Kronshi
Estylwen
OwO
Sky Blue
Remram
Half Pint
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Marik
IzurichName: The Sororal Domain
Capital System: Big Blue System System
The Big Blue System is noted by a small number of planets, one of which is the homeworld of the Noir'an; Oristania. Oristania is a so-called "super-Earth", or rather a large terrestrial planet. Oristania is tidally locked to its blue giant star (Big Blue), creating a huge dichotomy in temperature between the two sides. Life developed along a thin band along the border between extreme heat and extreme cold on Oristania. Oristania is know a complete ecumenopolis, having been covered entirely by Noir'an city, as well as orbiting space platforms that help dissipate the heat received from the nearby star, rather than allow it to continue assaulting the stationary forward-facing side of the planet.
Dominant Species: Noir'an
Sub-Factions/Species: Kullrathan
Direction From Galactic Core: TBD
History, Biology & Society:
An average Noir'an, clothed in common, albeit wealthier attire
Race Name: Noir'an
Race Info: The Noir'an are the dominant race of the Sororal Dominion, being made up of entirely female individuals that exert a bond among one another that is shadowed by no other race in the galaxy.
Average Lifespan: 50 years
Physical Characteristics: Noir'an are bipedal, anthropoid organisms that hail from the planet of Oristania, located within the Big Blue System. Possessing quite human characteristics -four limbs, each bearing five digits each, a pair of eyes, mouth, nose, ears, and hair-like projections- it can be a common mistake to see them as just that; human. However, Noir'an possess a number of distinct characteristics separating them from their convergent counterparts.
Most notably, at a passing glance, Noir'an "hair" is capable of shifting colors, as well as producing bioluminescence in much the same way as organisms on Earth. What appears to be hair is in fact a large bundle of thin and hollow projections, each with a single specialized nerve cell running down its length. Chromatophores are packed into the projections, and each respond to nervous impulses of a specific kind; nerve cells in the projections can release any number of chemical signals that trigger specific intracellular responses. Chromatophores possess 12 different luxin proteins, each of which reacts to oxygen to produce light when helped by the enzyme luxinase. Nerve cells release a specific signal to trigger the release of luxinase species into the chromatophore from cellular reticulumn encircling its membrane, which in turn triggers the activation of a specific luxin. This whole process is what allows Noir'an hair to produce different light effects, either as a simple color shift, or as a glow.
These color shifts are also apparent in their so-called "eyebrows", collections of chromatophore cells just under their skin situated above the eyes. These brows act in much the same way as their hair, though are more often influenced by body temperature than in their hair. Usage of these colors shifts in their hair and eyebrows serves to act as a silent form of visible-light communication between one another. Constant shifts in color allow for complicated language system that conveys mood, intention, and subsequently acts to eliminate the potential for lying in Noir'an; eyebrow chromatophore color shifts can be easily distinguished by other Noir'an, and when one is lying, it is reflected in their eyebrows.
Though apparently strongly tied to visible-light communication, Noir'an have adopted eyesight capable of seeing in three light spectra unlike in most other wildlife on Oristania; visible, UV, and infrared. Due to the pitch-black conditions of their home planet and region of residency, they have evolved to see perfectly in the dark, able to detect the heat in other organisms. Their eyes possess three distinct regions; the hyperhemisphere, hypohemisphere, and the middle pupil. The upper regions of their eyes (hyperhemisphere) possess light receptors capable of detecting infrared light waves, whereas the lower region detects UV light. Noir'an brains allow for the processing of images as multispectral images. Their pupils are elongated, unlike a human's, and do not constrict to change the amount of light entering them. Three spots beyond the cornea of the eye each receive light signals separately, allowing for trinocular vision in each eye. Increased flicker rates in each allow for the tracking of much faster movements than in humans eyes, as well.
