New Earth-That-Was

The Most Neutral Introduction there is:

Long ago, on the Earth-that-was, there were a few people who saw the future of the planet as it truly was: doomed. They endeavored through doubt and denial, sending automated terraforming machinery to prospective planets. Years later, in the hopes that their actions had been fruitful, hundreds of multi-generational ships traveled to these planets in the hope of continued life.

Terraforming was only the first stage. The most dense cluster of planets received the largest support in terms of cargo and personnel. These planets became the central planets and formed themselves into an Alliance. Outlying settlements did not receive the same level of support with the result of these border planets being fairly dangerous and forbidding environments.

Hundreds of years passed as humanity struggled to create their niche in the new worlds. Once this was established, many started to look at their neighbors in the hopes of forming permanent alliances. The central planets stood to gain the most in terms of trade and manufacturing. In many ways, the proposed alliance was only a formalization of the pact between several large families with almost unlimited control and influence.

Feeling the proposal would serve these families at the expense of the outlying planets, the Border planets chose to refuse to join the Alliance. The resolve continued, despite increasing economic and medical embargos, designed to cripple the settlements. Facing vastly larger numbers, superior technology and a unified front, the Border planets resisted what they saw as self-serving propaganda. In the end, after several negotiations led to deaths, the Border planets, calling themselves Browncoats, declared they would never become part of the Alliance. Tensions and violence escalated. War was declared.

Despite easy predictions of defeat, the Browncoats held themselves against the Alliance far longer than any had dared to hope. But, it was in 251, in the Battle of Serenity Valley, that the war was ended. Almost a quarter of a million people died in the valley after four months of continued fire. After a particularly crushing defeat, the Browncoats offered surrender. They had lost.

Ariel -- Core

A Technological paradise, comprised of tall buildings of steel and glass with holographic billboards illustrating the latest in consumer news. Ariel is known for its wonderful medical facilities. The technology is the very latest, featuring fancifications as holographic scanners among other glorified equipment. As with most of the Core worlds, Ariel is a restricted landing site. Only those with legitimate business are allowed to land. St. Lucy's Hospital is here.

The crew of Serenity arrives on this planet for a heist on an advanced medical facility. Featured in Firefly

Beaumonde -- Border

The heavily industrialized planet here is the manufacturing hub of the system. Its cities are surrounded by factories that produce everything from computer parts to ceramic dishware. Some of the factories are owned by the Blue Sun Corporation., though there are rumors that some of the factories are not factories at all. Security is tight in all their holdings, so no one has ever been to verify this. Or, they never got back out to tell.

Pollution is a problem on Beaumonde and the cities are covered in a perpetual haze. Technology keeps this at bay as best it can, but the problem grows worse each year, causing problems with the agricultural population. A popular bar, in the less prosperous part of town, is the Maidenhead, owned formerly by the brothers Fanti and Mingo.

Outside the cities, the atmosphere improves dramatically. Ranchers and farmers manage to make a decent supplying the cities and ships going off-world.

New Dunsmuir is the capital city of the planet. This is the only city that has no factories. It's located on an ocean and is a popular tourist attraction. Here is where the wealthy reside. New Dunsmuir is a beautiful city with avenues of trees and carefully maintained flower gardens.

The crew was headed for Beaumonde in the episode "Our Mrs. Reynolds". The Serenity crew arrives here in the movie.

Bellerophon -- Border

Bellerophon has both a large ocean and an empty area of desert climate, complete with canyons, rock and sand. Isis Canyon is pointed out as the most deserted spot on the world. And those spots can be pretty isolated, if you want to do some business out there.

Bellerophon Estates, large self-contained estates that hover above the planets ocean, are described as having "gracious living, ocean views and state-of-the-art security." These are the private estates of the Borders and some of the Cores wealthiest folk. Everything required is shipped in, so there is no need for trade, shops or tourists. Each estate is a self-contained world, about the size of a town and float over Bellerophon's oceans.

The owners value their privacy so the skies around each estate are regularly patrolled by private and Alliance security. Visiting is by invitation only, so be prepared to have a very good reason for being there. Durran Haymer, a collector of priceless Earth That Was artifacts, lives in Bellerophon Estates.

