Havila
Havila is one-third the size of Aetheria and rotates on a 34 degree tilt, counter to its orbital direction, meaning the sun rose in the northwest and set in the southeast, giving it a 21.5 hour day and a 178 day year. During the summer the sun never set and during the winter the sun shone for less than an hour. This caused massive fluctuations in the surface temperature which resulted in vicious winds, and massive dust - sand storms.
From Aetheria, Havila looks like a diamond set near the waist of their star to be seen only at dawn and dusk.
The Oracle Daisy's observation of Havila
Over Havilah, on the bridge of the Seeker, the Oracle Daisy stared at a console. She couldn’t concentrate. She can’t shake the feeling something was wrong or about to go wrong. Down on the surface, Karstien, Kaleth and Miner Nevin were surveying the Long Land. A strange mid-ocean ridge of upthrust and volcanic mountains that broke the surface as the seas evaporated. There was only one ocean left on Havilah, a super-salinated body of water the size of the Atlantic ocean with the mineral content of the Dead Sea. Sand and sediments had filled in between the mountain tops creating a sandbar, tens of thousands blocks long running from the southwest to the northeast, like a peculiar vertical mark on the surface of the small world. It was the only mountains range on the entire planet. According to Daisy’s surveys, the small world had not always been this way, it was if some great force had rolled it on to its side, changing its climate and forever dooming its surface. Daisy’s math said the Cataclysm that hit the system had moved its orbit closer to Aetheria Prime on one side, its orbit was now an ellipse and the math said someday it would break free and be flung away. During the summer the sun never set and during the winter the sun shone for less than an hour. This caused massive fluctuations in the surface temperature which resulted in vicious winds, and massive dust - sand storms. The only settlement of Miners on Havilah was underground. The Technician Core and Farmers Guild had figured out how to create drinkable water and how to grow crops under the surface for the periods between the supply spaceflights. It was a hostile place to live, but the rewards were great to the courageous. The ultra-fine taupe sands were actually a mosaic of every stone, ore, and rock that existed. The fine white sand and veins of colored sand were highly desired by the glassmakers of Aetheria. The planet had layers of ore-rich veins beneath the sands, making mining the small world valuable and dangerous. Less than 200 lived on Havilah semi-permanently. Master Miner Miranda rotated the members of the Miners’ Guild through duty there. The rare ores and elements only found on Havilah were necessary to build the space fleet and newer, stronger armor and weapons. <><><><
Excerpt : Survey of Long Land Karstien stared across the sand and gravel wasteland. The tops of the mountains and volcanic peaks stuck up on both horizons, and he had the sensation of standing in the open maw of some dread, ancient beast. He adjusted his facemask and goggles in the gritty heat of the fierce winds. He turned toward the sweat-stained backs of his father and Nevin and approached them. “How much longer?” he shouted over the winds. Nevin shrugged against the gusts, yelling back, “The core sample scan is showing only sand, gravel, and silt below us. We need to move to another location.” Kaleth lifted the scanning equipment off the ground and Nevin closed the legs. His father’s amber eyes shown with determination. Karstien knew exploring for his people was one of his father’s favorite pastimes. ”We have four more sites to scan before we’re done,” Kaleth said over the howl of the wind. His son nodded and found the next set of map coordinates. They started walking toward the northeast, closer to a great gravel plain. The sun was sinking in the southwest when they reach the second to last set of coordinates. The wind had stopped, and the afternoon heat was almost unbearable. In the distance, they could see Lars landing the Crane 004 at the last set of coordinates. Nevin was walking around picking up bits of rocks and ore while the scanner penetrated the ground. Kaleth smiled and flipped Karstien a bottle of water from his cold pack, “Having fun yet?” “Mother always complained that you were infecting me with your madness for dangerous adventure.” Karstien poured part of the cool water on his face and then down his neck and back before drinking. “Because your mother was the one patching us up and scolding me that you and Damien were far too young to explore the Realms.” Kaleth chuckled remembering how Karstien’s mother D’Aymee ranted about their ‘little adventures’ but it was a fair trade as Kaleth agreed to visit Atlantia’s Royal court in exchange. “This is even hotter than the Infernal Realm.” Karstien could smell the heavy salt air on the