Cosmic Wayfinder: Polyphinxion, the Shining Sanctuary

Polyphinxion, the Shining Sanctuary

Polyphinxion, the fifteenth planet from Sol, is a world covered in deserts of blue sand known as “The Shining Sanctuary”. The night sky reflects over endless dunes and bounces off glowing spires of pure aether crystal, only covered up by freezing cold sandstorms. Polyphinxion is rich with Essence and has visible leylines that run all throughout its surface, as well as oases filled with a rich metallic liquid. Wildlife, such as desert plants and fungi, have evolved to feed off of the light, while the native species have adapted and applied it in a myriad of ways.

 

An image of Polyphinxion from orbit

Polyphinxion’s Shell

Part of Polyphinxion’s surface is obscured by a massive exoskeleton visible from orbit. This belongs to an ancient creature known to Polyphinxions only as the Shell. The Shell is an ancient ancestor of the Polyphinxions, which has persisted for at least an eon on the planet. The Shell will often attack vessels that grow too close to Polyphinxion, but it has been known to be peaceful when Polyphinxion mediators reason with it by magic.

Polyphinxions

Polyphinxions are a beetle-like species that stands around four feet tall. They possess glittering shells of all hues, compound eyes, and three pairs of legs. Their exoskeletons hold wings that allow them to fly even through sandstorms, and their antennae have become attuned to the Essence that fills their environment. Polyphinxions are well-versed in Essence, creating branches of their own unique magic that only a select few in the universe can learn.

A Reluctant Ally

Polyphinxion participates in the Republic, but it engages in trade with those beyond its orbit only periodically. The transportation of aether crystals, rare plants, and minerals makes it the subject of many opportunities, but the Polyphinxions have remained firm in their culture of preservation. Polyphinxions live in villages built around the largest collections of aether crystal and have yet to build spacecraft using only teleportation magic.