Featured in Firefly

Bernadette -- Core

After the colonization of Londinum and Sihnon, Bernadette was the first place to be terraformed and settled. The only remaining ship that brought the founding folk, stands in the capital city of New Paris. The ark is a monstrous ship, at least five times the size of an Alliance cruiser. The ark is named the Prometheus.

Bernadette is a traditional launching point for those leaving to settle on other worlds. Settlers arrive here from the Core, the last point of civilization before launching into the Rim. Many businesses cater to these folk, selling the necessities that no one wanted to drag here aforehand.

The dark side of Bernadett is the slave trade. It's an underground organization and its all too realy. Settlers disappear and are hauled off to work on terraforming stations or mines. Most times, the settler is assumed to have died in the black.

Oddly enough, or perhaps not so odd, Bernadette is also home to a number of religious sects. Buddhists, Christians, Islamic and Hindus all rub shoulders with each other, along with a number of fringe cults.

Landing is restricted, but will usually allow visitations to the ark, or people claiming to be settlers. In both cases, business is expected to be concluded in two days.

Beylix -- Rim

A small planet with extensive farming lands, often used for smuggling rendevous. Permanent cloud cover and dense ice rings are indicative of the atmosphere. It is often used for recycling and garbage warehousing by the central planets. And what was chaff to the Central planets is often enough gold to those on the Rim and soon entrepreneurial prospectors began profitable dealings in secondhand goods. Almost anything can be found here, used parts, moderately obsolete materials, even old Fireflies.

Mals war buddy, Monty, was caught by the Alliance here.

Boros -- Border

Around Boros itself, you will find the Alliance shipyards, where there is always a few of the latest designs being constructed. A ship can take anywhere between 3-6 years to construct. They are extremely heavily guarded to prevent terrorist attacks and technological espionage.

Boros itself has extensive prairies with ranches and farms. The majority of the industry is scrap metal. Parts that didn't meet the rigorous standards of the Alliance, castoffs, damaged parts and plain old junk.

It makes it even more advantageous that there are few restrictions in landing on Boros.

Ares: Boros' moon is the home to Iskellkian, the primary builder of the Alliance's cruisers and ships. As a result, the place is crawling with all manner of governmental agents, bureaucrats and military people. The area is restricted to Alliance and Iskellkian personnel.

Georgia Rim

Aka Georgia System

Georgia is a Gas giant that is unusual in that it has only two moons, for such a large body.

Ezra: A planet orbiting the gas giant, Georgia, it's a planet going through considerable changes. Ezra started out as a planet largely filled with farmers and ranchers. Toward the end of the Unification war, the planet's representative died unexpectantly, throwing the planet into a virtual civil war as various factions vied in the power struggles. Confusing the situation further, hordes of refugees and former soldiers from both sides flooded the small central towns. Jobs grew scarce, unemployment rose and the economy was destroyed. Crime rose and criminal organizations rose to power when the local law officials failed to keep it in check.

One crimelord in particular, Adelei Niska, moved his skyplex into Ezra's orbit and assumed control. Using bribes, extortion and threats, he maintains his powerbase, somewhat covered by legitimate business organizations. As of yet, the Alliance hasn't been able to conclude what to do with the situation, as they'd need someone to deal with Niska; thus far, no one has been willing to take on the task.

Farming and ranching is still common professions, and Niska has given more jobs to people than not. Nevertheless, despite the largely stable economy, the law of the land is the strongest survive. If you can't defend what you have, you lose it. That applies to people as well as property, since slavers make many of their business contracts here. As such, Ezra is a place for almost unlimited opportunity, whether they enjoy the particular opportunities is up to the individuals.

Regina: A moon orbiting the gas giant along with Ezra. It is a mining moon, where everyone is suffering from Bowdens malady, a degenerative disease.

Ironically (for a setting as rich in the flavor of the American Old West and American Civil War as the Firefly 'verse), it's more likely, given the accents prevalent in the area, that the Georgia system owes its name to a region of eastern Europe on Earth-that-was, rather than the more obvious stateside source.

