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World Building
Valia - The Aquatic Planet
Introduction
The design objective behind this world was to create an aquatic planet whose features and systems were scientifically accurate, while still conjuring a world that is unique and alien, so that my players wouldn’t lose that sense of exploratory wonder. In order to achieve and confirm this scientific accuracy, this solar system was run in a Universe Simulation.
The atmosphere’s composition must also be compatible with human life since this planet would be quite visually stunning and it is crucial that our players are able to walk upon it without a spacesuit to make it a more thrilling experience.
Planet Overview
Solar System and Satellites
Location: Olvara Solar System - One of 13 planets
Distance from Sun : 664,637 km - 3rd closest planet within the system.
Orbital Period : 2.15 Earth Months
Valia’s Rotation time relative to Sun : 27.12 hours
Satellites - 3 Moons :
Gamadon - The Largest and most distant Moon : 2549km radius
Mana - The closest Moon : 2103km radius
Lusin - The smallest Moon - 489km radius
Planet Characteristics
Aquatic Planet - 85% of the surface is covered in water.
Radius : 5502km - 3rd smallest planet within the system.
Inclination : 111°
Mass : 1.7916 × 10^24 kg
Density : 2.21g/cm^3
Gravity : 3.58m/s^2 - Almost a 1⁄3 of Earth’s gravity. Due to its small size, and low coredensity.
Planet Atmosphere
The atmospheric gases would be similar to those of Earth, they’d just be in different percentages. The Oxygen levels would be higher, Nitrogen lower and there would be a significant amount of Methane. I’d recommend the numbers below:
39% Oxygen
55% Nitrogen
4% Methane
1.2% Argon
0.8% other gases (including 0.12% Carbon Dioxide)
Since the planet’s gravity is low compared to that of Earth, I’ve increased the ratio of Oxygen to Nitrogen to try and retain an atmospheric pressure that would be similar to Earth’s. If the atmospheric pressure is too low humans wouldn’t be able to live upon this planet without a spacesuit.
Since Methane absorbs light in the visible and near-infrared spectrum, its relatively high percentage within the atmosphere (together with the ocean) gives this planet a blue colour.
Similarly the increased levels of oxygen lead to higher amounts of Ozone production within the Stratosphere which has a pale blue colour.
Average Temperature : 16°C - Compatible with human life
The Landscape and Environment
85% of the planet’s surface is covered by salt water.
● Deep trenches reach into the Ocean bed, some of which are over 70,000 feet deep.
● The waves can often reach tremendous sizes, due to the planet’s low gravity and the mass of its Moons. They are particularly dangerous,when the orbit of Valia’s moons coincide with each other, producing an additive gravitational pull upon the planet’s waters.
15% of the planet’s surface is covered by land.
● There are hundreds of volcanoes scattered across the planet, including super volcanoes, that tower above the ocean’s surface. These volcanoes are responsible for the vast majority of the planet’s landmass, since their eruptions form fresh fertile sediments.
● Due to its volcanic origins, the planet’s soil is highly fertile and rich in nutrients.
● These volcanoes can be used as a temperature control for the planet, which provides us with a degree of freedom in deciding where to place this planet within the solar system, in regards to its distance from the sun.
● The planet’s high level of oxygen means that any explosions and fires would be far more devastating, and this in turn results in particularly chaotic volcanic eruptions.
● Similarly, due to the planet’s low gravity, the volcanic rock and debris fall at a much slower rate during eruptions, resulting in a spectacular and surreal sight.
● Since Valia is an aquatic planet, its volcanoes also play a crucial part in unearthing rare resources, elements and minerals that are highly coveted by the intelligent species of the planet.
Flora and Fauna
Bioluminescent Life: This planet was envisioned to be filled with bioluminescent life, in order to produce a stunning contrast with the red volcanic lava. To make this believable and visually appealing there must be some element or feature that prevents light from reaching the planet’s surface. I’ve listed a few of my ideas below:
1. A thick dark atmosphere covers the planet, consisting of Titanium Oxide or atomic sodium/potassium similar to the planets WASP- 19b or WASP 104b.
Roadblocks: Such an atmosphere would only be possible under tremendous heat and pressure and it would be incompatible with human life. Additionally, these conditions would typically occur in giant gas planets and they wouldn’t make sense for an aquatic planet.
2. We could make the planet tidally locked with its Sun, causing half of the planet to always be covered in darkness. Since the planet is an aquatic world it can still distribute its heat efficiently, and its dark half could be filled with bioluminescent life.
3. This planet can have thick colonies of algae that float upon its ocean. These algae would block most of the light from piercing the water’s surface, resulting in a pitch black ocean that is ideal for bioluminescent life.
Note: I believe that this is by far the best solution and it can lead to some really interesting ecosystems upon this planet. I’ll be moving forward with this idea for the time being.
Upon the planet there will be 3 core environments, each with their own unique lifeforms. These creatures and plants have evolved in such a way that they are well adapted to their environment. The environments are:
● Algae Islands
● Volcanic Sediments
● Deep Ocean
The Ocean’s surface is covered by thick islands of algae that prevent most light from piercing into the sea. These islands of algae grow to tremendous sizes and they are the most crucial part of the planet’s ecosystem. Many of the world’s creatures and intelligent life have formed homes and colonies upon their surface, and the shedding of their underside is crucial for the growth and proliferation of the ocean’s plankton (which in turn form the bottom of the food table of the Ocean’s ecosystem).
Between the decreased gravity and the water tension, the islands of algae that grow upon the water’s surface would be able to support significant weight and the inhabitants and creatures of this land can form unique biomes and homes upon them. There is also a world that is teeming with bioluminescent life teeming in the ocean below them.
Over time, the volcanic sediments have become a hotspot for fauna and flora, particularly in areas surrounding dormant volcanoes. Their fertile soils have also drawn the intelligent species of this plant to form colonies upon these lands, so that they can harvest their crops and rear their livestock.
Various species of heat-resistant bacteria have also grown to form colonies at hotbeds near the Volcanoes roots.
The increased oxygen within the atmosphere would also have several effects upon the planet’s fauna:
● It would allow insects and arachnids to grow to tremendous sizes, introducing an interesting twist to the fauna of this planet.
● The creatures of the planet would have significantly greater stamina and agility due to the oxygen-rich air that would fuel their muscles with energy.
● The increased oxygen would also grant the intellectual species greater levels of concentration.
The reduced gravity of the planet would also allow the creatures and beings of this world to grow to larger sizes since their skeletal structure and cardiovascular systems would be able to support their weight.
Intelligent Species, Societies and Culture
Despite the danger that these volcanoes pose, the intelligent species of this planet venture towards them during their violent eruptions, hoping to mine and access the treasure trove of precious minerals and elements that are ejected during these eruptions. They would have to withstand the explosive fury of these volcanoes together with the rain of hot ash.
The intelligent species are able to create highly productive and efficient industries since there is less nitrogen in the air, resulting in increased heat production for their machinery.
The increased oxygen within the atmosphere allows the intelligent species to achieve great levels of concentration.
The volcanoes provide the intelligent species with a great source of renewable geothermal energy. Their fertile soils have also drawn intelligent life to form colonies upon these lands, so that they can harvest their crops and rear their livestock.
Locations
● Gorge of Fire - An infamous line of particularly violent volcanoes that are in close proximity to each other.
● Zalfari’s Abyss- The most famous and deepest trench of the planet, believed to be around 95,000 feet deep.
Visual References
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