Veltheron

Planet Overview

Veltheron was a virescent superplanet, a world dominated by an intricate network of sentient forests and vast subterranean reservoirs. Its ecosystem was defined by the towering Veltheris trees, whose immense trunks could reach over a kilometer in height, their canopies forming sprawling green continents that stretched across the horizon. Beneath the surface, the Veltheris roots extended deep into the crust, forming massive subterranean oceans filled with nutrient-rich, glowing waters. These oceans sustained the Veltheris and served as the lifeblood of the planet, producing Lunvél, the luminous sap that was the foundation of life on Veltheron.

Planetary Features

Atmosphere and Skies

Veltheron’s atmosphere was dense with moisture and oxygen, supporting the immense growth of its plant life. Its skies shimmered with a perpetual green-gold hue, created by light refracting through microscopic particles of bioluminescent spores released by the Veltheris. These spores not only contributed to the planet’s vibrant atmosphere but also nourished smaller plants and ecosystems below. Seasonal winds carried these spores, creating aurora-like displays that shifted in color depending on the concentration of light and atmospheric conditions.

Surface Terrain

The surface of Veltheron was a mosaic of dense forests, open glades, and nutrient-rich marshlands. The Veltheris formed colossal root plateaus, where their trunks created natural supports for entire ecosystems of smaller trees, mosses, and climbing flora. The ground level, known as the Rootshade, was a labyrinth of gnarled roots, dimly lit by bioluminescent fungi and pools of glowing sap. Rivers and streams, fed by the sap-rich waters of the subterranean reservoirs, meandered through the forests, creating fertile basins for crops cultivated by the Artháril.

Subterranean Oceans

Beneath the surface lay the vast Veluthalith, massive underground reservoirs of glowing, sap-infused water. These subterranean oceans were interconnected by a network of Veltheris roots, which acted as natural conduits for sap distribution. The waters shimmered with bioluminescent hues, casting an otherworldly light on the rocky caverns and crystalline formations that surrounded them. The subterranean environment was a delicate balance of aquatic ecosystems and the nutrient flow that sustained the Veltheris and the Rútharil.

Floral and Faunal Diversity

Veltheron was home to a staggering variety of flora and fauna, many of which were symbiotically tied to the Veltheris. Bioluminescent vines, mosses, and flowers thrived in the Rootshade, while large herbivorous and predatory creatures roamed the canopy. These creatures, adapted to the vertical environment, possessed prehensile limbs and gliding membranes to navigate the immense heights of the trees. In the subterranean reservoirs, aquatic life flourished, ranging from small, luminous fish to leviathan-like creatures that coexisted with the Rútharil.

Life on Veltheron

Veltheris Trees and Lunvél

The Veltheris trees were the defining feature of Veltheron, both physically and ecologically. Their trunks acted as natural pillars, supporting entire ecosystems, while their roots created the subterranean oceans. The sap they produced, Lunvél, was the lifeblood of the planet. It nourished the Veltheris, fueled the ecosystems, and sustained the planet’s inhabitants, the Artháril and the Rútharil. Lunvél’s glowing properties were both practical and spiritual, serving as a source of energy, nourishment, and connection to the Vel’theris, the trees’ collective consciousness.

Impact of Var and the Star of Var

The arrival of Var and the formation of the Star of Var amplified Veltheron’s growth. The increased radiation enhanced the photosynthesis of the Veltheris, boosting sap production and enabling the forests and subterranean reservoirs to expand. The heightened abundance of resources enriched the lives of the planet’s inhabitants, allowing both the Artháril and the Rútharil to thrive. However, this prosperity also deepened the cultural and environmental divides between the surface-dwelling Artháril and the subterranean Rútharil.

The Great Convergence and the Age of Chaos

The Great Convergence, which merged Veltheron with other planets to form Erul, brought catastrophic change. Many Veltheris were uprooted, appearing in inhospitable regions where they could not survive, or were destroyed entirely. Others became corrupted by the Ru’suru, severing the flow of Lunvél and disrupting the balance of life on Veltheron. The loss of the Veltheris plunged both the Artháril and Rútharil into crisis, cutting them off from the Vel’theris and forcing them to adapt to a fragmented and hostile environment.

During the Age of Chaos, Veltheron’s remnants on Erul became battlegrounds for survival. The fragmented forests and subterranean reservoirs were fiercely contested by the surviving races. The corrupted Veltheris spread instability, further reducing access to Lunvél and forcing the Artháril and Rútharil to evolve and adapt to their new world.

Life on Veltheron

The Artháril

The Artháril lived among the branches of the Veltheris, building treetop settlements that blended seamlessly with the environment. They consumed Lunvél from the branches, which enhanced their physical agility and mental acuity while connecting them to the Vel’theris. The Artháril relied on the Lunvára, streams of sap flowing through the treetops, for transportation and communication, fostering a highly social and interconnected culture.

The Rútharil

The Rútharil inhabited the subterranean reservoirs, consuming Lunvél directly from the roots. This connection heightened their senses and strengthened their bond with the Vel’theris. They served as stewards of the root systems, ensuring the health and flow of Lunvél throughout the planet. Their settlements, illuminated by bioluminescence, reflected their role as guardians of Veltheron’s underground lifeblood.

Legacy of Veltheron

The glowing ruins of Veltheris trees and the remnants of Artháril and Rútharil settlements stand as testaments to Veltheron’s former glory. Though diminished, the surviving races strive to preserve their connection to the Veltheris and adapt to the new reality of Erul. Veltheron’s story is one of harmony, abundance, and loss, its legacy carried forward by the Artháril and Rútharil who refuse to let its essence fade.