Draxion-8

Draxion-8, also known as Draxion IV, or Kravax-Tharuun to the native Krovenn, is the fourth terrestrial planet in the Draxion System within the Sagittarius Arm of the Milky Way. Draxion-8 orbits a blue giant, and is dominated by the eternal superstorm known as the Howlveil, a massive, planet-wide cyclone of electromagnetic fury, razor winds, and intense pressure bursts. Its surface is rugged and mountainous, with jagged peaks, vast rocky plateaus, and deep ravines, though some lower regions support dense forests and grasslands.
The atmosphere is thick and Earth-like, capable of sustaining life but harsh and turbulent, with high radiation levels and fluctuating pressures. This hostile environment has shaped the evolution of the Krovenn, a near-human humanoid species forged in the crucible of constant survival and conflict. The storms, electromagnetic disturbances, and high gravity have led to the Krovenn’s formidable biology and warrior culture.

Terminology

Draxion-8 is the most commonly used name for the planet across external communications and interstellar referencing systems, but it is, in fact, the fourth major planetary body in the Draxion System. Its correct orbital designation is Draxion IV, reflecting its position as the fourth terrestrial planet from the star Draxion. The use of “8” is an inconsistency that has persisted through inertia and widespread familiarity rather than accuracy. While it remains in informal or diplomatic use, it is considered imprecise in both scientific and navigational documentation. In technical applications, particularly when calculating orbital parameters or planetary alignment, Draxion IV is the proper designation and remains the standard among those familiar with the internal structure of the system.
To the Krovenn—the native species and dominant civilization on the planet—the world is not identified by a number at all. It is known as Kravax-Tharuun, a compound term in Krovennese meaning “Stormwomb of the First Flame”. This name is central to their mythology, culture, and collective identity. “Kravax” refers to the great storm-force embodied by the Howlveil, which is seen not merely as a natural phenomenon but as the planetary will—an ever-present force of trial, wrath, and purification. “Tharuun” means womb, crucible, or sacred hollow, indicating the planet’s role as both origin and proving ground. In Krovenn belief, life is not nurtured—it is endured, earned, and hardened by the Storm, which grants no mercy and no weakness. This terminology carries immense spiritual and cultural weight. Kravax-Tharuun is used in all formal, religious, military, and political language within the Krovenn Empire. It is spoken with reverence, and to use any alternate name within the bounds of their territory—especially in ceremonial or imperial contexts—is considered not only disrespectful, but ignorant of the planet’s meaning and role in Krovenn civilization. Children are taught the name from birth; warriors invoke it before battle; emperors speak it when declaring edicts. The name is inseparable from their understanding of self and survival.
Regional terminology within the planet’s hemispheres also reflects the Krovenn’s deep relationship with the land and the Storm. The northern hemisphere is known as the “Highveil Expanse”, a title referencing its near-constant exposure to the most violent, unbroken bands of the Howlveil. Here, the electromagnetic turbulence never ceases, the winds howl without pause, and the terrain is shaped daily by the Storm’s fury. In contrast, the southern hemisphere is referred to as the “Scathmarch”, translated as “the endless trial.” This region is dominated by rift zones, scorched desert valleys, and plasma-raked plateaus—terrain where survival is not assumed, but earned hour by hour. Both names are not merely geographic—they are philosophical. They convey what the land demands of those who live in it. The planet’s most sacred and brutal sites—Volthur Spire, Veilspine Chasm, and the Fangs of Thro’gar—are categorized under the term Vaelholds. This word denotes places of ritual ordeal, shaped not by architecture but by the violent rawness of the terrain itself. These are not temples—they are trials carved by time and the Storm, locations where the Krovenn are tested in rites of passage, penance, and succession. The term carries weight beyond its syllables. To approach a Vaelhold is to declare one's willingness to be judged not by people, but by the world itself.
While Draxion-8 remains the name most non-Krovenn species use in reference to the planet, its use within the Krovenn Empire is heavily restricted and informally discouraged. To call the world “Draxion-8” in front of a Krovenn elder, warlord, or priest is to risk being seen as either naive or disrespectful. Kravax-Tharuun is the name by which the planet knows itself and by which its people endure. Draxion IV, while technically correct, is reserved for orbital designations, logistics charts, and inter-system coordination. Among the Krovenn, it is tolerated in function, but never in spirit. The name is not optional—it is earned, like everything else on the planet’s surface.

