Cel
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Map of Cel with national borders | |
| Orbital characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Eccentricity | ~0 |
| 365.256 days | |
| Physical characteristics | |
Mean radius | 0.091 RJ (6,371 km) |
| 243 million km2 | |
| Mass | 0.003 MJ (5.97 x 1024 kg) |
| 9.81 m/s2 (avg) | |
| Atmosphere | |
Surface pressure | 101 kPa (1 atm) |
Cel is a terrestrial planet in the Usilic system, the third planet from the star Usil and the only planet known to harbour life. Approximately 97% of its surface is composed of a single ocean, known as the Great Outer Sea, while its land area is divided into three terrestrial continents, Argestes, Caecia, and Notius, as well as a major archipelago, Zephynesia.
Etymology
Cel was the ancient Rassenic goddess of the eponymous planet. Among the Jin, Jomin, Rako, Aohi, and Toarina, the planet is instead known as Hotu, after their planetary deity.
Natural History
Formation
Pre-Versal Period
Versal Period
Thunic Period
The Thunic Period refers to the span of time lasting from around 53 million years BP to the present day. It is described as an wikipedia:Ice age, alternating between glacial periods and interglacial periods.
The Thunic Period began with the Kontic Epoch (53m-21m BP), an extensive glacial period during which sea levels were up to 200 metres below present levels, with ice sheets covering nearly 17% of Cel's surface area. The modern-day continents of Argestes, Caecia, and Notius were part of a single continent twice their combined size, known as Nesna, while a second, slightly larger continent, known as Ziva, was located to the north of Nesna's antipode. During the Kontic Epoch, mammals, which had been among the only animal survivors of the Versal Extinction, flourished throughout Nesna, while Ziva became home to a few simple species, including insects and mossy plants.
The Kontic Epoch was followed by the Tamasina Epoch (21m-5m BP), an interglacial period during which ice coverage decreased to around 7%, with sea levels rising to their highest point since the Versal Period. Ziva was entirely submerged, while Nesna split into continents similar to those of the modern day, but about 30% smaller on average. During this period, mammal populations declined, while flowering plants became more widespread. The earlier years of the epoch saw the emergence of the first primates, which were present in every continent by 34m BP. 7m BP marked the appearance of the Husrnana genus, the earliest type of pavaform.
The third epoch of the Thunic Period was the Thuaidhic Epoch (5m-10k BP), a glacial period during which sea levels were around 50 metres below their current levels. Ziva remained submerged while the continents remained distinct, albeit around 15% larger than their current sizes. Climatic conditions on the continents were largely cold, with long, harsh winters and brief, cool summers. Around 2m BP, Ziva leinthi, a pavaform believed to have evolved from the Husrnana genus, spread throughout Notius, becoming the first animal to use stone tools and fire.
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Post-Thunic Era
The post-Thunic era is a neologism referring to the current temporal epoch. However, geologists have disputed this classification, arguing that there have been no meaningful climatic or geological changes reminiscent of those signalling a new time period.
Geography
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Continents
Cel is comprised of three main continents; Argestes, Caecia, and Notius. Sometimes, the islands of Zephynesia are considered to be a fourth continent.
Argestes
Argestes is the largest of the three continents. Located to the west of Caecia and the north of Notius, its terrain is mostly rocky and mountainous, with temperate climates in its southern regions and taiga to the north. It is home to four nations: Gütland in the far northwest, Časrhinna near the centre of the continent, Rurik in the east, and the island of Faelan to the south. It has historically been the most powerful and prosperous of the three continents.
Caecia
Caecia is the second largest of the three continents, and the most populous. Located to the far east, it is home to four nations: the Dugar Belig, Jomin, Rakosien, and Jinchun.
Notius
Notius is the southernmost of the three continents, and the smallest in both area and population. It is home to only one nation, the eponymous Pan-Notius Union of Communalist States, as well as many de facto breakaway nations. It is considered to be the least prosperous of the three continents.
Zephynesia
Zephynesia is an archipelago to the west of Argestes and Notius, composed of three island nations: Choineam, Aohi'a, and Deashire. It is occasionally considered to be a fourth continent.
Bodies of Water
97.4% of Cel's surface is composed of water. The Great Outer Sea comprises around 95% of Cel's watery surface area, while freshwater bodies, such as the Great Inner Sea and numerous lakes and rivers, make up the remainder.
Great Outer Sea
The Great Outer Sea covers most of Cel's surface area, including an entire hemisphere. This half of the planet, known as the "Great Expanse", is seldom traversed. The only notable land in the Great Expanse is the archipelago of Alapiʻi, belonging to Aohi'a.
Great Inner Sea
The Great Inner Sea is a freshwater lake approximately the size of Rurik, separating the continents of Argestes and Caecia. It is Cel's main maritime shipping route, as well as its primary source of freshwater.