Risus

Risus is the first of the satellite planets. It formed later than some of the other central worlds but was the first celestial body to fall into orbit around Terra Firma when the Xilon System began to take shape. It is made up entirely of solid, glassy ice, much of it covered by soft, white snow. There is no natural rock or soil, even at the planet's center; it is ice from surface to core.

From space, the planet resembles a bright crystal ball, with swirling white clouds covering the globe and an orange tint to the atmosphere. Risus is unique in regards to its orbit pattern, in that it crosses its own path before returning to its base position, which none of the other celestial bodies in the system do.

The planet's quiet, peaceful surface is best described as a winter wonderland. Every inch of the terrain is composed of smooth, crystallic ice, with a layer of pure powdered snow covering most of the ground, and ice trees scattered across the landscape. The majority of the planet's landmass has a distinct mountain and valley pattern, with enormous caves running deep into the hillsides and occasional ice deserts and flatlands. Looking up, the sky appears to be a rich, dark orange, with swirls of white clouds. In the early morning and late evening, the colors dim to a lighter orange, eventually fading to more of a dark red at night.

Most Risean homes are either constructed from ice or carved into the mountainsides and brightly lit caves that can be found all across the landscape. Furniture is generally built from glass, crystal, marble or animal bones, covered with fur weavings acquired from the local wildlife and/or tree leaves. The planet's atmospheric composition allows the ice to remain solid even during the warmer months, so the interiors of Risean homes are actually quite comfortable in any weather. Despite its appearance, few regions of the planet ever actually exhibit a true winter climate.

A light snowfall is constant in most open areas. Snowflakes are often large and thick, and can range in color depending on the season. Falling snow tends to dissolve upon contact and has little effect on the surrounding snow and ice that already covers the land. A beautiful residential location, the planet is host to a number of small but respected learning centers as well as Fresian Valley, the single largest primary studies institute in the entire orbit system.

Risean wildlife includes various breeds of equines, winged felines, small foxes and an exotic range of hybrid life forms. The most popular domestic animal is the cordraex, a miniature white dragon with an unusually long, thin snout, shaggy long haired fur and colorful wings. Cordraexae tend to attach themselves to children in particular, and will remain with them as their friend and companion for most of their lives, which can last up to a hundred thousand years. Constant interaction with a cordraex can even increase learning abilities, as there is a substance in their fur that heightens physical and mental awareness, enhances comprehension levels and expands neurological memory cavities. Kappa Crucis  >>