Drotonerth

Drotonerth, Thilt VIII, or Quenka to the Yictan, is a temperate world of forests and swamps within the Thilt System of the Orion Arm of the Milkyway Galaxy. Mats of algae covering large portions of the planet's surface. The atmosphere is typically foggy, and carries a greenish hue. Drotonerth, aside from the numerous sauruanian cities that dot the planet's surface, possesses dozens of long-forgotten Yictan ruins from millions of years ago.   The name 'drotonerth' is derived from the sauruanian words 'droto' meaning 'thick forest' and 'nerth' which loosely translates to 'moist land'. So the name translates to 'moist land of the forest'. This evocative name encapsulates the essence of the planet, where dense, towering trees stretch toward the perpetually overcast sky, their roots often submerged in the marshy undergrowth. A sense of mystery surrounds Drotonerth, its ecosystems teeming with life but also filled with strange and ancient secrets buried beneath the swamp's murky surface. Drotonerth is home to a rich and diverse biosphere. Various species of flora and fauna have adapted to its unique environment. The towering trees are often blanketed with a thick carpet of moss and lichen, which serves as both shelter and sustenance for countless species of smaller organisms. The ever-present fog creates a sense of isolation, with visibility often reduced to mere meters. Despite this, the dense woods hum with the sounds of creatures, some of which have evolved in isolation.

Drotonerth’s terrain is a complex interplay of thick forests, vast wetlands, and rugged highlands, shaped over millions of years by persistent rainfall, erosion, and tectonic forces. The majority of the planet’s landmasses are covered in dense, towering forests that stretch endlessly across the equatorial and temperate zones. These forests are dominated by immense, ancient trees with expansive root systems that twist and coil above the ground, creating a labyrinth of elevated pathways above the constantly damp soil. Many areas of the forest floor remain submerged in water year-round, forming sprawling swamps and marshes where twisted vegetation competes for sunlight above the ever-present mist. Scattered throughout the forests are massive rivers that wind through the landscape like veins, feeding into deep lakes and sprawling inland seas. These rivers are slow-moving and heavy with sediment, their banks lined with thick mats of algae that extend far beyond the water’s edge. Seasonal flooding is a natural part of the ecosystem, reshaping riverbanks and expanding the reach of wetlands, while fallen trees and organic debris create natural dams and redirect the water’s course over time.   Higher elevations consist of ancient, weathered plateaus and rolling highlands that rise above the mist-choked lowlands. These regions receive slightly less rainfall than the swamps below, though their soil remains rich and damp due to constant condensation from the thick atmosphere. Some plateaus feature deep ravines and cave systems formed by underground rivers, many of which have yet to be fully explored. In some areas, exposed cliffsides reveal layers of ancient rock formations, some embedded with fossilized remains of long-extinct creatures that hint at Drotonerth’s deep evolutionary history. Drotonerth’s coastal regions, where forests meet the sea, feature tangled mangrove-like biomes that transition into rocky shores and rolling waves. The seas of Drotonerth are vast and nutrient-rich, their surfaces often covered in a thin layer of bioluminescent algae that shimmer under the thick cloud cover. The ocean depths are home to their own unique ecosystems, where towering kelp-like plants rise from the seafloor, forming dense underwater forests. These marine environments are fed by the runoff from the massive river systems, creating a dynamic interface between land and sea that supports a complex web of life.   Scattered throughout the planet are remnants of the ancient Yictan civilization—crumbling structures hidden beneath thick vegetation, submerged ruins in the depths of murky lakes, and weathered stone pathways leading to nowhere. Some of these sites remain relatively intact, though most have been reclaimed by the wilderness, their original purpose lost to time. The more remote regions of Drotonerth remain largely unexplored, their landscapes obscured by fog and shifting waterways, harboring secrets that have yet to be uncovered.

