Name: Orionis
Faction: Aeon Illuminate
Description: Holy Planet
Terrain: Blackrock

Though its surface is covered in hardened lava and pocketed by countless open magma vents, Orionis is nonetheless one of the most revered planets in all of Aeon-controlled space.

Discovered in 2680, Aeon scientists initially dismissed Orionis as unsuitable for anything other than an unmanned sensor post. However, because the harsh environment created the perfect training environment, the military decided to use Orionis as a Commander proving ground and sent probes to map the world and gather geological and meteorological data. The information the probes returned resulted in the single most important discovery in the history of the Illuminate: the Seraphim had lived on Orionis. Beneath the lava, Seraphim buildings, artifacts and even technology were discovered.

Orionis was quickly deluged with Aeon scholars and priests. Even the Princess paid a visit as soon as the planet's importance was realized. Numerous technological artifacts were exhumed and temples were built around them, in order to preserve them as they had been found. Soon, several small colonies were established and Orionis became an important Aeon holy site, second only to Seraphim II. In keeping with the desire to preserve everything on the planet, it was decided that the planet's hostile atmosphere would not be terraformed; instead, ventilators would be used.

One question remained, though. It was known that the Seraphim were capable of interstellar travel, but no evidence existed, even in their home system, to prove that they had colonized other worlds. It had been long speculated that the Seraphim had been simply uninterested in galactic exploration. So why, then, were they on Orionis? This question still sparks debate among Aeon scholars and is one of the enduring mysteries of the Illuminate.

Currently, Orionis is home to several small villages and temples, which provide food and shelter to the steady stream of pilgrims and priests who come to meditate and research. Most of the technology unearthed appears to be functional, but the purpose of the technology remains a mystery. Many hope that one day these legacies of the Seraphim will be understood and that they will provide the knowledge needed to end the Infinite War.

Name: Seraphim II
Faction: Aeon Illuminate
Description: Aeon Homeworld
Terrain: Tundra

Perhaps the most famous planet besides Earth itself, Seraphim II was discovered in the 25th century, but was initially dismissed because it was believed the planet was unable to support life. Later, in the 26th century, the system was re-examined by more advanced probes and Seraphim II was found to be human-habitable, with nearly Earth-like conditions. In 2543, the ESS Starjourner, under the command of Captain Trent Smith, was sent to investigate.

What truly happened when the Starjourner landed is unknown. The only accounts come from the Aeon, who have undoubtedly altered the facts in their favor. The Aeon claim that the crew of the Sojourner encountered aliens, dubbed the Seraphim. The ship’s biologist, Dr. Jane Burke, befriended the aliens, while Captain Smith, in a xenophobic panic, attacked the Seraphim. The two facts that are known is that the Seraphim are now extinct, victims of a biological weapon engineered by Captain Smith, and that Smith was murdered by Burke, a deed the Aeon describe with pride.

There were two ghastly side-effects of Smith's weapon. The first is that it exterminated most of the indigenous life on the planet, and the second is that it ushered in a permanent ice age. Today, Seraphim II is an ice planet and only the equatorial belt is warm enough to support life. Though still revered by the Aeon, Seraphim II remains a grim reminder of the price of the Infinite War.