Star Type (Recharge Time): F8V
(179 hours)
Position in system: 3
of 7
Time to jump point:
12 days
Number of Satellites: 6
(Banyule, Boondarra, Manningham,
Monash, Stonnington, Whitehorse)
Surface Gravity:
1.08 g
Atmospheric Pressure:
Thin (Breathable)
Equatorial Temperature:
32 degrees (Tropical)
Surface Water:
50%
Highest Native Life:
Birds
Recharge Station:
Zenith
HPG Class: B
(Inoperative)
Population (3145):
850,000,000
Socio-Industrial Levels:
B-C-B-C-C
Landmasses (Capitol City): Glen
Iris, Chadstone and Malvern (Batman)
Ashburton was first identified during
the late 23rd century, with initial exploration suggesting that the world possessed
a high degree of potential for colonisation. While thin, the atmosphere was
still breathable at sea level without the need for life support or sophisticated
terraforming. Divided into three continents by relatively small and shallow
seas, much of the planet was dominated by open savannahs and dry deserts,
tending towards tundra at the poles.
Another factor that drew the attention
of colonists were the mountainous regions along the world's equator. Thrown up
in the (geologically) relatively recent collision between two subcontinents,
the atmosphere around the upper mountains was nominally too thin to support
human life. On the other hand, surveys found that they were rich in valuable
minerals including precious metals and radioactive. Additional exploration of
the world's two largest moons also showed that they were rich in mineral
resources, prompting development of lunar mining colonies.
Rather than the thin atmosphere, the
greatest challenge that the initial colonisations faced came in the form of the
world's native life forms. Several large species of aggressive bird
like-predators, both airborne and flightless, existed, which quickly found that
both the colonists and their transplanted livestock were easy prey. Creatures
like the Direbeak (Superficially resembling a terran Allosaurus),
the ominously named Death Razor or the bizarre four-winged Sky Shadow quickly became
the bane of colonists, leading to organised hunts and culls. Today many of
these species still survive, but their populations and movements are carefully
watched.
Despite these setbacks, the colony
continued to grow throughout the Age of War, where it was incorporated into the
fledgling Free Worlds League. During the Star League, Ashburton's industry and
economy grew, allowing it to export consumer goods and electronics to other
nearby worlds. Some of it's native wildlife also became prized exports, with
the so-called 'dino-birds' becoming star attractions at Zoos across the Inner
Sphere. Despite this growth, the planet managed to remain agriculturally
self-sufficient, a trait that would help it in the years to come.
The Succession Wars and their accompanying
collapse of interstellar trade shattered Ashburton's economy, leading to mass unemployment
across the planet. Efforts to retool much of its heavy manufacturing towards military
production instead attracted deep raids form the Lyran Commonwealth.
The most disastrous of these came in
2815 when the Savage Horde Regiment, a Lyran employed mercenary command
attacked the world. Facing only local militia troops, the Savage Horde ran
wild, sacking several cities and destroying two with nuclear weapons while also
levelling several weapons plants. Seemingly powerless to stop them, the
Ashburton Militia received unexpected assistance when the Savage Horde encampment
was over-run by a migratory Death Razor flock; the camp security had paid the creatures
no heed, apparently unaware of just how dangerous the local life forms could
be. Taking advantage of the chaos, the Ashburton Defence Force were able to
move in and force the Savage Horde off-world.
The recovery of the Helm Memory core and
the decoding of its secrets helped revitalise the world, especially following
Captain-General Thomas Marik's agreement to supply weapons to the Federated
Commonwealth. Ashburton found its industry revitalised as the Free Worlds
economy surged, both with local manufacture and the export of raw materials.
Under the second Star League, trade flourished which further spurred growth in
both the military and civilian sectors.
Ashburton was not directly attacked
during the Jihad, but did feel its effects. The Wainwright family, who had
ruled the planet since the Second Succession War, openly supported the Word of
Blake. As interstellar trade again collapsed, the planet's economy suffered as
many of its booming industries suddenly collapsed. At the end of the Jihad with
the collapse of the Free Worlds League, Ashburton was left as an independent
world. The Wainwright family were deposed, with a democratic government
installed in their place.
Unfortunately, efforts to revitalise the
planet's flagging economy often met with defeat at the hands of that same
democracy. With coalition governments being the norm, any attempt to pass a
bill had to meet approval from the government’s parties before it could even go
to a vote. For example, a bill to support the lucrative safari tourism market
was killed by the Ecological Party following claims that Death Razors were
actually sensitive creatures that were easily upset by sudden changes. The result
was decades of economic stagnation crumbling infrastructure and struggling
industries.
During the 3090s, rumours began to
circulate that the world was home to fugitive Word of Blake forces. While no
solid evidence was ever unearthed, this lead to several exploratory raids by
RSMC forces. The Regulans achieved little but to turn over the rubble of
ancient cities and damage already weakened industries. In a rare moment of
unity, the Ashburton government called for support from the Marik Protectors,
which served to discourage further Regulan adventurism.
In 3138, the Progress Party under Prime
Minister Bruce McNally won a rare majority government and immediately set to
work on a number of key reforms. Possibly the most important was their voting
to join Jessica Marik's new Free Worlds League in 3139. This lead to an upturn
in the previously moribund economy, and the first signs of real progress in
decades. McNally was re-elected in 3142, and is expected to win a third term in
3146. While popular with the electorate, he has a lot of critics among the minor
parties (Such as the Ecological Party and the ReMonarchists) who have seen
their powerbase eroded.
At present, Ashburton is in an odd
situation. It has a large population, a strong resource base and is located in
the middle of a Successor State. It is also relatively undeveloped, due to
decades of economic mismanagement However, given the precarious situation the
Free Worlds League presently finds itself in, the planet's future as potentially
bright as it is uncertain.
