TwistedSun

Amongst Living Gods (Sci-Fi NRP)

The Exul Collective

Ihir, the collective.

The Exul Collective

General Galactic Location: Northern Rim History:

Orbiting at the average speed of 66 km/s a piddling pale yellow orange sun situated in the as much utterly insignificant outer zone of the dwarf galaxy of the Boote (the second one, as there are another two as irrelevant in addition to the former) exists an average aquatic world; this - perfectly round and blue as a Christmas ball - planet's only superficial landmass is composed of three rocky volcanoes and an atoll situated in the middle of nowhere in particular. The only achievement of these highly-metallic waters has been managing to create non-carbon based organisms of self-adapting and photosynthetic jellyfish-like beings, vaguely humanoid in outer shape, from which descended the modern Exul. As time passed, these relaxed and absolutely carefree entities eventually evolved and managed to develop, somehow, a hydration system capable of supporting their first ascension to those few land masses they had. Hundreds of years passed, and these tungsten-based life forms, virtually endless, self-sustaining, lived exactly as their ancestors did: taking sunbath on iron-plated palm foliage, diving and frolicking freely in the seamlessly infinite sea. In short, minding their own business. What interrupted this golden age was the inevitable arrival of their neighboring sentient species. These aliens, more scientifically and culturally advanced than those little neuronal systems could image, showed great interest in this race, and after many referendums and wasted Hjiornian-coffee afternoons, in agreement decided to elevate them, avoiding direct contact in the process. It was in those times that started existence the modern Exul race. In order to avert highly probable alteration of their original evolution, thus eliminating all the fun in seeing such an odd species develop as initially planned, the Makers (as such modern Exul define this ancient race) biologically enhanced through implants their neuronal and physical system - both young and primitive - incapable of complete and defined rationalization the former, still mostly bound to the water the latter. Moreover, they modified the original genetic data of the species, easily allowing each individual to biologically and naturally develop those implants, given their similar metallic and semimetallic composition. As they came, the Makers left, establishing a small research station orbiting the spinning blue ball. As predicted, no trace of their passage was spotted, nor did the Exul note any difference in their bodies. What left the Makers gravely perplexed was the apparent absence of alteration in their way of living. No civilization sprang from the tides, no words replaced the bubbles, no exchange or property flourished. The project lost rapidly funds, and their presence manifested scarce to no interest in the Makers. They put their efforts in something else, showing increasingly higher attention to the life forms that were developing, in the meanwhile, in the neighbouring galaxy. However, this would have subsequently permitted time to do its course. In fact, of the initial crew operating on the research facility were reduced to only a few few souls after a short period; those who remained felt linked to the Exul by motherly apprehension. They watched carefully their every day life, their love for a race whose population barely scratched the thousands, recording data as they had always done since the first days of their arrival. As said before, time took its course, and whilst the Makers' civilization rapidly reached its climax and started descending in a self-crafted inevitable oblivion, a first sign of consciousness was spotted in the Exul. In that time, the benefits granted by the implants rapidly manifested: in a few hundreds of turns of the cyanish planet around its dull young sun, the jellyfishes evolved drastically, skipping dark ages and periods of mourning, revolutions and wars alike, acting like one. They manifested their aptitude to symbiotic and eco-sustainable evolution reaching in few centuries an advanced state of evolution. However time grew short for the Makers, and chaos slowly reached the scarcely charted outskirts of the galaxy where the blue planet boringly spinned around its own orbit. The growing uneasiness and the difficulty of recovering data from the core worlds showed that first contact with the young civilization had to be done, and fastly. The Makers, or what was left of them, foreseeing the inevitable doom approaching them, tried to save what they could of their civilization. Few years before the mayhem erupted, an exploration probe sent out in the neighboring galaxy discovered the existence of a particular under-developed type 0 civilization, living on their own, unimportant and uncharted planet. Expecting those aliens to reach space travel in a short amount of time, they organized a one-way expedition in a system not too distant from them. They loaded few cruisers with their left technology and the Exul, with the goal of preserving them from their mistakes. Infinitely sorry for all the troubles their civilization had caused them, they wiped out their memories and put them in cryogenic sleep. They lastly designed an informational AI with the goal of aiding the slumbering colonists, containing all necessary data about the past, who they were, but most importantly who the Exul had been. And what they, the Makers, wanted them to be. Completed the urged preparation, the fleet activated its machines, and dived through space and time to its destination, where laid dormant until the neighbouring civilization reached space travel. Once again, in uncharted backwaters of a galaxy, some worthless yellow sun harbours an uninteresting green planet - much resembling an unfashionable Christmas ball - which is deemed, or at least is hoped, to reach a certain importance throughout the galaxy. This giant terran world hosts since one month the extra-galactic species, which, after having descended from the stars between which sleeped for centuries, nicknamed itself 'the Exul', being outcast of its original homeworld. Unaware of their role in the galaxy, perfectly conscious of their actual technology possibilities and limits, they feel as new children in what seems to be a galactic playground. It will be their choice what they will do with their just re-discovered freedom.

