The Northern Continent of Jencosi
Temperate climates prevail in the most densely-populated regions of Jencosi, with desert and semiarid regions in the central interior to the east of the Morcur Valley and a small area of tropical climate in the extreme southeast. In the winter, winds from the polar regions bring low temperatures to the south and west. The central Highlands are quite cold, and experience numerous snowfalls, while the east remains relatively warm. Summers are mild in the west, warm in the south and east, and hot in the southeast.

The Southern Continent of Reyfej
Reyfej is a land of extremes. Blizzards are common in its mountainous areas and peaks remain snow-covered for most of the year. Other parts of the continent are arid and hot with minimal rainfall.

Garos IV is a world of diverse and breathtaking landscapes.

The continent Reyfej
Garos’ highest elevations are located on Reyfej in the southern hemisphere, where some of the planet’s most magnificent mountain ranges are located. The central and southern sections of the continent are pockmarked with hundreds of thousands of craters, presumably formed millions of years ago when meteorites struck the planet. The largest one, known as Simjak’s Crater, is 187 kilometers in diameter and 2250 meters at its deepest. Additionally, volcanic eruptions played a part in the Reyfej’s formation, and even today tectonic activity is widespread, with thousands of geysers and hot springs dotting the landscape.

Highest peak: Mt. Ekim, elevation 1.78 km

The continent Jencosi
Four thousand kilometers to the north across the Cabalia Sea, Garos’ only other large land mass, the continent known as Jencosi, is characterized by a mountain range extending the length of the western coastline. The mountains sweep east toward the Morcur Valley, an agricultural district spanning more than 900,000 square kilometers. The Valley produces enough foodstuffs to feed the entire population of Garos IV and its neighbor, the planet Sundari. Most recently, agricultural goods have been garnered by the Empire to supply its fleet.

Further to the east, broad plains rise slowly to an area the natives call the Highlands. This series of mountainous plateaus and sandy desert basins remain a retreat for vacationers seeking adventure in an untouched wilderness.

East of the Highlands, plateaus give way to rolling plains that wind down toward the Sea of Garos. Here, the coastline is very irregular, and along its southernmost front, it is indented by deep inlets. Small farms and isolated settlements are scattered across the region. The lowlands are crisscrossed with waterways, both natural and artificial, and dotted with lakes. People who live here tend to ignore events on the rest of the planet and prefer to be left alone.

There are three main centers of population on Garos IV: Zila, Garan, and Ariana.

Zila, located on the continent’s southcentral coast, is a resort city, known for its architecutural diversity. Garan is a bustling metropolis sitting on the edge of the fertile Morcur Valley some 40 kilometers inland from the Locura Ocean. It serves as a center of manufacturing and agriculture. The capital city Ariana, on the southwestern coast, is an intellectual and business center dominated by the prestigious University of Garos. It also serves as the main base of Imperial operations on the planet.

Imperial HQ sits nearly a half kilometer from the Tahika Cliffs, but even from that distance it has a magnificient view of the Locura Ocean. Built on the eastern edge of an expansive city park, this 200 year old structure is like a living history datatext. The four-story building had been the home of Garos’ parliamentary-style government and was known as Foundation Hall. It now serves as the base of operations for all Imperial activity on the planet. It houses the offices of Imperial Governor Tork Winger, General Andreig Zakar, the Supreme Military Commander of Garos IV, and their staffs. However, its halls still resonate with the very lifeblood of the people who were part of the planet’s past.

A mural on the marbelite ceiling just inside the entrance depicts the signing of the “Great Treaty”, the document that established Garos’ first government nearly 4,000 years ago. Fifty men and women attended that auspicious event. Though their painted faces are mere representations, each one displays an emotional intensity so great, it is impossible not to feel that you are sharing their pride.

Entry Rotunda
The entry rotunda of the headquarters is extraordinary. One of the earliest prime ministers, Kaib Garos, great-great grandson of the original refugees’ leader, had a penchant for acquiring ancient weapons of war. His collection is displayed here—antique blasters of every size and description cover the wood-paneled walls, and criss-crossed swords form borders around the doorways that lead into the north and south wings of the building.

It was in this very rotunda some 96 years ago, that a sentry became Ariana’s first casualty in the Garosian Civil War. A stray bullet killed the young soldier. To honor his memory and the memories of all those who died during the conflict, a monument was erected on the boulevard just north of the building. Its eternal flame was extinguished by the Empire on three occasions. Each time unusual things occurred in the building, including the unexplained deaths of two Imperial officers.

