Xeros is a planet thriving against the odds. Its orbital lock with its nearest star sees one half in perpetual (and dangerous) sunlight and the other forever in night. Despite the myriad drawbacks and health concerns, Xeros is consistently rated a top planet to live on and vacation to.
Perpetual Night
Humanity’s need for sunlight is a well-documented, scientific fact. Sun deprivation is tied to fatigue, weakness, depression, bone loss, and more. Many find ways to cope seasonally on other planets, but Xerosians needed year-round solutions.
To combat the vitamin D deficiency its inhabitants would surely suffer, the original settlers of Xeros set immediately to creating and installing “artificial sun” lights. To this day, planet-wide laws dictate the strength and placement of these lights.
In public spaces, these lights brighten and dim on a set schedule, mimicking a day/night cycle. The schedule is standardized across the planet, keeping all municipalities on the same time zone.
The final drawback, and the one with the fewest answers, is light sensitivity. Artificial sun lights don’t meet the intensity of a nearby star. The brightness of even a cloudy day elsewhere can be near-blinding to those who’ve lived on Xeros for too long. This light sensitivity can be permanent, but most can adjust to brighter skies given time.
Politics
Unlike most other planets with comparable populations, Xeros isn’t divided into separate countries. Its planetary government liaises with the Protectorate, while individual leaders run their own municipalities.
The planetary government functions out of the city capital, Brilansis. However, most visiting the planet see its more common tourist locations, like its many star-lit beaches, galactic observation centers, and of course, the Blue Spire Academy in Avlen.
Xeros has historically been at peace with the galactic cluster, having never been part of any major wars even dating back to pre-Scream times. The Emerald Legion was also unable to gain a major foothold on the planet, a fact many attribute to the prevalence of psions on the planet.
However, as Livonia’s anti-psionic rhetoric gains more momentum on other planets, many worry Xeros may face threats in the near future. The centuries-old war with Janus may be all that’s stopped Livonia from attacking Xeros directly so far.
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