Major Worlds of the Starcrest Protectorate
"Smoke and Steel."
— Motto of House Konnen
The Starcrest Protectorate is one of the oldest and most militarized nations in the Core. Though smaller in population than many of its rivals, it maintains one of the largest standing armies in human space. Its worlds are known for harsh climates, rugged populations, and a culture that prizes resilience, sacrifice, and self-reliance.
The Protectorate is ruled by House Konnen from the icy capital world of Khorhall.
Overview
| World | Population | Primary Role |
|---|---|---|
| Khorhall | 1.4 Billion | Capital / Industry |
| Skyreach | 0.9 Billion | Agriculture / Aerospace |
| Smokefall | 1.2 Billion | Manufacturing |
| Nordra | 0.5 Billion | Military Recruitment |
| Dunerift | 0.4 Billion | Mining |
| Cygnus Major | 1.1 Billion | Agriculture |
| Tyndrall | 0.6 Billion | Fortress World |
| Astridia | 0.4 Billion | Gas Extraction |
| Vonhelm | 0.7 Billion | Frontier Colony |
Total Population: 7.2 Billion
Military Strength: 288,000 Mechs
Battlestars
- Odin
- Warden's Might
- Valhalla II
Khorhall
Population: 1.4 Billion
Capital of the Starcrest Protectorate and seat of House Konnen.
Khorhall is a frozen world of towering mountain ranges, vast glaciers, and sprawling industrial cities. Despite its unforgiving climate, it serves as the political, economic, and military heart of the Protectorate.
The world is famous for its heavy industries, foundries, and military production complexes. Many of the Protectorate's most durable weapons, armor systems, and military vehicles originate from Khorhall's factories.
The harsh environment has shaped the Protectorate's culture for centuries, producing a population known throughout the Core for its toughness and determination.
Skyreach
Population: 900 Million
A spectacular low-gravity world known for its towering peaks, thin atmosphere, and breathtaking views of nearby nebulae.
Skyreach is one of the Protectorate's largest agricultural producers, supplying specialized crops adapted to its unique environment. The world is also famous for its aerospace industries and extreme sports culture.
Many of the Protectorate's pilots receive their earliest flight training on Skyreach.
Smokefall
Population: 1.2 Billion
One of the industrial centers of the Protectorate.
Centuries of manufacturing have left much of the planet beneath a permanent layer of smoke and haze. Massive foundries, refineries, and factories dominate the landscape, producing everything from civilian machinery to military hardware.
Life on Smokefall is difficult, but its people take pride in their contribution to the Protectorate's strength.
Many citizens view the smoke-filled skies as a symbol of prosperity rather than pollution.
Nordra
Population: 500 Million
A rugged frontier world renowned for its warrior culture.
Massive fortresses dot the mountains and frozen valleys of Nordra, many tracing their origins back centuries. Military service is considered both an honor and a civic duty, and many of the Protectorate's finest soldiers and mech pilots hail from this world.
Nordra's inhabitants place great value on strength, endurance, and personal honor.
Dunerift
Population: 400 Million
A harsh desert world battered by frequent sandstorms and extreme temperatures.
Despite its hostile environment, Dunerift possesses rich mineral deposits that make it one of the Protectorate's most valuable resource worlds. Vast mining operations stretch across the deserts, while isolated settlements cluster around underground water reserves.
Life on Dunerift is difficult, but its mineral wealth helps fuel much of the Protectorate's industrial economy.
Cygnus Major
Population: 1.1 Billion
Often referred to as the Breadbasket of the Protectorate.
Cygnus Major is a lush world of forests, rivers, rolling plains, and fertile farmland. It produces enormous quantities of food and agricultural exports that sustain both civilian populations and military forces throughout Protectorate territory.
Compared to many Protectorate worlds, Cygnus Major enjoys a relatively mild climate and high standard of living.
Tyndrall
Population: 600 Million
A barren and heavily fortified military world.
Although poor in natural resources, Tyndrall occupies a strategically important location along several major transit routes. Over generations it has been transformed into one of the most heavily defended worlds in the Protectorate.
Massive military installations, orbital defense systems, and fortified cities dominate the landscape.
Many military planners consider Tyndrall the shield of the Protectorate.
Astridia
Population: 400 Million
A gas giant surrounded by dozens of inhabited moons and orbital habitats.
The Astridia system contains vast reserves of rare gases and industrial resources critical to the Protectorate's economy. Most inhabitants live on orbital platforms, refinery stations, or the system's colonized moons.
The system serves as one of the Protectorate's most important resource extraction centers.
Vonhelm
Population: 700 Million
One of the outermost major worlds of the Protectorate.
Vonhelm combines frontier independence with fierce loyalty to House Konnen. Its settlements are spread across vast wilderness regions where isolated communities, mining operations, and agricultural colonies coexist.
The world remains less developed than many core Protectorate worlds, giving it a reputation as a land of opportunity for pioneers, prospectors, and adventurers.
Many citizens consider Vonhelm the embodiment of the Protectorate spirit: proud, resilient, and self-reliant.
The Protectorate Character
The worlds of the Starcrest Protectorate share few environmental similarities. Frozen tundra, fertile plains, desert mining worlds, industrial centers, and frontier colonies all exist within House Konnen's domain.
What unites them is a common culture built upon resilience, duty, and sacrifice.
While other powers may boast greater wealth or technological sophistication, the Protectorate takes pride in its people, its military traditions, and its willingness to endure hardships that would break lesser nations.