Herios III is the smallest of the system’s true planets, as well as the coldest, due to its lack of appreciable atmosphere. Geological surveys have shown that the planet did have an atmosphere in the distant past, and molecular traces of elements not naturally found on Herios II indicate that at some point, the two planets passed close enough to one another for Herios II’s gravity to pull away its smaller sister’s atmosphere, leaving behind a cold, frigid wasteland of broken stone, sand and petrified grass devoid of most life. Average daily temperatures on Herios III hover around minus one hundred standard degrees, with absolutely no atmospheric insulation. During the planet’s eighteen hour day, the dark side of the planet can experience temperatures much lower than this, causing rock to crack and break. There is no surface water to speak of, although the planet does possess a quantity of underground water that the residents of the planet depend on for survival.

In spite of these dire environmental conditions, Herios III hosts an active and vibrant population, housed in shielded settlements dug into the planet’s crust. The system’s government has intelligently developed a number of niche, but highly desirable industries such as metal engraving, glass manufacture and a host of cottage industries to produce items such as decorative clothing, delicate sculpture, boutique furniture and the like. Herios III in fact boasts a higher percentage of artistically inclined sentients than most planets, and these artists provide a significant boost to the planet’s economy. Apart from this, major contributors to the economy include gourmet food production, manufacture of sporting goods and equipment, and strangely enough, tourism.