Chapter Text
Astrology: Chul is a somewhat larger and older planet than Earth with a slightly stronger gravitational pull. It has three moons, one much farther away than the other two. Chul orbits around a single yellow giant star, alongside many other planets; this is a larger solar system than Earth's, but the planets are much smaller, with few rivaling the size of Chuliox itself.
Geology (overview): There are very few islands in Chul’s single ocean, which covers about 40% of Chul's surface and is located in the planet's southern hemisphere. The southernmost pole is capped with ice. A great deal of the land-covered northern hemisphere is covered in lichen or grass-covered fields and recovering desert. There are also forests, though not many; several mountain ranges; lakes; river systems; and wetlands. The climate is warmer near Chul's equator, and cooler near its poles—especially the south pole.
The South Pole (landmark): The southern ice cap is deep and vast. The ice seems to turn slowly over time, melting and growing, changing with the seasons; its coasts are never exactly the same year to year. It is unknown whether there is any land mass whatsoever beneath the ice, for the sentient species of Chul finds the environment inhospitable. Despite this, there are unique flora and fauna that dwell atop the ice, beneath it, and in the cold surrounding waters.
The Great Marsh (landmark): Wetland occurs in several places near the coast of the northern landmass, but by far the largest is a single marsh which is fed by the tides from the southern ocean. This marsh filters into a large freshwater river system to the north. The center of the marsh is more fertile, with a great deal more plant and wildlife than the landbound edges, which are bordered mostly by grassland and still-recovering wasteland.
The Marsh River System (landmark): The fresh water river system created by the great marsh has many tributaries and branches. Some of these waterways are very old, predating the great marsh, but have been further developed by it.
The Great River Canyons (landmark): Some of the oldest riverbeds have cut deep swathes into portions of the land, resulting in dramatic canyon formations. This occurs in several places: there are desert canyons, fertile canyons surrounded by forest, and river canyons which run deep into mountain ranges. The shelter and access to water has made many of these canyons into historical settlements for the planet's sentient species.
The Hive Ruins (landmark): Left over from a previous age, the hive ruins litter the northern landmass. They are thickest toward the equator, with less of them as the climate grows colder farther north. The ruins vary in size and form; from smaller shallower formations, to vast and complex structures that spread far and deep underground. Though many still stand and have become the foundations of modern societies, there are far more ruins than the current population could hope to occupy. Many hives remain dormant, crumbling and returning to the land, or else are home to local wildlife.
Ground Zero (landmark): Evidence of the conclusion of a great war, long past. This large impact crater was created when the enemy fired its greatest weapon at one of the largest of the ancient hives, burning deep into the planet. The event instantly destroyed everything within a large radius and disrupted Chul’s natural biospheres for years following. Many species faced or neared total extinction; the sentient species, included.
Past Chul: Not a lot of details are known about pre-war Chul. It was once much more densely-populated, with more biodiversity than present Chul. It was once supposedly warmer, the ocean larger, and the southern ice cap smaller. Old Chul society used up much of the planet's resources, and the impact event drastically changed much of the planet.