An enhanced Exul.

Other:

Self Replicating probes:

During the golden years of the Maker's ascension, shortly after the discovery of the Exul firstborns, many decentralized governments took interest in the exploration, and the subsequent exploitation of the near-off Milky Way galaxy. Although their internal political and civil situation could not permit anyone to leave Bootes dwarf galaxy, various researchers companies launched a wired network of robots; their goal was simple: explore the galaxy, whilst the internal conflicts would settle down. Almost parallely growing with the Exul project, the latter's discoveries in the unknown fields of inorganic biotechnology permitted the construction of self-replicating probes. Designed with an hyperspace drive-battery to increase ductility and velocity in the normous task they were created with, the robots were ordered to explore the Milky Way, periodically retrieving data to the researchers through the use of neutrino communications. Moreover, in case signs of sentient life were to be spotted on a system, the probe would alert the Makers; in the improbable case of type 0 civilization, the probe would simply remain dormant for a certain amount of time. With the collapse of the Makers' civilization, return signals had been moved along with the Exul dormant fleet. This probes are robots designed with the only purpose of tactical and scientific exploration, equipped with little armaments. They are able to fulfill their task through the ability of replicating themselves through occasional strip-mining of dead moons or asteroid fields. Having built a mimetic-factory from the robot's body, several new probes are crafted and sent to adjacent systems, whilst only one would remain on the 'base' system to explore it and remove any traces of their passage. Space travel works not differently from bigger crafts, using a space-time distortion to rip miniaturized black-holes to hyperspace, allowing seemingly distant travel between enormous quantities of space, with little and constant amount of energy to perform the task. On the other side, when in an unknown system, the probe used as propulsion system the gravitational field of the chosen star, using as well small and unlikely noticeable rocket motors. The Makers, foreseeing the possible (and dangerous) possibility of computing or systems error, or even an alien interference with the program, made use of their highly advanced knowledge of nanotechnology and nanothermodynamics. To the probes were implemented 'colonies' of self-replicating subscale machines, able to live only between the circuits of the probe, due to a certain crypted signal reverberating through the mechanisms. Though significantly less resistant to high pressures and near-zero temperatures, their physical ineptitude is compensated by highly sophisticated circuits and hive-networks that permit them to slim their error possibility percentage to decimal very close to zero. Also, in case of the unlikely possible system error of one of these minidrones, the 'queer' one would be deleted immediately by the others, and its materials re-utilized. The main purpose of these drones are two: first of all, safeguard of their host probe; in case of error or alien manipulation, the drones will try to hack back the intrudes and restore the original program; in case of unsuccessful operation, the minidrones would destroy their host, thus perishing in few seconds after the end of the process. The second, is auto conservation of their individual self and of their owners (firstly the Makers, now the Exul). For example, in case of an Exul being attacked nearby, the implanted systems in their bodies would send an alarm signal to the nearest probe. Its drones would change operational system, activating the armaments in order to rescue the endangered master.

