As a seasoned gamer with a penchant for sci-fi narratives and a deep appreciation for the lore of the Dune universe, I find myself intrigued by the transformation of Salusa Secundus from a bright, technological marvel to a gloomy, rain-soaked wasteland. The revelation that this planet was once the hub of House Corrino and the Imperium’s emperor, Javvico Corrino, adds an exciting layer to my understanding of the Dune saga.


In Dune, Salusa Secundus was a dismal penal colony and breeding ground for the elite soldiers known as the Sardaukar. However, in Dune: Prophecy, it has undergone a dramatic transformation to become a bright, bustling center for the royal family. So, what brought about this change?

In essence, the story of Dune primarily unfolds on Arrakis, a desolate, spice-rich planet frequently coveted by powerful factions for its valuable resources. However, in Dune: Prophecy Episode 1, we’ve broadened our scope to Wallach IX, a significant location where the Sisterhood has established their headquarters.

However, one location should sound familiar to fans of Denis Villeneuve’s movies: Salusa Secundus, the homeworld of House Corrino and the Imperium’s emperor, Javvico Corrino.

This remarkable world shares some similarities with Earth, albeit far surpassing it in technological advancement. However, much like how it was portrayed in the Dune movies, its future holds a veil of perpetual darkness and unrelenting rainfall.

The shocking story of Salusa Secundus

The catastrophic nuclear event on Salusa Secundus drastically altered its climate. Now, instead of clear skies, it’s shrouded by thick, gray clouds, and the ground remains perpetually wet from endless showers.

In a time that predates even the birth of Paul Atreides by more than 10,000 years, I find myself delving into the tale of Dune: Prophecy. Salusa Secundus was once a thriving home to House Corrino before its ecology turned unforgiving and inhospitable, many years prior to the events that led to its later decay.

Fun fact: it’s one of the few places in the known universe where Shigawire (effectively a magnetic wire recorder capable of holding enormous amounts of information) can grow, and it was also a brief home of the Zensunni Wanderers, the ancestors of the Fremen.

Frank Herbert’s novel Dune doesn’t provide clear explanations about the events on Salusa Secundus. Villeneuve’s film mirrors these ambiguities, portraying the planet as a punishment colony where the universe’s most notorious criminals are exiled.

In an additional explanation found within the Imperium’s Glossary, we find a bit more information: “The third planet orbiting Gamma Waiping is known as the Imperial Prison Planet due to the transfer of the Royal Court to Kaitain. This planet, named Salusa Secundus, serves as the ancestral home of House Corrino and is one of the two main destinations during the wanderings of the Zensunni tribe. According to Fremen belief, they were enslaved on this very planet for nine consecutive generations.

Nevertheless, according to Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson’s Legends of Dune series (preceding the book Dune: Prophecy), it is believed that Salusa Secundus was destroyed by nuclear blasts in an attack attributed to House Tantor.

After the onslaught, I found myself shifting base to the Imperial Throne on Kaitain, all the while keeping Salusa Secundus as our penal colony. The ruthless environment of this place served as a forge, shaping our Sardaukar soldiers into iron-willed warriors.

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2024-11-18 15:51