Comporellon is a planet in the Spelljammer campaign setting. This size E elliptical earth body is both techtonically and volcanically very active.[1]
Overview[]
Comporellon is an elliptical world, with an equatorial diameter of 7,900 miles (12,714 kilometres) and a polar diameter of 6,844 miles (11,014 kilometres), meaning that the poles are considerably flattened, giving the planet the appearance of a tangerine orange. Comporellon has a core of liquid iron, surrounded by a mantle of molten rock, and finally a crust of solid rock. However, compared to standard earth worlds, its crust is surprisingly thin. On average the crust is little more than two miles (3.2 kilometers) thick, but in many places, it is considerably less than a mile (1.6 kilometres) thick, with the result that the planet is both volcanically and tectonically very active.
Comporellon is a rugged world with many mountain ranges. For the last several centuries, the planet has been undergoing a mountain-building cycle, which means that its topography is changing at a measurable rate. In various places, mountain ranges are rising from the plains, or from the seabeds, at rates that can be measured in tens of feet per year. Almost three-quarters of Comporellon's mountains, and virtually 100% of the large ones, are volcanic to one degree or another. Most mountains are topped by plumes of black smoke and gouts of fire. On other worlds, the majority of erosion is carried out by water. On Comporellon, it is due to molten lava.
In the high mountain ranges, the larger peaks are often the source of great rivers of lava that gouge out massive valleys on their way to the oceans. Although the majority of Comporellon's surface is land, there are several oceans of warm salt water. The temperature of these oceans is kept relatively high, on average 55°F (12°C) worldwide, by volcanic action. Underwater geysers and lava vents heat the depths, while lava flows from the land pour energy into the coastal shallows. There are smaller bodies of fresh water, particularly on the lowlands away from the volcanic mountain ranges.
The rotational axis of Comporellon is almost perfectly perpendicular to the planet's orbital plane, meaning that there is very little difference between summer and winter. Throughout the year, Comporellon is almost totally covered by clouds. These are mainly water vapor, but also contain contaminants, largely toxic, that are spewed out in great quantity by the volcanos. The clouds are often mottled brown or red in color, and appear to be very thick. However, the cloud layer is in fact relatively thin, which allows some light from the sun, if not much heat, to penetrate to the land below. The undersides of the clouds are often lit by the reflected glare of hundreds of volcanoes, so there is very little difference in illumination between day and night.
Because the many volcanos pour large quantities of caustic substances into the atmosphere, much of these are concentrated in the cloud layer. The level of acidity within these clouds, however, must be experienced to be believed. Spelljamming vessels spending any time within the cloud cover, will experience acid damage, as will any crewmen actually on the deck of the ship. For this reason, visitors to Comporellon are best advised to get through the clouds as quickly as possible.
The clouds reflect much of the heat from the sun, but, conversely, they retain much of the heat released by volcanoes, which on other planets would be radiated into space. Comporellon is therefore considerably warmer than might be expected. There is little temperature fluctuation between the poles and the equator. Much greater is the temperature difference that comes with altitude. At sea level, the average planetary temperature is 90°F (32°C). This climbs steadily with increasing altitude. At the underside of the cloud layer, the temperature is generally around 130°F (54°C). Above the clouds, temperature drops rapidly with increasing altitude, as it does on most other planets. The seasonal temperature variation is about 5° between summer and winter.
Rain is very common on Comporellon, as water vapor from the oceans condenses in the cloud layer and falls again to earth. Because the mountains are generally sources of heat, rainfall is more plentiful over the lowlands. Rain on Comporellon is warm and brackish, and tastes noticeably of sulfur. The rain is generally caustic as well, but nowhere near as acidic as the clouds. Rainfall causes mild irritation to exposed skin, and discolors metals, but causes little to no damage.Because heated air rises, there are strong winds in the mountainous regions, blowing consistently and powerfully uphill. These winds are definitely strong enough to pose serious risks to spelljamming vessels in the atmosphere, but are rarely accompanied by precipitation.[1]
Inhabitants[]
The first recorded explorer to visit Comporellon described the planet as a "close approximation of the Hells." Comporellon might be hostile, but it still supports a wide array of life, both flora and fauna. Because very little sunlight penetrates the cloud layer, few native plants depend totally on photosynthesis for their energy. Those that do are bright blue or violet in color. The majority draw their energy from differences in temperature, either between the surface and deep below the ground, or between different spots on the surface. Animal life on Comporellon comprises almost exclusively of reptilian creatures like those from earlier epochs on other planets. These reptiles can be found in virtually every size and description, filling almost every ecological niche on land, sea or air.[1]
The Ai'ir[]
The most intelligent race on Comporellon, and, apparently, the only non-reptilian one, is a species of hairless humanoids called the Ai'ir (who are, to all intents and purposes, humans.) The Ai'ir are characteristically tall and thin, with skin that is almost snow-white. The Ai'ir are totally hairless, and their eyes seem slightly larger than normal. Otherwise, they could quite easily be mistaken for natives of virtually any other human world. Culturally, the Ai'ir are nomadic by necessity, since Comporellon's volcanic activity makes it impossible to stay in one place too long. The Ai'ir have no knowledge of arcane magic wielded by wizards, and there are no mages among their population. They do have priests, however, who profess belief in a bewildering array of deities. Judging from the stories of the few explorers to visit Comporellon, there are at least 75 deities worshipped on the planet, perhaps many more. Priests are highly respected members of their groups, but rarely become the leader. This position of power is usually held by the woman who shows the best combination of skills at oratory and oral history.
The Ai'ir have no concept of the greater universe that surrounds their world. Their language has no words for space, planet, star, or related concepts, possibly due to the dense cloud cover that shrouds their world. Subsequently, the Ai'ir know absolutely nothing of spelljamming. The reception that visitors get on arrival on Comporellon depends greatly on just which group they happen to encounter and how they behave themselves. Some groups are relatively open when it comes to strangers, while others are xenophobic in the extreme. Tales tell of visitors being accepted as gods, while others describe immediate attacks by the Ai'ir and attempts to totally eradicate the "outlanders. " The best way to earn the enmity of an Ai'ir group is to ridicule their religious beliefs.[1]