Geography

Draxion-8's geography is a striking tapestry of extremes, shaped by its tumultuous weather patterns and the powerful forces of the Howlveil storm. Draxion-8's surface is primarily rugged and mountainous, with vast stretches of jagged peaks that rise up sharply from the ground, often capped with snow and ice despite the overall warm average temperature. The Tempest Spine mountain range, which stretches across Draxion-8's equator, is the most prominent feature, running over 10,000 kilometers in length. These mountains are constantly lashed by winds exceeding 500 kilometers per hour, and their exposed faces are crisscrossed with deep scars from frequent lightning strikes and the constant friction of sand and rock carried by the violent storms.
The higher elevations are dominated by steep cliffs and jagged rock formations, which have been eroded by centuries of violent electromagnetic surges from the Howlveil. These extreme weather conditions cause rapid and continuous erosion, leading to sharp, angular rock faces and deep ravines that cut through the landscape. The highest mountain peaks often rise above the storm clouds, remaining perpetually shrouded in mist and snow, while lower-altitude mountains are continually battered by the high-pressure winds. These mountains create significant challenges for any inhabitants or travelers, with near-constant rock slides and dangerous terrain. Beyond the mountains, Draxion-8’s plateaus extend in vast, barren expanses. These rocky regions are primarily dry and barren, marked by the absence of significant vegetation, save for small, drought-resistant shrubs that cling to life in rare pockets of moisture. The Howlveil’s radiation, combined with the constant wind-driven erosion, has left these areas with little topsoil, and the rocky surface forms jagged outcroppings and uneven ground. The plateaus are sometimes interrupted by volcanic activity, creating new mountain ridges and fields of lava rock that continue to reshape the landscape. Some regions of Draxion-8 are volcanic hotspots, where active fissures belch gas and ash into the atmosphere, further contributing to the electromagnetic disturbances that shape Draxion-8’s volatile weather. However, not all of Draxion-8 is a harsh, barren wilderness. In the lower latitudes, more temperate regions can be found, where deep valleys and basins shield the land from the worst of the Howlveil’s fury. These sheltered regions have allowed ecosystems to flourish, including dense forests and expansive grasslands. The forests are predominantly composed of resilient, thick-trunked trees with broad, waxy leaves designed to withstand both the high gravity and the intense, erratic storms. The flora in these regions exhibits strikingly adaptive characteristics: some plants grow low to the ground in dense clusters to avoid the harsh winds, while others have deep taproots that can access groundwater trapped deep within Draxion-8’s crust.
In these temperate zones, the grasslands are often punctuated by dense thickets of tough shrubs and trees. The terrain here is more varied, with some areas forming small hills and ridges while others are interrupted by large, winding rivers. These rivers, though not as numerous as on Earth, have carved their own valleys over millennia, leaving behind fertile soil along their banks. While the vast majority of Draxion-8’s surface remains subjected to the brutal forces of the Howlveil, these calmer regions provide a rare sanctuary for Draxion-8’s more resilient species to thrive. Draxion-8 also features some large, sprawling deserts, particularly in the southern hemisphere, where the land stretches out into arid plains. These deserts are formed by the consistent absence of rainfall and the overpowering effects of the electromagnetic storms, which scald the landscape and prevent vegetation from taking hold. Here, the windstorms are particularly brutal, constantly shifting the sands and creating vast dunes that continuously change shape. Though these areas are inhospitable to most life forms, they do host specialized species that have adapted to survive with minimal water, including certain hardy plant species that absorb moisture from the air and store it within deep roots.

Storm Thrones

Storm Thrones—elevated landforms like basalt mesas, iron ridges, and obsidian cliffs—are chosen for their exposure to the Howlveil, the planet’s perpetual, planet-spanning superstorm. These Thrones become violently active during the Vael’torr Alignment, with wind speeds exceeding 300 km/h, atmospheric pressure spikes, electromagnetic surges, and conditions ranging from acidic glass-rain in salt plains to sub-zero thunderquakes in alpine peaks. Vortex chambers near fault lines, called Vraal’Korran, expose participants to silicate-laced storm tunnels for hours during the Scourging Wind phase, while Stormwatch Monoliths and geomagnetic landmarks coordinate the ritual’s timing via ion bursts. Draxion-8’s terrain is not symbolic—it is the ritual’s enforcer, shaping Krovenn endurance and identity through unrelenting environmental violence that tests every participant to their core.