Noir'an are strict carnivores, consuming organisms above the producer food chain, and can also subsist on detritus. Their mouths possess only two pairs of incisor-like teeth each on their upper and lower jaws, with the entirety of their other teeth being made up of sharp canines of varying sizes. Due to their relatively small size amidst an ecosystem of giants and their hunting nature, Noir'an have adopted much tougher muscular and skeletal systems to cope with danger, lifting/hauling, as well as the gravity of the planet itself. Bones in Noir'an are much more adept at resisting compression and bending, and their muscle-to-tendon connections feature increased strength. Advanced sarcomere units allow for the maintenance of muscle contraction such that energy is not expended holding a contraction in place, which results in phenomenal endurance.
Stay within a group of Noir'an long enough and one will realize that they are an entirely "female" race, in terms of human concepts. Noir'an are asexual organisms, producing offspring through a complex and unearthly manner that miraculously allows for the production of children better adapted to their environment despite lacking a way to incorporate natural selection.
Noir'an genomes are nitrogen-based, but possess a number of additional players in the role of genomics. With an advanced epigenome that reacts to changes in the environment, as well as characteristics within the Noir'an itself, Noir'an can actively shape a second genetic structure called the casconome which essentially serves as an immense database of all genotypes that were present in their parent's lineage. The casconome is organized in such a way that individual genotypes can be selected for amidst their grouping (for example, selecting a genotype for a specific body height amidst genotypes that code for other heights) based on the activity of their main DNA's epigenome. Environmental factors stimulate the epigenome which causes increased usage of certain genes in the DNA, which in turn trigger the production of chemical markers that are placed on specific casconome sections. When a Noir'an creates an embryo, genotypes with more markers on them are more likely to be selected, and thus create a child that is born adapted to the environmental conditions of their parent.
Noir'an have short lifespans, reaching, on average, an age of fifty years before their muscles suffer from a unique form of degradation that leads to death. At the age of ten, Noir'an begin having children, at least one every two years, whom they care for until they too reach "adult" age and begin having a family of their own. Gestation takes seven months, and children are born able to walk within the first few minutes.
Moral Values: Whereas it could be said that human decisions and drive is based ultimately on the desire to create safety and security for oneself and their family, the Noir'an mind works in a different manner; their directives, drives, and desires are all fueled by a need to, '"do the impossible." Safety and security is a near-guarantee to most Noir'an, as their bonds are strict and unbreakable in nearly any circumstance; instead, Noir'an seek to do more for themselves than previously, as well as to establish a sort of honor for themselves. Noir'an culture is highly focused on achievement, be it in the form of physical activity, science, or diplomacy. Especially so, taking on "bigger targets" is an honorable task. As early-civilization Noir'an had to hunt down beasts much larger than themselves, such nature translates itself into various ways in modern times. Making war with an enemy if obviously one such translation, however strangely enough, things like making peace with otherwise extremely violent nations is also seen as defeating a "big target". Other examples include making something thought impossible through engineering or science, discovering something ground-breaking, or even topping the charts in the music industry.
Also highly idealized is the idea of sisterhood and peace; nowhere else in the galaxy can anyone find a more unified nation of individuals. Crime, malevolent violence, and subterfuge, for example, are almost completely unheard of except in specific Noir'an that suffer from psychological issues. Despite their ideas of sisterhood, such individuals are actually very quickly disposed of, as the precedence of unity and safety comes before mercy to the afflicted. The fact that all Noir'an eventually give birth also stresses the issue of psychological mishaps, as the gene for said ailment can crop up again in the future generations quickly and in a wide-spread manner.
Because of the above values, Noir'an have come to be known as some of the most xenophobic beings in the galaxy; they are not unwilling to speak or interact with other races, but are guaranteed to see them as beneath them, inferior, or unintelligent in some way. Not a single non-Noir'an has ever been within light years of their home system and colonies for obvious reasons, and their xenophobia has led to a rather powerful defensive military. "The best offense is a good defense," in their leaders' minds, and it translates to their technology quite obviously.
