15. Ancient city

Towers, domes, spires and reliefs adorn the surface of this asteroid, beautifully absurd. The airspace is fairly busy, but you have no great issue finding a docking slot. As you approach your lock, the scale of the rock carvings become apparent, as well as their woefully worn state. As you disembark, strange chanting and heady smells reach you through a mist of incense and a haze of colourful light. 


Type: Habitat

Function: Old mining colony 

Power source: A mix of fission and fusion reactors

Gravity: 0.7 SG

Size: 5 km

Affiliation: None 

Population: A few thousand 

Sells: Drugs, charms, knowledge, illegal tech

Buys: Anything needed to survive, luxury items, slaves


This is one of the oldest continuously inhabited settlements in the belt. It has a rich history and an origin lost in time. Remaining mostly independent for the last few centuries, it has established itself as a prosperous trading port with a unique culture of its own. However, it has recently fallen on hard times as new ports and lanes are gradually established. 


The exterior of the asteroid is dramatically sculpted, resembling some stone-carved palace from the homeworld of mankind. The interior is equally quaint and impressive; consisting of gothic arches, exquisite galleries and impossibly vaulted ceilings, housing ancient dwellings, decrepit temples and busy, lamp-lit markets.


A complex society has arisen here over the centuries. The higher echelons can be broadly said to consist of the following factions:

  • Nobles: Old, aristocratic families, their scions sweep the storied halls sporting fabulous, holographic robes and exotic cranial implants. They cling to power and old wealth as they watch their kingdom crumble. They are interested in buying luxury items at tolerable prices and frequently sponsor corsairs who raid newly established traders and habitats in the region. The PCs could find employment as such.
  • Witches: Recognisable by their outlandish headgear, prophetic ramblings and vacant stares, these occultist constitute the priesthood of this place. They sell divination, blessings and curses, cast using complex ceremonies and liberal usage of psychedelics. Does any of it work? Only one way to find out.
  • Courtesans: Far from mere prostitutes, these exotically beautiful, utterly genderless, youthful looking and heavily modified escorts can spy, assassinate and spread subtle influence on behalf of those who can pay the hefty wages. Don’t cross them however, their web runs deep through the entire system and is said to be what keeps the habitat afloat against all odds.

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