The fifth planet in the Helios system, Apollyon is an uninhabitable planet with a surface dominated by molten rock, and fissure of magma ripping the surface asunder. Volcanoes of various sizes dot the planet's surface, with rivers of lava spanning all across the planet. Although being far from the sun would normally make the surface cold, the volcanic activity covers the planet in a dense smog, raining ash, and almost completely blocking the sun. This, in turn, creating a tremendous greenhouse effect making the surface a very hot environment. Evidence suggests that the planet, once upon a time, may have been habitable, covered in lush greenery and wonderful rivers, with impressive mountain ranges; a paradise of sort, home to a plethora of flora and microorganisms. Whatever went wrong is not yet known, but currently, the planet is in a state of self-destruction, and is estimated to implode completely within the next few hundred years.

Travel to Apollyon is completely restricted by the Bekenstein Corporation due to the extreme dangers the planet poses to an individual, requiring environmental suits and an oxygen supply. For one to even be allowed to get close to the planet, an individual or crew requires a special permit through the Helion counsel. Being notoriously difficult, only specialist scientists and dig teams are usually granted, and even then, only for a set amount of time. The goal is to extract as much as possible from the planet before it's impending doom comes to fruition. Many of it's valuable resources, aside from the samples of remnants, the Apollyon is rich in diamond and other valuable gems, aluminum, gold, nickel, lead, copper, and iron. Despite the heavy restrictions, the value of the resources are immense, so the planet is subject to constant piracy and a never-ending tug-of-war between pirates and the Bekenstein Systems Enforcer Police.

Inspiration
What do you think of first when you hear "lava planet"? Probably Mustafar, from Star Wars. This is where I started, but I didn't want it to be nearly as intense, so I simply did a lot of research on volcanoes and tectonic plates, which is a topic I find very fascinating, to create something a more natural. Also looked at Sullust from Star Wars as well. And, kind of silly, but Minecraft was a spark of inspiration because you usually find diamonds and gold at the same layer as lava, and it went from there. Apollyon's name was taken from the antagonist of the same name from the game For Honor and seemed fitting.

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