Avnil, designated P3X-513 by the Tau'ri, is an inhabited planet with a Stargate located in the Milky Way Galaxy. It was formerly ruled by the Goa'uld System Lord Afa. (RPG: "Fantastic Frontiers: Stargate Season One")
History[]
Around 1,000 years ago, the minor System Lord Afa found Avnil and discovered that it was rich in naquadah. Knowing the planet would be a great addition to his domain, Afa brought thousands of humans to Avnil and established a mining colony on the planet. To combat the deadly radiation of the planet, Afa ordered a radiation shield to be set around the colony and had underground facilities constructed to process the planet's ores.
Unfortunately for Afa, Avnil's mineral wealth played out after about 500 years of constant mining. Without any value for his advance, Afa left the planet and the slaves he employed on the mining operation, but kept the shield going so the inhabitants could survive on their own. After a while, the inhabitants forgot how to operate the shield, which left the planet's surface once again scarred by radiation. (RPG: "Fantastic Frontiers: Stargate Season One")
When first explored in 1997, the Tau'ri found the Stargate, known to the natives as the "Circle of the Gods", to be located in a forested area some distance from any signs of civilization.
Overview[]
The planet, lacking proper atmospheric protection, is greatly exposed to UV radiation and, although thick vegetation exists, is unsuitable for most animals. This was because the world's atmosphere was very thin, and therefore it proved deadly to both humans and Goa'uld alike. Shade and heavy cloud cover wasn't capable of providing enough shelter from the planet's sun. Because it is dangerous to travel outdoors during the day, the inhabitants were cave-dwellers who only came out at night. The caves of the planet, whilst dark and cramped, provided an ample source of freshwater (from subterranean springs) and food in the form of fungi and blind cave fish. That all changed when the solar radiation shield was activated, finally enabling the residents to walk out of the caves at day because the Device protects them against the UV radiation. (SG1: "The First Commandment") (RPG: "Fantastic Frontiers: Stargate Season One")