Veilspine Chasm

The geography of the Veilspine Chasm, the site of the Rite of Redemption, is a catastrophic scar across Draxion-8’s equatorial rift belt—a 19-kilometer-deep, 400-kilometer-long trench formed by tectonic rupture, electromagnetic collapse zones, and storm erosion over millennia. It is the only place where the planet's superstorm, the Howlveil, spirals downward into the crust, creating a cyclo-turbulent null sink where gravity, magnetism, and air pressure fluctuate violently. The upper rim is crowned by the shattered ruins of Fortress-Voruun, a war-scarred relic constantly lashed by lightning. As warriors descend, they pass through terrain warped by battlefield wreckage, ionized fog, and plasma-charged anomalies. The Cleft Expanse midway down is littered with the skeletal remains of ancient mechs and downed ships from forgotten sieges, while the Obsidian Gullets—collapsed lava tubes and predator-infested vents—mark the threshold into the chasm’s lethal depths. The ground shifts underfoot, fog blinds, and electrical storms scramble senses. At the floor lies a kill-zone teeming with Gor’mal Thresh, apex predators evolved to hunt in this magnetic hellscape. Finally, the Ascendant Wall—a 4-kilometer vertical climb of razor basalt, slick iron, and unstable ledges—is the final gate to redemption. Every meter of the Veilspine is hostile, sacred, and alive with the Storm’s judgment, making the geography not just a setting, but the Rite’s final and most unforgiving arbiter.

Volthur Spire

Volthur Spire, the highest peak in the Storm-Crowned Range. Perpetually shrouded in lightning, this sky-piercing citadel rises above the Howlveil’s upper band, where gale-force winds, supercharged plasma currents, and atmospheric volatility reach lethal intensities. The Throne Citadel is carved directly into the living mountain, stabilized by deep-crust anchor pylons driven into faulted obsidian strata. Its exposed upper platforms—including the Throne Aperture, where the Stormbinding occurs—are battered by electromagnetic surges capable of vaporizing unshielded matter. Deep within the citadel lies the Hall of Embers, a 67-meter corridor constructed over an active magma fissure, its obsidian floor glowing red with convective heat and layered in blade-like volcanic shards. The ambient temperature exceeds 1,200 K, turning breath into steam and blood into ash. Surrounding chambers and dueling pits are constructed from storm-hardened alloy and fused basalt, reinforced against lightning strikes and tectonic tremors. Visibility around Kaarn Voluun is often reduced to flashes between lightning bursts, and EM interference disables most modern tech—forcing reliance on ancestral architecture, psionic relay stones, and ritual grounding protocols. In this place, geography is not passive—it is the Emperor’s first adversary. The very air claws at the lungs, the ground scorches the flesh, and the storm listens for weakness. Only those who endure the mountain’s wrath are granted the throne.

Fangs of Thro’gar

The Fangs of Thro’gar, where the Rite of the Eternal Storm is held, are a jagged, electromagnetically volatile mountain range located along Draxion-8’s mid-hemispheric convergence belt—a tectonically fractured zone where the planet’s crustal plates grind beneath the constant wrath of the Howlveil. The region is shaped like a broken crown of obsidian fangs, each peak rising between 4,000 and 6,000 meters, veined with storm-iron ore and laced with naturally conductive strata that channel atmospheric lightning into the ground in chaotic surges. The terrain is as lethal as it is sacred: razorstone ridges sheer off into chasms filled with molten basalt pools and acid-slicked talus. Electromagnetic anomalies create localized gravity distortions, microstorms, and spontaneous plasma arcs that can blind or vaporize the unprepared. The climate is hyperdynamic—temperatures shift wildly, from searing midday scorch-zones to cryogenic night winds carrying electrically charged ash. Natural shelter is rare and unreliable; basalt spires may collapse under pressure, and hollowed caves often double as predator dens or storm-resonance chambers that amplify infrasound to maddening levels. Bioelectric predators like Gor’vak’Thul stalk the lower ravines, while ion-charged fogbanks drift unpredictably, distorting vision and time perception.

