Matomnia

Matomnia is a fictional planet located in the fictional Xylos system. Its orbital period is approximately 380 Earth days, and it is the third planet from its star, a yellow dwarf similar to Earth's sun. Matomnia is characterized by its predominantly arid landscape, with vast deserts punctuated by mountain ranges and a few large, saline seas. The atmosphere is thin, composed mainly of nitrogen and a trace amount of oxygen, making it unsuitable for unprotected human respiration.

The planet's surface temperature fluctuates significantly between day and night, with daytime temperatures reaching up to 60 degrees Celsius and dropping below freezing at night. Matomnia experiences infrequent, but intense, sandstorms that can last for days. Flora and fauna on Matomnia are adapted to survive in harsh, dry conditions. Indigenous lifeforms typically exhibit slow metabolisms and possess efficient water conservation mechanisms.

Several theories exist regarding the geological history of Matomnia, with some suggesting a past with more abundant liquid water. Evidence of ancient riverbeds and dried-up lake basins supports these hypotheses. The planet is sparsely populated by a sentient, silicon-based species known as the "K'tharr," who have developed a primitive civilization centered around subterranean settlements to escape the extreme surface conditions. Their technology is focused on survival and resource management, particularly water extraction and energy generation from geothermal sources. Exploration of Matomnia by off-world civilizations has been limited due to its challenging environment and the K'tharr's reclusive nature.