STAR WARS: THE NEW REPUBLIC

Planets of the Galaxy

A Galactic Guide to FONDOR

A Supplement for use with Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game

A comprehensive guide to Fondor in the era of the New Republic!

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Published by

Part of the Star Wars D6 RPG Campaign ...and you do a loop at the end

Disclaimer: This is not an official product, and it should not be sold nor bought; this is intended for private use and not endorsed by any official Star Wars license holder.

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Introduction

The Imperial Star Destroyer's shadow blotted the port view of the Aurek Shipyards over Fondor. No TIE fighters came and no turbolasers fired as it slowly limped into the docking ring. A tell-tale thud reverberated throughout the orbital station's decks.

"There was a time when the sight of one of those would make me spit out my morning caf and have me running towards an escape pod," a man stopped and said aloud. Setting down his cleaning tools, he took a rag out of his coveralls and wiped his forehead, looking out the viewport.

"And before that," interrupted a chrome-plated protocol droid, "the sight of an Imperial II-class Star Destroyer coming into docks for repairs would have been a fairly routine sight."

Startled, the man quickly turned to the droid and gruffly responded: "Times change. You go your whole life believing one thing and then - bam - it was wrong."

"While my programming has been updated to reflect the current balance of power in the galaxy, I would like to point out that what we believe, that is, what Fondor Shipyards believes, is simply in the craft of building ships." The man eyed the droid warily. He mouthed the next sentence along with the droid: "'We make ships that hold the galaxy together, because that's what we know and that's what we care about!'"

The man nodded. Pocketing his rag and picking up his vibro-mop, he replied, "Yeah, yeah. I know the sales pitch, chrome-dome. Building ships for the highest bidder to keep the galaxy safe."

The droid then continued on her walk and the man unhappily found himself humming old Fondor Shipyards jingles for the rest of the day.

Welcome to Fondor

The galaxy has worlds without number: uncharted worlds, settled worlds, gas giants, and vast ecumenopolises full of self-important and arrogant nobles with a monopoly on their business vertical in their sector, which relies on production processes established by their ancestors - all the while they reap the benefits. Fondor is that last type.

Maybe I should introduce myself. My name's Blaine Hansom, Baron Administrator of Cloud City. Yes, the same former smuggler and rebel hero himself. Never heard of me? I don't believe you.

You may be asking yourself, "Why am I reading a guide about Fondor from someone who's never there?" Now, to respond to that, I'd say, "Buddy, you've got some nerve." But here's the thing - I've worked with the Fondor Shipyards for years and trust me, you want an outsider's point of view.

Arrogant, litigious, prideful, and often aloof, the Fondorians are a complex and sometimes contradictory people whose massive shipyards have had heavy influence in three different galactic regimes in the last hundred years.

In this guide, I'll review the basics of the planet and its people, and highlight some of the key players that guide Fondor's direction in the galaxy. It'll be up to you to make your own conclusions.

Plus, I got full access to New Republic databanks to compile this report, which will be helpful to me, personally, for years to come.

• Blaine T. Hansom

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[Map: The Tapani Sector — Freeworlds Region, The Expanse, and surrounding provinces, with Fondor marked along the Shapani Bypass.]

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Overview of Fondor

Summary

Located on the edge of the Freeworlds Territory of the Tapani Sector, Fondor has long used the materials mined from the Tapani Expanse to fuel its massive shipyards, which are one of the biggest and most prestigious in the galaxy—behind only Kuat and Corellia, respectively—and the pride of every Fondorian.

I once had to move bacta from Thyferra to the Outer Rim and the accompanying Fondorian merchant could not only name and describe the purposes of each individual shipyard, he could also rattle off the types of ships built in each, alongside their sigils and colors. Each of the shipyards—from the four major shipyards to the smaller dozen or so—has a shockball team and they compete for an annual trophy. And all this from a simple, definitely-not-a-criminal bacta merchant. So let me again impress upon you how big of a role the shipyards play in the lives of Fondor's general populace.

Fondor itself is along the busy Rimma Trade Route (currently designated as one of five Super Hyper-routes in the galaxy) which feeds into the Corellian Trade Route (another Super Hyper-route), the Shipwright's Trail and, importantly, are fed from the Shapani Bypass junction which funnels out from the Tapani Expanse.

