Persephone

GEOGRAPHY

As one might expect from a planet that serves as a major port to and from the five clusters, Persephone has specialized infrastructure to help facilitate almost all forms of personal travel and cargo hauling.

Persephone is an interesting mix of people and cultures. The world's environment is much like Earth-That-Was: desert, rainforest, plains, tundra, and the like. While not as heavily populated as the rest of the worlds in the Core, Persephone still seems a to be a very big place to those from the Rim. Persephone has a tradition-orientated aristocracy, a small but thriving middle class, and a fair share of the poor and desperate. One can find both the pinnacles of high society and the depths of the criminal underworld pretty nearby amidst the planet's famously tiered societal structure.

The Eavesdown Docks is the largest spaceport on Persephone. Even folk who think themselves hotshot pilots are confused now and again by its chaotic layout (and woe to the new pilot trying to make his way to a dock for the first time). Ships often touch down only a few yards from street vendors, selling cheap goods to the crews and potential passengers. The docks are situated in the poor section of the capital city (the nobles and other rich folk have their own private airfields), but it is just a short drive or a long walk to the business district - in which just about anything in the 'Verse can be bought for the right price.

The planet's port system has a complex process for tariffs, taxes, and other fees levied on vessels and cargo. The Trader's Guild maintains bureaus in most ports to assist member merchants with fee disputes.

The docks and less affluent cities are home to several criminal "lords," who collect illegal salvage, move contraband offworld and have hundreds of other ways to make quick, if not Alliance-approved, easy cash. A good crew with a flyable ship could make good coin here, so long as their morals aren't overly high and they don't mind avoiding the Feds. 

Some of these criminal areas are essentially ran by gangs or other illicit organizations. It is wise to be aware of such criminal groups, as it is likely that independent traders outside of UAP or Blue Sun shipping fleets will encounter them to some degree.

Not far away from the Eavesdown Docks is a famous racetrack that is home to a famous derby that brings in folk from throughout the system (not to mention the throngs of Cortex-viewers), offering a huge cash prizes to the winning horse.

Like the horses, the aristocracy of Persephone all lay claim to a pedigree. Then again, anyone with the right stack of coin can purchase his own lordship, what with its fancy sash and all. Noble families live on large estates, attending to business, dancing at opulent balls, playing golf or tennis, and settling matters of honor in formal duels.

The Alliance maintains peacekeeping troops in wealthy areas such as Demeter and Chriseda, helping ensure smooth passage and strict adherence to regulations. Immigrants hoping to live in Demeter enter through Bole's Gate, Persephone's tribute to "the spirit of migrant courage."

Overall, Persephone is an impressive cross-section of humanity, which is just another way to say that it's a world with an over abundance of opportunity and danger.