Salusa Secundus
the Corrino prison planet
Salusa Secundus was the harsh homeworld of House Corrino during its early history and, after the court moved to Kaitain, the empire's prison planet. Its brutal environment was widely believed to be the secret breeding ground of the Sardaukar.
Salusa Secundus was the third planet of the Gamma Waiping star system and the designated homeworld of House Corrino during its early history. After the royal court migrated to the paradise world of Kaitain, it became the empire's prison planet, and its brutal conditions were widely suspected of being the true source of the empire's elite Sardaukar troops. It was a harsh world of wild beasts, extreme temperatures, and difficult terrain, and one of only two planets in the universe where shigawire would grow.
Environment and the Sardaukar#
Salusa Secundus was a harsh world, full of wild beasts, extreme temperatures, and difficult terrain, and it was one of only two planets known to grow shigawire. Its severity gave rise to the empire's most persistent military secret. Because the Corrinos used the planet as a prison, many across the Imperium suspected that its harshness was responsible for breeding the Sardaukar, the fierce and hardened soldiers who upheld Corrino power. This theory was held most strongly by the generals of House Atreides, who argued that so brutal an environment would forge a fierce people. Their belief was strengthened by their later discovery of the resilience and fighting skill of the Fremen on Arrakis. Before the time of Muad'Dib, however, very little was truly known of the planet's climate, and the origins and numbers of the Sardaukar remained matters of speculation.
In Fremen tradition the world was remembered as a temporary home of the Wandering Zensunni, a planet on which nine generations of the Fremen ancestors were said to have lived as slaves, though the truth of that belief remained debatable.
Under Shaddam IV#
In 10,193 AG, Paul Atreides wrested the Imperial throne from House Corrino. Before taking power he promised Shaddam IV that the deposed Emperor would keep a throne on Salusa Secundus and that the planet would be transformed into a pleasant and beautiful world. Outwardly this was a gesture of respect, but in truth it was meant to deprive Shaddam of the training grounds for his Sardaukar.
Shaddam then went into retirement, ruling over Salusa Secundus with the majority of his household in attendance. From his deposed home he witnessed the birth of his grandchild, Farad'n Corrino, sired by Dalak Fenring of Wensicia Corrino, and from there he continually tried to encourage Count Hasimir Fenring to rejoin him so that together they might wrest the Imperium back for House Corrino. The world continued to be home to imperial citizens for thousands of years afterward, with families of imperial descent still recorded living there in the age of the Fish Speakers.
Frequently asked questions
- What was Salusa Secundus in Dune?
- Salusa Secundus was the third planet of the Gamma Waiping star system and the designated homeworld of House Corrino during its early history. After the royal court migrated to the paradise world of Kaitain, it became the empire's prison planet.
- Why was Salusa Secundus believed to breed the Sardaukar?
- Because the Corrinos used the planet as a prison, many across the Imperium suspected that its harsh world of wild beasts, extreme temperatures, and difficult terrain was responsible for forging the Sardaukar. This theory was held most strongly by the generals of House Atreides, whose belief was strengthened by their later discovery of the fighting skill of the Fremen on Arrakis.
- What happened to Salusa Secundus after Paul Atreides took the throne?
- When Paul Atreides wrested the Imperial throne from House Corrino in 10,193 AG, he promised the deposed Shaddam IV a throne on Salusa Secundus and the planet's transformation into a pleasant and beautiful world. Outwardly a gesture of respect, this was meant to deprive Shaddam of his Sardaukar training grounds.
- What did Shaddam IV do in his retirement on Salusa Secundus?
- Shaddam ruled over Salusa Secundus with the majority of his household in attendance, and from there he witnessed the birth of his grandchild Farad'n Corrino. He continually tried to encourage Count Hasimir Fenring to rejoin him so that together they might wrest the Imperium back for House Corrino.
- What was special about Salusa Secundus's resources?
- Salusa Secundus was one of only two planets in the universe where shigawire would grow. The world remained home to imperial citizens for thousands of years afterward, with families of imperial descent still recorded living there in the age of the Fish Speakers.
Gallery
Images via Dune Wiki
Sources
- WikiSalusa Secundus — Dune Wiki entry
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