Gadrin and Hedrett

The twin cities of Gadrin and Hedrett were the only major non-Tarasin settlements on the surface of Cularin. The other non-native cities were built on platforms which towered over the jungle.

Reidi Artom helped found the Gadrin, the first of the two towns, on the banks of the Estauril river, near the location of the Hiironi irstat. After Hedrett was founded on the opposite side of the river, she built a great bridge to connect them. Though the other people of the Cularin system tended to see Gadrin and Hedrett as one city, the two towns had their own distinctive flavors, architecturally and politically.

Gadrin had the more rambling layout of the two. Most Gadrin buildings were made out of native woods, though there were some prefabs brought in as well. Gadrin didn't have a spaceport, its original one having been coopted by Hedrett. Plans had been made for a new one, but not carried through, as the Hedrett spaceport was close enough to make another one unnecessary. Gadrin maintained close ties with the platform city of Lisken.

Gadrin was led by a governor, who was supposed to be elected every four years. In actuality, votes for governor often passed with most citizens not even realizing it. The people of Gadrin had a general apathy when it came to government and politics. The governor of Gadrin in 32 BBY was Barnab Chistor. He enjoyed galatic culture, and imported as much as he could to Gadrin, such as holotheaters, concerts, and opera, though most citizens of Gadrin didn't attend those events.

Hedrett stayed more to a grid pattern in its town layout. Its buildings were mostly prefabs and other buildings made of off-world materials. Hedrett was ruled by a town council, and its citizens were very involved in the political process. They enjoyed elections and spoke with their representatives. The Senior Counselor of Hedrett in 32 BBY was Westa Impeveri. His election was a surprise, and he was accused of rigging the election, but found to be innocent.

One of the more notable locations in the twin city was a museum built for Reidi Artom in Gadrin. The museum had holovids, personal effects, and logbooks of the explorer, along with other displays. A twenty meter tall statue of Artom stood in front of the museum.

The building of the platform cities after the end of the Tarasin Revolt reduced the importance of Gadrin and Hedrett, and their populations declined. Each town had about 20,000 residents in 32 BBY. Despite this, the twin city was sometimes viewed as the unofficial capital of Cularin.