Climate

The climate of Draxion-8 is an extreme and volatile system, heavily influenced by the interaction between its thick atmosphere and the constant, planet-wide superstorm known as the Howlveil. This cyclonic storm is a permanent feature of the planet, generating fierce winds, high electromagnetic interference, and fluctuating atmospheric pressures. The Howlveil's core roars with electromagnetic energy, creating a thick blanket of ionized particles that interact with the planet’s magnetic field, resulting in frequent lightning storms and plasma discharges that reverberate across the surface. The electromagnetic disturbances not only affect the atmosphere but also cause rapid shifts in weather patterns. This leads to highly erratic and localized weather phenomena, where regions experience sudden bursts of intense pressure and temperature fluctuations within a short span of time. For example, areas near the mountain ranges might endure blizzards and rapid temperature drops due to cold air funneled from the higher altitudes, while the valleys experience intense heat and humidity as the pressure gradients shift. These pressure bursts can trigger shockwaves that ripple across the planet, further exacerbating the already chaotic weather.
The planet’s thick atmosphere, composed mostly of nitrogen and oxygen with a significant water vapor content, acts as a buffer, helping to moderate the more extreme temperatures found on the surface. Despite this, the high gravity and thick atmospheric pressure create an oppressive environment. At lower altitudes, especially in the equatorial regions, the temperature can spike as high as 42.3°C (108.14°F), while in higher, more exposed areas, temperatures can plunge as low as -8.9°C (16°F) during sudden storm fronts. One of the most challenging aspects of the climate is the constant electromagnetic radiation that bombards the planet’s surface. With radiation levels far exceeding those on Earth, the Howlveil’s electromagnetic activity induces fluctuating radiation bursts that alter atmospheric composition and affect both organic life and technological systems. The radiation also plays a crucial role in the planet’s biological evolution, with lifeforms having developed unique mechanisms to withstand or even utilize the heightened radiation for energy. Due to the planet's axial tilt of 25.3°, seasonal variations are present but are less pronounced. The impact of the tilt, combined with the shifting storm patterns, leads to slightly more temperate conditions during certain times of the planet's orbit, though the overall effect is minimal given the constant influence of the Howlveil and its violent atmospheric disturbances. This combination of factors results in a dynamic, unpredictable climate that constantly shifts between extremes of heat, cold, wind, and radiation.

Biodiversity

The biodiversity of Draxion-8 has evolved to withstand the planet's extreme and turbulent conditions, resulting in a variety of unique and specialized lifeforms. The electromagnetic chaos of the Howlveil and the planet's high gravity have shaped not only the physiology but also the behavior of its native species. Flora includes hardy, wind-resistant vegetation adapted to withstand both intense storms and frequent radiation bursts. The trees, such as the Vorrin Oak, are characterized by thick, leathery bark that reflects radiation and provides resistance to the high winds. Beneath them, the Felnor Shrub, a low-growing plant with metal-infused fibers, can endure the harsh surface conditions, using its reflective leaves to minimize radiation absorption.
Fauna on Draxion-8 is similarly adapted for survival under extreme environmental stress. The planet’s apex predators are the Korrum Drakes, reptilian creatures with thick, armored hides capable of withstanding electromagnetic discharges. Their long, muscular limbs and sharp claws are ideal for climbing the steep mountain cliffs where they hunt smaller creatures, such as the Xarvii, a medium-sized mammalian species with dense fur and strong limbs designed to navigate the jagged terrain. The Xarvii possess specialized electroreceptors in their snouts, allowing them to detect minute electromagnetic changes in the air, helping them avoid predators or locate prey. The Tesklar, an avian species with wingspans exceeding 10 meters, has evolved powerful, electromagnetic-sensitive feathers, allowing them to navigate the turbulent skies of Draxion-8. These creatures are able to generate localized electromagnetic fields around their bodies, creating temporary shields against the Howlveil’s radiation surges. Their sharp talons and keen eyesight make them efficient hunters, able to spot prey from miles away while gliding through the constant storm clouds.
In the lower, more sheltered regions, the Frelian Vines have developed a unique parasitic relationship with the Ghorak Beetles, which help spread the vine’s pollen during their search for food. The beetles, in turn, have evolved thick, armor-like exoskeletons to protect them from the severe weather, and they thrive on the vine’s nutrient-rich sap, which also shields them from radiation. Draxion-8's unique electromagnetic disturbances have led to the emergence of species that utilize electromagnetic fields for communication, navigation, and hunting. The Ammarith, a species of small, nocturnal mammal, has specialized nerve endings that allow it to communicate and interact with the planet’s electromagnetic pulses, making it highly sensitive to atmospheric changes. This ability enables the Ammarith to seek shelter from the most dangerous radiation surges, as well as to locate the magnetic nests of their prey species. Marine life is also abundant in Draxion-8's vast oceans. The Vorran Sharks, deep-sea predators, possess a form of bioelectricity that helps them hunt by disrupting their prey’s nervous systems. These creatures, which can grow up to 12 meters in length, have adapted to the high radiation levels in the deep oceans, where electromagnetic interference is strongest. Their electroreceptors allow them to sense prey from miles away, even in the darkest, most turbulent depths.

