"He calls all Drivers to Earth, where Cosmic Spores are transforming the planet into a green, living world."
-- Booklet 099, The Eco-Shock
Terra -- also referred to as Earth -- is the homeworld of humanity and the political, economic, and military centre of the Terran stellar empire. It is the seat of the Council of Corporations, the base of the Gray Guards, and the sacred ground where Yggdrasil, the primeval tree, grows in the Holy Valley Ödrödir (Greenland). Terra stands at the intersection of every major conflict in Die Terranauten: the struggle between the Terranauts and the corporate oligarchy, the catastrophic experiments with Kaiser Force, the civil uprisings of the oppressed castes, and the ecological transformation that concludes the saga.
Physical Description
Terra is the third planet of the Sol System, a habitable world of continents and oceans that by the 26th century has been heavily industrialised and urbanised. Its environment deteriorates significantly over the course of the saga -- polluted by corporate industry, scarred by warfare, and ravaged by the effects of Kaiser Force experiments. By the 2590s, the planet is described as "devastated" (Booklet 089). Only with the release of the Cosmic Spores in 2504 does an ecological renaissance begin, transforming Terra's cities into jungles and ushering in a new bio-technological age.
Political Structure
The Council of Corporations
Terra is governed by the Council of Corporations, a ruling body composed of the General Managers (GeneralManags) of the most powerful interstellar corporations. The Council holds supreme legislative and executive authority over Terra and its colonial possessions. Its chairman wields the title of Lord Colonel and commands the Gray Guards.
Key corporate members of the Council include:
| Corporation | GeneralManag | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Kaiser Corporation | Max von Valdec | Dominant power; developed Kaiser Force |
| Biotroniks Corporation | Growan terGorden, later David terGorden | Monopoly on mistletoe production |
| Green Hill Corporation | Carlos Pankaldi | Moderate voice on the Council |
| PRODUKT ENERGIE | Claasen | Sympathetic to the Noman cause |
| Allwelten-Stahl-Konsortium (ASK) | Anlyka terCrupp | Plotted nuclear strike on Geneva |
| White-House-Foundation | Vanderfeller | Council member |
| Alfa-Mercedes | Pankraz Pahlew | Spacecraft manufacturer |
| Terran Banking Consortium | Marya Briden | Plotted to seize Council control |
| Wehrtechnik AG | Shamir Zhymer | Arms manufacturer |
| Ziolkowski-Werft | Hendrik dalghson | Shipbuilding |
| Terrestrial Chemical | Ludomir Chelskij | Offered cooperation to David |
The Lord Colonel
The supreme executive of Terra, with command over the Gray Guards:
- Max von Valdec -- Chairman of the Council and Lord Colonel for most of the saga (circa 2499-2503 and again 2504+), self-proclaimed "Kaiser of Berlin" in the 2590s
- Ignazius Tyll -- Acting Lord Colonel during Valdec's exile (circa 2502-2503)
- David terGorden -- Elected Lord Colonel in September 2503 during the War of the Castes; resigns shortly after to depart for Sarym
The Gray Guards
The Gray Guards (Graue Garde) serve as Terra's military and police force. Originally conditioned to absolute obedience, they are "rented out" by their supreme leader, the Great Gray (Chan de Nouille), to whichever corporation or authority commands them. Their ranks include:
- Queens -- Female officers who command units (e.g., Queen Mandorla, Cosmoral Fay Gray, Queen Paola, Queen Lea)
- Cosmorals -- Fleet-level commanders
- Hauptmanns / Centurios / Captains -- Line officers
- Clone Queens -- Genetically engineered commanders (e.g., Cynthiana)
The Caste System
Terran society is rigidly stratified into castes:
- GeneralManags / Manags -- Corporate oligarchs who control the economy and government
- Summacums -- Intellectuals and scientists of exceptional intelligence
- Arbiters -- Workers and trade union members
- Relax -- A dependent caste provided for by the corporations but excluded from productive work; often drugged and entertained into passivity