A self replicating probe. Black Hole exploitation:

Creating an aperture in 4D space (a wormhole) between A and B locations can allow instantaneous transit between the two; a common comparison is that of a folded piece of paper, where a hole punched through two folded sections is more direct than a line drawn between them on the sheet. Easy, right? Not really. Though not as experienced as their creators in the field, the Exul have been able to feebly unlock the secrets behind the Maker's space travel abilities, allowing the spacecrafts to cut for extremely short amounts of time two intertwined holes in the space-time fabric. Moreover, combined with extremely advanced mastery of the forces of gravity and time, it permits properly equipped platforms to harvest materials from the edge of the Event Horizon of bigger wormholes; thus, the limit between existence and pure nothing ness is conquered, allowing essentially 'free' energy and materials to be constantly harvested.

Playground Theory:

It comes the moment when you may realize you're nothing more than one of the countless other individual that sweep the interstellar vacuum. Achieving this humble consciousness, let alone so incommensurably hardy, combined with a generally ironic view of the universe, will probably lead you to believe life is just a game, whose outcome is meaningless on whoever wins it (ah. ah.). In all seriousness, Exul are perfectly aware of the role diplomacy and understanding play in this game. Many things may influence the outcome of a negotiation--what the other wants, who influences them, how important it is, etc. Every alien race has different values, beliefs, and assumptions; studying these beforehand provides an enormous advantage.

Lyric Species:

Exul language is composed of a mix of singing, drumming, winnowing, and otherwise displaying sounds. Probably the first born developed it naturally as a logical adapting to the wide dimensions of the ocenas where the swelled; once landed on dry earth, these vibrations would evolve into thrilling and ductile calls to impress mates and proclaim territories. As their civilization developed, their repertoire enlarged, sounds transformed into songs, and language sprung from seamingly senseless noises. The Makers estimated that an enhanced Exul would be able to remember up to three hundred thousands songs, playable in ten different tonalities to express syntactic and logical values, and in three varying rithms (kept by their twitching mandibles) for emotive and un-apophantic ones. Songs are often loud and giddy, though melodious and tuned. One Maker researcher remarked that an Exul can sing 'with remarkable vehemence, as if he were trying to burst his lungs. These tiny songsters weigh just one-third of a Vuhool, but sing with 10 times the power of a crowing rooster.'

Planetary Exploitation/Terraformation Dome of Jessa, homeworld of the Collective.

From Stardust, To Stardust Nation Dump

TwistedSun

The sight from the esosphere of Aeonas, with Andraste on foreground.

Name of nation: The Aeonas Hegemony

Species:Characterized by an thick hexagonal plates exoskeleton that covers almost entirely Ourian skin (except for the neck, hands and *cough* private locations), and low sexual dimorphism, this race body reseambles particularly that of other species. Vertebrates, bipedal mammals, Padovens have, like many other species, a capillary cardiac system, a neuronal one, organic fabrics and a diplontic life cycle. They are particularly tall and based on an avian build.
Having a slow metabolism, Ourians need half-dozen more hours of sleep during the night than averange species, though noticeably increasing their life-span, tranquillity and thoughtfulness.
Having evolved in an envirnment based on L-amminacids, Ourians are not able of disgesting any kind of organism not based on the same amminoacid structure. Though originally evolved from an herbivore species, they are omnivore, and really appreciate eating soft and well-coocked meat.
With small and thick eyes, their prolonged head is covered with unusually straight shining plates, that end over a toothed mouth - to be noted the presence of six canines-, devoid of lips. Lastly, on the side of the mouth, important is the presence of two long and moving mandibles, once used by Ourians' ancestors to group substantial bundles of grass to be eaten; today they don't have any pratical use anymore, since the invention of cutlery, but still bear symbolic meanings and attractiveness.
Their hearing is really developed, and they can catch even lower and higher frequences compared to other species. For this reason it is commonly said 'listening to the universe' in order to indicate someone who isn't very talkative, because when in empty space, Ourians can hear a weak background considered as the 'Universe melody'.
An interesting anomaly of Ourian physiognomy is an odd soft protuberance situated behind the neck, capable of stretching over their heads and shrinking back at will: though without any practical utility, thus leaving geneticists really baffled on why their race developed something this useless, this hood-like sack is often used by people to cover their heads during particularly hot or rainy days.

