Garden World

The vast majority of garden worlds are named for their unparalleled beauty and largely undeveloped surface. Though they have all the amenities the Imperium has to offer, they do not sacrifice the peaceful surroundings to accommodate more people. Many of these worlds are places of refuge and respite, while others are monasteries or training facilities.

Regardless of their use, the basics of living engender the development of a mindset or lifestyle that supports what the world delivers. Healers develop new methods to aid the afflicted. Scholars and priests research or meditate on their texts and relics. Even some of the martial orders have recognised the need for contemplation and reflection to better hone their impressive combat skills. Each of these outlooks, as well as many others, develops into a micro-culture that essentially becomes the commodity of the planet.

Compared to the majority of other planets in the Imperium, garden worlds move at a different pace. While not necessarily slower in speed, the sense of urgency, or in some cases panic, found elsewhere rarely exists here. On most of these worlds, value is placed on being thorough and contemplative in all actions, weighing all possibilities and seeking the best from those available. Most natives have a relaxed flow to their lives, usually due to methodical planning and preparation. Since there is often very little internal or external conflict on these worlds, major changes in their schedules or plans seldom occur.

Though most of these planets are firmly part of the Imperium, others are privately owned or cater to other clienteles. These worlds are often on the fringes of lawful sector authorities, and can exist outside the blessings of Terra. Those living here might hold much more relaxed views concerning Imperial Law, and lifetimes of dealing with the rich and powerful can hone their social skills to preternatural levels.

Though the mindset of the community determines the much of their behaviour, many garden world natives exude an almost eerie and unearthly sense of calm. They are for the most part methodical, but approach problem-solving in a more holistic way, utilising both hard analysis and intuition to complete their objectives.

They sometimes constitute some of the Imperium’s finest envoys and orators, having an innate ability to put people at ease and to connect with others. Garden worlders are open people and expressive but are equally skilled at keeping their emotions under control temporarily to achieve necessary goals. They do not relish this, however, and most make a point of finding a way soon after to process the emotional content before it finds new and unhealthy ways to manifest.

With these skill sets, garden worlders make for exceptional military analysts, healers, and diplomats throughout the Imperium. The Adeptus Administratum frequently recruits from these worlds and—though the tithes for psykers are normally low on garden worlds—the quality of the recruits from these planets ensures that very few of them escape notice from the Scholastia Psykana. The Ecclesiarchy has also found exceptionally talented scholars and priests on these planets and often maintains permanent bases there to find new clergy. Rogue Traders who frequent such worlds often take the finest to become part of their crews, where their skills in calm discussion can aid in negotiations.