Esh-Illuru

Esh-Illuru is the largest moon of Nammu. It is tidally locked to its host and has an unusual circular, close, retrograde orbit which is tilted -23 degrees. The moon has a thin nitrogen and methane atmosphere which is breathable by the native species.
Viewed from space, Esh-Illuru has a pinkish color. From the surface, the landscape appears to be a chalky white. Digging a short distance into this white powder reveals denser, red earth below. This red earth melts into a thick, viscous substance when heated. The world has considerable tectonic activity, although the causes are unknown as the studies on the interior composition of Esh-Illuru have been inconclusive or contradictory. Whatever the cause, the surface experiences volcanoes, earthquakes, and geysers. Of these, the first and last launch the liquefied earth into the thin atmosphere. When this ejecta lands, it creates red landforms on the surface which are eventually obscured by a fresh layer of the white powder.
Esh-Illuru is too far from Utu to support photosynthesis. The native fauna consists of chemosynthetic plants and various fungi. A limited food chain exists including the herbivorous Dim-Ten and the carnivorous Asang-Ten. Eating anything from Esh-Illuru causes insanity.
A small number of off-worlders have settled on Esh-Illuru. These are mostly members of the Cult of Chaos, an organization dedicated to the resurrection of an ancient god.

Type

Planetoid / Moon