Ourians

Description of government: The Aeonas Hegemony is an intergovernmental organization, first founded in 7678 C.I. in order to promote planetary and extraplanetary co-government. Officially declared a federation twenty years later, it regrouped the 23 nations of the Aeonas Hegemony under a common flag,
In the Hegemony, each state preserves limited local authonomy, whilst the executive, the legislative and the judiciary are held by the central government.
Each great state boasts one to three representatives* in the 'Nations Council', a counseling organ from which are elected those deputies who will make up the General Council. The latter detains legislative power, and the power to elect through a votation system the Primarchs, heads of the military.
The judiciary power is composed of a tripartite organ, each composed of different courts for various crimes, ranging from war ones, to civil ones.
Lastly, the executive is held by the Hegemony Steward, a life tenure office, who has moreover veto over the laws passed in the General Council. The Union Steward is elected by the Nations Council after a week of mourning after his predecessor's death.

Representatives are not chosen by the Council, but by the local state government, whose government form may vary. As of the day, the permitted local
administration governments allowed are: Republic, Monarchy, Illuminate Dictatorship, Militaristic Hegemony, Technocracy, Theocracy, Democracy, Monarchy and
Organized Anarchy.

Description of military: Disciplined and well organized by a mandatory military school, starting from 16 to 20 years, the Ourians are not likely to start a war without a real reason, mostly because of the kind pulses their massive fleets, built in fear of what lurks outside of their systems, emanes, or just because they have a very lazy vision of conflicts.
The military is generally divided in 30 ranks, of which ten are the ones acquirable during the mandatory military service; the militia-men and soldiers are then divided in a very large number of regiments, which themselves compose a fleet, each ruled by an Admiral Cruiser

The Flag.ship 'Inferno'


Technological Overview: It's still unbelievable that half a century before Ourians were blocked at the information age, stuck with the simple minded and primitive thought that digital watches were a pretty good idea. Even more awfully inconceivable for the Forces of the universe is their fast ascend to greater space technologies and quantum phisics and electronics.
However, not minding their unexpected discovery of a lost alien civilization technologies compendium, people may fall into error and think these fellas as all-knowing geniouses. Here is a basic example of the most important technologies

-FAL Engines: It was the Ourian scientist Jigglemat that firstly identified the signal of the alien compendium, and that permitted its recovery from the wasted asteroids orbiting around Andraste. Without anyone expecting it, they returned home after only one year. At their return, the spacenauts and the scientist himself explained the happening, revealing that it took almost one year with their current technologies to reach the cluster in question, whilst it required only one minute with few minded changs to their primitive engines. The following year was launched the ambitious project of reaching the farthest planet of the system in 10 hours. The result was a success, crowned with the discovery of the 'Artifact', and of the star-gate.
-Terra Formation & sculpting: One could say Ourians have gardeni- terra forming in their very veins. Since the beginnings of their time-span as sentient beings Ourians have always felt keen on adapting the outdoor environment. After the inevitable discovery of basic process of terraformation, Ourians followed the path, making giant steps in this discipline, which most of them like to define 'art'. The 'Terraformer' profession is a very profitable one, expecially in these periods when land owners of new colonies don't really appreciate their barren and inhospitable planets.
-Orbital Construction: Given for granted their passion for indoor decors and habitable modules, Ourans have become capable of creating self-sustaining colonies for the harsh environments. One of them, and probably the fiercest after the surface of a star, is space itself. Giant orbital cities and domes sprawling of life circumnavigate daily the system's planets, or, for those who seek easy profit, the rouge stations on planetoids provide content as well contempt.
Billionaire psychopathic and misanthropic Holiania even proposed the overly dreamy project of creating an artificial planet from the scratches of asteroids and useless comets but was fiercely opposed by the Hegemony Steward. Who knows why?
-Shields: The shields industry is a very florid one! It is estimated that personal use shields form up 5% of the whole Hegemony economy. It is so utterly prosperous that even every new ship is able to be armed at low cost with efficient reflective hulls' isotopes and plasma shields. Think about the cruisers!
-Weapons: Surprisingly enough, on the alien compendium there were no schematics for advanced warfare. Seriously? Make love not peace? At least Ourans had the time to develop atomic and advanced kinetic missiles and projectiles
-Shields: The shields industry is a very florid one! It is estimated that personal use shields form up 5% of the whole Hegemony economy. It is so utterly prosperous that even every new ship is able to be armed at low cost with efficient reflective hulls' isotopes and plasma shields. Think about the cruisers!

