The Grim of Orbits In some Terran mythologies, the first being buried in a graveyard was doomed to defend that hallowed ground forever - to act as a ghostly watchman for all the souls who would come after. Naturally, no-one wanted to relegate this job to a human, so instead they buried as the first creature in a new graveyard a hound - one of their best, most faithful friends. This Black Hound, this _Grim_, would steadfastly guard the graveyard in a human’s stead, keeping it safe just as it had kept their flocks and hearth safe in life.  The first being the Terrans sent up into space was a dog. Space travel was in its infancy - they had no way to bring her home. She orbited Terra four times, until overheating killed her. Even a few years later, this would never have been tolerated - it was the early days of ethics in many respects as well - but despite that, Laika lives on in the hearts of most spacers.    On many starships of Terran origin - not all of them, but a good majority - you will find a… shrine, of sorts. Often it’s just a small statuette tucked away in a corner of the bridge, an icon or an illustration - sometimes hand-drawn, and ranging from quite crude to remarkably exquisite. Occasionally it’s a very very old twodee or bit of holography.  A small dog - sometimes in a ancient space suit - helmet closed or open, skeletal or ‘living’ , sometimes just a dog, varying in appearance and breed. In this way, the Grim of Orbits flies with every spacer, it is said, and watches over them as they navigate the stars. {at the bottom of the text is a picture of a human in an ancient Soviet space suit, holding a small dog in their arms, the dog looking lovingly up at the human - the Grim of Orbits still loves her People.}

Bits for my campaign setting - pt 1/N
#laikathespacedog #thegrimoforbits #terranspace2442