The Sanguine Sands of Spanish Mars

Mars, The Red Planet

Mars is only slightly more the half the size of the Earth but has 90% of its gravity. As it has no oceans or seas so it has a similar surface area of land. Mars is much older than Earth, and over time it gradually lost its water to become hotter and drier. Only the ingenuity of the older Martian civilisations made it possible for the planet to flourish. They constructed a worldwide canal system that literally crosses the planet bringing life with it. The canal system is an awe inspiring feat of engineering that brings the waters from the annual melting of the polar icecaps over mountains, through valleys and across the widest deserts. The technology used is very advanced and is beyond current human understanding, though not for want of trying. Unfortunately the current Martians have declined technologically and they are no longer aware of how their ancestors constructed their wonders. Towns and cities have developed at the intersections and crossroads of the canals flourishing in to trade and agricultural centres. The canals leak irrigating the lands around them supporting agricultural settlements.  As they canals are no longer maintained some have failed becoming little more than trade routes.

Martian technology is now approximately that of Earth prior to the 18th century and the city state is the most common form of government. At present it is clear to see the Martian society is in a decline with technology regressing and corruption common and widespread. The city states make war using gunpowder muskets and cavalry but with the added factor of sky galleons which is unique to Mars. This is due to liftwood, a group of plants found only on Mars that have anti-gravity properties but are only grown in the wild highlands and are a rare and much sought after commodity. Mars was the first planet explored by humans, and in 1889 is being colonized and subjugated by the powers of Earth. The English, French, Germans, Russians, Belgians, Spanish and Japanese all have established colonies while American traders are everywhere on Mars. Liftwood is valuable and of growing importance to the aerial navies of Earth and has brought Earthmen to Mars to establish trade and expand their influence. Other Martian products bring a good price on Earth, and the Martian population is a ready market for European manufactured goods.

Mars has a wide range of flora and fauna with a plethora of exotic creatures and extraoridnary plants. It is too diverse to honestly cover in anything but great depth but it is fair to say that there are generally three distinct Martian cultures; the Canal, Hill and High Martians.

This site is still very much under construction