Nouane is a planet of extremes. One-third of it is uninhabitable and covered by lakes of lava that spew toxic gases into the atmosphere. At the shores of these molten seas are wastelands of magma and volcanic rock. The rest of the planet's surface is dominated by glaciers and the occasional cavern. While the vast, icy landscape is not ideal for life, a few species have evolved to survive by forming symbiotic relationships with smaller, simpler organisms.

The first settlers of Nouane were fleeing a zealous theocracy which placed severe limits on what could be taught and learned. Having escaped that intellectual persecution, they quickly established libraries and learning centers to promote the free exchange of ideas. Over the centuries, the population increased, cities expanded, and those libraries grew in volume and fame.

Through the perseverance of its people, Nouane has become a minor trading and mining hub. This prosperity enables a comfortable living for the planet's citizens, who are held in high regard, throughout the galaxy, for their levels of learning. The libraries of Nouane also attract a large number of artists and scholars looking for inspiration, discourse, and knowledge.