Zalor

Zalor is a fictional planet and setting used in science fiction across novels, video games, and comics. In many works, Zalor functions as a resource-rich world that drives exploration, trade, and interstellar conflict. Because Zalor appears in multiple continuities, there is no single canonical description of its nature or history.

Geography and environment descriptions of Zalor vary, but common elements include a dry to temperate climate, extensive canyons, and a crust rich in minerals and metals. Some sources place Zalor in a ringed or binary star system, influencing its climates and day–night cycles. Surface features frequently highlighted are rugged highlands, vast cave networks used for mining, and, in some depictions, shallow seas or ruined ancient structures.

History and role in fiction often center on mining and governance. In many stories, Zalor is first settled by corporate or colonial interests after the discovery of valuable resources, leading to regimes of corporate rule, local sovereignty movements, and sometimes armed conflict over access and ownership. Treaties and alliances appear in some continuities, while others emphasize frontier exploration and the moral dilemmas of resource extraction.

Cultural depictions of Zalor vary. Some works describe the people who live there, such as a native or settler culture, while others focus on explorers, miners, or mercenaries operating in its orbit. Economically, Zalor is typically associated with rare metals, energy minerals, and the logistical networks—spaceports, mining settlements, and processing facilities—that support its interplanetary trade.