Portraits of Garos’ rulers, from the earliest times to the present, line the hallways. Some were wise leaders, like Edern Teles who laid the groundwork for Rindom Medical Center and its network of regional facilities planetwide. Others, like Tigol Fassel, did nothing but fill their own coffers at the expense of the local populace.

Today, leadership of this world lies with Imperial Governor Tork Winger, a native of Garos. Winger possesses a sincerity and charm that is practically unheard of in the late Emperor’s appointees. Indeed, he has been the voice of moderation. His influence in the Empire’s operations on his homeworld has been undeniable.

Located approximately 10 kilometers from the southwestern tip of Garos IV’s northern continent, Ariana sits perched along the Tahika Cliffs, one of Garos’ most gorgeous natural geological features. Encompassing some 545 square kilometers, the city fans out in a semi-circular pattern centered on the University of Garos. Beneath the city, a honeycomb of naturally-formed tunnel systems crisscrosses the entire area.

Ariana has a population of 3.5 million. Settled by colonists early in Garos’ history, it began its life as an educational haven, a city devoted to the pursuit of scholarly activities. The seat of government was established here shortly after the founding of the university.

Greetings! I am moving the Alex site because it’s easier to update here… not that I have a lot of time to add new things but who knows!

Use the categories on the right sidebar to navigate around the site.

We know we cannot win the war against the Empire without help. We do what we can with limited resources while we wait for the New Republic–they must hear our calls for aid. They will come. I know they will come.

My adoptive father was born in Ariana on Garos IV, 60BBY.
He is the son of the late Davodan and Radelia Winger.

Tork’s brothers were all military men who died while serving the Old Republic:

Parc, 61BBY-29BBY

Jad, 58BBY-30BBY

Daine, 57BBY-15BBY

Braithe, 55BBY-27BBY

Military career

• graduate of the Academy at Carida
• spent 5 years in the Army, resigned his commission (as a Lieutenant) then returned to Garos IV

Alex’s note: I am not sure what posts my father was assigned to. Funny, it was one of the few topics we never discussed …

Political career

• entered politics at the age of *28
• served as Assistant to the Minister of Commerce
• by the age of 37, appointed to serve as Assistant Minister of Commerce
• negotiated with Sundari rebels to end the Garosian Civil War
• appointed Imperial Governor by the Emperor Palpatine 5BBY

Married Sallie Lontie 20BBY

• adopted Alex 5BBY

*Alex’s note: I am not certain about some of the dates or my father’s age when he attained certain positions with the Garosian goverment. I believe my ‘guesses’ are close. I suppose I could easily access this information through archives maintained at the University but my work with the Underground keeps me very busy.

That’s Betrayal by Knight, the last published story in the Alex timeline. It was co-written with Patricia A. Jackson.

Today is my 20th birthday …

Emperor Palpatine has been dead for five years.
I have lived on Garos IV for more than 14 years. This is a beautiful world with breathtaking landscapes like the Tahika Cliffs, Jahr’s Peak in the Highlands, and Lake Edellan. The only ugly scar upon the land is the Empire’s presence. When will the New Republic hear our pleas for help? –diary of Alex Winger

Reyfej is the largest landmass in Garos’ southern hemisphere where some of the planet’s most magnificient mountain ranges are located. The central and southern sections of the continent are pockmarked with hundreds of thousands of craters. The largest one, known as Simjak’s Crater, is 187 kilometers in diameter and 2250 meters at its deepest. Volcanic eruptions played a part in the Reyfej’s formation and even today tectonic activity is widespread. Geysers and hot springs dotting the landscape.

There are no permanent settlements on Reyfej though evidence exists that it was home to a humanoid life form some 40,000 years ago. That civilization was destroyed by cataclysmic earthquakes.

Archaeologists are studying the remains of a ship that crashed near the northern coastline. Much of it remains buried beneath thousands of meters of volcanic debris.

Dr. Brumic Kebeid, senior archaeologist on the dig, has described these ancient space-farers. They remind Kebeid of reports of the Ssi-Ruuk who attacked Bakura only a few year ago. That had been the first reported contact with the species — and the ship that crashed on Garos is well over 25,000 years old. What could this mean …

They are large creatures, these “dragonbirds,” about 2 meters tall. They have short muscular arms and 3 claws on each hand. A long beak gives them a bird-like appearance but they have extremely sharp teeth. And they also have a powerful tail that is about a meter in length.

I do not believe they were capable of human speech. Research indicates that their vocabulary consisted of bird-like whistles and sounds.

Did the Ssi-Ruuk intrude so far–and so long ago–into the Galactic Empire?