaan in the Republic, as well as positions in the Royal House of Alderaan. It was Viceroy Bail Organa who outlawed weapons on Alderaan, declaring a state of peace. Alderaan became known as the 'Bright Center of the Universe.'
The peace was shattered, however, by the Empire. As a way of torture to learn the location of the Rebel base, Governor Tarkin threatened Leia's homeworld when she was captured by Darth Vader. In order to test his new Death Star, Tarkin ordered his gunners to target Alderaan, unless Leia gave up the information. Unbeknownst to Tarkin, Leia lied, giving him the location of an old Rebel base - but Tarkin went ahead with the operation anyway. The Death Star's superlaser tore through the heart of Alderaan, obliterating it completely. The resulting debris became known as The Graveyard, a place where many Alderaanians who were off-world at the time went to leave tributes. Even non-Alderaanians payed their respects there. The Empire's destruction of Alderaan was a crime the galaxy would never forget. |
