Aerth
Kind: Planet (the human homeworld). Location: Sol system (implied; not explicitly named). Controlled by: Multiple Aerth states in the pre-Empire period, including the Democratic Bulgaric Republic and, at least at the United Nations level, a planetary body.
Summary
The human homeworld. “Aerth” is the consistent in-universe spelling and is the origin point of the 500 Year Climb: the publication of the Hare Method (0 A.L.), the discovery of the Fidon (17 A.L.), the launch of the first voidships (119 A.L.), and the declaration of the Galactic Human Empire (452 A.L.) all happen here or around it. After the Ribbondash “voiding” incident of 433 A.L., large regions of near-Aerth space are rendered unusable and fatal to pass through — implying the planet’s orbital environment is materially damaged by its own children’s technology.
Appearances
- Ch. 02 — Timeline of The 500 Year Climb: The origin node for every dated event up to 452 A.L.
- Ch. 03 — For Every Dove a Bullet: Home planet of the pre-A.L. packets (Winston Earnest, Henry Berkhamsted), the generation-ship launch (Jenny Dunne, ~119 A.L.), and the 2641 A.L. Pasternak-era collider, which is described as larger in diameter than the distance from Aerth to Luna.
- Ch. 04 — The Menagerie: The empire hub address Isaac Bernhardt reaches (or thinks he reaches) from Kaisure Station via quiet chamber — the home of his long-dead wife Sun-Iesh Bernhardt, citizen 2093/A9.
- Ch. 05 — A Dictionary: Visited by The Ertian Surgeon via topolog on his final trip. Late-state texture: cranial implants are standard, “orange chimneys” dominate the skyline, the surgeon drinks Winchester, and an artie-rights street preacher is still active on an unnamed Aerth street — confirming that post-Artie War sympathy for arties remains a live public cause on the homeworld.
Related
- Galactic Human Empire, Democratic Bulgaric Republic, United Nations
- Ribbondash — whose voiding effect damages near-Aerth space.
Open questions
- Is “Aerth” a spelling drift from “Earth” (implying a long gap from the real 21st century) or the author’s consistent in-universe name from day one?
- What happens to Aerth after the start of the Galactic Empire? Does it remain the capital?