Drotonerth’s climate is predominantly warm and humid, with an atmosphere that remains thick with moisture throughout the year. The perpetual overcast sky, laden with dense cloud cover, diffuses sunlight, giving the landscape a muted, greenish tint. The high levels of water vapor in the air contribute to frequent rainfall, often in the form of extended drizzles rather than sudden downpours. However, in some regions, particularly those closer to the equator, massive storm systems develop, lingering for weeks and releasing torrential rains that flood low-lying areas. These monsoon-like events are common during periods of planetary alignment, when slight variations in gravitational forces increase atmospheric instability. Fog is a near-constant presence, rolling in thick waves across the landscape, especially in the early mornings and late evenings. In the densest swamplands and forested valleys, visibility can drop to mere meters, creating an eerie and isolating atmosphere. This persistent mist, combined with the diffused sunlight, results in a climate where the concept of direct sunlight is almost foreign—shadows are soft, and brightness varies only slightly between day and night.   Seasonal changes on Drotonerth are minimal due to its relatively low axial tilt and dense atmosphere, which moderates temperature variations. While some regions experience slightly cooler periods, the difference is marginal, with daytime temperatures averaging around 29.6°C (85.3°F) and nighttime temperatures rarely dipping below 23°C (73.4°F). The thermal inertia of the vast wetlands and large bodies of standing water helps maintain a stable climate, preventing extreme temperature fluctuations. Humidity levels remain consistently high, often exceeding 90% in many regions, making the air feel thick and heavy. This leads to rapid condensation on surfaces, causing metallic structures to corrode quickly if not properly treated. Wooden and plant-based materials fare much better, which is why native and Sauruanian architecture relies heavily on organic components that naturally resist moisture damage.   Lightning storms, though rare, can be intense. The interaction of Drotonerth’s charged atmosphere with its high moisture content creates powerful electrical displays, with immense bolts striking the same regions repeatedly. Some deep-forest species have even adapted to the electrical surges, using bioelectric pulses as a defense mechanism or a means of communication. Despite its warmth, Drotonerth does not experience extreme heat due to the thick cloud cover and atmospheric scattering, which reflect a significant portion of incoming solar radiation. However, the planet’s greenhouse-like atmosphere traps heat efficiently, maintaining a stable and slightly warmer global temperature compared to similar worlds. This combination of conditions creates an environment where biological productivity is high, but survival depends on adaptation to moisture saturation and limited direct sunlight.

Drotonerth is teeming with life, much of it uniquely adapted to the planet’s humid, fog-laden environment. The ecosystem is dominated by towering, ancient trees with thick, gnarled roots that interweave to form natural bridges over the planet’s swamps and marshes. These trees, known as Thryllith Vinespires, have developed extensive aerial root systems, allowing them to absorb moisture and nutrients directly from the air. Their bark is covered in symbiotic fungi, which emit a faint bioluminescent glow at night, creating an otherworldly forest canopy beneath the perpetual mist.   Lower down, dense undergrowth consisting of massive ferns, creeping vines, and carnivorous plants thrives in the swampy conditions. Some plants have evolved to extract nutrients directly from the air, while others, such as the Veiltrap Bloom, use sticky, luminescent tendrils to ensnare and dissolve insects and small amphibians. In areas of stagnant water, floating mats of algae dominate, forming thick, carpet-like structures that serve as makeshift landmasses for various organisms. Some of these algae mats, like the Viridic Drift, are home to entire micro-ecosystems, including burrowing insects, small crustaceans, and amphibian-like creatures that use them as mobile habitats. The fauna of Drotonerth is equally diverse. Amphibious and semi-aquatic species are particularly abundant, including reptilian predators like the Glydrath, a sleek, six-limbed hunter that moves effortlessly between water and land. The Murkstalker, a massive, quadrupedal herbivore with elongated toes adapted for walking on the swamp’s unstable surface, feeds primarily on submerged plant matter. Despite its peaceful nature, the Murkstalker has few natural predators due to its thick, armor-like hide and the toxic algae that grow in symbiosis on its back.   Many airborne species have evolved unique adaptations to navigate the dense fog. The Kyrnth Glider, a bat-like avian with translucent wings, uses echolocation to detect obstacles and prey, emitting pulses of sound that resonate through the mist. Another remarkable creature, the Skulkrill, resembles a floating jellyfish but is actually a highly intelligent cephalopod-like being that uses gas-filled sacs to hover just above the water’s surface, extending tendrils to snatch small creatures from the algae mats. Beneath the water’s surface, the biodiversity becomes even more alien. Bioluminescent fish and eel-like creatures weave through submerged roots, while massive, serpentine predators like the Dreadcoil lurk in the depths, using electroreceptors to detect movement. The Sableclaw, a crustacean-like ambush predator with chitinous armor and powerful claws, burrows beneath the muddy swamp bed, waiting for unsuspecting prey to wander too close. Even Drotonerth’s microbial life plays a critical role in its biosphere. Many species of algae and bacteria in the swamps contribute to the greenish hue of the atmosphere by releasing fine particles into the air, which scatter light and give the planet its distinct foggy, emerald glow. Some of these microorganisms are bioluminescent, causing the marshes to shimmer with ghostly light at night. Others are responsible for the planet’s unique, slightly sulfuric scent, a byproduct of decaying organic matter and the natural metabolic processes of Drotonerth’s vast, interwoven ecosystem.

