Barren, isolated and cold, there is little to endear Cheimeros to outsiders - and that is exactly how the Cheimerons want it. A tough and dour people, the Cheimerons are survivalists at heart and want nothing more than for the rest of the galaxy to leave them well alone. Although the planet has little by way of natural resources, its people have learnt to eke out a living from what it has: rocks, base metals and a lot of geothermal activity.
– The voiceover for an Achelian education documentary on Cheimeros.

• Cheimeros is a small volcanic planet with little to no arable land. No other planets in the system are habitable.
• Cheimerons are fiercely independent and resent the idea that they might be dependent on anyone
• The population have historically lived in small communities clustered around geothermal vents
• The War had less of an effect on Cheimeros than on the other Seven Systems. Many settlements have been abandoned, but life, hard as it is, goes on.

It isn't certain exactly how, when or why Cheimeros was settled. What little is known suggests that a large group of people all arrived at once, then promptly shut off communications and cannibalised their ships for the tools needed to make the blasted little planet habitable. A strictly hierarchical society grew up around the thermal vents that provided heat and nutrients spat up from the planet's core, the old and experienced ruling over the young and inexperienced. It wasn't until centuries later, when the first great Achelian trade ships burst into the sky, that they were even made aware of the rest of the Seven Systems again.

They weren't exactly thrilled by the discovery. Life on Cheimeros was hard, and in order to survive the communities had fostered an inward-looking attitude and a strong set of community ties and obligations. Dissent was discouraged as it weakened the fabric of society. While the gardens of Briareos filled their pantries and enabled the population to grow, the exposure to external culture threatened the aeons of hard work that enabled people to survive on Cheimeros. Not only that, but being more or less forgotten had allowed Cheimeros to slip by unnoticed as other planets fought. Now they were back on the scene, there was a risk that the stronger civilisations might see Cheimeros as a target, or worse…

The worst fears of the Cheimeran leaders were realised in the wake of The Ananke Conference. Not only was the rest of the galaxy gearing up for war, but civil unrest broke out on the planet's surface as the young and spirited took the events as a turning point in their own history. If trouble at home weren't enough, the Kedalion war machine invaded a scant few years later. The presence of a genuine external threat meant that the old ruling class were able to reassert control and start fighting back, but not until several settlements had been wiped off the map. The war on Cheimeros was drawn-out and bloody, with heavy losses suffered on both sides.

After extensive aeriel bombardment and resource plundering, Cheimeros was left a barren shell. So, not much different from its status before the war. Many previous settlements have been completely destroyed and swathes of land rendered utterly inhospitable, condensing the population down into a smaller area, but a corresponding reduction in population has freed up some space. While the past years have been lean and hungry, there are very few which haven't been.

People still live in small, close-knit communities clustered around areas of geothermal activity. Most Cheimeran civilisation is underground, close to the internal heat that keeps the planet alive. The geothermal activity also provides food, in the form of algaes and crustaceans which have adapted to feed off warmth. These communities follow the traditional pattern, ruled over by a small group of elders chosen by the town, supposedly by their wisdom. These elders take care to ensure that the community's values – and its members – remain alive.

However, that is not to say that the war has not had any effect. Many Cheimerons, particularly those who grew up in the War, are not happy with the inward-looking attitude, calling the elders hidebound and authoritarian - and not without good reason. Now, without the threat of an active invasion to band people together, civil unrest has started to break out in fits and starts across the planet.

Cheimerons are, as a whole, a dour people with a steadfastly practical outlook on life. While some may have loftier outlooks, Cheimeros, as a whole, is not a place for dreaming. Indeed, before the War, those who didn't quite click were often subtly sent off to Selas or Briareos. However, since the conflict has made this more difficult to do, more young dissidents have started to raise their voices against the traditionalist outlook of Cheimeran society. However, even these will have been greatly affected by a living in a society dominated by poverty and emphasising the importance of duty to your family and your community above all.

This emphasis has also led to a level of ancestor-worship. While Cheimerons have no formal belief system, many choose to keep a shrine to their recent or most respected ancestors, and a common curse is 'I hope your descendants forget you.' Despite what some may call a lack of refinement, Cheimeros also has a vibrant culture, with community meals and dances forming a significant part of the average Cheimeron's social calendar.