Greenleaf -- Border

Greenleaf is a world with a large tropical belt, with massive jungles and forests. (The rest of the world is pretty rocky, full of lava plains yet to be converted to soil proper.) These are harvested with a multitude of species of plants with medicinal properties. As a result, many pharmaceutical companies have set up laboratories on Greenleaf. Also, as a result, there is a fringe population that takes some of the plants to grow privately for the black market. This is a dangerous occupation since the drug companies began inserting traceable genetic markers to stop the illegal trade. This has been only nominally successful due to the fact that there are untold places for cartels to hide within the jungles. To compensate, the Alliance has clamped down on landing restrictions, though if you have the necessary knowledge of the jungles one can always slip through.

Haven -- Rim

Haven is a mining planet which is often used as a hiding place for those running from the law (for a fee) and is where some smugglers or criminals decide to settle down.

Haven is the last home of Shepherd Book, Featured in Serenity

Hera -- Broder

Hera is largely agricultural world, the breadbasket for the entire region. Lying midway between the Core and the outer planets on a major shipping lane, Hera was of great strategic importance during the war, making it an important staging ground for both sides.

Hera has important significance to thse who know the Unification War. Serenity Valley is located here, where the Independent Faction experienced a crushing defeat at hands and ships of the Alliance. Taking Hera was the key to winning the war and Serenity Valley became the turning point.

Non Canon

The war devastated Serenity Valley. Seven years past, and the valley is still blackened and charred by the fire storm that swept through it. The only landmark is a graveyard on the hills next to the valley. Over half a million men and women, Alliance and Independents alike, are buried here, each with an identical small headstone. Some have names, most don't. Often, you will find the headstones decorated with flowers, personal mementos and the like. Many families never saw their children return, and many have picked an unnamed grave and honor it, hoping someone else is doing the same for their son or daughter.

Serenity graveyard is one of the most hallowed and sacred places of ground in all the Verse.

Heinlein -- Rim

An enormous gas giant with several inhabitable planets.

Higgin's Moon: A small moon won in a card game to a man named Higgins. It was considered a dubious winning, since the moon had no useful resources or agricultural promise. Still, Higgin's established himself and was justified a few years later when it was discovered that the abundant clay was rich in minerals. If chemically treated and fired, it created a ceramic that was ten times stronger than steal and a fraction of the weight. With this, they established their primary industry: mud.

Canton is the main company town, with over two thousand workers, largely slaves or indentured, known as "Mudders." Higgins descendent, the currant Magistrate rules through intimidation and fear, almost uniformly hated by the population. Crimes are dealt with three possible punishments; long-term hard-labot, imprisonment, or death by quartering.

The Mudders maintain hope even in the face or a monumentally dismal life: they sing songs of a hero who has twice defied the magistrate: Jayne Cobb. The Hero of Canton, it is believed, will one day come back to free them. Until then, they have one unlikely ally: the magistrate's son, Fess. Fess is currently working quietly to reverse or eliminate some of his father's regulations and procedures.

Triumph: It is a moon orbiting around the gas giant, Heinlein. A primitive and poor border moon, apparently self-governed with rather unusual customs and traditions. The people that came here have done so with the intent to have nothing to do with the modern life found in the Central Planets, or even the Border worlds. The settlers lives as did the Amish of Earth-That-Was, with few excepts such as the occasional commstat equipment.

Thugs and bandits find the settlements easy pickings, since the majority of the people are pacifists. If the problem grows to be too heavy a burden, the people will occasionally contract with mercenaries to cull back the bandits and thugs. Elder Bomman is the leader of the settlers.

Jayne became a folk hero to the mudders in the town of Canton due to his role in a botched heist about four years before the time of the Firefly series. The crew visits Higgins' Moon in the episode "Jaynestown." Featured in Firefly

Jiangyin -- Border

Non Canon

The planet is one with broad open spaces and lots of cattle. Along the huge rivers which seem to common on the planet, there are some good sized cities. They are an odd mix of modern and frontier brick. The culture here is very capitalistic, with a seriously Asian flair.

Jiangyin is a border planet located 3 weeks away from Persephone, and also nearby Greenleaf. Alliance law is known to be upheld here. The crew of Serenity sells a cargo load of cattle here in the episode "Safe".

Lilac -- Border

Lila is a border planet probably near Reaver territory. From space it appears to have a lilac color, which presumably it was named for. This appearance comes from a combination of minerals in the soil (which taint the plants) and the dust in the air.

