Name: Berchest
Star System: Anthos

People

Natives of Berchest are called Berchii. They look human, save for their eyes which are slightly upturned at the corners and devoid of white. They are a solid color, with a darker area in the center. This area acts as a pupil and darkens and lightens as a human's pupil would contract and expand. They also have skin that is very cold to the touch and tend to have thick hair. Their build is very similar to a human's, but with longer legs and arms.
There are many humans who consider themselves Berchestian. These are humans whose families have lived on the planet for at least eight generations. Anyone whose family has been there less time is considered an outsider. This attitude is shared by the Berchii.
Humans on Berchest are highly manipulative and political. They enjoy the smatterings that go on in political circles. The same can be said of the prostitutes and dancers. However, the entire culture is very polite and will rarely say things outright. Everything is inferred and read into.
One of the sayings that is popular around the bars is 'Twi'lek girls are the best, but Berchest girls are the classiest.', referring to the fact that every girl on the planet appears to be a lady.

Major Cities

Calius and Sevius are referred to as the Twin Cities or the Sister Cities of Berchest. Sevius is considered the Good Sister.
Calius sej Leeloo (City of Glowing Crystal). Calius is the largest city on Central. It is advertised as a city of fun, being comprised of bars and strip clubs. There is a large population of sex workers in the city. However, since Calius is the center of the Old Money on the planet, it has a somewhat refined an classy feel. The old culture of rich, upper class beings meshes somewhat strangely with the new culture of pleasing people with several strip clubs and brothels being housed in old mansions. The entire business is highly regulated. Calius also has the largest spaceport on the planet and Berchest University„renowned all over the galaxy for it's Computer Science and Exotic Dancing reticulums.
Sevius sej Leeloo (Spirals of Glowing Crystal). Sevius is the second largest city on the planet and the largest of Northern It is considered a high-class resort area. The city is characterized by sweeping spirals of crystal, created by the ocean and the high winds of the region. It also boasts mud baths and hot springs. The entire city is based around pampering beings of all types. The city hosts the third largest spaceport on the planet and a small university (Berchest University at Sevius).

Environment

There are three continents on Berchest - Northern, Central, and Southern, all surrounded by salty oceans.
Northern is primarily natural woodlands and plains. It is characterized by low rolling hills. It is the largest of the three continents. The inhabitants are mostly Berchii. Like the other continents, its coastline is covered in red-orange sand and crystals. The largest deposits of crystal have been carved into cities. The high winds have cause most of these despites to be up swept into spirals and pointed towers.
Central is the second largest continent and the one on which Calius is located. Calius is divided by an icy river that feeds into the Leefari Sea. The saline-rich sea has left huge crystal deposits on the seashore from which Calius is carved. It is crisscrossed by hundreds of tiny rivers. The saline despoilments are very regular and aesthetically pleasing.
Southern is the smallest continent in landmass. It is prone to devastating earthquakes and is primarily uninhabited. Several cults and sects make some of the larger, more stable areas in to retreats. There are many jagged deposits of crystal that have been sheered and destroyed by the violent earthquakes.
Most of Berchest is on the water, with each of three continents traversed by hundreds of small and large rivers. The parts of Berchest that are not red-orange seashore are covered in dense forest. There is an abundance of sea life„ranging from giant sea-dwelling reptiles to microscopic organisms. The land animals are all small, with few having enough height to come to a human's waist. The majority of the animals are reptilian. There are several small mammals and a few birds.

Political Situation

The planet is loosely aligned under one ruler. However, each of the two main continents is a self-contained nation. Northern is mostly natural forests, having the most land mass. The inhabitants are primarily Berchii and keep to themselves. Southern is largely uninhabited due to the fact it is prone to violent earthquakes. The few people that live there are disinterested in politics. Central is the main continent and where Calius sej Leeloo is located. By and large, the political circle is comprised of the upper class. It is fairly bloodthirsty and political killings are not unheard of. However, due to the cultural taboos against outright anger and fighting, everything is very low key.

Culture

After losing most of its tourist business in several galactic wars, Berchest's ruling class decided to reinvent the planet. The upper echelon decided to transform the city of Calius from a tourist trap and shipping port into a flower of carnality. They trained dancers and barmaids, erected taverns and clubs, and changed nearly overnight. After an intense period of advertising, the planet emerged as the foremost spot for refined entertainment. The city of Calius takes 'gentleman's club' very seriously, and tolerates no 'unseemly' behavior. If a patron is too rowdy or inappropriate, he is escorted to another location.
Berchest dancers and barmaids are some of the flashiest in the galaxy and always put on a good show. However, due to the fact that they were so sheltered from the nature of the business as it is run on other planets, Berchest girls rarely go to other planets are even more rarely are successful. However, there are a few that are transplanted and flourish. Clubs on other planets often send girls (and guys) to Berchest for training and education.

