Nephele
| ||
| Orbital characteristics | ||
| Mass (Kg) | 7.04E+26 | |
| Radius (Km) | 53,741 | |
| Solar Day (h) | 16.8 | |
| Orbital Period (days) | 4,108 | |
| Semi-Major Axis (Km) | 6.96E+08 | |
| Periapsis (AU) | 4.65 | |
| Apoapsis (AU) | 4.67 | |
| Albedo | .6 | |
| Surface Temperature (K) | 74.9 | |
| Surface Gravity (m/s^2) | 16.3 | |
| Axial Tile (degrees) | 99.7 | |
| Inclination (degrees) | .627 | |
| Orbital Speed (Km/s) | 12.3 | |
| Satellites | Cato, Sisera, Erasmus | |
Nephele is the planet seventh closest to the star Atos, and the third of the system's four gas giants. It is also the second of the system's "ringed giants," with Thalassa being the first.
North Polar Regions
The North Pole of Nephele is a region of striking contrasts, bathed in a golden glow where sunlight meets thick atmospheric layers. This area is known for its vast cyclonic storms, where towering cloud bands stretch across the sky. The dominant feature of the North Pole is a massive, swirling polar vortex, an enduring storm system that shapes the dynamic weather patterns in the region. The interplay of light and shadow highlights the turbulence within these clouds, creating an eerie and enigmatic appearance.
Equatorial Regions
Nephele’s equator is defined by broad, smooth atmospheric bands in pale shades of cream, blue, and gray. These bands result from powerful jet streams that move at different speeds, sculpting the planet’s cloud layers into distinct zones. Unlike the chaotic poles, the equatorial region is relatively calm, though it remains home to periodic, long-lasting storms that ripple through the atmosphere. The muted coloration of this area suggests the presence of ammonia and water-ice clouds, possibly layered above deeper, unseen currents of atmospheric activity.
Southern Polar Regions
Similar to the north, the South Polar region of Nephele features deep cloud formations and strong atmospheric currents. However, this region appears to be in shadow, giving it a darker, more subdued tone. This hemisphere experiences seasonal changes that influence its cloud structures, with shifting weather patterns that reveal intricate atmospheric dynamics over time. The southern hemisphere’s vast storms and high-altitude winds contribute to the sculpted cloud formations seen here.
Silver Rings
Encircling Nephele is a magnificent system of thin, reflective rings, composed of ice, dust, and organic particles. These rings appear dark in the foreground, contrasting sharply against the illuminated planet. The rings are held in place by the gravitational forces of Nephele’s moons, which shepherd the material into delicate, structured bands. The subtle interplay of light and shadow within the rings creates an ever-shifting visual display, making them one of the most mesmerizing features of the planet. The faint glow seen along the rings’ edge hints at the presence of fine ice particles scattering sunlight, giving the rings their distinctive metallic sheen.
Mythology
In the religious cosmology of the Reformed Stripping Path, Nephele is venerated as both a celestial body and the divine embodiment of dreams, inspiration, and the subconscious realm. As the Lady Divine of Clouds, Nephele represents the liminal space between thought and creation—where fleeting ideas take shape, and mortal imagination reaches beyond the waking world. Her presence is associated with visionaries, poets, mystics, and all who seek to access the unseen currents of the inner mind.
According to canonical tradition, Nephele emerged from the collective dreams of early mortals, her form coalescing in the mist-laden upper reaches of the cosmos. She is said to breathe into the Dome of Nightfall, a sacred vessel from which all dreams descend into the world below. Her myths, such as the Hymn of Nephele, caution against the misuse of inspiration and emphasize the responsibility that accompanies creative power.
Worship of Nephele centers on the pursuit of insight through contemplation, meditation, and artistic expression. Her followers, especially those of the Reverie Nebulous order in Somniumpolis, view her not only as a muse, but as a guardian of the boundaries between reality and imagination. Rituals such as Oneiro Foteino transform cities into dreamlike sanctuaries, reflecting her influence over cultural life and personal revelation.
Through her association with the gas giant Nephele, whose silver rings shimmer like drifting thoughts across the sky, she is understood as a deity of gentle guidance—an ethereal force who invites mortals to explore the depths of their inner worlds, and to bring forth creations that bridge the seen and unseen.
