Rubutu

Rubutu was the homeworld of the Sojun. Located in the, it was first a vassal world of the Tetrarchy of Mezlagob before being liberated by and joining the Golden Empire. The Palace of Justice, seat of the Sovereign's Tribunal, was located on Rubutu.

Geography
Rubutu was a stormy world with a heavily charged atmosphere. Electronics not manufactured onworld had a tendency to malfunction during descent toward the planet's surface unless properly shielded. Even at the surface, many non-natives complained about static electricity. Rubutu was frequently overcast, although it did not actually rain much more on Rubutu than anywhere else; indeed, the usual dryness in the air contributed to its static charge, and made the evaporation of water a quick business.

The majority of Rubutu's non-water surface was evenly split between open plains and rocky mineral deposits. Mountains stretched infrequently over all continents. Rubutu's oceans were fairly placid, though deep.

Society and culture
Sojun society dominated Rubutu for a long time even before the Tetrarchy of Mezlagob arrived onworld. The Sojun built lightning rods around the planet in the areas most prone to lightning storms, and used the energy as a source of power for their buildings and transit systems. Rubutu itself was highly urbanized, and many smaller pieces of technology such as automated doors, communication systems, and appliances carried rechargeable batteries and were powered by the Sojun, who had a natural electric charge themselves.

Technology played a major role in Sojun life and was an expected convenience, but the Sojun also had a streak of independence and self-reliance in their daily lives. Travel across the oceans was usually conducted underwater via submarine or deep-sea tunnel, to avoid the lightning strikes on the surface of the water.

History
Rubutu's "high-strung" atmosphere seemed to geologists to have existed since the planet first formed at atmosphere at all. Certainly it was in place long before the Sojun evolved; their natural electric charge was a defense against predators, and seemed to have been born out of their environment.

The Sojun had achieved high levels of technological development before the Tetrarchy of Mezlagob arrived, and became a leading exporter of technology to the Tetrarchy in the Xoquon sector. Despite the influx of Tetrarchy money, it was below that paid to full member worlds, and the Sojun became resentful. They were only too willing to aid the Golden Empire when Tariun Sakaros and Keltrayu came asking. Sojun spies contributed intelligence toward the Empire's decisive victory at the Battle of Tizgo V.

Rubutu prospered under the Empire's rule, earning fair trade for its technology and becoming host to the Sovereign's Tribunal, the highest court in the Empire. Few sentients of other species moved to Rubutu, uncomfortable with the regular static shocks in the air, leaving Rubutu with one of the most concentrated native populations in the Empire. Some accommodations were built specifically to cater to offworlders, such as litigants presenting their cases to the Sovereign's Tribunal.

During the Nightmare War, Rubutu was attacked, but its planetary shields held and it was successfully defended by the Xoquon Sector Fleet under Legate Tarse Medrego before it could be invaded.