Sitting in this vital junction, they are able to receive vast raw materials from the Tapani Expanse to build their ships, connect and network with other shipyards (though this aspect is generally downplayed by Fondor), and deliver ships directly to the Core Worlds—making them perfectly suited to the business of shipbuilding.

Originally a key ally of the Galactic Republic (with some ties to the Techno Union during the Clone Wars), the planet was put firmly under the thumb of the Empire for decades. However, Fondor was also one of the first planets to renounce the Empire and pledge their loyalty to the fledgling New Republic in 4 ABY—before either Corellia or Kuat. This is a fact you'll hear brought up repeatedly if you interact with any Fondorian.

However, I'd posit that as one of the worlds selected by the late Emperor Palpatine in Operation: Cinder, the Empire forced their hand.

For those unaware, Operation: Cinder was a plan created by Palpatine in the event of his death. Triggered immediately after the Battle of Endor, the plan was to use his fleet on a series of orbital bombardment campaigns against specific planets with the intention of permanently ruining and devastating them. Why? The official story is that Palpatine wanted to punish these worlds for allowing him to die. I think the old man was just a vengeful old monster who wanted to go out with one last atrocity.

Regardless, some folks in the Empire resisted this plan and, alongside the aid of the New Republic, Fondor was able to resist certain doom and immediately afterward joined the New Republic.

System Summary

Seen from space, Fondor is a purplish-reddish-pink ball, with outlines of the vast city-planet clearly visible.

Orbiting around the planet are six moons, with minor monitoring stations established.

Directly surrounding the planet are the vast interconnected Shipyards of Fondor. There are four main stations alongside a dozen smaller yards that construct ships, ship parts, and service larger capital-class ships. Connected to the shipyards themselves is a large floating dockyard for incoming and outbound ships.

The dockyard itself resembles a giant docking wheel and is referred to as Fondor Station. This is where most traffic to the planet is funneled.

Connected to the dockyard are the shipyards themselves. Each shipyard station has a designated name, but they're so intertwined and closely managed, only a Fondorian really cares about the differences.

The largest is Primux Station, followed by Aurek Station, then Besh Station, and finally—the newest—Novux Station. These four main shipyards are also connected to more than a dozen minor shipyards and the sum of all these together constitute what one would call the Shipyards of Fondor.

Additionally, there are several Torpedo Spheres around the planet—similar to those found in Tapani Space. As a peace-keeping agreement between those two governments, they share the codes for all of these orbital weapons in the entire sector, ensuring mutual destruction if they were to war with each other.

Planet Summary

The surface of Fondor is covered by a large interconnected city. The cities are clean and well-designed, if a little austere compared to Coruscant's districts.

There are several ways of moving across the planet quickly, including both interplanetary rails and underground tunnels.

The areas not consumed by the cityscape are generally populated by arid deserts, mild swamps, and rugged bushland. All of these areas are controlled and monitored by Fondorian officials and are often under the control of a corporation using the area as a testing ground for a new invention.

Overall, the climate is temperate (it's controlled by the local governments), gravity is standard (also controlled by the central government), and the night skies come alive with the bright city lights and the vast rings around the planet that are the Shipyards of Fondor.

Culture

The Tapani and Fondorians occupy a unique space in the galaxy. While nominally they are both in the Colonies, they were settled so long ago and they both have played such a large part in galactic politics for so long, that at this point—let's face it—they both are effectively Core Worlds.

All the traits I'd use to define the Core Worlders are at play here—large political influence in Coruscant, vast generational wealth, indifference to the larger galaxy, and a type of respect from other wealthy elites that's usually reserved for other Core Worlders.

From a wealthy elite's perspective, their customs are an interesting combination of Tapani traditions that they seem to have borrowed over centuries of contact and those they wish to emulate—generally, Coruscant, but to a lesser extent places like Empress Teta and Troithe. I think a Coruscanti would recognize some of their customs and then be jolted out of their comfort zone by the sharp tonal shift of a Tapani custom or practice. A Tapani Noble, however, would likely look down in disdain at the Coruscanti influence on their own "perfected" customs.