- Nomans (No-Men) -- The lowest caste: outcasts stripped of all rights, considered "non-human," living in ruins and on society's margins
- Drivers -- PSI-gifted navigators who steer starships through Space II; initially a specialist caste, later persecuted under Valdec
Key Locations on Terra
Greenland
- Ultima Thule -- Capital of Greenland and seat of the Biotroniks Corporation. Founded by Major Gorden, David terGorden's ancestor, after discovering Yggdrasil. Houses the terGorden palace and, beneath the city, the ancient alien Machines of Ultima Thule that protect Yggdrasil. Frozen by a Space II defence program during the 2500 crisis; later thawed when David activates the machines. Transformed into a jungle by Cosmic Spores in 2504. (Booklets 003, 004, 005, 007, 030, 031, 072, 073, 074, 099)
- Ödrödir (Holy Valley) / Heiligen Tal Ödrödir -- The sacred valley in Greenland where Yggdrasil, the primeval world-tree, grows on an island in a lake. Source of the mistletoe blossoms essential for Driver space travel. Repeatedly attacked by Valdec's forces (gas attacks, poisoning attempts, military assaults). Site of Chan de Nouille's failed attempt to revive Yggdrasil in 2503. (Booklets 003, 004, 007, 023, 030, 073, 076)
Berlin
- New Berlin / Neu-Berlin -- The modern metropolis and headquarters of the Kaiser Corporation. Contains the Kaiser-Haus (Kaiser Corporation headquarters), the Kaiser transmitter, and the centre of Valdec's power. During the Noman uprising of 2501, it becomes a battleground. Evacuated by Queen Paola during the crisis. In the 2590s, Valdec rules from Berlin as self-proclaimed "Kaiser of Berlin." (Booklets 007, 008, 009, 021, 023, 053, 089, 099)
- Old Berlin -- The ruined remains of the original city, inhabited by Nomans and Relax who live outside Council control. Used as a hideout by resistance fighters. Location of the Dead Spaces, high-security underground prisons where political prisoners and captured Drivers are held and interrogated. (Booklets 009, 021, 023, 099)
- Dead Spaces -- Underground prison complex beneath Berlin where Drivers, Terranauts, and political prisoners are held. Llewellyn 709 was imprisoned here before being transferred to Luna. Manuel Lucci and F.F.D.E. leaders were freed from the Dead Spaces by Bolter's Hausfreund via Space-Time Stroboscope in 2504. (Booklets 009, 099)
Other Major Cities and Regions
- Geneva -- Seat of the Council administration and the Reconstruction Committee. Location of Gray Guard installations and the General Registry. Site of the climactic battle in "Dying for Terra" (Booklet 079), where the Council administration is attacked using time-distorting technology from Ultima Thule. David terGorden and Manuel Lucci announce the end of the War of the Castes from Geneva. Anlyka terCrupp attempted a nuclear strike on Geneva. (Booklets 072, 076, 079)
- Universal Island -- An artificial island in the Atlantic Ocean where Valdec meets with David terGorden after the Hypnoter implantation. Site of the Great Festival where Growan terGorden announces his abdication and Valdec reveals the Kaiser Force. (Booklet 003)
- Atlantica -- An artificial island between Europe and North America, serving as a traffic hub and pleasure resort. Controlled by the criminal Driver Kardelein, who betrays Chan de Nouille and Manuel Lucci to Queen Lea for money. Site of Chan de Nouille's death and Lucci's capture. (Booklet 086)
- Kilimanjaro City / Autonomous Region around Kilimanjaro-City -- A formerly autonomous region in the OSTAF sector. Location of a Shadow base destroyed by nuclear self-detonation during Valdec's crackdown. Site of the Action Committee Free Africa uprising during the War of the Castes. (Booklets 076, 086)
- Edinburgh -- City in the SCHOTT Region; battleground between the F.F.D.E. and Valdec's forces, where rebels use the anti-hypnotic drug Londrium B to resist PSI control. (Booklet 086)
- Moscow -- Scene of corporate violence and F.F.D.E. resistance activity. Manuel Lucci plans a general strike here. (Booklet 079)
- Wolfsburg -- Location of the Glider Workshop and stronghold of the Arbiter Organization. Christin Dorf is captured here by a Super-Driver using PSI control. (Booklet 086)
