The planet Venus is the second planet of the solar system, linked to the Shade Realm of Life. In the physical world, Venus is a hot, smothering, sterile world with a crushing atmosphere tainted by sulfuric acid. However, unlike most planets, it has a Penumbra which may reflect an earlier phase of its history. Penumbral Venus is covered in lush tropical jungles and shallow, marshy oceans. Its connection to the Sphere of Life means the environment is rich in every kind of living thing: explorers are at risk of being colonized by moss or fungi if they stand still for too long, and may need to regularly clean and sterilize equipment to prevent mold contamination.