other side of the mountains. The humid heat of the ocean surrounded desert was oppressive and Karstien long for the lush greenness of Aetheria. He sighed heavily and declared his opinion, “I’ve always hated the desert.” Kaleth grinned back, “You and I have always felt the same.” Karstien agreed, remembering how they both always chosen forest or flowering hills biomes. To take his mind off the heat, he asked, “How do you feel about being a father of daughters?” His father grinned and said, “I enjoy it as much as I cherished being your father, although Betha is was Daisy calls a ‘tomboy’.” Laughing at the term from his birth world, Karstien agreed, “She was so grumpy about being left at school while we got to have adventures. It’s like having a little brother again. What do you think you and Daisy will have next?” “I would be happy for any child, but I would like a son and I hope he will be a huntsman like my oldest brother was... We have none, except perhaps Lars. Daisy says his magic feels different from other warriors and the archives reveals there were many huntsmen in his ancestry.” Kaleth was thoughtful, they had lost so much while on Terrearth. None of the younger Aetherians, except Shadz and Allura, had magic when they went to sleep for the journey home, but the beds had removed much of the human DNA and the results had surprised everyone. Karstien looked over his shoulder, then turned all the way around, asking, “Where’s Nevin?” Kaleth scanned the horizon and said into the comms, “Nevin, can you hear me?” Silence. As they stood there, they hear a faint hissing growing louder, then ground trembled. The gravel plain collapsed beneath them, and they fell. <><><><
Kaleth woke up to see Nevin kneeling over Karstien. He could hear Daisy nudging his mind, so he tells her, ‘I am okay. A huge pit has opened up in the gravel plain and we are to one side of it.’ Nevin looked at him wide-eyed. “The Prince is dead!” Nevin exclaimed in a shocked tone. Kaleth attempted to push way the aching feeling of his eldest’s death. “It’s okay Nevin, he’ll come back, just like you did.” Nevin stared at him surprised, “Is that what happened to me, is that why my whole-body hurts?” Kaleth realized the 300-year-old miner has never died and revived. He remembered Nevin was more Aetherian than most. He reassured him calmly, “The pain is normal. It will linger and fade over the next two days. You will be fine.” Karstien began to twitch, and in a few moments, gasped for breath. “OH! Owie! I hate that part!” he complained. He noticed his father and Nevin staring at something moving in the sand on the other side of the pit. “Karstien, do you have your sword?” Kaleth said, almost too softly to be heard. Nevin started to stand, but Kaleth hissed, “Don’t move, it hasn’t seen us yet.” “Yes,” Karstien answered his father just as softly, clutching his sword in his hand. There was a giant snake, speckled in every color of brown pushing its blunt nose in the sand and gravel. It was enormous, larger even than the Anacondas of Terrearth, the Dragon Vipers of the EverDusk Realm, or Asha’s pet Quetzal Greenie. “What is it, Guardian?” Nevin looked terrified. “It’s a Sand Naga, and where there is one, there are more,” Kaleth breathed the words through his clenched teeth. The Prince and the Guardian slowly moved into a crouched position. Karstien whispered quietly, “Nevin, you need to climb out and comm Lars to bring the Crane.” Gravel shifted behind them and the Sand Naga looked straight at them. A weird hiss rattled from its throat as it raised up, seeing them. It sounded more like an insect swarm than a reptile. The Guardian ordered, “Nevin, go! Karstien?” “On your right, Father!” Karstien exclaimed, he tightened his grip on his ancient sword with determination. Together, they attacked the giant side-winding serpent. It charged forward, dividing them. Kaleth attacked on one side, and Karstien attacked on the other. The Sand Naga swung its massive head from side to side, not knowing which one of them to face. As it thrashed and struck at them, the Sand Naga whipped its tail, knocking Karstien to the ground. Kaleth struck it with lightning from his ancient sword, focusing its attention fully on him. It struck at the Guardian, who repeatedly blocked its attacks. Karstien leaped up from the sand and hit base of the Sand Naga’s head with both blade and lightning, decapitating it. “We need to climb out, more will come,” Kaleth warned, as they stood in the pit, gasping to catch their breath, a shadow blocked out the setting sun The roar of the Seeker’s standard propulsion almost deafened them. The Crane 004 dropped into the crater. Nevin was standing in the rear open hatch, signaling to them. They both ran and jumped aboard. As the small landing craft rose toward the open docking bay of the Seeker, they saw several more Sand Naga enter the pit. They would have been overwhelmed and eaten if they were still down there.