- Manhattan -- Sunken city where Ignazius Tyll is captured. (Booklet 086)
- Blumenau -- Seat of the Green Hill Corporation, where negotiations between the Drivers and the Manags take place. (Booklet 007)
- Ruins of New Delhi -- Location of the Noman uprising during the War of the Castes. (Booklet 076)
- Bordeaux -- Location of a secret meeting of GeneralManags plotting against Ignazius Tyll. (Booklet 076)
- Osnabrück -- A ruined city where underground resistance groups meet. (Booklet 072)
- Perth -- District where Zen Torstein is captured by Super-Driver Osiris 84. (Booklet 086)
- Turin -- City where the F.F.D.E. fights against IWF forces. (Booklet 079)
- Urals -- Mountain range containing Anlyka terCrupp's underground refuge. (Booklet 079)
Luna (The Moon)
While not part of Terra's surface, Earth's moon is integral to Terra's power structure:
- Lunaport -- Military base and spaceport on Luna commanded by Cosmoral Evita Jaschini. Central computer: Big Brother. (Booklet 010)
- Moon Dungeons -- Vast prison complex inside Luna, divided into levels (including the "Brown Plate" for the psychically damaged). Drivers, political prisoners, and enemies of the Council are held here. Scene of Scanner Cloud's prisoner revolt. (Booklets 006, 010, 030, 073)
- Kaiser Laboratories on the Moon -- Secret laboratories where experiments are conducted, including on Brak Shakram. (Booklet 021)
Chronological History
Pre-2499: The Corporate Age
- Major Gorden, David terGorden's ancestor, experiences a PSI-induced vision of Yggdrasil while lost in space. He returns to Earth, founds the Biotroniks Corporation, and discovers Yggdrasil in the Holy Valley of Ödrödir in Greenland. He builds Ultima Thule above the site. (Booklet 073)
- Circa 2475: Growan terGorden hires Myriam terGorden as coordinator for the Yggdrasil project. The Terranauts begin infiltrating Biotroniks. Asen-Ger warns about the Kaiser Corporation's energy project. Growan proposes marriage to Myriam. (Booklet 030)
- The Council of Corporations consolidates power over Terra under the leadership of the major corporate GeneralManags. Max von Valdec rises to become Chairman and Lord Colonel.
2499: The Heir of Power
- December 2, 2499: Fay Gray is assigned by Max von Valdec to capture David terGorden, heir to the Biotroniks Corporation. Valdec seeks to control Biotroniks and its mistletoe monopoly. (Booklet 001)
- David returns to Terra from Syrta, expressing disdain for the caste system. Valdec plans to install him as a puppet leader of Biotroniks via Hypnoter implantation. (Booklet 003)
- David escapes from Ultima Thule seeking the Holy Valley but is recaptured by Queen Mandorla. (Booklet 003)
- At the Great Festival on Universal Island, Growan terGorden announces his abdication. Valdec reveals the Kaiser Force. David disrupts the demonstration and is transported to Space II. (Booklet 003)
2499-2500: The Insurrection
- Valdec's Kaiser Force demonstration is sabotaged at the turn-of-century celebration in Ultima Thule. He blames the Drivers, inciting a pogrom. Drivers are taken into "protective custody" -- a prelude to concentration camps. (Booklet 004)
- Llewellyn 709 sends a warning broadcast to all Drivers, sparking rebellion. Drivers clash violently with Gray Guards across Terra. (Booklet 004)
- Growan terGorden dies in his palace. David, Llewellyn, Lithe, and Flint escape Terra on a Razzo with Norwy van Dyne's help. (Booklet 004)
- Valdec outlaws David terGorden. (Booklet 007)
- The Drivers, following Ari marTheos's instructions, crash-land their ships in Greenland, establishing a foothold. (Booklet 005)
- Ultima Thule is frozen by a Space II defence program. Valdec retreats from Greenland after a warning shot from hidden defences. (Booklet 007)
- Valdec tasks scientist Shawn with destroying Yggdrasil's consciousness in the Holy Valley. The Kaiser Corporation poisons Yggdrasil. Gray Guards launch a gas attack on Ödrödir. David flees to Rorqual with the seeds of Yggdrasil. (Booklet 007)
