Damnenghaba

Planetary Data
Covered in acidic clouds and powerful thunderstorms striking everywhere on the planet, Damnenghaba has been widely considered as a hellhole of a planet. Located in a very odd star system with a yellow dwarf, a brown dwarf and a black hole; it has high gravity and a soupy, dense atmosphere not breathable by most carbon-based life. The atmosphere generates a greenhouse effect that warms the surface to the point of inhabitability; although it is tolerable for most beings for a while if the acidic air doesn’t kill them.

The surface of this planet is mostly covered in flat rocks, usually slate, along with small river basins that are occasionally filled with a mixture of brine and poisonous chemicals. There is no life to speak of. However, when uncovered, the surface is rich in fossils of old and large organisms as well as ruins of some buildings; suggesting a past habitability.

Despite the horrible conditions of the surface, below ground there exists an extensive system of tunnels, sewers, and catacombs that are able to support life. Although they were probably built for other purposes, the maze like underground is riddled with life support that purifies the air and lowers the temperature to acceptable, albeit cold levels. Many springs and rivers run through the many passages, providing water and nutrients to the sparse troglodyte fauna crawling through the depths.

However, most of the tunnels remain unexplored to outsiders, as the passages descent into the earth they become uninhabitable and hostile, as well as natives zealously guarding some of the most odd-looking catacombs.

Inhabitants
The Damnen are a strange race. They are bipeds covered in naked reddish skin with the exception of the head which is covered in long strands of dark auburn hair. They have thin limbs and body, which is covered in an organic white robe that emerges from their joints, most of the times oversized and occasionally customized with colorful designs. They have a single pale bioluminescent eye and a single gender, with each individuals possessing both male and female gametes, and give live birth.

These beings have adapted to their environment remarkably well. Their robes and hair are able to protect them from the acidic environment of their atmosphere for a while, their eyes serve as natural flashlights, and they seem to be able to heal quite rapidly severe wounds, but they do not possess true regeneration as amputated limbs do not grow back and black scars remain for their lifetime. They have not been observed to eat or blink. In addition, Damnen brains have an inherent psychic potential, being able to subconsciously use telepathy with themselves, other creatures, and even with alien.

Damnen do not seem to be above average in terms of intelligence, but seem to have developed strong emotions, with their society consisting tightly-knit family tribes having settled in a corner of their tunnel system. The culture and behavior of these families varies wildly from each other, with some being recluses while others regularly travel and mingle; but they all share a nearly equal worship of a deity called Joelry, a dual goddess of joy and ruin. First contact has only been established with some of the most xenophile tribes as most other Damnen do not trust or are outright hostile to what they consider invaders from the stars. Some of the most adventurous Damnen have emigrated to the stars, spreading their diverse culture through the Norma Arm.

Their current level of technology is not truly known. They are the confirmed builders of their catacombs, and possess knowledge of physics, biology and tech that allows them to fix their life support systems or to make their own and weaponry such as tasers or lead slug-throwers. However, they had no knowledge of advanced computers and astrophysics among other things, hinting at a possible level of regression. Furthermore, some of the most reclusive families (which have been described as “religious fanatics” by other tribes) seem to wield laser weaponry, have fusion reactors and posses power over other, less understood phenomena such as shape-shifting and raising the dead. As such, due to the great difference between relative primitive technology and fantastical “magic”, some argue that the true technological advancement of Damnenghaba cannot be known at the moment.