by Terry Hawkins
Type: Irregular, earth
Size: A
Population: 2100
Primary Inhabitants: Elves
Exports/Natural Resources:
Spelljamming port, passage out of the cluster.
Imports: Only the best
of everything.
Elrannarion is an elven base-station (see sources/reference material) that resides in the second to last "ring" section of the clusters outer sphere. It orbits the sphere clockwise (opposite direction of the rest of the sphere) and completes a full cycle every 120 weeks (it is in each section only six days). The stations gravity plane is level with the rest of the sphere and it rotates slowly (once each day). Due to the heavy activity in the area, there are always a number of elven ships in vicinity.
Elrannarion is the check point of the cluster. Here is where most customers must travel to have their ships hauled out of the crystal sphere. This is done via the Orchid class transport ships that are stationed here. These huge living ships are designed to contain other ships rather than for battle. Their crew can alter its shape to envelope any ship up to 65 tons even though the Orchid is only 35 tons itself. Much of the Orchid ship is hollow with bay doors large enough to envelope its cargo; other ships. Once contained, the "cargo" ship can be transported out of the sphere shell and released, with the Orchid returning to Elrannarion. [No stats are provided for the Orchid since it has no practical value anywhere else and the elves would never allow them to fall into the hands of others.]
The station is also equipped with 14 flitters and no less than three Man-O-War are stationed here at any time. About a half dozen Doombats are used as escort ships when the Orchids travel to and from the outer shell. The Orchids are about the only way a large ship can exit the sphere and the elves collect a fantastic fortune in their fees. A ship is charged 10% of its cargo value... and the elves inspect and assess the cargo value! Even the Neogi have noted that the elves are fair in this and pride is taken in an untarnished reputation.
One additional feature that makes the base-station better defended is the use of dangerous plants inside special ballista bolt housings. Only the elves seem to be able to keep these plants contained AND alive for such use. Common plants used are; Choke Creepers, Retch Plant fruit, Strangleweed, and Green Slime. Other plants are experimented with from time to time.
The base is commanded by Aerarrilni Melaeniri, a shrewd judge of character and an old spacefarer. She is open-minded to the needs of other races, but will never allow anything to jeopardize elven safety. Aerarrilni answers only to the governmental council of Avarien, even though she is still an officer in good standing with the Imperial Elven Navy. Her crew and staff are varied with both native and non-native elven members. Gray, High, Half, Sylvan, Avariel, Snow, and even one or two non-evil Drow are represented among the non-native elven races. Most of the native elves are from Avarien. Aerarrilni has learned to not always trust all elves, however. Recently an Insectare spy was captured, creating some concern for internal security.
The Sindiath Line keep a set of offices on the base-station and a ship from that company is often docked. Elrannarion is a regular stopping place for ships leaving the sphere since current reports for the phlogiston can be quite useful. To return for the favor, many captains calculate their entry into the sphere to pass near Elrannarion to exchange information and supplies. Ships going to and from Avarien, Giltiond and other smaller elven settlements will sometimes pass near Elrannarion just to make sure they avoid Scro or Illithid hunters.
The elves have the worst kept secret in the cluster. Many races realize the nature of the clusters shell, but are unable to create living ships of their own. Captured elven ships are difficult to maintain for those not trained in their care and the elves go to great lengths to discourage this. Some races have their own ways of dealing with the exiting the sphere shell however. The esthetic of the reigar can enter and exit the sphere shell at will. The esthetic cannot long survive the phlogiston however, and the reigar are very reluctant to lower themselves to mere transport work that exerts their living ships. The neogi leech ships use kindori hosts to escape the confines of the cluster, but cannot carry much cargo and the kindori do not usually survive a prolonged trip through the phlogiston. And the illithids have attempted several similar designs with space beasts, most notably with Space Drakes. The elves are aware of their competition, but seem unconcerned. The waiting list for ships wanting to exit is quite long.