Drotonerth has three moons, each small yet significant in shaping the planet’s tidal rhythms and atmospheric behavior. The largest of the three, Xhontis, is an irregularly shaped moon with a diameter of approximately 1,730 kilometers. Its surface is a patchwork of craters and deep fissures, hinting at a violent past filled with impacts and tectonic shifts. Xhontis orbits Drotonerth at a distance of 286,000 kilometers, completing a full revolution every 8.6 days. Its gravitational influence contributes to the moderate tides that affect Drotonerth’s swampy lowlands, periodically causing water levels to rise and retreat, creating seasonal shifts in wetland ecosystems. Some of these tidal surges allow aquatic organisms to migrate further inland before the waters recede, stranding some species in isolated pools where they have adapted to survive in the stagnant, oxygen-poor environment. The moon itself is geologically inactive, with a surface dominated by silicate rock and large deposits of frozen carbon dioxide in its deeper craters, remnants of an ancient, once-thicker atmosphere that has long since dissipated into space.   The second moon, Ormys, is significantly smaller, measuring only 1,250 kilometers in diameter, and maintains an orbit of 191,000 kilometers around Drotonerth. It is a relatively dark body, composed of carbonaceous material that gives it a deep, charcoal-gray coloration, making it one of the least reflective objects in the Thilt System. Ormys’ low albedo means that it is difficult to spot against the blackness of space, even when it passes through Drotonerth’s shadow. Despite its diminutive size, Ormys’ orbit is notably elliptical, sometimes bringing it within 160,000 kilometers of the planet’s surface, where it temporarily exerts a mild but noticeable effect on atmospheric wind currents. This periodic shift in gravitational influence has been linked to slight variations in Drotonerth’s fog density, particularly in equatorial regions, where the gravitational pull of the moon appears to redistribute airborne moisture. Ormys is also notable for the presence of a large, deep basin on its leading hemisphere, an impact site known as the Ardonis Crater, stretching nearly 400 kilometers across. The crater’s central uplift region is riddled with fractured terrain, suggesting that Ormys may once have been part of a larger celestial body that fragmented long ago.   The smallest of Drotonerth’s moons is Vecran, a rocky, irregular object with a diameter of only 920 kilometers. Orbiting at a distance of 143,000 kilometers, it completes a full orbit in just under 3.4 days, making it the fastest-moving of Drotonerth’s three natural satellites. Vecran’s highly cratered surface and jagged terrain indicate that it has suffered numerous high-velocity impacts over its existence, with some scientists speculating that it may have been captured by Drotonerth’s gravity rather than forming in place. Unlike Xhontis and Ormys, Vecran has an unusually high reflectivity, likely due to the presence of silicate-rich deposits mixed with frozen volatiles that have been exposed over millennia. This results in Vecran sometimes appearing brighter in Drotonerth’s night sky than its larger counterparts, despite its smaller size. Unlike the other two moons, Vecran does not significantly impact Drotonerth’s tides, though its orbit does cause subtle variations in the planet’s magnetosphere, possibly influencing certain microbial life forms that rely on geomagnetic signals for navigation. Vecran’s proximity to Drotonerth and rapid orbit make it a particularly striking feature in the sky, appearing to move visibly across the heavens over the course of a single night.