Topic: The Ęthirans

[Yokto]

A illustration Technomage in a Spectral Armor based on retold accounts. A post Nano age armor that is unique to each Technomage that owns one. (If they own one)

Name: Ęthiran also Aethiran, Ethiran
Closest earth equivalent: lizard insect hybrid?
Size: usually 1-3 meter. Very depended on what race of Ęthiran.
Locomotion: Bipedal
Environment: Forest, Open plains, Deserts, Mountins, Subterran, Coastal areas, Arctic areas.
Diet: Omnivore.
Social behavior: Ancient Feudal society dominates the Ęthiran culture.
Lifespan: A average age of 30-300 Earth years depending on social class and race.


Hydromancerxs Civilization Traits scale. (Not to be confused with Civ 4 Traits)

The Ęthiran Empire: Aggressive / Expansive
The Ęthiran Exiles: Philosophical / Creative

Generally Biology

The Ęthirans live on the planet Ęthir (acualy a moon around a gas giant). Most smiler to a Humanoid lizard with 4 arms and 2 legs, a tail and skin with armored plates. Ęthirans comes in almost any color but most have near to earth tones. White and Brightly colored Ęthirans are often discriminated in the old world as most Ęthirans that do have these colors are often from the exiles colony's in the new world.  Ęthirans have a very complex gen structure and Ęthirans consist of several specialist races. The variation is extream and after the discovery of Gen manipulation the variation have become even more extream. The Empire is infamous for is inhumane genetic experiments that are mostly conducted by Technomages simply for the own pleasure often without any special goal in mind. Even before Gen manipulation was discovered extensive breading programs where used by Technomages and the Nobility. Life length is also very varied because of the racial differences and especially because of overwork by the lower classes. Some Technomages are rumored to be immortal using technology like Reanimation to extend life (And as a way to recycles the short lived serfs.)

General culture

the culture is dominated by a Feudal society simply known as the Empire have ruled the planet for millennial. The Conclave which is the closest thing to a unified government acts as solve conflicts betwine minor nations, citystates and clans . A group known as the exiles do however no agree with the Conclave and the feudal society and have establasehed colony's in the new world sins the exodus duering the second industrial revelution. The old world Empire made peace with the exile in the new world after years of bloody war and not a uneasy calm exist betwine them. The Conclave now handle any galactic all galactic matters but due to a agreement betwine the Empire and the Exiles entitles some of the planets colonized or conquered by the Empire to be left in the care of the Exile government. (And those species should really consider them self lucky.)

The Empire (Also know as The Old World Empire by Exiles)

The Empire have no definitive leader however the Aethirans believe that a mystic force known as the Shadow Emperor guilds them. However because the several conflicts in interpreting the Divine will of the Shadow Emperor the Conclave was appointed oversee the Tribunal, Hertics (like the Exiles) and dangruses technological developing. Day to day life is govern by local lord. The are mainly 2 types of Lords. Ether there part of the traditional Nobility or part of the Technomages. The Nobility like earth Nobility rest is power in military might and poltics. The Techomances rest their power in Creation and production of technology. Often these 2 groups works to gather.

The Freemen (Also know as The New World Exiles or simply the Exiles)

The Freemen as they like to call them self is rule by a representative democracy or if a majority of 75% of the population show up for a vote they get to vote directly. (You need to register your intention to vote ahead of time in most territories to simplify the process.) There society is gently open to change but it can take a little wile for technological development to be applied because the Freemens do not like to do anything without knowing what the effect will be in advance. This fact and that The Freemen have a lot less resources the the Empire is considered to be the main reason why the Freemens never bin able to truly beat the Empire in the scientific races.

I'm sorry if a kept it short. I'm not that good at writhing things down. If anyone got any question just ask.

[Krakow Sam]

Wow... awesomeness in extremis!

A futuristic feudal society... I like.

[Hydromancerx]

Tell us about the Civ, City and Tribal stages of their development. How did they get to where they are today?

[Yokto]

Nice to see you like it Krakow Sam. 

Well i tried some infomation. Trying to employ the Hydromancerxs Civilization Traits scale but it was hard to classify them.

The Empire i made Aggressive well because they like war and bloodsports and things like that. I also made them expansive as they do try to subjugate any specie they come i to contact with even if their natural growth rate is really very slow. Still their are so many of them living underground in their large city's. I was thinking of spiritual but as their not that unified the to their feudal society. (But they are very very religious.) I also thinking about Scientific but the Technomages try to keep all technology hidden from each other. The Conclave also try to keep technology from the public (and do even sometimes try to stop Technomages from developing new Science.) It is also very mix with their religious believes so it very hard for outsiders to understand. Industrious was also a option but even if they do use a lot of slave labor and even a large reanimated workforce is not what their really famous for. (Well collecting slaves maybe but not for their efficients industrial compexes.)

