Twelve Colonies of Man (alternate)

This article has a separate continuity. This article is in a separate continuity, which is related to the Original Series. Be sure that your contributions to this article reflect the characters and events specific to this continuity only.

The books and comics based on the Original Series have been able to develop the Twelve Colonies where the television series were unable. Those developments, while not part of the official canon, are noted here in the separate continuity.

Books

Berkley Novelizations

In the novelizations, the Twelve Colonies and their citizens are named:

• Aeriana / Aeries
• Aquarus / Aquarian
• Caprica / Caprican
• Gemini / Gemon
• (Unknown) / Leos
• (Unknown) / Libran
• Piscera / Picon
• Sagitara / Sagitarian
• Scorpia / Scorpios
• Tauran / (Unknown)
• Virgon / Virgo

Aeriana / Aeries

Called Aeriana in the novelization, but Aeries on screen ^{(TOS: "The Long Patrol")}.

Aquarus

Unicorns were believed to have existed there. A waiter on Carillon offers Starbuck and Boomer an Aquarian dessert.

Caprica

The homeworld of Boxey, who lost his original parents during the Cylon attack. The planet supported family life and civilian populations before its destruction.

Caprica was home to significant cultural institutions, most notably the Caprican State Theater. This theater was prestigious enough to be immediately recognized by experienced theater professionals and served as a credible reference for actors claiming previous experience.

Gemon

Gemon was home to the socialator culture and traditions. Socialators on Gemon followed "strict regimens," traditional rules, and "time-honored customs," though this provided "a comfortable, and even fulfilling life" that "had not been a free one." Socialators were restricted from having children, a privilege that was "denied socialators on Gemon."

Gemon was known for its Gemonese mountain flowers, which were used in "the socialator custom of honor for a great achievement." The planet also operated the famous "Gemonese amusement stations," described as "relaxation areas in orbiting satellites" that provided entertainment for visitors.

Libran

Adama recalls that Zac was drunk on unusually potent Libran wine (Battlestar Galactica TOS pilot novelization).

Piscera

Councillor Lobe was identified as the representative from Piscera (Battlestar Galactica TOS pilot novelization).

Sagitara

More than two decades before the Battle of Cimtar, Adar runs for a minor political office on this colony, eventually leading to his career as president of the Quorum of Twelve (Battlestar Galactica TOS pilot novelization).

Sagitara is referenced in theatrical works from the colonial period, specifically in "The Curse of the Sagitaran Ruby," suggesting the world had cultural significance and was known for precious stones or gems.

Scorpia

Apollo notes that Scorpia natives have "funny feelings" (Battlestar Galactica TOS pilot novelization). President Anton hails from Scorpia. The children on Antila had ancestors from Scorpia.

Tauran

Tauran was the site of a significant battle where Commander Adama and Colonel Tigh participated in a dangerous combat mission. Adama recalls their "suicide move against that Cylon attack" that took place "back above Tauran," where they "almost flattened our own Vipers against the Cylon's lead ship," resulting in both officers receiving reprimands.

Virgon

Unicorns were believed to have existed on Virgon.

Historical Overview

Before their destruction, the twelve worlds were thriving centers of civilization. During this period, the colonies supported extensive infrastructure including intergalactic shuttles that connected the various worlds. The colonies maintained sophisticated cultural institutions and values that were reflected in their dramatic works.

The twelve worlds were destroyed through what is described as a "Cylon doublecross and subsequent ambush." This devastating attack was carried out by "massive Cylon forces" that succeeded in destroying the worlds and most of their civilization.

Following the destruction of the twelve worlds, the survivors formed the Fleet under the protection of the battlestar Galactica. The cultural heritage of the colonies continued to influence the survivors, with theater troupes performing works that recalled "old values" from the colonial period.

Comics

Dynamite Entertainment

The Twelve Colonies mentioned or depicted in the Dynamite Entertainment comics:

Aeries

An influential colony, Aeries is known for its datanet ^{(Comics: Battlestar Galactica: Starbuck #2)}.

Notables

• Aerian Administration Hub
• Aerian datanet

Caprica

Caprica is one of the most affluent worlds within the Twelve Colonies, but not without its disparities in social structure and wealth distribution. The lower class reside in an area known as "Lower Caprica" while the upper class, including high-ranking warriors like Adama, lived in more prosperous areas ^{(Comics: Battlestar Galactica: Starbuck #1)}.

Notable Locations

• Mount Colicos
• Forest of Thorns

Picon

During the later decades of the Thousand Yahren War, Picon absorbs Cygnus, a tylium-rich asteroid owned by Baltar, into its protectorate ^{(Comics: Battlestar Galactica Annual 2014)}.

Notables

• University of Picon

Sagitara / Sagittaron

Maytoria

Main article: Maytoria

The home system of the Twelve Colonies also included the Sagittaron colony planet, Maytoria, an outer colony firstly and hardest hit by the Cylons during the Battle of Cimtar ^{(Comics: Classic Battlestar Galactica Vol. 1 #1)}.

Scorpia / Scorpion

Scorpia (also known as Scorpion also has its own agricultural component, which Osiris has Cylons target for destruction; one such raid kills Starbuck's foster parents ^{(Comics: Battlestar Galactica: Starbuck #2)}.

Countess Sephoni hails from this colony and is a well-known psionic across the Colonial diaspora. At the time of the exodus, she travels with her royal court comprised of women, although it unknown what political capital she possess ^{(Comics: Battlestar Galactica: Death of Apollo #2)}.

Marvel Comics

The following colonies are mentioned in the comics:

• Aeriana, home to the Aeries {marvel}* Caprica, the home colony of Commander Adama {marvel}* Gemini, home to the Gemons {marvel}** The language of the Gemini is named Gemonesse, and also serves as an alternate name for those hailing from Gemini ^{(Comics: Exodus!)}.
• Sagitaria, home to the Sagitarons {marvel}* Tauron, home to the Taurons {marvel}

Realm Press

This article has a separate continuity. This article is in the Realm Press separate continuity, which is related to the Original Series. Be sure that your contributions to this article reflect the characters and events specific to this continuity only.

The Twelve Colonies of Man, also known as The Colonies, are the twelve worlds that served as the home of the human race for seven millennia ^{(Comics: Eve of Destruction)}.

The Colonies were settled by the descendants of Kobol, the original human homeworld. Over thousands of yahrens, they grew into a prosperous and advanced civilization ^{(Comics: Eve of Destruction)}. The entire civilization is destroyed in a massive, coordinated sneak attack by the Cylon Empire, an event that leads a rag-tag, fugitive fleet on a lonely quest ^{(Comics: 1999 Tourbook)}.

The few survivors escape aboard a rag-tag fleet of 220 ships, protected by the last surviving battlestar, Galactica. The governing body of this fugitive fleet is the Council of the Twelve, presumably with one member representing each of the fallen colonies ^{(Comics: No Place Like Home)}.

Mentioned Colonies

• Caprica: Homeworld of Adama and his family ^{(Comics: Eve of Destruction)}. Caprica is a prosperous and advanced world, one of the shining jewels of the Twelve Colonies. It is destroyed along with the other colonies in the Cylon sneak attack that serves as the catalyst for the human race's flight across the stars. The loss of Caprica is a source of deep sorrow for the survivors, particularly Commander Adama, who lost his wife, Ila, in the attack ^{(Comics: Search for Sanctuary, Part 1)}.