Major Religion(s)

They have their own form of Starsigns consisting of 8 major and 16 minor divisions, plus one. They start counting from May 25, which is a special day of feasting. It's a big world-wide festival. Children born on this day are considered to be the most blessed.
Each major sign has an element dedicated to it that reigns over the minor signs. The major signs give a general overview, and the minor signs refine them. The minor signs tend to take on one extreme or the other of the major signs.
Children born on First Transition Days (the first day of a cycle) are considered especially blessed. Children born on Second Transition Days (the last day of a cycle) are considered unlucky. In past times, these children were killed or left to die. Nowadays, they are surrounded in their element for a period of three days. This is supposed to ward off the bad luck. (For example, a child born on December 8th would be placed in a wooden box and given a toy carved of wood.)
The rooms of the children are decorated in the color of their minor sign. This is also to bring good luck and favor. The child's first toy is always an animal from their sign.
Legend says that the Abyss believed that it gave birth to all of the signs in order (Nihen, My'tre, Hiee, Jnkee, Nyrett, P'reet, Kreen, L'ret, An'rte.) Lovingly, the Abyss named each child and gave it a gift of color, element, and personality. The Abyss loved its first child the most, and gave Nihen the best of the gifts. However, the Abyss had been new to the idea of giving birth and had not realized that An'tre and Nihen had been born at the same time. It only noticed An'tre after giving gifts to the rest of it's children. Because of this, An'tre was unhappy and swore revenge on Nihen and on the Abyss. That is why when the Starsigns are represented as a circle (as they usually are), An'tre is shown chasing after Nihen.
Traditional religion on Berchest involves paying respect to the Abyss (usually equivalent to the Force) and the sign that one is born under. Sometimes, if one identifies more with another sign, they will pay respects to both. There are statues in more Berchest homes of the signs. Most people of Berchest are very superstitious.
There are priestesses and priests of the different signs. The priestesses and priests wear the traditional garb of Berchest - long flowing gowns and tunics that are cut away to show generous portions of thigh and arm. Each sign has a temple associated with it. The eight temples are in eight different parts of the world. Temple Nihen is in the capitol city of Berchest - Calius saj Leeloo - the City of Glowing Crystal at the point where the icy river and the sea meet.

Rainbow Nihen (May 25 - June 15)

Animal: Nihen - the Seadragon. A rare imposing beast that resides in the seas of Berchest. They are quite large, growing from the size of a small child to the size of a hovercar within the span of a year. Seadragons have two front legs with webbed paws and razor sharp, retractable claws with fins or fur coming from the backs of their legs. They also have long, finned tails. Usually, they will have a matching mane coming from the top of their heads to their withers, sometimes following their spine all the way to their tail fin. Their faces look masked because of the scales.
Element: Spirit
Best Match: All
Worst Match: An'rte
This is the most powerful sign. People born under this sign are considered to be the most beautiful, gifted, lucky, and sexually desirable people. They are expected to succeed at anything they attempt and are often given preferential treatment over people born in other signs. They are very good at adapting to any situation.
There is no minor division.

Red My'tre (June 16 - July 7) | Orange My'tre (July 8 - July 29)

Animal: My'tre - the Long-tailed Bird. They are a medium-sized bird, about the size of a normal humanoid's forearm. They have detailed, intricate designs on all of their long feathers. Their wings are over sized, allowing for more lift and speed. The tail feathers of the My'tre are half again as long as the bird itself, fanning out behind them as they fly. Of all the birds on Berchest, these are considered the most beautiful. The birds mate for life and often kill themselves if their partner dies.
Element: Air
Best Match: An'rte
Worst Match: Hiee
Emotional and flighty, they find themselves drawn to strong leaders who touch their emotions. They feel more then think and are quick to defend what they feel is right. They can seem irrational due to their reliance on their feelings to tell them about the world. They are often capricious and tend to change their minds often and dramatically when they find another thing that catches their attention.
Reds are easily distracted when something new comes along. Oranges are seen as hotheads because they are so quick to stick up for any viewpoint, regardless of validity.

Bronze Hiee (July 30 - Aug 20) | Gold Hiee (Aug 21 - Sept 11)

Animal: Hiee - the Six-legged Mammal. These are a small animal, with the largest rising barely two feet. They stand on six powerful legs, with large claws on their two back legs. This lets them run very quickly and outdistance most predators. Thick fur covers their entire body, save for their pointed, alter ears. Hiee have very good hearing and sense of smell. They live in packs with one alpha male and three to ten females in a strict social structure.
Element: Metal
Best Match: Pr'eet
Worst Match: An'rte
Affectionate and kind, they are often taken advantage of. Their kindnesses are given to anyone in need and they always stop when a stranger needs a hand. They weather adversity very well, often coming out much better for the experience, even if they are not particularly wiser. They tend to be playful and cheerful most days. However, they are given to bouts of depression and can appear very superficial to people who do not know them well. These moods usually pass quickly.
Bronzes find themselves more depressed while Golds are seen as much more superficial, although they are seen as more fun to be around.