The Exiles where a little easier. Philosophical because they try to stand against everything the Empire stands for even if they officially now a part of the Empire. Creative because they love culture and a lot of the even the Empires art have a history in the Freemens creative expration. The Empire have copied a lot the Exiles. Is the Exiles hope that their art and ides can bring peace not only to the Empire but also to the rest of the universe.

[Yokto]

Tell us about the Civ, City and Tribal stages of their development. How did they get to where they are today?

OK i will do that tomorrow. Need to sleep now. 

[Yokto]

Well I'm back. lets start some what chronologically.

Tribal stage
This time is essentially what form the Ęthiran Empire social order and ideals. A time with chaos and strife. The Tribes and clans often went to war with each other. Mush of this aggressiveness can be found in the Empire today. But the wars where often self destructive and many Tribes and clans went extinct because of this. Also a lot of in Tribe fight over who should rule lead to a unstable society. But then two philosopher where born. Both would have more impact then any other Ęthiran in the Ęthiran history. It where there ideas that created the concept of the Shadow Emperor and it was also there ides from the basic rule for the most commen way to solve conflict even in the Empire days. Namely the Duel system.

The two philosophers.
The two philosophers know as "Strongwill daughter of Shadow Clan" and "Fastmind son of Ęthiran Dragon¹ tribe" are the once that created the religion and to some extent the social structure of the Empire. Even the Exiles hold them in very high regard. Strongwill would once wounder why no thing look as it was really new. Everyhing seem to be some sort of copy from a large library of knowledge. All the trees look basically the same and all the all the animal allway keep the same form. And when a Animal was born disformed it usually died quickly. So Strongwill started to believe that all thing in this world was copied from a "real world" which she called the Shadow library of ides. (This idea would be very smiler to Plato's metaphysical idea world.) The idea of the Shadow library quickly spread to many of the wise but one day Fastmind heard of the idea. He thought it was great idea but found what he called flaws in it. Object seem to be connect to each other. Things seem to change with time. And for the better. It was not as something try to copy the shadow library as mush as some unseen force trying to guide them toward a goal infinity far away. The Concept of the Shadow Emperor was born. Fastmind explained that the reason why weak things die is because is the will of the Shadow Emperor. The reason why thing change is because is the Sprite of the Shadow Emperor. Simply put the Will (Order) shapes and the Spirit (Chaos) changes. These idea was even a bigger hit then the idea of the Shadow library and soon every leader follow the idea that it was a Shadow Emperor guiding there action. If you did not follow the Will and Spirit of the Shadow Emperor then you would get punished simply because someone else that was stronger or smarter then you would take your place. This also gave the birth to the proverb "For the Will and Spirit of the Shadow Emperor!" some time shorten to  "For the Will of the Emperor!".

1. Ęthiran Dragon is the best term for a flying lizard with batlike 2 wing, 2  scythes talon arms, 2 feet, very long tail and armored skin. It was nearly hunted to extincion during the first industrial revoltion. Also know as Sky Reapers because of their scythes talon arms.

Duel system
The duel system was develop as a way to solve conflicts and was inspired by the idea of a Shadow Emperor guiding the he who was right to glory. When ever two could not a agree and wanted to solve a conflict a duel could be announced by one of the parties. They them self did not have to duel however if they did not wish. Someone or several stand ins could take their place in the duel. However a standin must except out a free will and could not be forced to except to participate in a duel (Slave and animals have not free will an can be use as weapons in duels). Because of this a charismatic Ęthiran could often beat a simple brute. How many that combatants that battle it out depended on what the 2 parties agreed on in advance and if they could not agree local tradition dictated the rules. Often this meant that 4 Ęthiran where allowed on each team. If you could not fill you spot with a standing (or you self for that matter) you to make it without the extra support. Because of this rule those that where simply strong did not try to take power from someone that was weak but very intelligent or well connected. The duel was then performed in a large ring (the size could vary a lot depending on Arena) and the losing team was the team that ether exit the ring (Which could be a hard thing to do because some Arenas had high wall or other obstacles to prevent this) died in the ring or simply surrendered. If the team leader (the one who have challenge or bin challenge to a duel) surrendered it was up to the other teams leader if he wanted to spare the life of the dualist.  As time when on weapons, use of animal and use of slave where often limited. Is the local tradition is often set by the local lord but later the Conclave would have more say in the traditions. The Conclave would allways set the rules of duels betwine local lords that could not agree on terms.

