Serpentis

Serpentis is the home world of the diverse shyr and sefora. Life on this planet is oxi-based, a trait its neighbors Soros and Beross share. Positioned between Asira and Ethiea (relatively), it is a major trading hub and travel checkpoint. Serpentis is also a much beloved tourist destination. Many come to enjoy the rich history, culture, and beautiful landscapes. Oringul, the planet's spaceport, harbors the most racially diverse population of any city across the Intergalactic Alliance.  

Overview

  Serpentis is a land of extremes. It is split into two hemispheres—perpetual darkness and near endlessly sun-kissed—with soaring mountains sandwiched between. A comparatively less massive planet, its gravity is a bit lower than its neighbors and worlds such as Asira and Ethiea. Consequently, the planet hosts many giants, such as the towering "mother trees" and tall-necked beasts that browse the forest canopies.   This world orbits an F-class binary system known locally as the "eternal pair." The copious amounts of blue and ultraviolet light emitted from these stars paint the plants predominantly hues of blue and purple. The sky is a pale, milky blue. The planet isn't all blue, however. Plants of the substellar faces' colder climate rings darken and are black altogether along the fringes of the high mountain ridge. The desert and substellar point are rich in orange and red clay, while the antistellar face is alight with lava flows and volcanic springs.  

Geophysics at a Glance

  Being tidally locked, the planet sports distinct climate rings. These are most prominent on the substellar face. Curiously, the abundance of life and diversity is owed to the planet's largest moon, Ciloenth. Annually, it eclipse the stars, plunging Serpentis into darkness and blackening the plants. Cooling shade. The tidal forces from its parents stars influence Serpentis' geophysics, and by extension biology, etc. While it lacks tectonic plates, sufficient heat and pressure nurture the development of ever growing mountains fed by volcanic activity. Geothermal hot spots are the bringers of life ont he antistellar face. Rock weathering maintains the atmosphere, high pressure winds from the hot substellar face flow toward the antistellar face which acts as a heat sink.   Two of Serpentis' most attractive features, drawing tourists from far and wide, are the glowing seas and floating islands. These both are a direct result of oxi. Otherwise known as "Serpentian salt." Oxi originates from the depths of the subterranean ocean which feeds nearly all water sources on the planet. Because oxi glows, waters containing high amounts of the dissolved mineral inherit such luminance.   The two forms of oxi, beroxi and soroxi, are of comparative abundance on Serpentis. They repel one another, thus creating the dramatic floating islands and mountains. Furthermore, oxi's influence has caused the planet's crust, simply put, to delaminate, creating various levels of ecosystems with water or air filled space in between. A "flaky" crust as it were.  

Hazardous

  Serpentis earns its Level 3 Hazardous World ranking from its high UV exposure, particularly dangerous wildlife, and winter plagues of monstrous beasts defended against by the Demon Guard and UV Barriers. The people are extremely hardy and ensure their cities maintain an excellent level of comfort and safety for all who visit or call Serpentis their home.  

Society

  Hazards aside, quality of life on Serpentis is quite good. Inhabitants enjoy seasonal festivities, vibrant food culture, mindful social norms, and an affordable cost of living, among other things. All citizens pay into a pool which funds social services including but not limited to healthcare, basic income to cover housing and food costs, urban development, infrastructure maintenance (UV barriers, power grids, public transport, THRU rings, spaceport, etc), education, environmental protection, and research. Visitors and long term residents also enjoy certain benefits.   The planet is divided into large territories referred to as municipalities which contain one major city and span across multiple smaller urban communities and settlements. Lacking a true government in their anarcho-syndaclistic state, each municipality regularly elects delegates whom oversee the development of local ordinances. Additional delegates from each municipality also serve in the Serpentian Council to oversee intergalactic relations and global affairs. Serpentian Council members Dyrun Sheruui and Sef'tuu Sheruui also serve as Serpentis' Peacekeepers, representatives in the The Intergalactic Council of Peacekeepers.   Furthermore, a multitude of federal agencies, such as the Serpentian Environmental Protection Bureau (SEPB) and Demon Guard, serve to regulate industry, protect the people, and partake in scientific research all to the benefit of the planet and its allies.       Stay tuned for more in-depth articles