Cryos, The Ice Moon

Begin the extraction process immediately; I want to leave when that storm hits. - Space Miner

The ice moon of Cryos, a satellite orbiting the gas giant Veneth , is a world both harsh and mesmerizing, defined by its icy expanse and the enigmatic phenomena that unfold beneath its frozen surface. The moon’s outer crust is a vast, glittering sheet of ice, stretching endlessly in all directions, broken only by the occasional jagged mountain range formed from tectonic upheavals deep below. Its surface, a mix of crystalline plains and sharp, frozen ridges, glows faintly under the weak light of its distant sun, casting long, haunting shadows. Beneath this glacial veneer, Cryos harbors a mysterious and volatile environment. Its subsurface ocean, kept warm by tidal forces exerted by its parent gas giant, is a hidden realm of pressure and steam, where pockets of geothermal activity create isolated oases of warmth. Here, life may flourish, not as we know it, but in forms adapted to the extreme cold and the intense radiation that bathes the moon’s surface. The temperature at Cryos’ surface is a staggering -200 degrees Celsius, a landscape where survival is a constant struggle. The air is thin and unbreathable, composed primarily of nitrogen and methane, making it impossible for any human or conventional life to thrive without the aid of advanced technology. Yet, despite its inhospitable nature, Cryos has become a point of interest for scientific exploration and resource mining. The ice that blankets the moon contains precious water and valuable minerals—resources coveted by those in need of life-sustaining materials or advanced technologies. Beneath the surface, hidden beneath miles of ice, scientists have detected signs of geothermal heat, suggesting the possibility of alien life or at least microbial life forms, thriving in the warmth of the deep ocean. Cryos is also home to peculiar and dangerous phenomena. Due to its position within its system, the moon is constantly bombarded by solar winds and radiation, which cause bizarre weather patterns. Occasionally, the ice cracks open in violent fissures, releasing superheated steam in massive geysers that can shoot hundreds of miles into the frigid air, creating temporary, violent tempests of freezing mist. Massive storms, filled with charged particles, often rage across the surface, creating auroras that light up the night sky with eerie, shifting hues. The moon is also renowned for its shifting magnetic field, which wreaks havoc on technology and compasses, forcing explorers and settlers to rely on advanced navigation systems to keep them from getting lost in the vast frozen wilderness. Above all, Cryos is a place of paradoxes seemingly barren yet teeming with potential, a moon of isolation and danger, yet one that beckons to those daring enough to uncover its secrets. It is a world of ice and fire, where extremes coexist, and where the answers to the universe’s deepest questions may lie, hidden beneath layers of frozen mystery.

Ecosystem

The moon itself is entirely a sub-arctic environment that is entirely covered in ice and has no oxygen to breath.

Localized Phenomena

Ice Storms: Massive storms are common due to the low bearing temperatures, causing strong solar wins to pick up ice and snow that can be dangerous to stay in if not adequately protected.

Natural Resources

The moon itself has very few resources of note, yet deep beneath its surface lies a rare mineral known as Reterium, which came from a massive meteorite that crashed and landed on the moon eons ago. The mineral itself is a fuel source for powering spacecraft and is vital in refueling them in the deep reaches of space, isolated from most habited regions.

History

The Moon has been divided by the two great powers of the Imperial Allegiance and the Coalition of Democratic States over the resources found on the planet with both sides remaining in their designated territories.

Tourism

Mining is the main business of the moon, with mining sites being found all over and miners coming once their contracts come to an end.

Type

Planetoid / Moon

Contested By

• Coalition of Democratic States
• Imperial Allegiance