BIRKS is an outer rim planet on the opposite side of the galaxy from Winterthur, but it also has some interesting lore concerning fertility.  The first explorer to reach the planet was Mrs. Lilianne Brougham, who set out
with her husband Reynold to survey the sector in twin scout ships.  Interference from electromagnetic radiation outside the atmosphere prevented her from adequately scanning the as-yet-unnamed planet Birks, but she attempted to land anyway, after sending a message about her intention to do so.  The same radiation also knocked out some of her craft's systems, causing her to crash-land in a shallow lake.  Luckily for Lilianne, the planet is perfectly habitable, but she was stranded without the ability to tell Reynold her exact location.  While exploring the area, she discovered that some of the local animals were friendly and capable of imitating human speech.  So she taught them a litany of instructions for how to find her:  "Brightest star.  Long river.  Mountain pass.  Winding lake."  These words were supplemented with pointing arrows  (made from shiny rocks or felled trees) that she constructed during her travels.  It took many days for Reynold to finally reach her, but when he found her asleep in her ship at exactly midnight, it is said that she conceived her twin children that very night.  Subsequent technological advances have made it safer to land on Birks, and many settlers have availed themselves of the opportunity.  The old markers are still carefully maintained, and tourists often make pilgrimages to the crash site.  No one knows for sure whether strange energies guarantee fertility to couples who tryst there at midnight, but if you go there please be as quiet as you can.  The animals are still listening.

WINTERTHUR is a volcanically active planet in the Mirbach sector that is loosely governed by numerous tribal entities who have been at peace for many years.  Their religious rituals are centered around the volcanoes, with regular symbolic sacrifices of food to ensure bountiful harvests.  For fertility of their population, the most efficacious traditional sacrifice is said to be that of a virginal female Winterthurian.  Sacrifice of those below the age of majority is not permitted, though, and neither is marriage or marital relations.  So every time a Winterthurian shaman lines up a likely candidate for sacrifice and awaits her milestone birthday, another shaman is always prepared to perform a marriage for the victim and her chosen fiancé.  By the time the lengthy sacrificial liturgy has completed, the shorter wedding
ceremony is already finished and the bride has hastened to secure her ineligibility.  There is no historical record of an actual human sacrifice being performed on Winterthur. 

MALMALIYA is the galaxy's most successful pure meritocracy, or so the Malmaliyans will tell you.  Their territory is divided into larger and smaller subdivisions:  "zilas", "samitis", and "grams".  After every census, if a statistical computation of the region's well-being has declined, that region's leader (or "mukhiya") will be subject to replacement by the mukhiya of the best-performing lower-level subdivision. At the lowest level of the "gram", candidates are selected via civic aptitude tests given to all citizens.  One of the most important measures contributing to a region's score is its average life expectancy, so mukhiyas are very eager to attract healthy people and especially those who can afford Senolyte.  This is where another Malmaliyan tradition comes to the fore.  "Free speech" is taken as license to broadcast whatever advertisements or outright propaganda might help get those numbers up.  Some local mukhiyas who figure they've got nothing to lose even try to decrease the statistics of a neighboring gram by possibly inducing heart attacks.  "We've heard reports that their dam may be about to collapse!" and "There might be a serial killer on the loose!" are among the disturbing news items that Malmaliyans must sometimes be prepared to discount, at risk of potentially ignoring actual dangers.

Today is my friend Thomas Boutell 's birthday. 

It's quite possible, even probable, that no one I know has done more good for more people on the planet. 

As if that weren't enough, he's a good, fun, interesting dude. 

So if you have a minute, please consider wishing him a kind word or three. 

FAO is a strange monarchial collective that was once part of a prosperous trade route between the Leviathan and Marmol sectors.  Recently it has been broadcasting a warning on all standard hailing frequencies.  This message declares that a dangerous chemical spill has poisoned their environment and put the queen in a hideous mood.  The Faoers are not rejecting assistance in recovering from this disaster, but the warning explicitly states that no outside ships will be permitted to land.  Travellers who wish to deliver aid or communications must dock with an automated shuttle designated for this purpose.

MIRBACH is an oceanic world with floating factory-cities that produce goods from the sea life and minerals which they are able to extract.  Some of these products are then exported, with one curious modification.  Each order is delivered with an additional item from Mirbach's renowned collection of "lyrical clothing".  These vestments bear popular sayings and words of affirmation from Mirbachee culture.  Tourism is another contribution to the economy, as the climate is mild and floating along in a surf-side chair can be restful.  Customs agents ensure that no one brings anything dangerous to the planet, and also that no one leaves without wearing the mandatory garment labeled "MIRBACH:  Been There, Done That, Got The Lyrical Clothing".

RAPELJE has been ruled for centuries by a hierophant named Joris who claims to have access to all wisdom and the ability to solve any problem.  Access to these promised solutions by ordinary Rapeljeins is complicated by the fact that Joris is currently enclosed in a cryogenic stasis unit.  He is attended by a knight who guards and maintains the mechanisms involved.  This person is traditionally very neighborly and willing to help those who come to Joris seeking assistance, but always regrets that the hierophant is presently indisposed to personally respond.  Visitors are as much entitled as native Rapeljeins to request an audience, with equal expectations.  Donations are gratefully accepted.

FERRETTI is an isolated minor planet far from the major space lanes, but the native Ferrettii are said to eagerly welcome any and all visitors.  They apparently believe that their purpose is to "attract anomalous sounds and transmit them to people."  We have this account via a single authenticated interviewer from Takatsuki, whose only reported followup question ("Why?") was answered with an "invincible explanation" that convinced him to return to his Dōmei and search for anomalous sounds.  Transit records show that he has made several subsequent journeys to Ferretti, but has made public no further tales of what happens there.  The rest of the galaxy seems strangely incurious about it.

KAHNUJ is the only natural satellite of the planet Gydé, and like its primary is controlled by the Praxille Corporation.  It is on Kahnuj that the synthesis of Senolyte from raw Gydéan chemicals actually takes place.  The extensive laboratories and factories involved are all located in a single secure facility that contains the only high-technology equipment on the surface of this world.  The rest of the environment is pleasant but primitive, supporting an agricultural economy powered only by human labor.  There are no large domesticated animals, so heavy loads are carried in enormous baskets supported by multiple bearers on each side.  None of the Kahujji earn enough to purchase Senolyte treatments, but imported low-tech luxury goods are available in exchange for their regular deliveries of food.

HERKY is an urbanized planet that is entirely devoted to the number 8.  All of its buildings are octagonal.  All land vehicles have eight wheels.  No one is permitted to kill an arachnid or octopus.  The ideal body shape is something like an hourglass, but even more eightlike if possible.  The most fashionable clothing has ruffles and bindings in all the right places to accentuate one's eightish figure.  Both men and women may resort to plastic surgery if they wish to be seen au naturel, but this is not common.  It has not gone without notice that the word "Herky" has only 5 letters, but according to the Herkyite creed, there are actually three invisible ineffable letters in their planet's name.  If asked to complete a customer satisfaction survey on Herky, be sure to give them an 8.