Planet Profile - Tabora

  * I own nothing seen below. Credit goes to Insomniac and the equally awesome people who did the rest of the pictures. If I forgot about someone then credit goes to you. 
Battleground Planet: Tabora (Bogan Galaxy) (Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando)
Status: Desert World (former Jungle World)

Geographical Features:
-Tabora is a massive desert world, with sand dunes stretching out for miles and miles in all directions. A few small mountains dot the planet here and there, and occasionally a fissure cracks the planet to its molten core. There are massive tunnels left over from the planets days as a mining hub that crisscross and go deep underground, (much of this mining equipment also remains, though it is in some disrepair). Whatever water exists on the planet is contained in small springs buried in underground caves, or held in reservoirs that used to belong to the miners.

However, Tabora was not always the wasteland it is today. Before the planet was discovered, it was completely overrun with lush rain forests. However, when Megacorp got there, their activities on the planet quickly transformed Tabora from an "impassable jungle" into an "easily navigable desert". They did this because they hoped to mine the planets valuable sources of Raritanium and Crystals (more on those later). The mine was run by autonomous robotic managers left in charge by Megacorp to watch over the miners; those who Megacorp managed to… convince to work for them (typically for cheap, if they were paid at all).

Sadly, the facilities were soon shut down for reasons the Megacorp legal division has chosen not to disclose. But the damage to the planet was already done.

Raritanium: The most valuable export from Tabora were these gems. They grew underground, and were a common component in aircraft construction and upgrading. Those who learn how to use them would be able to really spruce up their air units.

Crystals: Considered less valuable by most, to others these crystals are worth more then their weight in gold. Sprouting from the sand randomly in the vast desert, these crystals absorb cosmic and psychic energy. To those who can utilize such an energy, these crystals can greatly enhance psychic abilities.

Third Party Factions: 2

--The Mystics:

The only non-feral beings left on the planet, the Mystics are drawn to Tabora in search of its Crystals. They are attuned to the universe, and having these in their possession lets them 'become one with the cosmos'. More practically speaking, it also enhances their psychic abilities (one Mystic, utilizing ten crystals, was able to pick up and reassemble a destroyed starcruiser telekinetically in a matter of seconds). Mystics typically don't interact with other Mystics, choosing the life of a hermit and meditation, but they are not unsocial. In fact, to those that bring them crystals, they can be very pleasant and are more then willing to offer any aid they can… so long as they are supplied more crystals. It seems as though the Crystals have created a sort of narcotic effect, and a lack of the energy they give off leaves them irritable.

--The Wildlife: In the wake of the massive terraforming Megacorp did to the planet, only the most unpleasant of creatures have survived.

---Mutant Sandfly:

Fast moving, fist sized, flying insects which are prone to attacking in swarms (averaging between 12-20 a swarm). They scavenge from the dead on the surface of the planet, but are known to build nests in the old mining tunnel networks. Though scavengers, they will attack living pray if they get the chance, or in defense of their hives.


---Spitting Dune Crawler:

A four legged, great dane sized, one eyed lizard like creature, the Spitting Dune Crawler is the second most common creature found on Tabora (the Sandfly being the most common). They can be found wandering in Tabora's underground caverns, the Mining Stations, Water Supply Storage Facilities and in the desert dunes of Tabora. They are protected by a hard scaly body, and attack by spraying a toxic gas at their prey (though thankfully it is very short ranged).

--Desert Dune Monster:

The Apex Predator of Tabora, the small Tank sized DDM typically attacks via ambush, burrowing underground and waiting for prey to approach it. When it does, the DDM bursts from the ground, and unleashes a stream of concentrated lightning from its large eye. Once dead (or stunned) it rips apart its meal with its massive teeth. The DDM is capable of firing lighting from its eye, as well as levitation, due to consuming the Crystals which grew on the planet's surface. These crystals can typically be recovered from their corpse after death. Their chitinous armor is hard enough to withstand an RPG, but concentrated fire can typically get the job done. They are frightfully intelligent, and usually hide in places that they know will be the most traveled. Alternatively, they will hide near the Crystals, for reasons that have yet to be adequately explained.  The only saving grace for travelers is that these beasts never venture far from the surface, and thus are never found in the underground tunnel network.

Danger Status: 3/5

-It's hot, it's easy to get lost in the massive deserts, most of the wildlife has evolved to be carnivores predators, it is actually possible to fall off a cliff and fall to the planet's molten core, and water can only be found underground (which means braving the tunnels) or in the abandoned mining towns/facilities. Frankly, unless you're one of the rare few who can use the psychic crystals, or you're really desperate for some raritanium, this is not an ideal place to be.