Zezura is a planet covered mostly by desert, and was the intended destination of the Cicada until the ship's NoA changed course for unknown reasons, initiating a phase jump that brought the ship to Proteus. Zezura is described as being very cold and featuring salt flat plateaus and deep interconnected lakes, with wind and solar power being abundantly available.
Initial surveys assess Zezura as a cold world dominated by high-altitude salt flats with alkali soils. Deep crevasse lakes between these plateaus plunge several kilometers into the crust, connecting subterranean aqueducts. Constant winds blast between the peaks, providing a useful power source. The environment favors large solar-powered flying wings as a mainstay transport.
The planet is home to native lifeforms such as the “Zezuran Rat”. This adaptation was mentioned in the game’s opening segment as a potential aid for Pioneers to survive on Zezura.
Depictions on Posters
The appearance of the planet can be seen on several in-game posters, including the Zezura Poster and the New Life Poster.
Trivia
- The choice of the name Zezura was likely inspired by the mythical oasis city of Zerzura, which, according to legend, is situated somewhere in the Libyan desert and is either inhabited by a sleeping king and queen or lost crusaders.
- This stems not only from the similarity in names, but also from the fact that both are direly sought-after oases (with Zezura being an oasis in the figurative sense, serving as a refuge from the Kharaa and described as such in Voices from Beyond, and harboring many oasis-like aquifers).
- Additionally, Seth Dickinson tends to incorporate African and Middle Eastern names into his work, as in the case of Axum.
