Skafranum

Skafranum is a fictional planet featured in the science fiction novel "Chronicles of the Outer Rim" by Anya Sharma. The planet is described as a tidally locked world, meaning one side perpetually faces its star while the other remains in eternal darkness. This creates extreme environmental conditions. The "day side" is a scorching, arid desert, with temperatures too high for most known life forms to survive unprotected. Conversely, the "night side" is an icy wasteland, characterized by perpetual frost and sub-zero temperatures.

The habitable zone on Skafranum exists in the twilight band between these two extremes, known as the "Terminator." This region is characterized by constant, moderate temperatures and is where the majority of Skafranum's unique flora and fauna have adapted to survive. Scarce water resources are a major challenge, with most life relying on moisture captured from atmospheric condensation or underground ice deposits.

The dominant sentient species on Skafranum, the K'tharr, are a reptilian race that has evolved to withstand the harsh conditions of the Terminator. They are known for their resilience and their advanced understanding of resource management, particularly in relation to water conservation. Their society is structured around communal survival, with elaborate underground dwellings providing protection from the planet's volatile surface. Skafranum is often depicted as a planet of stark contrasts, a testament to life's ability to adapt to even the most extreme environments.