Penumbrian Circle
How localized or global are the effects?
It is concentrated around the Northern and Southern Poles of the planet, where the constant temperatures inside of the crater have allowed for limited, but vital, innovations for habitability. Small parts of the plains between craters have been equipped to handle transportation between the crater states which can control the weather.
How does it look or manifest?
The LUNED (Lithomantic Union of Near-Sun Energy Distribution), has launched thirteen Watchers to provide solar energy for the Penumbrae regions, named after the Thirteen Humble Occupations which allowed for the planet's survival in such apocalyptic conditions. Thus, it is common to look up in this region and see the sky, no matter the day or time, as black with a large sun often low on the horizon, surrounded by zodiac dust and bright stars. The Watchers cause a lot of light pollution, however, and so times when there are many orbiting the visible sky are avoided. Organizations allied with LUNED have successfully captured enough solar energy to create an artificial storm system with highly reflective clouds. One can enjoy a small area on the outside edge of the craters where lichen grows and the exosphere is consistently breathable - most of the time.
How does it affect plants and animals of your world?
It keeps them from becoming Indifferent Shadows, which is a term used for those who are exposed to solar radiation and typically lose their faces, rendering them incapable of using most of their senses as well as the inability to express emotion, approval, or dissent. This is caused by a past of astronomical suffering which took place in order to make the planet habitable - those who cannot express reason or emotion are considered not sentient, and thus bioethics do not apply to them. Some consider the Indifferent to be undead creatures, others believe they are spirits of the deceased, others believe that a phenomena called the Indifferent Sun (from which the condition derives its name) causes them. Rumors of the Indifferent Shadows gaining sentience and the ability to speak are sources of fear among the population and feature in cautionary folktales.
What problems or benefits does it create for people?
The peoples who live in the Penumbrae are able to benefit from not living underground, which although considered a luxury, is an incredibly demanding life with a lot of artificial and sterile accommodations. There is more space to grow organic matter as well as practice Lithomancy, thus many crater states are used for scientific innovation and testing. It is a romantic destination for the Umbrae who live in lava tunnels underground, due to its vastness but relative safety. However, the cyclical storms as well as long days and nights (which last about 2 Earth Years), mean that people who live in the Penumbrae have distinct physiological and psychological attributes which differ from the sheltered Umbrae of the deep soil.
Manifestation
The limits of the penumbra are detected using lichen which absorb and change shape depending on the exosphere's chemical contents.
Localization
The Penumbra is an area around the Northern Polar region of the planet where the temperature stays relatively consistent, which has allowed for large settlements to form in the ice-filled craters.
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