Yellow Jnkee (Sept 12 - Oct 3) | Green Jnkee (Oct 4 - Oct 25)

Animal: Jnkee - the Barbed Reptile. These reptiles have savagely barbed tails that they use to defend themselves from other Jnkee and whatever predators attempt to eat them. They have four legs, preferring to walk on all four, unless they are attacking. Their scales are extremely hard and are sold on the black market as armor. These animals are very territorial. They will share their territory with only one other Jnkee - of either sex.
Element: Fire
Best Match: Kreen
Worst Match: Nyrett
These are proud, independent people. They often talk large and get themselves into situations that they end up regretting. However, they will rarely admit this, preferring to struggle on through whatever they find themselves in. They are also stubborn, but hard-working. They rarely give up, making them loyal even when the loyalty is misguided. They are also very prone to fighting for what they believe in. When they get riled up about something, their passion often knows few if any bounds.
Yellows are most often given to loud outbursts and show the most pride. Greens are more likely to fight the hardest for what they want.

Blue Nyrett (Oct 26 - Nov 16) | Cyan Nyrett (Nov 17 - Dec 8)

Animal: Nyrett - the Legless Insect. Shaped like an oval, these tiny insects have two pairs of long wings. They are also possessed of three eyes in a straight line across their faces. They have no legs. They can be found everywhere, making nests and breeding in any dark, cool space. The wings tend to be the most colorful part of the insect. Nyrett tend to have a short lifespan that is mostly spent creating more Nyrett.
Element: Wood
Best Match: L'ret
Worst Match: Kreen
Opportunistic and enterprising, these people often find themselves at odds with a world that does not function to their exact specifications. They are well liked by almost everyone and always have a large group of friends. They are very good at making friends from enemies and very rarely have anyone stay made at them for very long. Also, they are always searching for another way to make money or to gain influence. This can make them seem greedy.
Blues tend to be more successful in their enterprises. Cyans are the most outgoing.

Indigo P'reet (Dec 9 - Dec 30) | Purple P'reet (Dec 31 - Jan 21)

Animal: P'reet - the Double-tailed Fish. Considered the most beautiful of the fish on Berchest, P'reet are elegant creatures with two tails. The tails split at the base, one on the left, one on the right. They are long and flowing like the front and dorsal fins. These fish are cold blooded and live in the shallow parts of the ocean near the beaches. They are often taken as pets.
Element: Water
Best Match: An'tre
Worst Match: Hiee
They are very dependent people. They always need someone to reassure them that they are doing the right thing. They hate change and when given the choice, will stay in the same place for most of their lives. However, if they are given a little push in the right direction, they will often build up the willpower to make large changes-albeit slowly. If you make them angry, however, there is no safe place to hide. Their anger is a fierce and frightening emotion to behold.
Indigos tend to show more dependency and hatred of change. Purples tend to show more anger.

Brown Kreen (Jan 22 - Feb 12) | Beige Kreen (Feb 13 - Mar 6)

Animal: Kreen - the Scaled Mammal. Kreen are one of the largest forest dwellers. They stand as tall as a human and are covered in scales the size of a man's hand. They are burly, thick animals who are imposing because of their sheer size. Adding to this are their huge front claws. These claws are black and sharp as the animals are carnivorous. They tend to mate for life, although they are not opposed to having several mates.
Element: Stone
Best Match: Jnkee
Worst Match: P'reet
Pessimistic and strong, these are people who can be depended on to inform everyone of how their plans are going to fail. They rarely see the bright side of things and always consider the cup to be half empty and draining quickly. They do plan well for most contingencies and are good organizers. They hate it when someone changes their schedules or interferes with their lists.
Browns are slightly more positive about some aspects of life. Beiges are the most organized.

White L'ret (Mar 7 - Mar 28) | Gray L'ret (Mar 29 - April 19)

Animal: L'ret - the Glowing Snake. Thin and long, L'ret burrow deep in the soil of Berchest. They are covered in a phosphorescent hide, making them easy to spot in the dark underground. There are no natural predators that attack L'ret, although some off world creatures will feast on them. They have the ability to turn their glowing on and off at a whim. L'ret lay eggs and do not tend their nests.
Element: Earth
Best Match: Nyrett
Worst Match: Jnkee
These are the most artistic people. They are very gifted with ability, but often lack common sense. They can be very naive. Also, they are very involved in whatever projects they have going, often to the exclusion of other people or work. They are often changing, one day being very outgoing and open then changing to very tightly wound and unapproachable the next. Their moods often change dramatically over short periods of time.
Whites are the most artistically gifted. Grays tend to be less naive.

Silver An'tre (April 20 - May 11) | Black An'tre (May 12 - May 24)

Animal: An'rte - the Winged Rodent. These medium-sized rodents are possessed of large, iridescent wings and long thin fangs. They nest in any crevice they can find and are considered dirty animals. They do not mate for life and often exchange partners on a daily basis. Very intelligent, these creatures are also very sneaky and tend to be able to get into any crevice they desire. They are scavengers and are not looked upon fondly. Their fur is short and bristly.
Element: Mind
Best Match: P'reet
Worst Match: Nihen
They are the strongest sign, aside from Nihen. Very intelligent, people born under this sign often think of themselves as better than the other around them. They are proud and often aloof. They are perfectionists and hate to see something unfinished or done incorrectly. Others tend to see these people as suspicious and unfriendly. They are not trusted, as a whole, and are often discriminated against. This sign is seen as the opposite of the Nihen.
Silvers are consummate perfectionists. Blacks are full of pride.