Class: Comet cloud
Size: Enormous
Resources: Ice, Exotic element (Heavy Ice), archeotech, xenotech
Anomalies:
Clash of pre-Imperial space battle has left scattered ancient remnants for foolhardy to scavenge.
Description:
The enormous comet cloud loomes ominously in the fringe of the blue giant star system, its massive size stretching for millions of miles.
The comet cloud is made up of trillions of comets of various sizes, ranging from small chunks of ice to massive boulders several kilometers in diameter. The comets are constantly colliding with each other, creating spectacular displays of light as the icy fragments vaporize upon impact.
The blue giant star system is known for its turbulent environment, with intense stellar winds and radiation creating a hostile environment for life. However, the comet cloud has become a haven for a unique ecosystem of microorganisms that have adapted to survive in the extreme conditions.
The microorganisms that inhabit the comet cloud are able to survive on the frozen water and organic molecules present in the comets. They have developed specialized mechanisms to protect themselves from the intense radiation and temperature fluctuations in the comet cloud. Byproducts of these protective mechanism produce valuable organic compounds that accumulate to comet surfaces and can be used to enhance drug and medicine production.
In the cloud, heavy ice is formed through a process known as “cryovolcanism”. This is a geological process, caused by solar radiation, gravitational shifts in the system and collissions of the comets, where volatiles, such as water, methane, and ammonia, erupt from the surface of a large comet in the form of icy volcanoes.
The process begins when the volatiles freeze solid, forming a thick layer of ice on the surface of the large comet. Over time, the pressure and heat build up beneath the surface, until the ice begins to melt and the volatiles become molten.
As the pressure builds up, the molten volatiles are forced through cracks and fissures in the surface, erupting into space as a plume of liquid and ice particles. These particles freeze instantly in the vacuum of space, forming a fine mist of heavy ice crystals.
Over time, these particles begin to collect and stick together, forming larger and larger clumps of heavy ice. Eventually, these clumps can grow to become massive chunks of ice, sometimes even kilometers in size.
The remnants of the battle forms a distinct area within the comet cloud, an area that is darker and denser than the rest of the cloud. Here, broken pieces of spacecraft, twisted metal fragments, and destroyed weapons litter the area, creating a dangerous and grim spacescape.
As one ventures deeper into the area, the debris became denser and more chaotic. There are shattered hulls of ships, blackened and twisted beyond recognition. The remains of weapons are scattered everywhere, some of them still operational from their last use.
Despite the dangers present, the area is not without its profits. There are large quantities of natural resources and valuable technological remnants that could be salvaged and studied, providing valuable insight into the capabilities of the Dark Age of Technology and of the unknown xenos race.
Habitats:
- Canor Sol, Archeotech star fortress claimed by the Imperium
- UT-192, ”Pauperpolis”, major comet turned to a system vessel.
- UT-451, ”Pugia”, major comet
- UT-455 “Celos” major comet
- Graveyard of star vessels
!GM notes!
Ignis Aeternus WH 40K campaign notes 