System: Homer

Arid and with gravity at the upper limit for human comfort, Homer attracted the Clans' attention with its large, readily accessible mineral deposits. The first settlers landed on Homer in 2839, and within a decade had established a thriving colony. The principal colonists were members of Clan Cloud Cobra, who had named the world Zara. In 2850, Cobra Khan Homer Telinov fell defending the colony against a Jade Falcon Trial of Possession. Spurred on by Telinov's sacrifice, the Cloud Cobras ejected the Falcons, and as undisputed masters of the world voted to rename it after their fallen Khan.

Homer consists of nine pseudo-continents divided into two principal landmasses. Four landlocked seas contain most of the planet's water, though a heavy metal taint makes this water unsuitable for drinking or irrigation. Surprisingly, these seas were home to Homer's principal predator, the gila toad. Growing up to a meter long, these amphibians decimated early attempts at sea farming, prompting an annual cull. Though the meat of the gila toad is inedible, the hide is prized for footwear.

Built to support scattered cities and agricultural centers, massive water-processing plants dot the planet's surface, drawing water from the seas and the few rivers and subterranean lakes. The largest body of water, the Ochre Sea, separates the Caulder landmass (comprising the continents of Amis, Ortin and Bagrain) from the world dominating Fortura block of continents. Further broken up by the Sakros Mountains (which divide Amis and Ortin) and the Istmus of Param (which links Bagrain and Amis), Caulder is the only area in which the Cloud Cobras have allowed other Clans to establish colonies.

Until recently, the Steel Vipers and Smoke Jaguars shared Bagrain, but the death of the Jaguars threw that region into chaos. The Vipers moved to take control of the Jaguar enclave, but were repulsed by the Cobras. Adding insult to injury, a detachment of Snow Raven troops took control of the Jaguar Firebase Hermes, seemingly with the complicity of the Cobras. The arrival of battle-hardened and angry Viper troops from the Inner Sphere allowed Clan Steel Viper to eject the Ravens from Homer, and the current massing of Viper troops indicates that they may try to challenge the Cloud Cobras next. In response, the Cobras are gathering around their capital of El Ghaza in an equally impressive show of force.

Located on the northern shores of the Ochre Sea, El Ghaza centers on the massive and ornately decorated genetic repository. Built of Ortin marble, the repository is surrounded by a large plaza from which broad, tree-lined boulevards radiate, an extravagance on this water-poor world. The Cobras have taken considerable care to ensure that all of the buildings around the plaza - known as the Field of Remembrance - do not detract from the majesty of the setting.