Moons

Draxion-8 is orbited by five moons, each contributing uniquely to the planet’s gravitational dynamics and environmental conditions. The largest, Zylora, is a rugged, rocky moon with a diameter of approximately 2,500 kilometers. Its surface is marked by vast impact craters and deep fissures, evidence of countless collisions over millennia. Despite its barren, desolate nature, Zylora has a significant gravitational influence on Draxion-8, particularly in generating tidal forces that affect the planet’s oceans, though these effects are subtle due to the moon's distance from the planet. Zylora’s orbit is relatively circular, situated at a distance of about 250,000 kilometers from Draxion-8, and it completes an orbit every 12 days. This proximity contributes to Draxion-8’s somewhat stable axial tilt, preventing drastic shifts that could otherwise disrupt the planet's climate and seasonal patterns.
The second-largest moon, Vaxa, has a diameter of around 1,200 kilometers and orbits at a distance of 420,000 kilometers from Draxion-8. Vaxa is composed primarily of icy materials, and its surface is glacial with regions of cryovolcanic activity. This icy composition reflects a significant amount of sunlight, contributing to the low-light conditions on Draxion-8 during certain periods of its orbit. Vaxa has a retrograde orbit, meaning it orbits Draxion-8 in the opposite direction of the planet’s rotation, which results in a slow but steady decrease in its orbital distance over millions of years. This gradual decay is expected to eventually cause Vaxa to spiral into Draxion-8, although this event is far in the future.
The third moon, Zyloth, is the smallest of the five, with a diameter of only 800 kilometers. Its surface is uneven, characterized by jagged cliffs and boulder-strewn plains. Zyloth’s orbit is highly elliptical, causing its distance from Draxion-8 to fluctuate significantly, ranging from 150,000 kilometers at periapsis to 400,000 kilometers at apoapsis. This elliptical orbit causes intense variations in the tidal forces exerted on the planet’s surface, especially in the planet's oceans, leading to periodic extreme tidal surges. Despite its small size, Zyloth’s gravitational influence on Draxion-8’s oceans plays a critical role in the shaping of the coastal environments, especially in the equatorial regions.
The fourth moon, Lyx, is an irregularly shaped body with a diameter of approximately 1,000 kilometers. Its surface is a mixture of rocky and metallic compositions, which causes its albedo to be highly variable, ranging from dark to bright depending on its angle to the sun. Lyx’s orbit is relatively stable and circular, positioned at about 650,000 kilometers from Draxion-8, and it completes one orbit every 28 days. The moon’s lack of atmosphere and low gravity means that it experiences extreme temperature variations between day and night, making it an inhospitable place for any known life. However, the presence of metallic ores on its surface has sparked interest among mining operations.
The fifth and smallest moon, Soriath, has a diameter of roughly 500 kilometers and is located at a distance of 800,000 kilometers from Draxion-8. It is a heavily cratered, ancient moon, believed to be a captured body from a nearby star system. Soriath’s orbit is eccentric, causing it to approach Draxion-8 closer than any other moon during certain parts of its orbit, creating brief periods of intense gravitational interaction. These periods are responsible for minor seismic activities on the planet’s surface, though their effects are usually imperceptible to most of the planet's inhabitants. Soriath has little to no atmosphere, and its surface is primarily composed of fine dust and ice. The moon's irregular orbit and small size make it an object of intrigue for scientific study, particularly concerning its potential origin and the forces that captured it into orbit around Draxion-8.

