Caelum
As a tidally locked planet, Caelum is characterized by one hemisphere perpetually scorched by its star, while the opposing hemisphere remains exposed to the cold of space. This results in only a narrow band of habitability between these extreme conditions. The planet's low magnetic field also allows high levels of radiation from its star to reach the surface at levels detrimental to organic life.
Although not an ideal candidate for colonization, the refugees considered themselves fortunate to have discovered it. Despite the less than welcoming surface conditions, it possessed the key compounds needed to support their biology and orbited a single star strikingly similar to that of their planet of origin. With their resources nearly depleted, the decision was made to establish a settlement on this less-than-perfect planet rather than continue their voyage and risk extinction.
It was christened "Neoterra" in homage to their native world, but was later renamed "Caelum," which translated to "Heavenly Paradise" in an ancient dialect. Reflecting the refugees' aspirations and hopes for their new home, this name was a meager effort to lift the morale of a displaced people forced to rebuild their civilization amidst these harsh new living conditions.
The refugees found that due to the extreme heat of its star-facing hemisphere, atmospheric carbon far exceeded life-sustaining limits. In response, they repurposed their spacecraft's propulsion systems and utilized the last of their fuel reserves to swiftly alter the atmosphere, thereby enabling immediate colonization. Sustained atmospheric management was necessary however to maintain habitability. This was mostly accomplished through the use of automated processing towers constructed in the planet's sole ocean.
As the Novian's civilization expanded, they ultimately urbanized the entire habitable surface of Caelum, extending their settlements as far as possible into the extreme hemispheres. With all surface area utilized, subterranean habitats were developed. This led to the construction of a lower planetary stratum, and it was discovered that these cavernous regions could expand much further since they were far beneath the inhospitable areas above. Moreover, significantly lower levels of radiation penetrated underground compared to the surface. In time, the lower wards, as they came to be known, surpassed in size and population that of the upper wards. Despite this, the inhabitants of the lower wards were regarded as an inferior underclass, and travel to the surface became restricted. Over time, the two areas evolved into distinct and separate worlds.
Caelum remained the core of Novian life for thousands of cycles. However, as other worlds in the system underwent terraforming and colonization, Caelum's significance diminished. Over time, this once-prominent hub of society eroded, and what was once a beacon of hope deteriorated into a planet-wide slum. It gained a reputation as the system's decrepit world of refuse, rife with criminal activity and squalor.
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