Sisters

Follow the sisters

E

xcilior has no traditional moon. In early history, after the Age of Darkness, the first Cervians believed that the planet had no moon at all. But it wasn't long before they realized that the phenomenon they were calling a constellation of exceptionally-bright stars, is actually a miniature planetoid system that orbits Excilior.

Constellation of Moons

The Sisters are three small moons of somewhat similar size. They actually orbit each other - all of them dancing around their own shared center of gravity. In turn, the combined tandem orbits Excilior. But it took the early cognoscenti some time to realize this because the trio rests in a geosynchronous orbit above Excilior. This means that they remain stationary over the same location on the planet's surface, even as they slowly spin around each other. Specifically, they are always hovering in the sky over a spot that is roughly at the north end of the Sister Seia.

Geosynchronous Orbit

This unique and fortuitous situation means that the Sisters serve a key role in navigation as the planet's "north star". Their position always coincides with the same location over the Sister Seia. So navigators for thousands of years have relied on the Sisters to chart their courses and maintain their bearings.
Due to their diminutive nature, the Sisters usually appear as three brilliant stars in the sky. Few have the superior eyesight needed to make out their planetoid features with the naked eye. But certain atmospheric conditions can make it far easier for the average casterway to identify them as satellites.

Colors

They are also known for their distinct hues. Weather patterns, seasons, and solar conflagrations can, at times, make them all appear to be of a single (but varying) color. But on an average day/night, they present as distinct entities.

• Hipheia
  The largest (and thus, easiest to identify its planetary features with the naked eye), it has a distinctly-purple hue.
• Valara
  Usually has an ochre color, and with the recent advent of telescopes, some cognoscenti believe that it has its own miniature ring of debris.
• Nilaria
  Because it's the smallest of the three, at many times it's impossible to see, because it's effectively hidden behind one of the others - but when it can be viewed, it has a deep emerald hue.

Pronunciation

SISS-turrz

Type

Planetoid / Moon