- David and his companions travel to New Berlin, where David is recognized by a Gray Guard and captured. They encounter Nomans in Old Berlin and members of the Berlin Shooting Club, who hunt Nomans for sport. David eventually escapes. (Booklet 008)
- Llewellyn 709 is imprisoned in the Dead Spaces beneath Berlin. He escapes with the help of Hanstein, a former Manag turned Noman, and flees through the ruins of Old Berlin. (Booklet 009)
2500-2501: The Oxyd Crisis
- Summacum Homan conducts a disastrous Kaiser Force experiment to transport the asteroid Oxyd through Space II. The experiment goes catastrophically wrong, and Oxyd -- charged with dangerous Space II energies -- hurtles towards Earth. (Booklet 019)
- Valdec abandons Earth, positioning himself beyond Pluto's orbit while spreading propaganda blaming the alien Cantos for the crisis. (Booklets 020, 021)
- Brak Shakram, the Noman leader, escapes the Kaiser Laboratories on the Moon and transmits a message to the Nomans before being killed by the Gray Guards. (Booklet 021)
- Cantos intervenes and sends Oxyd into Space II, averting the extinction of humanity. (Booklets 020, 021)
2501: The Noman Uprising
- With Valdec away on a punitive expedition, Summacum Mühlherr and Nobody lead a Noman uprising on Terra. A pirate transmitter broadcasts the truth about the Oxyd catastrophe and Cantos's role as humanity's saviour. (Booklet 023)
- Fighting erupts across Terra: in Old Berlin, New Sydney (Australia), and the Holy Valley Ödrödir. The Nomans seize the Kaiser Corporation's transmitter in Berlin. (Booklet 023)
- Queen Paola coordinates the Gray Guard response and evacuates New Berlin. (Booklet 023)
- Valdec's fleet returns. Cosmoral Fay Gray leads the final assault on the Kaiser transmitter, which is destroyed. Nobody, Hanstein, and Mühlherr are killed. The uprising fails. (Booklet 023)
- Valdec announces a program allowing people to reclassify into the Relax caste. (Booklet 023)
December 2501: The Alien Attack on Berlin
- The destruction of the planet Xaxon by Kaiser Force residual effects draws the attention of galactic Entities -- ancient supercivilizations who view humanity's technology as a threat to the cosmic order. (Booklet 050)
- Gorthaur, an astronaut from the destroyed Xaxon, is used as a weapon by an alien power. Posing as Kormolan Jilith, he arrives on Terra claiming to possess a functioning Triadic Monochord. Valdec, intrigued, brings him to Berlin. (Booklet 050)
- Gorthaur activates the alien attack, transforming Berlin into a swamp-like alien landscape reflecting his destroyed homeworld. Humans across the city are mutated into reptilian creatures, including Valdec himself. (Booklet 050)
- David terGorden and Cantos arrive on Terra to warn the Council. David flees to Geneva, where he finds Bolter's Hausfreund -- a sentient computer with a mistletoe -- and uses it to focus his PSI powers on the alien ship in orbit, influencing Queen Yazmin to activate the self-destruct system. (Booklet 050)
- The PSI-field collapses and Earth returns to normal. In the aftermath, the Council agrees to abolish Kaiser Force and cooperate with the Terranauts. David and Cantos depart for Rorqual to plant Yggdrasil's Seed. (Booklet 050)
2502-2503: David's Return and the War of the Castes
- David terGorden returns to Earth to claim his corporate inheritance from Biotroniks. He confronts Ignazius Tyll (acting Lord Colonel), is welcomed as a GeneralManag and full member of the Council of Corporations. Assassination attempts follow. (Booklet 072)
- David investigates his family's legacy beneath Ultima Thule. The ancient alien Machines of Ultima Thule agree to thaw the city and assist David. (Booklet 073)
- September 2503 -- War of the Castes: The Action Committee Free Africa launches an uprising in Kilimanjaro. Nomans revolt in the ruins of New Delhi. David serves as Special Envoy to mediate but is undermined by corporate conspirators. Ignazius Tyll is ousted. David is elected Lord Colonel -- manipulated into the position by Chan de Nouille. (Booklet 076)
