Astraeus Defense

Lore & Races

Children of Xuul

Zealots of a Dark Deity

Native to the enigmatic planet of Astraeus, the Children of Xuul are a fervent and enigmatic cult bound by their unwavering devotion to the entity known as Xuul. This dark deity, shrouded in mystery and fueled by sacrifice, holds a powerful sway over its followers, promising them ascension and power in exchange for their unwavering loyalty.

The Cult of Xuul

The Children of Xuul are organized into a rigid hierarchical structure, with priests and priestesses serving as intermediaries between the deity and its followers. Their society revolves around rituals, sacrifices, and the unwavering pursuit of Xuul's favor. The cult's beliefs are steeped in ancient traditions and cryptic prophecies, passed down through generations of devout believers.

Xuul's Influence

Xuul communicates with its followers through its priests, offering guidance, prophecies, and promises of power. In exchange for their devotion, Xuul bestows its followers with enhancements, ranging from increased strength and agility to rapid health regeneration and summoning the dead. These enhancements, however, come at a terrible price: the sacrifice of other sentient beings.

The Price of Ascension

The Children of Xuul believe that by offering enough sacrifices to Xuul, they will usher in an era of ascension, where their deity will walk among them and lead them to a promised utopia beyond the stars. This belief fuels their relentless pursuit of other intelligent life forms, whom they view as mere offerings to appease their god.

The Children of Xuul on Astraeus

On Astraeus, the Children of Xuul are a constant source of conflict and fear. Their raids on settlements and their gruesome rituals have earned them the enmity of many other races. Their presence is a reminder of the darkness that lurks beneath the surface of the galaxy, a testament to the lengths some will go to achieve their twisted vision of paradise.

A Dark Legacy

The Children of Xuul are a stark reminder of the dangers of blind faith and the potential for zealotry to lead to unimaginable atrocities. Their legacy is one of blood and sacrifice, a testament to the darkness that can consume even the most devout believers.

General Description

Astraeus is a colossal world of stark contrasts, its vast deserts punctuated by sprawling crystal formations that shimmer like beacons in the sunlight. These crystals, known as Astraen Crystals, hold immense power and are sought after by countless races across the galaxy. Beneath its rugged exterior lies a hollowed-out core, a relic of an ancient civilization known as the Great Old Ones. Despite its immense size—large enough to accommodate 19 continents—Astraeus maintains a gravitational pull only 1.3 times that of Earth, a testament to the advanced engineering of its creators.

Atmosphere

Composition: Primarily nitrogen and oxygen, with low humidity and trace amounts of argon and other gases.

Pressure: Similar to Earth's atmosphere.

Temperature: Extreme variations, with scorching daytime temperatures exceeding 50°C (122°F) and frigid nighttime temperatures dropping below freezing, particularly in desert regions.

Geography

Dominated by: 19 distinct continents, each with unique ecosystems and landscapes ranging from vast deserts and rocky plateaus to lush rainforests, towering mountains, and frozen tundra.

Notable features: The Crystal Oasis, a fertile valley surrounded by towering crystal spires; the Shifting Sands, a vast desert known for its treacherous sandstorms; the Ancient Ruins, remnants of the Great Old Ones' civilization; the Forbidden Zone, a region shrouded in mystery and rumored to hold untold dangers; and Gha'ranth, a desolate desert continent teeming with dangerous megafauna.

Flora and Fauna

Exceptionally diverse, with each continent harboring a unique array of life forms adapted to their specific environments.

Gha'ranth is known for its harsh desert environment and large, dangerous megafauna.

Other continents boast lush rainforests teeming with exotic plant and animal life, sprawling grasslands roamed by herds of herbivores, and icy tundra inhabited by hardy predators.

Common Fauna

Common Name: Sandstalker Beast Latin Name: Arenapredator monstrum

⁠

Common Name: Thornclaw Hunter Latin Name: Spinaungula venator

⁠

Common Name: Duskprowler Reptile Latin Name: Crepusculapredator reptilia

⁠

Common Flora:

Common Name: Skyreach Blossoms Latin Name: Caelumascendis florentis

⁠

Common Name: Desert Pinnacle Plant Latin Name: Desertipinnaculum planta

⁠

Common Name: Dune Spire Flora Latin Name: Dunaspira floris

⁠

Indigenous Civilizations

The Children of Xuul are the only known intelligent species native to Astraeus. They primarily inhabit Gha'ranth, their settlements ranging from small encampments to sprawling temple complexes.

The Astraens, a now-extinct advanced civilization, once dominated 10 of Astraeus' continents, their technological prowess and cultural achievements evident in the numerous ruins scattered across the planet. Their civilization coexisted with the Children of Xuul, who were confined to Gha'ranth due to its inhospitable nature.

Resources

Astraeus' most valuable resource is the Astraen Crystal, a powerful energy source with a wide range of applications.

The planet's diverse environments offer a vast array of minerals, elements, and biological resources, attracting the attention of countless civilizations across the galaxy.

The Ancient Ruins of the Astraens hold clues to forgotten knowledge and technologies, making them a target for explorers and researchers.

Challenges and Dangers

The extreme temperatures, lack of water in certain regions, and dangerous megafauna on Gha'ranth make survival on Astraeus a constant challenge.

Sandstorms, extreme weather patterns, and seismic activity pose additional threats.

The Children of Xuul are fiercely protective of their territory and resources, and will attack any perceived intruders.

The Forbidden Zone is rumored to hold ancient and powerful dangers, making it a perilous destination for even the most seasoned explorers.

Cultural Significance

Astraeus is a sacred land for the Children of Xuul, who believe it to be the chosen home of their deity. The harsh environment of Gha'ranth has shaped their cultural beliefs, emphasizing survival, resilience, and the worship of Xuul.

For the now-vanished Astraens, Astraeus was a hub of technological and cultural advancement, their legacy etched into the planet's landscape and the ruins they left behind.

For other races, Astraeus represents a land of opportunity and danger, a place where fortunes can be made and lost, and where the fate of entire civilizations may hang in the balance. The hollowed-out core, the mysteries of the Great Old Ones, and the enigmatic Astraen Crystals all contribute to the planet's allure and intrigue.