The windstorms here are something fierce blowing across the rolling hills, as there seems to be no mountains on this planet. Locals live in wind sheltered valleys or in places built into a mound.

The Serenity crew land on Lilac to rob a bank holding an Alliance payroll. Lilac is at times roughly ten hours from Beaumonde as stated by Mal.

Londinium -- Core

Londinium is a planet most like Earth-That-Was and one of the first two planets settled. The planet needed only limited terraforming. The colonists were from the West Side of the Alliance (Europe and America). They took to preserving their Earth-That-Was heritage seriously. Monuments were rebuilt. Sections of towns were made to look just like sections of all Earth Towns. In fact, they maintain the look of Old Earth. buildings may be made of the most modern materials, but it will still be used in archaic designs. There are some that call the architecture, Imperial Gothic. Many artifacts from Earth-That-Was, historical and artistic line the wall of the hundreds of museums here.

It is implied that Londinium is rules by a constitutional monarchy, possible descendents from the English Crown. The local accent seems to bare that out.

Londinium is often chosen for political discussions and debates. The Parliamentary buildings are known for it security and its neutrality. The Alliance Intelligence Agency is located here, as are a number of governmental departments. Access to Londinum is severely restricted. Visitors may arrive only in special shuttles found on other Core planets. Only when the security procedures have checked out, may the shuttle be allowed to land.

Miranda -- very Rim

Please note this section contains spoilers for the movie Serenity just in case you haven't seen it yet.

Mirandas no longer in the records, if you do a wave search. You can find some older references to it. Then a mention of a failed colony something about a plague if you did deep enough. If you dig any deeper than that, and sometimes even if you didnt even dig that deep, you will be buried yourself by the Alliance equivalent of Men in Black.

Miranda is a planet located in the Burnham Quadrant, on the very edge of the 'verse. At one time, it possessed an infrastructure as large and as thriving as anything to be found on a central planet. However, Miranda also apparently had a good deal of civil unrest, since the Alliance government decided to use the planet as a large-scale testbed for a chemical known as G-23 paxilon hydrochlorate", or The Pax which was intended to calm the population and weed out aggression. For the vast majority of Miranda's unfortunate inhabitants, The Pax worked only too well, and millions of people stopped fighting...and then they stopped doing everything else. Including staying alive.

For the few survivors (1%), the consequences were even more horrific; they suffered a reaction to it which was exactly opposite to the one intended. They became raging, homicidal maniacs who engaged in cannibalism, self-mutilation, and torture. We know them today as Reavers.

After this, Miranda became a forgotten, inaccessible ghost planet until the secret of what happened there was accidentally gleaned from the minds of key Alliance Parliament members by a disturbed young psychic named River Tam.

New Hall -- Border

A new border planet, recently opened to standard colonization. The colonists have just been dropped there. They are dirt poor, but you never know what you might need.

Non Canon

This is one of the newer worlds terraformed with large oceans. Water is the planet's primary resource. The people live on small island chains. or on floating ocean towns. There's always a need for people working on the water plants, so there are generous incentives for working. Terraforming requires a lot of water and Newhall has it to spare. Processing the water and preparing it for shipping is what Newhall does best.

The secondary occupations is fishing. It's a good living on Newhall. And if that don't strike you fancy, there's always the tourist centers, for those who love the water.

New Melbourne -- Border

This border planet, is an ocean planet. It is famous for its water, storms, and fishing. The natives work in its extensive fisheries, either as fishermen or in a fish related field.

The existance of New Melbourne makes me question the info about New Hall

Osiris -- Core

Osiris is a wealthy core planet. It has the classic tall buildings, monorails, and beautiful architecture. The planet is 'advanced' enough to have developed truly disreputable areas in the urban sprawl -- places known as Blackout Zones where loyal Alliance citizens simply do not go.

The main city on Osiris is called Capital City (which is where Simon worked as a surgeon). On Osiris is the heart of the judicial branch of the Alliance. The Supreme Court resides here. Decisions made here have ramifications throughout the 'verse. The Court is housed in a large pyramid, honoring the Egyptian God for which the planet was named. Since the most important of the law agencies are here, so are the greatest, or the most successful of the law firms.

The University of Osiris boasts the most prestigious law school in the Core, as well as the most innovative and superb medical schools and facilitiesl.