- October-November 2503 -- Dying for Terra: David and Chan de Nouille return to Earth to end the civil war. Fighting rages in Moscow, Turin, Geneva. An assassination attempt using time-distorting technology from Ultima Thule rocks the Council administration in Geneva. Ignazius Tyll and Sarneyke Eloise are killed. David and Manuel Lucci announce the end of the War of the Castes, the dissolution of the Council, and the transfer of corporate assets to worker control. David resigns as Lord Colonel and departs for Sarym. (Booklet 079)
2504: Valdec's Return and the Hunt
- Max von Valdec's forces, using infiltrated Clone agents and the Cold Rot virus as cover, launch a surprise attack on Terra. Lunaport falls, Chan de Nouille and Manuel Lucci are forced underground, and Valdec seizes power. He tasks Frost with suppressing opposition, Chelskij (revealed as a traitor) with taking over remaining corporations, and Queen Lea with hunting down Chan de Nouille. (Booklet 085)
- Max von Valdec aims to establish a new Star Empire and crushes all opposition from the F.F.D.E. and the Arbiter unions. (Booklet 086)
- Queen Lea, a genetically engineered "Killer-Queen" with a Microbe Computer in her brain, hunts down resistance leaders across Terra -- in Edinburgh, Kilimanjaro City, Perth, Manhattan, Wolfsburg, and Atlantica. (Booklet 086)
- Chan de Nouille is killed on Atlantica. Manuel Lucci is captured. Key F.F.D.E. leaders are eliminated or imprisoned. (Booklet 086)
- Valdec uses propaganda through the RMN (terrestrial radio network) to portray himself as Terra's saviour. (Booklet 086)
2504: The Eco-Shock and Transformation
- In the Dead Spaces beneath Berlin, Manuel Lucci and other political prisoners are freed via Space-Time Stroboscope and transported to Ultima Thule. (Booklet 099)
- Cosmic Spores are released from orbit, transforming Terra's cities into jungles. The spores contain Jin organisms that neutralise the Kaiser Guards by restoring their humanity. (Booklet 099)
- David terGorden arrives in Ultima Thule and announces the death of Valdec, the end of corporate rule, and the beginning of a new bio-technological era. He calls for all Drivers to come to Earth. (Booklet 099)
- David departs on an Organ-Sailer to eliminate the threat of Kaiser Force forever, leaving Terra to its ecological rebirth. (Booklet 099)
2590s: The Kaiser of Berlin (Late Era)
- Max von Valdec (or a successor bearing the title) consolidates power as the self-proclaimed "Kaiser of Berlin." Earth is polluted and devastated. (Booklet 089)
- The Pure Halvcwar, an emissary of the Varen Navtem, arrives on Earth to warn humanity about the dangers of Kaiser Force. He demonstrates his immense power by dismantling military forces in Berlin, but Valdec refuses to heed the warning. (Booklet 089)
- A Vacuum Squid is deployed as a final warning to Valdec. (Booklet 089)
Notable Inhabitants
Rulers and Political Figures
- Max von Valdec -- GeneralManag of the Kaiser Corporation, Lord Colonel, Chairman of the Council of Corporations, and ultimately self-proclaimed "Kaiser of Berlin." Terra's most powerful and destructive ruler across the saga (Booklets 001-099).
- David terGorden -- Born in Ödrödir (Holy Valley), heir to Biotroniks Corporation, briefly Lord Colonel of the Council. Returns to Terra at critical moments to shape its destiny and initiates its ecological transformation before departing on an Organ-Sailer (Booklets 001-099).
- Growan terGorden -- GeneralManag of Biotroniks Corporation, David's father. Rules from Ultima Thule until his abdication and death (Booklets 003-004).
- Ignazius Tyll -- Lord Inspector and acting Lord Colonel of the Council administration. Removed from power by corporate conspiracy; later killed during the War of the Castes in Geneva (Booklets 076, 079).
Military Leaders
- Chan de Nouille -- The Great Gray, Commander-in-Chief of the Gray Guards. Alternately Valdec's ally and nemesis. Killed on Atlantica (Booklet 086).
- Fay Gray (Queen / Cosmoral) -- Assigned to capture David in Booklet 001. Rises to Cosmoral and leads the assault on the Noman uprising (Booklet 023).
- Queen Paola -- In charge of security on Terra during the Noman uprising (Booklet 023).
- Queen Lea -- Genetically engineered "Killer-Queen" with a Microbe Computer, hunts resistance leaders for Valdec (Booklet 086).
