Shinar-Karana (OU)

"Wars require propaganda, and what better than an engineering marvel that would also function as a base of operations?"

- Figlio di Armechio, The Mazkertis Paradox Chapter 6: Maskirovka

Shinar-Karana, or Karana as it is commonly known in the present day, is an deserted, would-be ecumenopolis planet. It was once the site of a massive Rider construction project that was an effort to build a planet sized city that could also serve as a base of operations. However, it was abandoned before construction could ever be completed.

Through the Eons
At some point between 20,520-20,580 CMT, the Second Dachori Empire decided to build an engineering marvel that would pay tribute to their gods, and promote the magnificence of their people: a city spanning an entire planet. They selected a recently conquered planet to be the site for the ecumenopolis, and decided that the city would be named "Shinar-Karana". However, at some point during the Second Rider-Vrai War, the empire's leadership decided to discontinue the project to focus on their interminable fighting. Over time, much of the city decayed, falling prey to the forces of time and nature.

Thousands of years later, the city's ruins were discovered by interstellar archaeologists. However, the deteriorating condition of the buildings eventually forced many scholars to abandon their studies of ancient Rider life. The planet was subsequently used as a haven for criminals and terrorists, including HYDRA. In fact, it was here that Figlio di Armechio hid the Keruvim in a skyscraper on this planet.

The Mazkertis Paradox
After the Battle of Saskana, Figlio di Armechio guided a group that consisted of Coro, TPK, TPK's assassins, Eos, Hassan-i-Sabbah, and various Knights of the Keruvim to supposedly obtain the Keruvim. However, the various factions betrayed one another, and a three-way battle for the artefact ensued. The vicious fighting saw the deaths of TPK, Hassan, Straxus, and IG-88, with nearly everyone else sustaining heavy injuries.

Trivia

 * The name "Shinar-Karana" is a combination of Shinar, the location of the Biblical Tower of Babel, and Karana, one of the runners-up in the "Name the Riders" contest on BZPB. The city itself is somewhat of an allusion to the Tower: both were built in arrogance and attempts at grandeur by civilizations that would eventually be scattered.
 * When Spotter compared Shinar-Karana to Krustallos, Figlio pointed out that the ecumenopolis was already ancient when the crystal planet was being colonized.
 * Figlio briefly alluded to the possibility of Rider settlements still existing somewhere in the ruins. However, he mentioned that he does not now if they are still around after so much time.