Overview
Astell is a planet entirely covered by deep oceans, without any permanent continents or islands. Its only major metropolis, Athi City, floats above an enormous oceanic platform that serves as the planetary capital, main commercial port, and administrative center. Beyond the city, hundreds of floating platforms and underwater stations are distributed across the planet, extracting valuable minerals from the ocean floor.
Astell’s deep-sea trenches contain enormous deposits of rare metals, piezoelectric crystals, and other valuable minerals used in advanced industrial manufacturing. Gigantic automated drilling facilities descend several kilometers beneath the ocean, while specialized underwater transport vessels carry extracted resources to the surface for processing.
However, mining is not the planet’s only source of wealth. Astell’s oceans support an extraordinary marine ecosystem containing species found nowhere else in the galaxy. These creatures have developed through an exceptionally rare combination of microorganisms, dissolved minerals, and organic nutrients present exclusively in Astell’s waters. Numerous corporations have attempted to reproduce this ecosystem in artificial tanks, but recreating its natural chemical composition is prohibitively expensive. Consequently, Astell remains the only commercially viable source of these highly prized marine species, making them an exclusive delicacy throughout the Sector.
Beneath the surface lie enormous abyssal trenches, underwater mountains, hydrothermal vents, and extensive cave systems. Although much of the ocean appears relatively calm, powerful currents and enormous marine predators make underwater mining a dangerous and highly specialized occupation.
Most inhabitants live within floating settlements or Athi City, while thousands of workers spend extended periods in pressurized underwater facilities connected to the planet’s mining infrastructure.
Planetary View
From space, Astell is immediately recognizable by its intense purple coloration, created by the unusual mineral composition of its oceans. Its entire surface is covered by water, without any visible continents, forming a vast global ocean characterized by swirling patterns of violet, lavender, and bright white reflections.
Large atmospheric cloud formations spiral across the planet, occasionally revealing the metallic-looking ocean beneath them. The light of its orange K-type star produces subtle golden reflections across the water.
Astell has no rings or polar ice caps. Athi City is barely distinguishable from orbit as a small cluster of bright white lights on the ocean surface, accompanied by scattered industrial platforms that appear as tiny illuminated points during the night.
Its overall appearance resembles an enormous purple pearl suspended in space.
Surface View
From the surface, the horizon consists entirely of an endless ocean stretching in every direction. The sky has soft blue tones with a slight violet tint caused by the reflection of the mineral-rich waters, while the small orange sun illuminates the ocean with golden reflections.
Athi City rises above the water on enormous floating structures featuring multiple levels of skyscrapers, spaceports, industrial facilities, and maritime terminals connected by bridges and elevated transportation systems. Its architecture combines advanced engineering with an extensive network of floating platforms, resembling a massive oceanic metropolis.
Far beyond the city, smaller floating settlements are dedicated to fishing and marine harvesting. Enormous mining platforms dominate certain regions, with industrial elevators descending deep beneath the ocean.
At night, thousands of white and blue lights reflect across the water, creating a spectacular illuminated horizon. Occasionally, enormous marine creatures can be seen emerging between the waves before disappearing into the depths.
Fauna and Flora
Giant abyssal fish, bioluminescent crustaceans, filter-feeding jellyfish, metallic corals, mineral-rich algae, and nutrient-producing microorganisms.
