Jakol was a terrestrial planet located in the Jakol system of the galaxy's Inner Rim Territories. Once a prominent urbanized planet with strong manufacturing industries, Jakol declined by the late Republic Era to become a world heavily reliant on scrapping and notorious for its corruption and low quality of life. It was the site of the Battle of Jakol during the Clone Wars.
Description[]
Astrography[]
Jakol was a planet in the Jakol system of the Inner Rim Territories at square M-14 on the Standard Galactic Grid. It was situated along the Corellian Trade Spine super-hyperroute, being in between Bestine IV and Mechis III. The planet had a day lasting 22 standard hours, and a relatively short year of 274 standard days as it orbited a small star.
Environment and geography[]
Jakol was a terrestrial planet with a Type I atmosphere. The atmosphere was heavily polluted, resulting in poor air quality and a dark, cloudy sky. While Jakol was once a verdant planet, nearly all plant life eventually died off, resulting in the need for geoengineering to maintain breathable air. Most animal life died as well, but some rodents, small birds, and aquatic life survived.
Jakol was a heavily urbanized planet, having a population of thirty billion and many sprawling cities. The capital of the planet was Kejarz City. Polura was another major city located near the planet's north pole. Much of Jakol's land in between cities was used for scrapping and covered in decommissioned starships.
History[]
Early history[]
Thousands of years before the Clone Wars, Jakol was a member of the Galactic Republic and was a prominent planet relying on industrial manufacturing that competed with the Core Worlds. It had a high standard of living and modern cities that coexisted alongside the natural environment. Over time however, Jakol's industries were surpassed by those of other planets. Desperate to remain competitive, they cut costs though drastic means, marking a slow decline in living conditions and the planetary environment.
Republic Era[]
During the High Republic Era, Jakol was experiencing a decline in virtually every metric. The once prosperous planet was becoming an inhospitable place, plagued by crime and corruption. Jakol's industrial capabilities became a shadow of their former self, though it remained an important part of the economy. However, mass scrapping had now become a significant part of Jakol's economy, contributing to further environmental destruction. The planetary government, while officially still a democracy, had actually become a corrupt oligarchy ran by individuals that cared little if at all for the needs of Jakolites. The Republic did not take action against this, and this was attributed to the sentiment that Jakol was an unimportant planet and a lost cause.
Clone Wars[]
During the Separatist Crisis, severe social unrest began on Jakol. Members of the embittered lower classes began to demand change, and their methods ranged from civil disobedience and reforms to a violent revolution. The more aggressive method gained more support, and riots broke out in the streets, leading to rapidly escalating violence that some considered to be the beginning of an insurgency.
Many Jakolites of the lower classes supported the Confederacy of Independent Systems, believing it could offer them a better life than what they had with the Republic. The upper classes meanwhile, fearing an uprising and wanting to maintain their power, continued to side with the Republic. However, some of the ruling class sided with the CIS, either out of a legitimate desire to make Jakol a better place, or the possibility that they could gain even more power under the CIS. Pro-Confederacy individuals formed the Jakol Separatists. In response to this, the Jakol Loyalists was formed, which held support from the majority of the upper class.
In 21 BBY, the Battle of Jakol occurred when Separatist forces led by Marshal General Yosip Zagoonga launched a massive invasion. The Jakol Loyalists and Separatists fought for their respective sides. The Confederacy of Independent Systems prevailed, and Loyalist leaders were removed from power.
The new Separatist-aligned government was led by Ogval Goshal. He promised to make efforts to help the lower classes, but did not fulfill this. Instead, he and the remaining members of the ruling class gained power, as they had eliminated many of their counterparts who sided with the Republic. This resulted in a continued insurgency on Jakol.
In 20 BBY, the Recapture of Jakol occurred, where the Republic successfully regained control over the planet. The CIS-aligned government was dissolved after only existing for one year. Civil unrest on Jakol did not lessen at all.
Imperial Era[]
After the formation of the Galactic Empire, hundreds of capital ships from both sides of the Clone Wars were dumped on Jakol, providing the planet's scrapping industry with more resources. The Imperial Military also made efforts to end the civil unrest on Jakol. Their methods caused excessive collateral damage, but ultimately achieved their goals of reducing the crime rate to its lowest point in centuries. However, it was still one of the most dangerous planets in the region.