The corporate offices of the Blue Sun Corporation are located here. Originally on Sihnon, they were recently moved into a massive structure that is attached to a combined manufacturing plant, distribution center and spacedock. The corporation is off-limit to all except employees. No one enters without a serious background check.

Most likely the location of the Tam Family estate shown in various flashbacks in the episode "Safe". "Osiris" is also the unofficial name of HD 209458 b, the first extrasolar planet to be discovered by the transit method.

Non Canon

Paquin Border

Known as the gypsy planet, Paquin houses more carnivals and sideshows, galleries, and theatres that you could visit in six months of serious playtime. The planets unique atmosphere allows for such incredible sunsets and sunrises they are renowned throughout the Verse.

Like all the worlds, Paquin is more than glitter and gold. The carnivals and circuses provide honest entertainment. But there are the more darker entertainments, the ones for the jaundiced world-view looking for what cannot be found in almost any place. It is said, that if you have the coin or credit, you can find whatever you are looking for, here on Paquin.

Babylon: This moon has an uneasy relationship with Paquin. They have restricted access to landing, in the hopes of stemming the tide of what they see as corruption. It is only nominally successful, but it doesn't stop them from trying.

Highgate: the name of this moon comes from the first settlement. The moon is rich in minerals in the mountains with fertile fields surrounding. Initial settlements led to groups conducting frequent raids on each other. This began to change when Samuel Potempkin rallied his neighbors into building a fortified city. They ensured that the only way into his city was through a series of high porticullises for which they named both the moon and the first city: Highgate. Other territories followed suit, with various local minor lords ruling. But for the Alliance, the ruling hierarchy would rule with almost unlimited feudal powers as of old. So far, there excesses are kept in check by the Alliance though, for the most part, they keep a light touch due to some significant business arrangements with the local government.

Persephone -- Border/ Core

Persephone is a civilized planet with heavily stratified societal structure. The Eavesdown Docks are located here, a commercial port and Badger's base of operations. Civilized planet with heavily stratified societal structure (and, as a result, a large slum population; see Eavesdown Docks). (Serenity and Shindig)

Looking at the image, one can also see that San Fransico appears to have an influence on architecture here. Note the tall building on the left looks like the Transamerica pyramid.

As we see in Shindig, Persephone has a local monarchy. Nobility is indicated by wearing a sash.

The Serenity crew lands here periodically to resupply and pick up work. Simon and River Tam, Shepherd Book and the Alliance villain Dobson were picked up here in the episode "Serenity". Book had been living on Persephone at the Southdown Abbey. The planet was also the site of a swordfighting duel between Malcolm Reynolds and Atherton Wing in the episode "Shindig.

Regina - Border

Regina is known for its massive mining operations. The ore processors and atmospheric conditioners of Regina have created conditions for a disease called Bowden's Malady, a degenerative affliction of the bone and muscles that leaves victims weak and in constant pain. Regular treatments of Pasceline-D halts the progression of the disease.

The Alliance sponsors regular shipments of the drug to Regina, which depends on the shipments for continued prosperity.

Santo -- Border

Non Canon

The epitome of the perfect terraformed world. From space, it has a bluish-gray color and its orbit matches closest to Persephone. The principle landmasses are a series of huge islands. It has clear blue seas, lovely blue skies, white sandy beaches and perfect weather. The original settlers successfully marketed it's promises and drew in many a tourist to the perfect vacation spot.

The war disrupted its business, profoundly, as few would travel in disputed territories while the conflicts raged. Hotels and casinos failed and closed most had to find other means to make ends meet and attract clients, which more often than not was exclusively Soldiers. Brothels, strip clubs and other places abounded and slavers are still fairly common here.

Shadow -- Rim

Non-canon This was also the site of the very last battle in the Unification War, though ironically that had little to do with Mal.

Shadow was a prairie planet that took well to terraforming. It was known for its farms and ranches. The planet was almost entirely rural: no cities and only a few towns dotted the surface. The people of Shadow were hard workers and independent-minded. It was one of the first to stand against the Alliance. Most of the planet's young people volunteered to fight for Independence.

Shadow was aggressively bombed during the war in an attempt to break the Browncoats & teach them a lesson; it had the opposite effect.

