Zbutia

Zbutia is a fictional planet featured in the science fiction novel "The Last Starfarer" by Elara Vance. It is described as a terrestrial world orbiting a binary star system, resulting in unique and often unpredictable diurnal cycles. The planet's surface is characterized by vast, shimmering salt flats and towering crystalline formations that refract the light of its twin suns. The atmosphere is thin but breathable for humans, though it contains a high concentration of trace elements that give the sky a perpetual lavender hue.

The dominant life forms on Zbutia are silicon-based, appearing as mobile, geometric structures known as the Lithos. They communicate through resonant frequencies and are known for their slow, deliberate movements and their symbiotic relationship with the planet's geological processes. The Lithos are believed to possess a collective consciousness and have existed on Zbutia for millennia, observing the cosmos without actively participating in interstellar affairs.

Human explorers first encountered Zbutia during the Great Expansion era, seeking rare minerals found within its crystalline mountains. Initial contact with the Lithos was cautious, marked by mutual observation and a lack of direct conflict. The planet's harsh beauty and the enigmatic nature of its inhabitants have made Zbutia a subject of scientific and philosophical interest, though its remote location has limited further extensive study and colonization efforts.