Cultural and Historical Overview: Almost seven thousands of years before the current times, Vituvia - Ourian homeworld - was devastated by a cataclysm, which transformed that idylliac terran world into a scorching ball of restlessness. A comet, moving unexpectedly away from its course, entered in contact with the atmosphere of the planet, unleashing high values of toxic gases; moreover, after the melting of the frozen gases, the comet revealed an heavy metallic core, which survived and crashed with unimaginable strenght on the surface.
The Ourians, silent spectators of their world premature end, eventually adapted, evolved to strive and survive in the new hostile environment: taller and more slender physognomies appeared, and they naturally developed in the successive two thousand years enzymes for digesting meat based meals, easier to find in those blasted lands.
Eventually from the ashes of the world they boosted an healing process of their own planet, slowly regaining pieces of land from the toxic miasma, or rebuilding the fractures on the land. Today Vituvia has returned to his former beauty, partly at least, having undergone an heavy terraformation process. Godless, Ourians rebuilt their world with their own capabilities, thus ascending to a new level of self-conception. They were the center of the universe.
Today the original tendency of equilibre and sobrity frequent during the cataclysm has passed out, and since the last thousand of years -basically, the return of drinkable waters in most inlands- the Ourians have started again to regroup in differentiated ethnics and cvilizations, eventually leading to the birth of very different nations all through the world. Cultures are now incredibly different each from another, and describing each one of them would be quite a pain in- it would be really wearsome.
Only to be noted that Ourian mix of cultures has led to the birth of the 'New Empire' culture, a global elegant but simple union of arts, architecture and forms of speech, which is swiftly gaining its space in both planetary and extraplanetary communities.
Of what was before the cataclysm, very little remains: only shadows of a forgotten past, and the first light that wasn't from their sun.

Formerly, the Hegemony is based on the sacrosanct equality of rights for all Ourians.
In practice, society is based on a socio-economic hierarchical system based on wealth, and merits. Basically, the self-fulfillment of the individual is entirely based on its capability of striving through this sprawling society, and also on its social background. However, the government bases most of his fortune on this propaganda, promising better conditions and a more just meritocracy.
Still, socio-economic inequalities are frequent, and probably the situation will never change. This is in fact the main reason why the numbers of people enrolling in colonial missions in the system is esponentially growing, having seen that by creating a new colony - and thus a new state -, they would achieve that generally precluded high-ranking position. Of course, that if they survive the unknown environment.

What has majorly influenced Ourian's culture in the last century was the discovery of the first alien artifact - shortly after followed by that of a gigantic network of star-portals - which vividly ignited discussion and Ourian imagination. Surely, discovering they were not alone in the universe had been a great shock, but the Hegemony didn't take this lightly. If somewhere off in the deep sea of the galaxy there was something - or better someone - still probably unaware of their presence, they had to be prepared.
In few years state financed xeno-linguistics and archeology sprouted as mushrooms in all the planets of Alpha-Aeria - hegemony home-system - in order to decipher the glyphs and characters of the ruins, and, eventually, become able to colonize an another system even before FTL engines.

Nations Count: 28 = 23 firstborn Aeonas Nations and 5 official colonies - 9 rouge stations, on asteroids or orbitating around Andraste or other planets, yet to be recognized.

From Stardust, To Stardust

Monkeypants said
Well, everyone has a hard on for nouville (sp?) but other than that, no real notable events recently.

I think it's spelled Nouvelle.