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The Grasping Star

Written by Incaseofgrace

Captain, I cannot— as you keep screaming— put our engines at full speed. We already are at full speed, something is pulling us in, and we are at its mercy.
— An engineer
  The Grasping Star is a neutron star neighboring the system which contains Gaias— and humanity. The star contains an abnormally strong gravitational pull— even for a neutron star— so much so, that anything that enters within 4 light years of its body is pulled into its orbit— or directly into its surface.  

The Guardian

During the early days of humanity's inhabitance within the Heliox galaxy, their exploration attempts in the Grasping Star's direction were thwarted— leaving a veritable graveyard of ships in its orbit. Many have attempted to search for the secrets they believed must have been hidden within— only to find themselves unable to escape. So strong is its gravitational pull, that it even bends light nearer to its surface. In a sense, it can be regarded as a black hole— yet it is not quite that powerful, and still remains, visibly, a star.
Alternative Name(s)
Gravitational Guardian, The Holder
Type
Star

It Whispers

Those who sleep within the star's orbit report dreams of darkness, and strange, unintelligible whispers.   These whispers are not in any known language— not even that of the Ferajx.  
I don't know nothin' about it— just that I want to get the hell out of here.
— A frightened scrapper

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Entry for Worldbuilding Summer Camp 2020

Answering: "Decribe an important celestial body or constellation in your world."
Visit Incaseofgrace's Competition Page Check all other answers to this prompt Competition Homepage
All artwork and content copyright ©2020 - 2021 Garrett Lewis (Timepool)— unless stated otherwise. All Rights Reserved.

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    Article template
    Geographic Location
    World
    Heliox Stardust
    Category
    Landmarks in Locations
    Author
    Incaseofgrace
    Publication Date
    4 Jul, 2020
    Creation Date
    4 Jul, 2020
    Last Update Date
    14 Jul, 2020
    Visibility
    Public
    Views
    433
    Favorites
    8
    Comments
    4

    Comments

    Author's Notes

    Feedback is very much welcome! Whether on the content, or the formatting! Please, point out typos if you spot any!

    Please Login in order to comment!
    Councilor of the Inner Sanctum SableAradia
    Jul 5, 2020 01:12 by Diane Morrison

    A rather cool idea! Good work!

    Author of the Wyrd West Chronicles and the Toy Soldier Saga. Mother of Bunnies, Eater of Pickles, Friend of Nerds, First of her Name.
    Incaseofgrace
    Jul 5, 2020 01:21 by Grace Gittel Lewis

    Thank you!

    Sage Rynn19
    Jul 5, 2020 15:10 by Wendy Vlemings (Rynn19)

    I agree with Sable. What a cool idea. I enjoyed the read. :)

    Author of Ealdwyll, a fantasy world full of mystery.
    Incaseofgrace
    Jul 6, 2020 19:42 by Grace Gittel Lewis

    Thanks!

    Eternal Sage Stormbril
    Jul 6, 2020 18:07 by Stormbril

    Ooooooooo, interesting! This article did not go in the direction I expected it to. I enjoyed thinking about what a star would be like if it was massive enough for an event horizon to exist right outside its surface.   Then the twist with the gravity nullifying pinprick, and seeing a surface on the star complete with a tower? COOOOOOOOL!


    Cathedris, the world of God-husks and New Magic, welcomes you.

    You have been invited to apply to the Veiled Academy...
    Incaseofgrace
    Jul 6, 2020 19:44 by Grace Gittel Lewis

    That's the interesting thing about neutron stars— they're collapsed stars, tiny, yet extraordinarily dense!   Thanks!

    Sage Dylonishere123
    Jul 14, 2020 19:37 by R. Dylon Elder

    Again, the quotes in this world seem so... idk how to describe it, but they are brilliant. Maybe its how I'm reading them but everyone seems so self aware of their position as far as genre and theme goes. That opening quote takes me back to original star trek with Scotty or mccoy being snarky to Kirk in the face of danger lol and you do it gracefully without being cliche or too heavy handed. Excellent.     So as I was reading and the talk of black holes but being visible got introduced, I was like wait... there is something spooky going on huh? And then the it whispers sections came. Eldritch stars are the best stars! Love it.     Your second quote says, a frightened scrapped. I'm wondering if that's a world term or if you meant scrapper.     I like how you position it as both a burden and a boon. It's not something you really want but pulling an enemy fleet and rendering them useless in war is definitely a plus.   Loved this as well. The tower is a nice touch, as is the discussion on whether its a good idea or not to venture further in studying it. Well done.

    Check out my work | The Web | Expedition Demeter|The Void Between|
    Incaseofgrace
    Jul 14, 2020 21:41 by Grace Gittel Lewis

    Thanks! Hitting the tone for quotes has been interesting for me, as I don't write in this space (ha) too often— but I am fairly familiar with media that does!   Yes, typo, meant to be "scrapper" fixed now! Thanks!   Yeah I didn't imagine something like this couldn't have its upsides. Don't know if it's explicitly eldritch or not yet— still finding the ceiling so to speak for Heliox.

    Sage Dylonishere123
    Jul 14, 2020 22:03 by R. Dylon Elder

    Well whatever it ends up being, it shall be awesome.

    Check out my work | The Web | Expedition Demeter|The Void Between|
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