Char

Char is a planet. It orbits a binary star system consisting of a yellow star and a blue star and is very tectonically active.

Char is one of the richest resource nodes in the sector, as the tectonic activity continually uncovers deposits of minerals and geysers of Vespene. The temperatures on the planet Char can become so intense that large portions of the planet's surface become completely liquefied. During certain times, when the planet is furthest from the twin suns of the system, small islands form on top of these seas of magma. These bits of land are, not surprisingly, replete with minerals and greatly prized as sources of incredible wealth.

When mineral deposits are melted, they can be seen protruding from the obsidian landscape, serving as both landmarks and rich mining fields. While harsh and hot, life does exist on this world, including plant life and the ragnasaur. Terrans can breathe the air without help.

History
Char was selected as a base by the Zerg after they captured Sarah Kerrigan on Tarsonis, as it made a convenient hiding place, with many caverns and a harsh environment. However, Kerrigan emitted psionic energy, calling Jim Raynor and Arcturus Mengsk. This also gathered the attention of the Protoss &mdash; specifically Tassadar and Zeratul. Zeratul detected the Khalis crystal on the surface of the planet.

Raynor's Raiders under Jim Raynor and the Terran Dominion Alpha Squadron under Edmund Duke both tried unsuccessfully save Kerrigan. Both were forced to flee, but Duke remained nearby, stubbornly trying to claim Char as a Terran Dominion border colony, probably due to its rich resources.

Tassadar and Zeratul met and decided to ally against the Zerg. Meanwhile, Kerrigan had regained the use of her powers and was able to find the Protoss. She challenged Tassadar to a duel. Zasz noted something odd about Tassadar (probably his use of Dark Templar psionics) and cautioned Kerrigan, but she tried to fight him anyway. However, Tassadar had created an illusion of himself to lure her away from Zeratul, who was testing out his Dark Templar powers to see if they could kill Zerg Cerebrates. The Garm Brood went insane without its leader and the Zerg were forced to destroy them. This was the first time the Zerg Defiler was tested.

In revenge, the Zerg hunted down the Protoss, killing most of them and capturing Zeratul. Tassadar was forced to hide out on a platform over Char. The Zerg Overmind travelled to Aiur, leaving Kerrigan in charge of the few Zerg left on Char. The Protoss, along with Jim Raynor, eventually returned for the arrest of Tassadar, but Tassadar convinced them to free Zeratul instead. After freeing Zeratul, the Protoss left the planet, but fate would bring them back.

With the death of the Zerg Overmind on Aiur, Daggoth ordered several Cerebrates to fuse, forming a new Zerg Overmind. The Protoss would return to retrieve the Khalis crystal, while the United Earth Directorate would attack the planet in order to take the second Overmind prisoner.

Infested Kerrigan travelled to the planet in order to destroy the second Overmind, accompanied by a force of Dark Templar. Kerrigan had captured their Matriarch, Raszagal, and so Zeratul and the Dark Templar had little choice but to work with her. They destroyed the second Overmind for her, but Kerrigan refused to allow Raszagal to return to her tribes.

The Dark Templar spirited her away, but Kerrigan hunted her down, defeating the remnants of the United Earth Directorate fleet in the process. In order to find Raszagal, Kerrigan had recalled almost all of the Zerg from the orbital platform over Char to the surface. The Protoss were defeated, and Zeratul was forced to slay his own Matriarch.

Shortly thereafter, fleets from the United Earth Directorate, Terran Dominion and Shakuras, led by Artanis, arrived, all seeking revenge now that Kerrigan was in a weak position. Kerrigan defeated the three forces in a titanic battle and solidified her position.