“Forged in sacrifice, defended by steel.”
Skarkova is a world of shallow turquoise seas and sprawling mangrove jungles, its roots and waters concealing both great wealth and deep scars of history. Known for its deep-sea mining operations and the manufacturing of the galaxy-renowned Sarkovsky weapons and armor, Skarkova is a vital industrial powerhouse of the League of Independent Systems (L.I.S.). Though lacking a great fleet of warships, the planet is ringed by gargantuan orbital defense cannons, able to annihilate enemy fleets in volleys of devastating fire.
The surface of the world is a tapestry of twisting mangroves, scattered islands, and vast oceanic platforms. It is a place of both resilience and defiance, forever shaped by the memory of a Warp-lord invasion centuries ago — and the sacrifice of the hero who gave Skarkova its name.
Skarkova’s terrain is dominated by shallow seas, with mangrove jungles stretching across countless islands and peninsulas. The roots of these colossal trees weave into labyrinths of tangled wood, while the waters below glitter with rare minerals and ores mined by massive platforms. The atmosphere carries the scent of salt and metal, a reminder of the planet’s deep union between nature and industry.
Population: Skarkovans are primarily human, descended from Russian, Polish, German, and Swiss colonists, though alien minorities also call the planet home. They are known as disciplined, pragmatic, and industrious people, forged by centuries of hardship. While their industrial workforce and soldiers are spread across L.I.S. space, their spirit of independence and pride in their heritage runs deep.
Culture: Skarkovan culture emphasizes endurance, solidarity, and sacrifice. Military service is viewed as honorable, with Skarkovan infantry considered the backbone of many L.I.S. armies. Their industries are celebrated for producing practical, reliable arms that have become ubiquitous across the galaxy. The story of Skarken Novason, the hero who saved Skarkova from annihilation, is retold in songs, statues, and annual remembrance festivals.
New Moscow is a sprawling metropolis on Skarkova’s largest island, blending futuristic gothic skyscrapers with the industrial might of mining complexes and factories. With over four million inhabitants, its neon-lit skies swarm with gravcars and industrial freighters, a testament to the planet’s thriving manufacturing sector.
Notable Locations in New Moscow:
Ruthor Excavations Headquarters – The largest mining corporation on Skarkova, this towering darksteel complex serves as a hub for deep-sea excavation and refining. Its chimneys fill the skies with smoke as mining ships constantly arrive and depart.
Tower of the Council – Seat of the world’s ruling High Council of Four, adorned with the purple-and-white banners of the L.I.S. and Skarkova’s green-and-bronze sigil. Guard patrols and fortified defenses ensure its sanctity.
Sarkovsky Arms – The headquarters of the Sarkovsky brand, producing the most common weapons and armor in the galaxy. From criminal gangs to planetary militias, Sarkovsky gear is everywhere — a symbol of Skarkova’s industrial dominance.
Orbital Battery Control Station – A massive darksteel fortress hidden within a mangrove island, heavily patrolled and defended. It coordinates Skarkova’s planetwide defense grid, with cannons capable of obliterating warships in a single salvo.
Ghamond’s Fault – A colossal black trench, the scar of an abyssal portal opened by the Warp-lord Ghamond over 800 years ago. Sealed by Skarken Novason’s sacrifice, the trench still radiates a faint, unnatural chill and metallic scent. No life grows here, and the silence is suffocating — a permanent reminder of near-damnation.
Corsair’s Island – A lawless pirate haven of 3,000 inhabitants. Its cantinas, darksteel homes, and dual spaceport/seaport bustle with outlaws and raiders, tolerated by Skarkovan authorities only so long as they don’t threaten planetary stability.
Ruthor Deep-Sea Mines – Enormous ocean platforms housing up to 100,000 residents each, acting as both industrial hubs and floating cities. These mines supply the ores that feed Skarkova’s vast arms industry.
Skarkova’s defining moment came during the Warp Incursion of Ghamond, when a rift to the abyss tore across its jungles, unleashing demonic horrors upon the planet. The Warp-lord Ghamond nearly consumed the world, but the hero Skarken Novason sealed the portal through sacrifice, earning eternal reverence. The planet was renamed in his honor, ensuring that Skarkova’s very identity is one of defiance against darkness.
Today, Skarkova stands as a bastion of the League of Independent Systems — not through fleets or politics, but through the iron discipline of its soldiers, the precision of its weapons, and the impenetrable power of its orbital guns.
No other arms manufacturer is as widely recognized — or as widely used — as Sarkovsky Arms. Born from the industrious culture of Skarkova, Sarkovsky designs are mass-produced, affordable, and remarkably durable, making them a staple across the galaxy. From pirate gangs and criminal cartels to planetary militias and frontier settlers, Sarkovsky weapons are everywhere.
While criticized by elite militaries for being crude compared to more advanced designs, their ubiquity is undeniable. Many factions unofficially rely on Sarkovsky arms simply because they work — and are cheap to replace. Sarkovsky equipment is known for three things: simplicity, reliability, and raw stopping power.
Sarkovsky Blaster Rifle
A mass-produced blaster rifle known for affordability and durability. Featuring a 120-round energy clip, it can fire continuously without overheating and is easily maintained even in poor conditions. Favored by pirates, militias, and colonists alike.
Sarkovsky Breecher
A heavy blaster shotgun firing concentrated energy bolts that scatter over distance. Capable of blowing apart Darksteel doors and bulkheads, it is the weapon of choice for boarding crews and close-quarters fighters.
Sarkovsky Marksman Carbine
A semi-automatic long-range blaster designed for accuracy. While not on par with specialist sniper rifles, its rugged design makes it popular with mercenaries and scouts operating in harsh environments.
Sarkovsky Heavy Repeater
A squad-support weapon capable of laying down sustained fire. Its bulky frame and belt-fed energy cell allow suppression of enemy forces, though its recoil is infamous even among trained users.
Sarkovsky Modular Grenade
A cheap yet versatile grenade with interchangeable cores. Models include concussion, incendiary, shrapnel, and EMP, making it a favorite of militias who need adaptable tools without high cost.
Sarkovsky Combat Knife
Forged from alloyed darksteel, these blades are simple but nearly unbreakable. Standard issue across Skarkovan infantry units, they are prized by soldiers for both combat and utility.
Sarkovsky Infantry Armor
Standard-issue modular armor worn by Skarkovan soldiers and militias across the League. Not as advanced as power armor, but durable, weather-resistant, and easily repaired with scrap materials. Comes in multiple variants: light scout armor, standard infantry plating, and heavy breacher armor.
Sarkovsky Breach Pack
A rugged tool kit featuring plasma cutters, breaching charges, and hacking probes, designed for Skarkovan infantry to cut through fortifications. Popular on the black market among pirates and mercenaries for raids and infiltration.
Sarkovsky gear has earned a reputation as the Kalashnikov of the stars — cheap, reliable, and everywhere. Criminals prize it for availability, militias for cost-effectiveness, and mercenaries for the trust that no matter the conditions, a Sarkovsky weapon will fire.
Elite militaries may scoff at their crude designs, but when outfitting entire armies — or desperate defenders — nothing compares to the affordability and sheer scale of Sarkovsky Arms production.
Sarkovsky Arms ensures that wherever there is conflict in the galaxy, their mark will be there too.