Today, Shadow is a ghost planet. No one lives there. No one can.

Mals birthplace; his mom owned a large ranch here.

Sihnon -- Core

Shinon is known for its beauty. At night, it is said to be an ocean of light - especially if seen from space.

Here is the heart of the Buddhist religion, a fact made obvious by the many monasteries and temples located here. Those seeking to learn more about Buddhism travel here to study.

Sihnon is also the central planet for the Guilds, all of which either have their headquarters here or maintain a significant presence. Disputes are conducted by registered arbitration houses. The city of Chang'Pei is given over to trade administration, making it the largest civil bureaucracy in the 'Verse.

Penalties for bribes, taking or giving are harsh, but that doesn't stop some folk. Still, you might have to answer to the Officers of the Sihnon Trade Commission. They know that can't stop corruption, but they still take their work very seriously. And, they are very well trained in combat, interrogation, as well as espionage and accounting.

The capital of Sihnon is Lu'Weng. Local legend says that Lu'Weng was once a fire-breathing dragon that fell from the sky and was bound to the planet with ribbons. It nicely explains the prevalence of hot springs, and every home traditionally has a silken awning or a curtain across the door to keep the dragon bound. The city is the largest producers of silk in the system. Raw sil is farmed all over the planet and then sent to Lu'Weng, where it is refined and bolted or made into beautiful clothing that never falls out of favor with the rich though out the system.

Landing here is restricted, but there is so much heavy traffic that regular or frequent visitors are often issued passes. Such passes aren't hard to get, nor are they hard to forge.

St. Albans -- Rim

St. Albans is an icy world, one of the coldest in the 'verse. It consists almost entirely of mountains. It snows almost all solar cycle round. The entire terrain is covered in ice floes and drifts, even during high summer, and it is extraordinarily hazardous to travel.

The people here are extremely hardy. The principal work is mining the rich mineral deposits deep inside the mountains. The Consortium has declared the effort of taking the ore as considerably less that cost-efficient. Thus, independent groups work together in their claims and prospect what they can.

Each community is isolated and self-sufficient and as a result, they've built strong ties amongst themselves. If you offend one, you offend them all. Fortunately, the reverse is true; if you make a friend of one, you've made a friend of all. This is Traceys home planet, and it isolated about 2 days from the Space Bazaar Sky Plex. A federal station is located nearby.

Tracey's home planet. Located at times about two days away from the Space Bazaar Sky Plex. There is apparently a single Federal Station located somewhere on the planet, reasonably close to a huge gorge through which Serenity flies in an attempt to outrun an Alliance gunship. Tracey is brought back to this planet in the episode "The Message".

Verbena -- Rim

Due to the planet's heavy involvement in the Independents' side of the Unification War, Verbena is scarcely surviving, barely more than a piece of barren rock. Recently, the Alliance has been making an effort to show the population the error of their ways by leading them back into prosperity through government-funded improvements to the planet's economy.

Verbena was a lush world of thick forests. The world was largely underdeveloped until the Alliance made it a centerpiece for its "rejuvenation after Unification" campaign. Government incentives funded new construction, including a factory to supply parts for military vehicles. However, an Independent soldier-turned-terrorist bombed the factory, killing hundreds and destroying the structure. The bombing sent the world into an economic depression and created an atmosphere of paranoia, fear and hatred for Browncoats and the Independence movement.

Legislation to aid the troubled world is being discussed in parliament and will be voted on once the committees have determined what course to take.

Since then, those that could, left for other pastures. Those that were left behind have steadily declined, economically and socially are sliding into a hillbilly outlook towards anyone infringing on their property.

Whitefall

Whitefall is the fourth moon of Athens, a large percentage of which is owned by a woman named Patience. Whitefall is said to not be civilization "in the strictest sense." The crew visits Whitefall hoping to sell their cargo to Patience in the episode "Serenity". According to the RPG, a Blue Sun facility is rumored to be underneath one of the mountains. A security outpost on the planet was later seen in the film Serenity.

Whittier -Rim

Another in a large number of Rim mining planets to feed the voracious appetite for raw materials to sustain the massive growth of the Core and the Alliance. Completely under the thumb of the Corone Mining Consortium, Whittier is part of that corporations increasingly growing monopoly.