Palloma, a moon-sized planetoid in the Felo System, orbits perpetually in the shadow of the gas giant Luar. Its earliest known history is marked by the existence of a monumental pre-Sundering logic engine, the Sleeper Artifact, buried deep within its crust near the future site of The Hollow. The purpose of its construction and the civilization responsible remain largely unknown, though it is believed by the inhabitants to be crucial for atmospheric stability.

In 3200 CE, Palloma's fate was irrevocably altered by the cataclysm known as the Sundering. The catastrophic destruction of the Aegis Prime orbital drydock unleashed a torrent of hyper-velocity debris, which rained down upon Palloma's surface. This devastating bombardment scalped the planetoid, creating the jagged, cratered wasteland observed today.

The survivors of this catastrophe, primarily support staff and engineers from surface facilities, became the Founding Families of Palloma's hidden society. Witnessing the Empire's collapse firsthand and enduring the relentless orbital radiation and bombardment, they sought refuge within the natural lava tubes and honeycombed caverns beneath the scorched surface. Here, they established their sanctuary, which they named The Hollow.

Over the next millennium, the community of 85 souls adapted to their subterranean existence. Severe climatic shifts, driven by Luar's powerful gravitational pull and the perpetual lack of direct sunlight, necessitated radical survival strategies. The inhabitants perfected the cultivation of bioluminescent fungi and intricate subterranean hydroponics, transforming their dark caves into vibrant, glowing ecosystems.

Palloma's unique culture was forged in this crucible of darkness and isolation. A deep-seated paranoia developed, viewing the open sky not as a source of light, but of death, both from falling debris and potential hostile starships. Their isolationism was not primitive but a calculated defense, born of their awareness of the Red Sun Dominion's expansionist policies and the Trade Constellation's insatiable greed.

In recent times, the Red Sun Dominion has intensified its interest in the Felo System. Pallomans have violently repelled diplomatic envoys, fearing that the Dominion intends to enslave them, mirroring the fate of populations in the Don System. During this period of heightened external threat, Lira Stardew Falen, a native daughter, departed Palloma to fight injustice in the wider sector.

Her community regards Lira's departure with a complex mix of pride for her bravery and fear that her actions might inadvertently draw the Red Sun's "Burning Eye" to their hidden sanctuary. Palloma's current status is one of resolute Defensive Isolation, a testament to their long history of survival and their unwavering commitment to their unique way of life beneath the surface.