Aside from one's Guild Title (or titles), there are honorifics similar in both title and ranks as the Tapani, but are (predictably) slightly different. (Interestingly enough, before the Tapani modernized their language a few hundred years ago, these titles were almost the same in both cultures.) Fondor's "Sieur" replaces Tapani's "Ser" and "Chatelaine" replaces the traditional "Dame" used by the Tapani. Going up the social ladder, Baron and Baroness are the same in both cultures, but "Archont" is Fondorian for "Lord" and a woman married to an Archont is generally a Chatelaine—unless she has earned the title herself, which would make her an "Autochatelaine."

However, there are 5 billion people on Fondor—not all are wealthy aristocrats, and a simple Messer or Miss or Missus works fine for 98% of the population.

That said, the general people of Fondor are not a monolith, but there are some generalities you can assume when speaking with them.

First, as I've mentioned before, respect their shipyards above all. Anything negative or anything that could be perceived as a slight or a minor pejorative can and will be taken personally (and potentially confrontationally) by the Fondorians.

Second, they rely heavily on droid labor to automate many aspects of life on their planet. Suggesting they rely too heavily on droids may be inferred by a Fondorian as being called lazy. Additionally, mentioning droid rights or droid self-determination will get you looked at as if you were a cross-eyed bantha.

Third, they are aware they're a bit different than the humans of the Core Worlds, physically. They're hairless and have purple-tinted blood. Not much of a difference, but it's there and they don't take kindly to anyone making derisive comments about their appearance. Otherwise, they're able to have children with non-Fondorians and even donate their blood to other humans (but not receive blood transfusions from non-Fondorians). All this to say that there does seem to be a slight inferiority complex that makes them a bit more sensitive to word choices made by outsiders and a subtle desire to get approval from offworlders.

Fourth, they generally form committed romantic relationships much later in life and seem to put as much effort into building a living quarters and social standing as they do in creating families—one child per couple is seen as common, two or three raise eyebrows, and four children would be shocking. Childless couples are also very common.

Finally, the Fondorians appreciate shockball tournaments in their uniquely fancy stadiums, a nice light Kattada wine in the afternoon, items made with quality, and well-crafted stories. With the majority of food and drink imported from other planets, they especially enjoy food or drink as gifts. A generally agreeable people, they are welcoming of off-worlders who respect their traditions.

Fondorian noble

Average Fondorians

Government

Fondor is led by a Guild Master, elected by the Guild Leaders of Fondor, who in turn are elected by members of their guilds. The guilds on Fondor work differently than one might suspect: generally, a guild is a group of practitioners of a skill or art who have banded together for representation, or ensuring that they—as the guild—represent their craft to the galaxy at large. The guilds on Fondor are, in fact, like this but amped up to the next level, as well as acting like Houses and Clans work for Mandalorians.

So what does this mean in practice? Say you're a Fondorian pilot of a shipping freighter. At the highest level, you'd belong to the Fondorian Captain's Guild, but more specifically, you would belong to the Fondorian Bacta Freighter Captain's Guild, Pilot division 3-Aurek-97 of Oridin City, sector 4. This specific designation would be a group on the guild's pyramid structure. What that means is that not all guild members exist on the same "base level" (e.g. the Fondorian Bacta Freighter Captain's Guild, Pilot division 3-Aurek-97 from Oridin City, sector 4 could be ranked 24th on the guild ranking pyramid but people can exist above and below me) and my family, who don't have their own guild, may choose to be a part of my guild as well—in fact, all Fondorians have to claim some guild membership to be a part of Fondorian society.

These massive, tiered, and classist guilds receive votes from their members (and members on higher tiers have higher-weighted internal votes) on issues and leaders—including who the Guild Master of their world should be—and then the Guild itself endorses their candidate or whichever bill they're voting on based on the outcomes of those internal votes.

And while the Guild Master leads the planet, there's even more scrutiny on the Master of Shipyards (also an elected position) for which position certain guilds hold more weighted votes than others (e.g. the Shipwright's Union holds triple-weighted votes while the Onworld Plumbing Guild holds single-weighted votes).

The will of the Guilds is enforced by Peace-Keeping Officers on the planet and in orbit. Again, Fondor has a number of Torpedo Spheres that are a common (yet deadly) orbital defense station found throughout the Tapani Sector.

Additionally, Fondor has a number of droid fighters (recognizable by their Fondorian-purple paint job) to defend the planet, alongside at least one New Republic capital-sized vessel (if not a minor fleet patrol).