- Queen Mandorla -- Commander-in-Chief of the Kaiser Corporation's Gray Guards. Later defects to the Terranauts (Booklets 003-004, 007).
- Cosmoral Yazmin -- Commands the Kaiser Guard fleet; influenced by David to destroy the alien ship threatening Earth (Booklet 050).
Resistance Leaders
- Manuel Lucci -- Coordinator of Commando Brak Shakram and the F.F.D.E.. Leads the struggle for workers' rights on Terra. Imprisoned in the Dead Spaces and freed in the saga's final act (Booklets 076, 079, 085, 099).
- Sarneyke Eloise -- Spokesperson of the terrestrial trade union federation. Killed during the attack on the Council administration in Geneva (Booklet 079).
- Brak Shakram -- Legendary Noman leader whose legacy inspires multiple uprisings. Escapes the Kaiser Laboratories on the Moon and transmits a message to the Nomans before being killed (Booklets 006, 021, 023).
- Nobody -- Noman leader of the Berlin uprising. Killed when the Kaiser transmitter is destroyed (Booklet 023).
- Christin Dorf -- Arbiter Representative on the Reconstruction Committee, captured by Valdec's forces (Booklets 086, 099).
- Summacum Mühlherr -- Lodge Master who leads the Drivers in the Noman uprising. Killed in the final attack (Booklet 023).
Scientists, Guardians, and Others
- Myriam (Myriam del Drago / Myriam terGorden) -- David's mother, biologist, and secret Terranaut. Worked on the Yggdrasil Project in Ödrödir. Died at David's birth, declaring him the son of Yggdrasil (Booklet 030).
- Merlin (Merlin III) -- Ancient Druid and guardian of Yggdrasil in Ödrödir. Raised David and serves as his spiritual guide across time and Space II (Booklets 004, 007, 030).
- Summacum Homan -- Scientist who conducted the catastrophic Oxyd experiment in Earth orbit (Booklet 019).
- Zarkophin -- Master Builder of the Kaiser-Earth Trust, in charge of government on Earth during Valdec's absence. Dies attempting to flee the Cosmic Spores (Booklet 099).
- Frost -- Valdec's Security Manager, responsible for suppressing opposition and orchestrating propaganda (Booklets 086, 089).
- Bolter's Hausfreund -- A sentient computer with a personality program and a mistletoe, located in Geneva. Assists David against the alien attack (Booklet 050) and later frees prisoners from the Dead Spaces via Space-Time Stroboscope (Booklet 099).
Terra in the Broader Galactic Civilization
Terra's significance extends beyond its role as humanity's homeworld. As the seat of the Council of Corporations, it is the political capital of a Star Empire spanning dozens of stellar provinces, and the decisions made on Terra -- particularly the development and deployment of Kaiser Force -- have consequences that reverberate across the galaxy.
The Entities, post-technological supercivilizations millions of years old, view Terra's Kaiser Force experiments as an existential threat to the cosmic order. The destruction of the planet Xaxon by Kaiser Force residual effects triggers an alien intervention directly on Terra itself (Booklet 050). Later, the Varen Navtem send the Pure Halvcwar to personally warn Valdec in Berlin, and when that fails, deploy a Vacuum Squid as a final ultimatum (Booklet 089). The emissary Alirujana from a post-technical civilization arrives in the Sol System during the War of the Castes to assess whether humanity's entropy-accelerating technology warrants more drastic measures (Booklet 076).
Terra's relationship with the Terranauts is equally central. The very name "Terranauts" -- derived from "Terra" -- reflects the movement's origin as a group of Drivers and idealists who sought to protect their homeworld and its people from corporate tyranny. The Terranauts' struggle begins on Terra (with the founding visions in Ödrödir) and ends on Terra (with the Cosmic Spores transforming the planet into a green world).
The League of Free Worlds, a coalition of colonial planets resisting Council control, also defines itself in opposition to Terra -- as worlds seeking independence from Terran corporate governance.
At the saga's conclusion, the Drivers form a Lodge on the transformed Terra and send a galaxy-wide PSI call -- echoing Llewellyn 709's original call from Booklet 001 -- and the Entities themselves acknowledge that David terGorden is keeping his cosmic promise. Terra ceases to be a seat of empire and becomes a living, green world: a symbol of humanity's potential for symbiosis with the cosmos rather than domination of it.