The Oracle Daisy's observation of Havila
Over Havilah, on the bridge of the Seeker, the Oracle Daisy stared at a console. She couldn’t concentrate. She can’t shake the feeling something was wrong or about to go wrong. Down on the surface, Karstien, Kaleth and Miner Nevin were surveying the Long Land. A strange mid-ocean ridge of upthrust and volcanic mountains that broke the surface as the seas evaporated. There was only one ocean left on Havilah, a super-salinated body of water the size of the Atlantic ocean with the mineral content of the Dead Sea. Sand and sediments had filled in between the mountain tops creating a sandbar, tens of thousands blocks long running from the southwest to the northeast, like a peculiar vertical mark on the surface of the small world. It was the only mountains range on the entire planet. According to Daisy’s surveys, the small world had not always been this way, it was if some great force had rolled it on to its side, changing its climate and forever dooming its surface. Daisy’s math said the Cataclysm that hit the system had moved its orbit closer to Aetheria Prime on one side, its orbit was now an ellipse and the math said someday it would break free and be flung away. During the summer the sun never set and during the winter the sun shone for less than an hour. This caused massive fluctuations in the surface temperature which resulted in vicious winds, and massive dust - sand storms. The only settlement of Miners on Havilah was underground. The Technician Core and Farmers Guild had figured out how to create drinkable water and how to grow crops under the surface for the periods between the supply spaceflights. It was a hostile place to live, but the rewards were great to the courageous. The ultra-fine taupe sands were actually a mosaic of every stone, ore, and rock that existed. The fine white sand and veins of colored sand were highly desired by the glassmakers of Aetheria. The planet had layers of ore-rich veins beneath the sands, making mining the small world valuable and dangerous. Less than 200 lived on Havilah semi-permanently. Master Miner Miranda rotated the members of the Miners’ Guild through duty there. The rare ores and elements only found on Havilah were necessary to build the space fleet and newer, stronger armor and weapons. <><><><
Excerpt : Survey of Long Land Karstien stared across the sand and gravel wasteland. The tops of the mountains and volcanic peaks stuck up on both horizons, and he had the sensation of standing in the open maw of some dread, ancient beast. He adjusted his facemask and goggles in the gritty heat of the fierce winds. He turned toward the sweat-stained backs of his father and Nevin and approached them. “How much longer?” he shouted over the winds. Nevin shrugged against the gusts, yelling back, “The core sample scan is showing only sand, gravel, and silt below us. We need to move to another location.” Kaleth lifted the scanning equipment off the ground and Nevin closed the legs. His father’s amber eyes shown with determination. Karstien knew exploring for his people was one of his father’s favorite pastimes. ”We have four more sites to scan before we’re done,” Kaleth said over the howl of the wind. His son nodded and found the next set of map coordinates. They started walking toward the northeast, closer to a great gravel plain. The sun was sinking in the southwest when they reach the second to last set of coordinates. The wind had stopped, and the afternoon heat was almost unbearable. In the distance, they could see Lars landing the Crane 004 at the last set of coordinates. Nevin was walking around picking up bits of rocks and ore while the scanner penetrated the ground. Kaleth smiled and flipped Karstien a bottle of water from his cold pack, “Having fun yet?” “Mother always complained that you were infecting me with your madness for dangerous adventure.” Karstien poured part of the cool water on his face and then down his neck and back before drinking. “Because your mother was the one patching us up and scolding me that you and Damien were far too young to explore the Realms.” Kaleth chuckled remembering how Karstien’s mother D’Aymee ranted about their ‘little adventures’ but it was a fair trade as Kaleth agreed to visit Atlantia’s Royal court in exchange. “This is even hotter than the Infernal Realm.” Karstien could smell the heavy salt air on the other side of the mountains. The humid heat of the ocean surrounded desert was oppressive and Karstien long for the lush greenness of Aetheria. He sighed heavily and declared his opinion, “I’ve always hated the desert.” Kaleth grinned back, “You and I have always felt the same.” Karstien agreed, remembering how they both always chosen forest or flowering hills biomes. To take his mind off the heat, he asked, “How do you feel about being a father of daughters?” His father grinned and said, “I enjoy it as much as I cherished being your father, although Betha is was Daisy calls a ‘tomboy’.” Laughing at the term from his birth world, Karstien agreed, “She was so grumpy about being left at school while we got to have adventures. It’s like having a little brother again. What do you think you and Daisy will have next?” “I would be happy for any