Religion: Noir'an, even in their early days of intelligence, did not adopt a high-standing religious value system. They did, however (and still do), maintain a sense of spirituality that is focused more on ritualism and patterns than actual reverence to any entities. Many Noir'an belonging to high-standing families (its practice is seen as noble) are often practitioners of "L'or'k'ehl'" (Lorkel), which is simply a large collection of daily rituals one can perform, functioning much in the same way as human yoga. It is focused on relaxation and meditation, and mentions a few extremely old names honoring much older customs, and is practiced in isolation and silence. Many warriors of the Noir'an military are given access to a smaller, revised edition of the Lorkel manuscript which contains instructions for particular rituals revolving around moments before "the hunt". Certain sects utilize the names of spirits, which they believe are simply mental representations of real-world ideas, quite similar in respect to psionic entities. Practice is far from compulsory, and in some cases seen as silly and useless by more liberal generations of Noir'an.
Race Name: Kullrathan
Race Info: Kullrathan's are the nomadic and crafty servant race of the Sororal Dominion, being granted freedom and technology by their Noir'an superiors in exchange for loose protection around Dominion space.
Average Lifespan: 120 years
Physical Characteristics: Kullrathans are tall, bipedal organisms with two sets of powerful arms. Their faces sport four sets of eyes and have a large, curved braincase. Kullrathan mouths are made up of a mandible and a maxilla, as well as a pair of flexible structures bearing much more elongated teeth that wrap over their lower jaw. These structures serve to help tear food from objects, and lift upwards to allow room for the meat to enter their mouth cavity. Kullrathan's subsist of a methane-rich atmosphere, and so cannot breathe in our own environment without mechanical aid.
Kullrathan's are known for their extreme capacity for multi-tasking. Each of their eyes is capable of moving independently, and they can manipulate each of their arms with perfect focus given to each. Such focus has led to them also exhibiting a capacity for trance-like states when they are working on certain activities; it is quite difficult to rouse a Kullrathan from something pressing or interesting that they are in the midst of managing, especially in building or observing.
They are noted for their ability to hide, climb, and survive in extreme conditions, and especially for their hunger; a Kullrathan can subsist of off little sustenance for extremely long periods of time through complex biochemical energy management systems.
Moral Values: Kullrathans are nomadic, and focus their lives upon piracy; they loot for a living. Their pragmatic nature means they like to take consistent, safe, and logical routes rather than go through with something risky or potentially useless. Probability is everything to a Kullrathan, and they will literally consult AI religiously before making a decision amongst themselves. Kullrathans also highly value efficiency and utilizing all resources for something no matter how small. They share this trait with Noir'an in some ways -Noir'an value using all space available, whereas Kullrathans value using all materials available. Kullrathan leadership is determined by might, and thus it is often seen that Kullrathan diplomacy is carried out by particularly large and strong individuals, rather than someone notably adept at diplomacy and economics. Kullrathans hold no grudges, and thus treat all civilizations equally... generally with apathy.
Religion: Kullrathans have forgone the idea of gods, spirits, and the supernatural, realizing quite quickly after their war with the Noir'an that only science drives progress.
Head Of State/Government: "Sister Supreme" Del'racu' - Pronounced 'Delraich'
Government Type/Operation/Description: Despotism
The Dominion is ruled over by a single individual who takes up position by "informal election" and rules with absolute authority. Noir'an despotism harks back to older ages in which the most popular and therefore most 'honorable' Noir'an took leadership positions without question or pause. It is a guarantee that if higher ranking Noir'an wish to see a sister take the mantle of Sister Supreme, then the entirety of the Dominion will feel the same way. Sister Supreme, regardless, is still a relatively focused position dealing with military rather society as whole. More often than not, a former military leader becomes Sisters Supreme, generally one who succeeded in multiple ways and can thus lead the entirety of the military effectively.
Economic System/Prosperity: The Sororal Dominion, due to its two unique races, have a very contrasting set of economies. Noir'an economy is highly communistic, fueled by a powerful collectivist mindset already ingrained in their brains at birth. Noir'an do not abhor materialism, but are very hard pressed to take more than what is easily available to them. Automated machinery built into the fabric of their city constructs manage the production of foodstuffs and utilities like clothing and home hardware. On the other side of the coin, Kullrathans function solely off of scavenging, looting and the like. Fleets or individual ships will descend upon inhabited planets if the current residents are weak enough to steal technology and building materials, as well as water. Derelict ships are harvested till there is nothing left, and in some cases, uninhabited worlds are collected of raw materials like iron. Kullrathans will trade among themselves, as well as with other races if the deal is deemed beneficial.