Strategic Importance
Terra's significance in the saga is threefold:
- Political Centre: As seat of the Council of Corporations and command centre of the Gray Guards, Terra is the nerve centre of the Terran stellar empire. Whoever controls Terra controls humanity's military and economic apparatus.
- Sacred Ground: Yggdrasil, the primeval world-tree, grows in the Holy Valley Ödrödir in Greenland. Yggdrasil's mistletoe blossoms are the sole means by which Drivers navigate ships through Space II. Control of Yggdrasil means control of interstellar travel itself.
- Battleground: Terra is the primary theatre of every major internal conflict -- the Driver persecution, the Oxyd crisis, the Noman uprising, the War of the Castes, Valdec's dictatorships, and the final ecological transformation. The planet's fate mirrors humanity's moral arc in the saga.
Appearances
Terra features prominently or is referenced in the following booklets:
| Booklet | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 001 | The Heir of Power | Setting: Council assigns Fay Gray to capture David |
| 003 | The Emperor's Gambit | Major setting: David returns; Great Festival on Universal Island |
| 004 | Insurrection of the Terranauts | Major setting: Driver pogrom, Growan's death, escape from Ultima Thule |
| 005 | The Driver Fleet | Drivers crash-land in Greenland |
| 006 | The Psi Inferno | Setting: David encounters Brak Shakram and the Nomans; activates the Omega Program |
| 007 | The Children of Yggdrasil | Major setting: Ultima Thule frozen; Yggdrasil poisoned; David flees |
| 008 | City of Madness | Setting: David captured in New Berlin; encounters Nomans in Old Berlin |
| 009 | The Hour of the Strapman | Setting: Llewellyn escapes Dead Spaces; flees through Old Berlin |
| 010 | Revolt on Luna | Luna (Moon Dungeons, Lunaport) |
| 019 | Operation Doomsday | Earth orbit: Oxyd experiment goes wrong |
| 020 | Comet of Oblivion | Earth threatened by Oxyd; Valdec flees |
| 021 | Oxide Death Zone | Earth under threat; Brak Shakram killed; Cantos saves Earth |
| 023 | The Outcasts of Terra | Major setting: Noman uprising across Terra |
| 030 | Glimpse of Yesterday | Flashback: Myriam and Growan at Ultima Thule/Ödrödir (c. 2475) |
| 037 | Star Legend | Referenced as homeworld |
| 040 | A Glitch in the Machine | Referenced as destination |
| 050 | Threat from the Stars | Major setting: Alien attack transforms Berlin; David destroys alien ship from Geneva |
| 059 | A World for Yggdrasil | Referenced (Narda fought on Terra) |
| 072 | Legacy in Ice | Major setting: David claims inheritance; Council politics |
| 073 | The Machines of Ultimate Thule | Major setting: Machines beneath Ultima Thule |
| 076 | War of the Castes | Major setting: Uprisings across Terra; David elected Lord Colonel |
| 079 | Dying for Terra | Major setting: End of the War of the Castes; Council dissolved |
| 085 | Valdec's Return | Major setting: Valdec seizes power; Lunaport falls; Chan and Lucci forced underground |
| 086 | Hunted on Terra | Major setting: Valdec's crackdown; Queen Lea hunts resistance |
| 089 | The Emperor of Berlin | Major setting: Valdec as Kaiser of Berlin; Varen Navtem warning |
| 099 | The Eco-Shock | Major setting: Ecological transformation; end of corporate rule |
Related Articles
- Council of Corporations
- Gray Guards
- Yggdrasil
- Terranauts
- Kaiser Force
- Max von Valdec
- David terGorden
- Chan de Nouille
- Ultima Thule
- Holy Valley Ödrödir
- Luna
- Space II
- Drivers
- Noman
- Biotroniks Corporation
- Kaiser Corporation
- F.F.D.E.
- Manuel Lucci
- Cosmic Spores
- Entities
- Varen Navtem
- League of Free Worlds
Terra appears as a setting or is significantly referenced in over 30 of the 99 booklets of Die Terranauten. It is the most frequently appearing location in the saga.