Draxion-8

by Dawood

Astrographical Information

System

Draxion System

Orbiting

Draxion

Orbital position

Fourth Planet

Orbital Distance

17.3 AUs (2.589 billion km)

Orbital characteristics

Aphelion 18.1 AUs (2.709 billion km)

Perihelion 16.5 AUs (2.469 billion km)

Semi-major axis 17.3 AUs (2.589 billion km)

Eccentricity: 0.046

Orbital period (sidereal): 400 days

Average orbital speed: 15.1 km/s

Mean anomaly: 192.7°

Inclination

• 2.38° – Draxion's equator;

• 4.76° – invariable plane;

• 5.31° – J2000 ecliptic

Longitude of ascending node: 110.4°

Time of perihelion: 192.7 days

Argument of perihelion: 82.3°

Moon(s): 5

Physical Information

Diameter: 15,637 km (9,716.3 mi)

Mean radius: 7,818 km (4,857.5 mi)

Equatorial radius: 7,825 km (4,859 mi)

Polar radius: 7,812 km (4,855.2 mi)

Flattening: 0.0018

Circumference

24,574 km; equatorial

24,563 km; meridional

Surface area: 190,000,000 km²

Land: 56,000,000 km²

Water: 133,000,000 km² (70.8% of Draxion's surface)

Volume: 8.4 × 10¹¹ km³

Mass: 1.3 × 10²⁴ kg

Mean density: 5.4 g/cm³

Surface Gravity: 18.807 m/s²

Moment of inertia factor: 0.33

Escape velocity: 39.7 km/s

Synodic rotation period: 48 Hours

Sidereal rotation period: 47.8 hours

Equatorial rotation velocity: 431.6 m/s

Axial tilt: 25.3°

Albedo

0.33 geometric

0.45 Bond

Temperature: 315 K

Surface Temperature

• -8.9°C (16°F) Min

• 16.7°C (62.1°F) Mean

• 42.3°C (108.14°F) Max

Surface absorbed dose rate: 5.7 μGy/h

Surface equivalent dose rate: 13.9 μSv/h

Apparent magnitude: -2.8" to -3.1"

Absolute magnitude (H): -0.7

Atmosphere

Surface pressure

400.236kPa; 3.96 atm (At sea level)

Composition by volume

• 69.2% Nitrogen (moist air)

• 21% Oxygen (moist air)

• ≤8% Water Vapor (high humidity)

• 1% Argon

• 0.04% Carbon Dioxide

• <0.01% Neon

• <0.01% Methane

• <0.01% Krypton

• <0.01% Xenon

Geography Information

Dominant Terrain Types

Tectonically active mountain ranges

Basaltic plateaus and shield uplands

Megaravines and trench systems

High-density lowland forests and hydrological basins

Biomes

Orographic tundras and rocky steppe

Storm-prone temperate grasslands

Sub-equatorial rainforests in tectonic troughs

Isolated aquatic basins and geothermal wetlands

Geographic Features

Storm Thrones (elevated landforms like basalt mesas)

Veilspine Chasm (equatorial rift belt—a 19-kilometer-deep, 400-kilometer-long trench)

Volthur Spire (Tallest peak of the Storm-Crowned Mountain Range)

Fangs of Thro’gar (jagged, electromagnetically volatile mountain range and ravine)

Fauna

Highly Abundant

Flora

Minimal to moderate

Societal

Species

Krovenn (homeworld; native)

Capital

Kaarn Voluun

Population

1,900,350,000

Society

Clan/Stratocratic/Imperial/Warlike/Theocratic

Languages

Krovennese

Government

Krovenn Empire