Empire Size: 9 - Innumerable
~6 trillion 600 billion Noir'an
~8 billion Kullrathans
A Noir'an planet, covered entirely by city. Lower levels remain devoid of sunlight.
Noir'an by far make up the majority of the Dominion's population, and are strangely enough confined to only three planets currently; Noir'an naturally conglomerate in extremely tight living conditions (which they favor much moreso than being spread out), leading to planet-wide infrastructure unmatched in the galaxy. Living structures cover the entirety of the planets they control, reaching nearly five kilometers into the atmosphere. Beyond them exist orbiting space platforms so widespread and thick, that they essentially create new layers of the "planet's surface". Even beyond these still exist more free-floating platforms serving moreso as mining processing locations. Kullrathans live in varying group sizes, from mere pairs of individuals to millions following a nomadic fleet.
Empire Power:Multi-stellar Power – Full control over multiple solar systems
Noir'an planets number three in total, all of them adjacent systems. Kullrathans control four planets surrounding these systems, utilizing them as bases of operation for the entirety of their species (mainly as trading outposts), though patrol the entirety of the Milky Way Galaxy.
Type Of Power: Military/Other - Noir'an are a great power based solely on two things: their numbers, and the extent to which they defend themselves.
Technological Overview:
Noir'an possess a total of three interconnected warp gates, each of which more than big enough to fit any ship in their fleet. Warp Gates grant instantaneous FTL travel between two pre-established gates, eliminating even the delay time associated with normal FTL travel. They can be programmed to link to areas without warp gates, but subsequently lose their "instant travel" characteristics.
Unlike in FTL-Jammers, Rerouters aim to instead send sub-light ships nearby back into FTL status. Approaching ships nearing the Rerouter are suddenly and inexplicably careened off into a nearby star system (specifically in the direction of the system's star itself). The Rerouters create an invisible spacial warp in a large area around themselves to protect unauthorized ships from coming close to Noir'an controlled planets. Like in jammers, the effects of the FTL-launch can be counteracted if the ship's FTL drive is more powerful than that of the Rerouter's.
Note, ignore the planets and ships flying about in this image
The Omnis cannon is an extremely large mass accelerator that brings an 80-meter solid slug up to 0.9 c before passing it through a Warp Gate at the end of the barrel. The Omnis can launch an attack on any place within the galaxy, though the slug is still subject to FTL galactic travel times and can be inhibited by FTL jammers.
Crusaders are Noir'ans terror troops, outfitted with Stellar Flare drives and Genetic Resonators. Stellar Flares are powerful heat-producing machines that essentially serve to incinerate nearly anything biological within a half-mile radius, meant mainly for the elimination of living troops and vegetation.
Genetic Resonators are finely-tuned detection devices that analyze their surroundings for the particular spacial signature that comes with designated genetic codes. Once detected, the Genetic Resonator homes in on the location of the gene's owner, and applies a quick spacial warp burst in the area to essentially annihilate the target. The Resonator has a short range, but is incredibly powerful at eliminating living organisms unprotected by heavy shielding.
By entangling bursts of plasma in powerful electromagnetic fields, projectile weapons can cause these plasma bullets to home in on targets bearing any sort of electrical signal; be it biological or synthetic. The electric field can serve as an initial shield-breaking effect, subsequently allowing the plasma to impact its target. Shields that are further away from the target render the plasma shots ineffective, as they dissipate too quickly for them to make contact with the distant target.
WarpMonitors are special FTL drives that create mobile, tiny wormholes in distant regions of space, allowing for things like radio signals to be transmit through them. These wormholes remain nearly undetectable (though the signals they send through do not), and are nearly unstoppable, allowing for Noir'an to create unimpeded monitoring devices wherever they desire.
Surrounding each Noir'an planet are a network of drone-like stations that can quickly execute a spacial distortion in their area to redirect incoming projectiles (energetic, matter, or otherwise) in a curve away from the surface of the planet they defend.
Other technology:
-Ship-based sub-light projectile weaponry
-Alcubierre Drives
-Advanced building materials