The Twilight Belt

Because of a string of catastrophes, the Earth stopped rotating on its axis. Half the planet turned into a scorched desert over which the sun never set, while the other half became a snow-covered plain ruled by eternal night.

Only a narrow twilight strip—dividing the hemispheres—remained suitable for life. People didn’t fall into barbarism, but they stagnated in development at the level of the late 19th century. The world was ruled by steam.

Even after generations, humanity still couldn’t fully adapt to the permanent half-light. Sleepwalking and other sleep disorders became commonplace. That’s why somnology doctors gained a special status in society. They were valued, respected, and feared.