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Mythopoeist — Banner of the Sheol Autonomous Nature Preserve

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Published: 2023-04-12 21:18:28 +0000 UTC; Views: 1601; Favourites: 10; Downloads: 0
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Description Sheol is, quite literally, a hell of a planet: Unliveably hot for most Terragen life, acidic lakes containing mixtures of hydrocarbons and water, and a photosynthetic process that makes a chemical warfare agent a major part of the atmosphere. Nonetheless, it is in the 95th percentile when it comes to livability for non-terraformed exoplanets.

Flag:
Lime green background, with black waves.
A red trident in the center of the flag.
A stylized satellite in white, surrounding the trident.

Symbolism:
The black waves and green background symbolize Sheol's hydrocarbon lakes and chlorinated atmosphere.
The trident is a callback to Sheol's mythological namesake, while the satellite is standard ACS iconography.

History:
The Lucifer system, known at the time as HR 2721, was slated for colonization by the superluminal metric vessel ACSV Bookchin's Revenge.
The Sheol Autonomous Nature Preserve was created by popular consensus as soon as signs of a biosphere were detected. Bookchin's Revenge, already en route at the time of biosphere discovery, converted its hab section into an orbital colony, Purgatorio, on arrival. Purgatorio is a popular destination for xenobiochemists, microbiologists, and tourists with a burning need to explore the limits of what it means for a planet to be habitable.

Planetary composition and biosphere:
Sheol orbits Lucifer, a G0V yellow dwarf slightly brighter than Sol, just within its Terragen-standard Goldilocks Zone. Average surface temperature is 72 degrees C, with a mean barometric surface pressure of 2.89 Atm. Average surface gravity is 1.2 G and there is a well developed hydrosphere. As Sheol contains abundant surface water as well as dense hydrocarbons, it is classified as a hybrid Titan world.
Sheol's atmosphere consists of nitrogen, oxygen, phosgene, and various other chlorine compounds. While rare on lifeless exoplanets, atmospheres like Sheol's are the result of strong insolation making chlorinated photosynthesis feasible (1).
Sheol's biosphere is mostly unicellular, with pseudobacterial mats acting as primary photosynthesizers. Photosynthesis mostly involves the photolytic oxidation of aqueous chlorine with carbon monoxide to form phosgene and other halocarbon compounds. Life on Sheol is thought to have evolved at frothy interfaces between water and oil, where lipid analogues had ample opportunity to form.
As photosynthetic life spread, Sheol underwent its own version of an oxygen catastrophe. Chlorine compounds in the already dense atmosphere increased the greenhouse effect, leading to the evaporation of lighter hydrocarbons. These blocked out some of the light from Lucifer, keeping the chlorocarbons from undergoing photolysis as quickly. Photolysis of chlorocarbons still takes place at the top of the hydrocarbon cloud layer, but the braking effect is significant enough that the development of complex, more photosynthesis-hungry lifeforms is likely impossible. As such Sheol will almost certainly remain lifeless except for the glorified pond scum in its simmering lakes.

Destinations:
Lucifer is quite literally a one-wormhole system, and as such it is largely deserted. Aside from a few research aerostats in Sheol's atmosphere, Purgatorio is the only sizeable place to live. Attractions in the organic hab section include the museum of infernal microbiology, the Sheol biotech research cooperative, and a local chapter of the Babylon Sibhood(2).

(1):
Strong UV radiation breaks apart chlorocarbons that are normally stable under earthlike conditions, freeing chlorine for ready use in xenobiological processes.
(2):
 The Babylon Sibhood is a fraternal organization composed of former sex workers. Despite stereotypes, members do not dedicate most of their time to historical reenactment, choosing instead to raise awareness of the way exploitative social systems commodified reproduction, turning what should have been an act of pleasure into drudgery. Other efforts include outreach to systems near ACS influence, often involving aiding unionization efforts or working to curb more exploitative practices.
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