child, but I would like a son and I hope he will be a huntsman like my oldest brother was... We have none, except perhaps Lars. Daisy says his magic feels different from other warriors and the archives reveals there were many huntsmen in his ancestry.” Kaleth was thoughtful, they had lost so much while on Terrearth. None of the younger Aetherians, except Shadz and Allura, had magic when they went to sleep for the journey home, but the beds had removed much of the human DNA and the results had surprised everyone. Karstien looked over his shoulder, then turned all the way around, asking, “Where’s Nevin?” Kaleth scanned the horizon and said into the comms, “Nevin, can you hear me?” Silence. As they stood there, they hear a faint hissing growing louder, then ground trembled. The gravel plain collapsed beneath them, and they fell. <><><><
Kaleth woke up to see Nevin kneeling over Karstien. He could hear Daisy nudging his mind, so he tells her, ‘I am okay. A huge pit has opened up in the gravel plain and we are to one side of it.’ Nevin looked at him wide-eyed. “The Prince is dead!” Nevin exclaimed in a shocked tone. Kaleth attempted to push way the aching feeling of his eldest’s death. “It’s okay Nevin, he’ll come back, just like you did.” Nevin stared at him surprised, “Is that what happened to me, is that why my whole-body hurts?” Kaleth realized the 300-year-old miner has never died and revived. He remembered Nevin was more Aetherian than most. He reassured him calmly, “The pain is normal. It will linger and fade over the next two days. You will be fine.” Karstien began to twitch, and in a few moments, gasped for breath. “OH! Owie! I hate that part!” he complained. He noticed his father and Nevin staring at something moving in the sand on the other side of the pit. “Karstien, do you have your sword?” Kaleth said, almost too softly to be heard. Nevin started to stand, but Kaleth hissed, “Don’t move, it hasn’t seen us yet.” “Yes,” Karstien answered his father just as softly, clutching his sword in his hand. There was a giant snake, speckled in every color of brown pushing its blunt nose in the sand and gravel. It was enormous, larger even than the Anacondas of Terrearth, the Dragon Vipers of the EverDusk Realm, or Asha’s pet Quetzal Greenie. “What is it, Guardian?” Nevin looked terrified. “It’s a Sand Naga, and where there is one, there are more,” Kaleth breathed the words through his clenched teeth. The Prince and the Guardian slowly moved into a crouched position. Karstien whispered quietly, “Nevin, you need to climb out and comm Lars to bring the Crane.” Gravel shifted behind them and the Sand Naga looked straight at them. A weird hiss rattled from its throat as it raised up, seeing them. It sounded more like an insect swarm than a reptile. The Guardian ordered, “Nevin, go! Karstien?” “On your right, Father!” Karstien exclaimed, he tightened his grip on his ancient sword with determination. Together, they attacked the giant side-winding serpent. It charged forward, dividing them. Kaleth attacked on one side, and Karstien attacked on the other. The Sand Naga swung its massive head from side to side, not knowing which one of them to face. As it thrashed and struck at them, the Sand Naga whipped its tail, knocking Karstien to the ground. Kaleth struck it with lightning from his ancient sword, focusing its attention fully on him. It struck at the Guardian, who repeatedly blocked its attacks. Karstien leaped up from the sand and hit base of the Sand Naga’s head with both blade and lightning, decapitating it. “We need to climb out, more will come,” Kaleth warned, as they stood in the pit, gasping to catch their breath, a shadow blocked out the setting sun The roar of the Seeker’s standard propulsion almost deafened them. The Crane 004 dropped into the crater. Nevin was standing in the rear open hatch, signaling to them. They both ran and jumped aboard. As the small landing craft rose toward the open docking bay of the Seeker, they saw several more Sand Naga enter the pit. They would have been overwhelmed and eaten if they were still down there.
Geography
Havila is one-third the size of Aetheria and rotates on a 34 degree tilt, counter to its orbital direction, meaning the sun rose in the northwest and set in the southeast, giving it a 21.5 hour day and a 178 day year. During the summer the sun never set and during the winter the sun shone for less than an hour. This caused massive fluctuations in the surface temperature which resulted in vicious winds, and massive dust - sand storms.
Ecosystem
Arid Desert
Fauna & Flora
There are very few animals living on Havila. Types of sand snakes called Nagas are the dominant native predator. There is a variety of desert adapted plants, insects and small marsupials. There is no longer any sea life beyond algae due to the hypersalinated ocean.
Soul Spiders and other Dark Water mutated creatures were placed on Havila by the Dark Prince.
Natural Resources
Havila is rich in mineral ores, gems, and ultra-fine sand. All are demanded for manufacturing on Arborea.
The glass makers guild is the largest consumer of any single export, being sand.
Type
Planet
Location under
Related Professions
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