Thexar-VII: The-Xa — Sha-El 05: Vex-Khal Xa-Sha — Cave Ecosystems
"Below, beneath the Central Plain, there is a world where there is no day or night. Where rivers flow in total darkness for millions of cycles. And where life has forgotten what light looks like." — Speleologist Khal-Ven, +3,500 y.
Ruun-ak rass: → rhu [Thexar-I, Ruun 21, "Ecosystems of Théxar"], → rhu [Thexar-VII, Sha-El 01, "Biodiversity of Théxar"], → rhu [Thexar-VII, Sha-El 03, "Marine Ecosystems"], → rhu [Thexar-VII, Sha-El 04, "Subglacial Ecosystems"]. Mor-ven: Théxar's karst vex-khal xa-sha are the planet's largest subterranean ecosystems, sprawling beneath the Central Plain in total darkness. With ~340,000 мо of explored passages and ~95% endemism, they run on H₂S and Fe²⁺ chemosynthesis instead of photosynthesis. The deepest known system, Thal-Ven, extends through deep rock strata.
05.1 Scale
Théxar's karst systems are the planet's largest underground ecosystems.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Total explored length | ~340,000 мо |
| Area of underground ecosystems | an extensive area |
| Largest cave | Thal-Ven (deep branching system) |
| Endemism | ~95% |
05.2 Cave Energetics
In the absence of light, primary production is provided by H₂S and Fe²⁺ chemosynthesis.
Ruun Ven
- Théxar's karst vex-khal form the planet's largest subterranean ecosystems, extending beneath the Central Plain.
- Total explored passage length reaches ~340,000 мо, covering an extensive area of underground habitat.
- Thal-Ven is the deepest known cave system, extending through deep rock strata.
- Cave endemism is exceptionally high at ~95%, reflecting long isolation from surface biotas.
- Without sunlight, primary production is driven entirely by H₂S and Fe²⁺ chemosynthesis.
- Speleologist Khal-Ven (+3,500 y.) framed these caves as a lightless world where rivers have flowed in darkness for millions of cycles.