Torpedo Sphere

Diplomatic Relations

Fondor is proud of its accomplishments in the galaxy and is proud of being a part of the New Republic.

Amongst its neighbors, Fondor is seen by the Tapani as industrious, mercantile-focused, and perhaps striving for the level of nobility and societal class structure they have already perfected.

Additionally, it also seems like there is a larger resentment from some of the Tapani based on the fact that their materials are used as the source of Fondor's wealth and success, yet they are beholden to many old and byzantine trade agreements that were dictated centuries ago. The reasoning becomes this: If the Tapani are giving Fondor all of its resources at old and discounted rates—shouldn't Fondor be a client state of Tapani? In fact, if all the houses withdrew their shipping arrangements, Fondor's shipyards would be crippled while the Tapani Noble Houses would be fine for decades. Fortunately, the Noble Houses are in a state of continual competition with each other and one house inevitably would use this kind of strike as an opportunity to rake in record profits.

The League of Tapani Freeworlds see the Fondorians as wealthy elitists who have been given everything they have and, if they had any decency, would share some of their wealth to help make them an equal partner in the region. Indeed, they have made several overtures to Fondor joining them—or at the least, establishing a diplomatic presence on their planet like they have on Thyferra—but it's a little like asking a Rancor to join a small herd of Corellian bloodhounds.

The herglic of Giju see the Fondorians as good partners, if a little dull at times (and overly bureaucratic), while the Mrlssi of Mrlsst respect the Fondorians for their self-control, steady hand of governance, and their own appreciation of science and technology.

The Mining Guild is also seen as a very important partner on the planet, however, since the fall of the Empire, they are greatly diminished in power and seem to be less autonomous now than in the prior galactic regime.

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Planet Log

System Data

Orbital Bodies

World Summary

Fondor was a planet in the Freeworlds Territory of the Tapani sector, famous throughout the galaxy for its extensive orbital shipyards, which were outclassed only by those at Corellia and Kuat.

The Shipyards were associated with the Techno Union prior to the Clone Wars, and were vast enough to construct major flagships, such as the Empire's Super Star Destroyers.

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Key Figures of Fondor

Pere Jureau

New Republic Senator, Fondor

• Age: 42
• Height: 1.81 m
• Gender: Male
• Species: Fondorian

Physical Description: Pere Jureau is often friendly and amiable, but exerts an air of authority. These traits, combined with a sense of decorum and politeness, generally serve him well as a politician. Like all Fondorians, he is hairless, with gray eyes and a square jaw. Typically, he can be found in traditional Fondorian robes and in aristocratic circles.

Background: The second New Republic Senator of Fondor, Pere Jureau's predecessor was a re-elected Senator who had served Fondor before the Empire took over. Pere is of a younger generation who grew up with the Galactic Empire in control and is now relishing the freedom the New Republic provides. For Pere, who grew up in aristocratic circles but never among the wealthiest elite of Fondor, this freedom has translated to vastly improved lives for the middle and upper-middle classes and, personally, wealth and vastly improved social standing. This new status quo is something he will fight tooth and nail to preserve.

Personality: Jureau is friendly, helpful, and charming. He doesn't speak too much or too little, and he likes to poke at parts of conversation to acquire information. Cunning and sometimes manipulative, Jureau prefers influence and suggestions to achieve his goals and would never stoop to physical violence or vulgarities.

Quote: "I don't know what I'm more offended by: that Katira decided to use the Mining Guild as target practice or the fact that the New Republic Ambassador showed up in a Kuati-made warship."

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Zanet Ermessén

Planetary Guild Leader

• Age: 36
• Height: 1.72 m
• Gender: Female
• Species: Fondorian

Physical Description: Zanet is graceful, well dressed, well spoken, and is always well groomed. While her aesthetic isn't as flamboyant as the nearby Tapani, she would be recognized as an aristocrat anywhere in the galaxy.

Background: Zanet is the youngest daughter of Guild Leader Zairos Erméssen, who, before the Galactic Empire solidified control over Fondor, was one of the richest and most influential people in local politics. When Zanet was young, her family went into exile for several years, petitioning magistrates and lawmakers on elite Core Worlds such as Coruscant and Empress Teta before they were able to return home. Even as a child and young adult, Zanet used this time abroad smartly and, using her natural charm and drive, made friends and connections among her peers in the galaxy's elite. Now, her connections have paid off as those peers have also moved to powerful circles and have supported her rise to power—which, to be fair, she hardly needs. Her father was immensely popular among a certain generation on Fondor, and she herself has become a powerfully popular figure on the planet due to her advocacy of Fondor-specific initiatives, redistribution of wealth, and shrewd ship contracts with the New Republic.

