Frosbine

Geography

Frosbine is a terrestrial planet situated in the far reaches of Leviathan space. The planet's surface is about 80% ocean, with the remaining land nearly completely covered by glaciers. As such, the planet is freezing and miserable, although habitable. Drift ice is very common. Icebergs dot the horizon, often reaching miles deep. The average depth of the ocean is 38,700 feet, with the deepest point discovered so far being around 41,000 feet down. Of course, Leviathan has forbidden most travel, only allowing heavily vetted scientific traffic to the planet's surface. The grinding of glaciers on the seafloor completely drowns out other noise picked up by the few research listening posts set up by Leviathan. Occasionally, variations occur, with several managing to reach a volume legible from only a few hundred feet below the surface. Leviathan scientists chalk this up to deviations in the hardware used to monitor the ocean, although some of the more conspiratorial citizens of the empire believe this to be misleading.

Ecosystem

Whilst the majority of flora and fauna on Frosbine reside in the ocean, terrestrial organisms do exist. Drift ice and glaciers are buzzing hives of life. Since most terrestrial creatures hunt or travel in the ocean anyway, the ice serves as a place to rest, raise children, and retreat from dangers below. Those few creatures able to cling onto icebergs make use of them as permanent homes or temporary roosts, dotting the ice with burrows and nests. Since all kinds of creatures gather around the ice, predatory creatures from the open ocean often circle beneath, waiting for a mistimed dive into the depths below.

History

Frosbine was discovered by a Leviathan probe, and the empire developed an immediate interest in the planet. Despite falling under Leviathan space, Frosbine had not yet been surveyed. Several research firms competed for imperial grants, and one was eventually dispatched to the planet for initial surveying. This team consisted of around 60 people. As part of the terms of the grant, they were required to set up several ocean floor and surface listening posts. The science team recorded the native flora and fauna of the island, and discerned that the atmosphere was breathable. After a preliminary airborne pathogen check, the science team was allowed to take off their protective equipment. Many of them chose not to, as the bulky PPE added another layer of protection from the cold. The science team noted the planet as being colonizable, although this was vetoed by an embedded liaison from the Leviathan government. A few weeks before the team was due to leave the planet, a check on the listening sites was being performed (They were checked weekly to ensure they would be able to continue transmitting after the team left the planet.) The team performing the check disappeared, along with their vessel. Twelve people were immediately declared missing, presumed dead. The liaison announced that a search would not commence, and the team left the planet early. An unmanned probe later found the remains of the team, which appeared to be untouched except for the slight onset of decomposition. An autopsy revealed the cause of death to be Barotrauma, although the check was being performed on a surface listening post and did not require diving. Their vessel was never found.

Type

Planet