New Republic Era[]
Jakol was under the control of the New Republic by 5 ABY. Numerous Imperial ships including Star Destroyers met their fate at Jakol. The New Republic tried to set up a legitimate government on Jakol, but these efforts failed and the planet's crime rate increased again.
Society and culture[]
Inhabitants[]
Jakol was home to 30 billion people around 0 BBY, a significant decline from the 40 billion it had centuries earlier. The billions of inhabitants were from a wide variety of sentient species, though Humans made up a slight majority. Jakolites regardless of social class were stereotyped by many, especially those from the Core Worlds, as being untrustworthy low-lifers.
The majority of Jakol's population were not financially well off and struggled to get by. They were commonly employed in the manufacturing industry, scrapping industry, or service sector. Most were paid barely livable wages, and industrial workers often dealt with poor conditions. Shortages of basic goods were commonplace, and birth rates were generally below the replacement rate, leading to a declining population. However, this also led to lower housing prices, though most apartments were small and often poorly maintained.
The Jakolite elite meanwhile, the top 1% of people who held most political and economic power, had a much better standard of living. Their jobs were mainly in government or business management positions. They resided in luxury apartments and generally had no problem obtaining what they needed to live comfortably. However, they were certainly not isolated from the difficulties of life on Jakol, having to constantly watch their backs to survive.
Government and politics[]
Jakol's planetary government was officially a democracy but was actually a kleptocratic oligarchy dominated by the Jakolite elite. Elections were held, but they were constantly rigged and political opponents were eliminated through bribes, intimidation, or assassination. The most wealthy individuals and corporations effectively were the government, and as such manipulated it to their will.
Overall, Jakolite government officials were notoriously corrupt, and it was an unspoken fact that almost all of them would turn a blind eye when given credits. There were also many instances of collaboration between organized crime and the government.
The common people of Jakol had no meaningful influence over the planetary government. However, most people did not care about this, because the government was generally not very involved in their day-to-day lives.
Law enforcement and crime[]
Jakol was known for having an extremely high crime rate. It was claimed by some news outlets to be the most dangerous major planet in the Inner Rim. Jakolites of all socioeconomic classes were vulnerable to the widespread violence. Crimes such as assault, robbery, and murder were a regular sight. Prostitution was very common as well. Furthermore, crime statistics were believed to be severely underreported. The government reported an average of 4 million intentional homicides annually, although the true number was estimated to be 11 million. The vast majority of crimes went unsolved, although cases in more affluent areas had a much higher solving rate.
During the economic decline of Jakol, the planet's civil law enforcement was disbanded on the premise that it was highly corrupt, excessively brutal, and very ineffective. It was replaced by privatized police forces, who made people pay for protection and also controlled the prison system. Most of these were no better than their predecessor, being comparable to mercenary forces and ignoring crimes with bribes. However, there were some that were viewed as genuinely trying to defend the innocent the best they could. Some vigilante and self-defense groups existed, though these typically were a rare sight.
Education[]
Education on Jakol was offered by public and private institutions. The latter were regarded as superior due to much better funding. Primary school was for children ages 4 to 10 (for most species), while secondary school was for up to 16. Jakolites were considered legal adults at age 16, rather than 18 as it was on most planets.
Healthcare[]
All medical care on Jakol was privately owned and operated. Those with the ability to afford it paid for medical coverages. Everybody was guaranteed emergency medical care when needed, although if people did not have the proper plan, then they would end up at a "cheap" hospital. If they could not afford their expenses, then they would be forced into indentured servitude to pay off their debt.
Overall, Jakolites were an unhealthy populace compared to other developed planets, and had a life expectancy shorter than most other coreward urban planets. This was attributed to the atmosphere being tainted with toxic chemicals and the stressful lifestyles faced by people regardless of their income level. Many Jakolites also had diets solely consisting of ultra-processed food due to it being the only affordable option. Infectious diseases were common on Jakol. Jakolites suffered from very high rates of depression, mental health disorders, and suicide.
Behind the scenes[]
Jakol is heavily inspired by cyberpunk science fiction.