Personality: Zanet can seem arrogant and aloof at times, but she enjoys a good debate and appreciates honesty and wit. Zanet will rarely make a joke, but enjoys wit and well-told stories.

Quote: "…But how does this benefit Fondor?"

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Alard Perdieau

Master of the Fondor Shipyards

• Age: 55
• Height: 1.85 m
• Gender: Male
• Species: Half-Fondorian

Physical Description: Tall, thin, with gray hair, and hazy purple eyes that hint of his Fondorian heritage.

Background: Born to a Fondorian father and a Coruscanti mother, Alard has a similar background to Zanet—someone who was educated inside and outside of Fondor and has, seemingly, brought back knowledge and prestige to improve Fondor for the better. Growing up, Alard went to the best military academies and joined the prestigious Imperial Officer's Academy on Corulag, becoming highly decorated in the process. Eventually, he withdrew his commission and returned to Fondor. Using his father's connections, he began to work on the shipyards as an administrator and has risen to the lofty and high-pressure role as Master of the Shipyards—meaning he oversees and manages everything in and out of Fondor.

Personality: Alard Perdieau has risen through the ranks of both the Fondor Shipyards and the Galactic Empire, and the result is a man who is stern, with a no-nonsense attitude and an inflated ego. Constantly under pressure and criticism (as is typical of the position he holds), he coolly responds to these with well-placed quips and bon mots, earning him a measure of respect and popularity from the people of Fondor.

Quote: "I would agree with you, but then we'd both be wrong."

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Waltram Bellix

Mining Guild Leader, Fondor Department

• Age: 48
• Height: 1.78 meters
• Species: Human (Rendili)

Physical Description: Waltram has fair hair, dark eyes, and has a tanned complexion. Frequently unshaved and sometimes disheveled.

Background: Waltram Bellix worked hard to climb the ladder within the Mining Guild. His parents were very supportive as active members in Imperial circles and, as the Empire began crumbling around him, he was promoted several times as internal leaders fled the organization. Now in a stable position of power within the Mining Guild, Waltram seems to struggle with his position. Frequently found in gambling dens and wine halls, he is no longer invited to most social dinner parties but is still in charge of the Mining Guild's operations and involved with day-to-day management and government procedures.

Personality: Bellix speaks self-deprecatingly and directly, and often sarcastically. Often moody, on his good days, one sees the spark of a great administrator with a politic mind, but on his bad days, he comes off as a rude and deliberately insulting drunk.

Quote: "Let's end this meeting early, I've already had three strikes this morning… twice."

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Vai Heureux

Tapani Delegate

• Age: 33
• Height: 1.71 m
• Gender: Female
• Species: Human (Tapani, House Mecetti)

Physical Description: Short, thin, athletic, bright brown eyes with dark brown hair, Vai has a regal attitude and great posture.

Background: Born into one of the great noble houses in the Tapani sector, Vai Heureux has always been a social climber and ambitious. When the Tapani houses joined the New Republic, hundreds of diplomatic positions opened up overnight and Vai took advantage of the opportunity.

Personality: Vai is bullish, arrogant, and dislikes jokes. Vai rarely regards the opinions of the people outside those of the Tapani Expanse.

Quote: "I'm listening. I just need a minute to process so much stupid information at once."

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Oosdak Tarbingal

Freeworlds Delegate

• Age: 62
• Height: 1.79 m
• Gender: Male
• Species: Herglic (Giju)

Physical Description: Large and imposing, Oosdak is a towering black and white colored Herglic.

Background: Oosdak Tarbingal is a former arms smuggler and leader of a privateer group against the Empire. After the Battle of Endor, Oosdak's group was the first to attack the Empire's 1st Tapani Assault Battlegroup stationed on Tallaan, helping drive them out of Freeworlds Territory.

Personality: Loud, gregarious, and uncouth, Oosdak has traded his pirate's cloak for an ambassadorial cloak, but his manners and behavior haven't changed much.

Quote: "Trust my information. Even I wouldn't trust me."