A planet celebrated for its skilled artisans, specifically those within the Aurean Glassworkers Guild, was Aurea, found within the Aurea system. These glassworkers were known for crafting breathtakingly beautiful objects; luxurious vessels held at an extremely high value. Additionally, should one of these vessels break, they were reputed to recreate it, surpassing its original beauty.
The origin of this unique skill remained a mystery. Theories ranged from a long-standing tradition of glass artistry, to the planet's unique golden sands, or the specific temperature of the fires used.
Aurea boasts a diverse landscape, featuring moderately sized landmasses with varied compositions, surrounded by vast, deep blue oceans. Tropical climates prevail across most continents, with some regions exhibiting more temperate conditions. Expansive deserts of shifting sand dunes dominate others, such as the largest northern continent, home to Shakamm Crater and Crysallia, although these areas often feature tropical coastlines. Another, smaller continent in the north is the location of Aurea's famed Carmine Peaks; most of Aurea's limited mining activities occur here. Due to its proximity to its star, Aurea experiences a generally warm and humid climate, punctuated by small polar icecaps.
Regardless of the biome or geological composition, the defining characteristic of Aurea is its vibrancy. The shallow seas gleam with a brilliant turquoise hue, while the ocean depths display a rich, majestic blue. The desert sands reflect the sun's light in a shimmering golden tone; the tropical forests blanket vast areas in countless shades of lush green. Despite the unique features of Aurea's climate and geology, from space, the planet appears as an iridescent jewel, a beauty that is equally apparent on the ground. The Shakamm Crater, spanning over 10 kilometers, remains a location of great importance on Aurea. The Mardri arcology is situated on the crater's northwest edge. Highly restricted mining operations extract the burning crystals, which are then used by the artisans of the Soulworks Collective and those authorized for special projects. Despite being forged from the same sands that are now a staple of Aurean art and culture, the unique creation of these crystals (in the intense heat of a massive meteor impact) means that they have proven impossible to replicate.
Over two thousand kilometers to the southeast, in the Torragan Mountains, two additional remarkable discoveries have further enhanced Aurea's nearly mythical reputation. One is the Dome of Crystal Fire, an enormous cave located deep beneath the mountains. Its walls are covered in the same burning crystals, creating a dazzling display of ever-changing colored lights. It is believed that the overall colors and patterns shift depending on the spirits of those within the cave. The leaders of the Soulworks Collective have designated the Dome as a protected area, restricting access with trained guides and armed guards to safeguard the entire chamber.
The Eternal Furnace, a massive lava pool utilized by the Aurean Glassworker's Guild for their most ambitious and significant projects, is another treasure of the Torragan Mountains. Apprentices within the guild dedicate many years to developing the necessary tolerance to work in the intense heat, and the most extraordinary glass creations in the galaxy originate from the artisans who work with the Furnace. Geologists theorize that the Dome of Crystal Fire may have formed through similar tectonic activity, with molten magma forging the mountains' minerals in a manner akin to the meteor impact in Shakamm Crater. Given the mountains' tectonic activity, it is possible that other natural treasures remain hidden within their depths, awaiting discovery.
Three moons circled Aurea. Two were barren, rocky bodies, but the third moon, Ifeoma, was tidally locked and possessed a cool, humid environment perpetually shrouded in clouds. The moon's primary city, also named Ifeoma, was situated on the far side and housed Merich's Bend Tavern. During the era of the Galactic Empire, Rebel sympathizers orchestrated gunrunning operations from this establishment. It was from this location that Twi'lek singer, Saahir Ru'luv, and her fiancée, Juri Marbra, embarked on their final mission for the Rebellion before their deaths, hiring Saahir's true love, Thaddeus Ross, and Trep Winterrs to transport a munitions cargo, including 500 blaster rifles aboard the Kierra, to a clandestine Rebel base.