The Technomancers, the Conclave and the Shadow Libraries
The first Technomacers evolved from the priest and shaman that lived in the tribes and clans. After the idea of the Shadow library and Shadow Emperor have started to spreed some of these wise me started to collect infomation a knowledge to form there own Shadow library so they could understand the Will of the Shadow Emperor. As there libraries grow they gain more power. They form secret society to guard their secretes and toke on apprentices to follow in there footsteps rather then giving the knowledge to there children. But conflicts betwine Technomacers could often be brutal and even duels sometimes could be consider to be unsafe so a few Technomacers  and Nobility started the Conclave. The mission of the conclave was to unite the Empire and act as Judges. They started by dictating all rules for duels. Those that did not follow the orders of the Conclave would be exterminated. The hole clan and tribe would be eliminated. Because of this most Technomance become even more secretive with there technology fearing it could be bad or even use again themself by the Conclave. The Conclave also build is own Shadow Library so they could use the knowledge to predict the Emperors Will. The members of the Conclave may never use this knowledge for their own purpose however and may never tell anyone what is write their. Most Conclave member therefor seldom is seen i public but are hide from others. Also very few that are willing to become Conclave member because of this as you can not use the power you posses for you own interst. In Moder time the Conclave Shadow Library is without a equal the largest library in the Empire and maybe even the entire Universe. thousends of thosends of computers try to sort, store infomation and use it to predict future events. It contains a lot of data that most species would probably find useless but for the Ęthirans all date is usefull as it could be use to predict the Will of the Shadow Emperor.

Just ask if you go any questions.

[Yokto]

The age of the Citystates
As the population grew and technology evolved giant Citystates grew around the Technomancers and Nobilities forts. Many of the these city's grew simply because the need to feed the war machine that allway was no the march even if there where no wars. As Technomancers grew more protective of their knowledge and Nobilities fear the loss of power all the local lords wear lock in a heated arms race that still continue today. Fort where build larger and higher then ever before in in there shadow the city's grew. Stretching not only up toward the sky but also deep underground. So extensive are the tunnels that make up these city's that they stretch for miles often connecting with other city states. What is seen on the surfers is just the tip of the Iceberg. The higher one is up on the hierarchy the higher up in the city's the Ęthirans generally live. This have given birth to the old proverb "A Technomancer never touch the ground" Having the double meaning that Technomancer generally are so distance from their serf that do not really know what the world look like and allway living in blitz with the clouds (And the fact that a lot of Technomancer know how to levitate  ). The few nobles that do control power in the City states often live at lower levels. Is not uncommon for the nobles to rule the Undercity wile the Technomancers rules the sky. This is simply because most nobles make their living from resource extraction and war wiles Technomancer usually makes living from using production, use of technology and as counselors to other High ranking Technomancer and Nobels.

[Yokto]

A little jump in time forward to galatic age.

Ęthirans View on Aliens
The common Ęthira is often fascinated with biology and theirfor love any strange new lifeform that can find. Collecting strange new species is a hobby for both Feudal lord as for the Freemen. But culture is often a diffrent matter. Still the Empire and the Exiles have diffrent views on other Alien cultures.

The Empires View on Aliens.
The Empires is far from being Xenophobic even if they may seem to be by other observers. Rather the opposite is true. Ęthirans in general are Xenophilias and love other species. But the Empire do see other cultures as "inferior". They see other species as dumb and to not trust their governments. The only exception to this is the Tri lateral Squid like creatures from a water world that is relative close to Ęthira which the empire have somewhat respect for. (No even them self really know why however.) The Conclaves Generally want to conquerer any Aliens that come in to contact with but due to the empires vastness and unorganized structure is often not a option. The feudal lord often makes raids or try to trade with other species. But trading with these lord is often like making a pact with the Devil. Especially if is a Technomancer. Is not uncommon for a Technomancer to sell highly advance technology without any proper instruction on how to use it then later move i in the new territory after the Aliens have wiped them self out with the divice. The Nobility often hires out their troops as mercenaries and switch sides onces they see that can grab power from their former employees. Still is uncommon for Ęthirans to actually brake any contracts. Ęthirans are just very good at writing legal documents.

(And what ever you do, Do not ever sell them you soul! They will take this literally and you will be there slave forever just because they can do it!)

The Exiles View on Aliens.
Like the Empire the Exiles love Aliens. But are far from as condemning of other cultures as the Empire. Still they do sometimes take a little high and mighty attitude toward other cultures. But reminding them of their own past often makes them a lot more open as they them self where hunted for their ideas in the past. The Exiles aren't really allowed to make diplomatic contacts with other species sins the their unification with the Empire. But due to their autonomy and that the peace treaty that unified the Empire and the Exiles gave them right to a part the conquered territories have given them extensive connections with other Aliens. Sometime they even pay smaller feudal lords to take them with them on there interstellar voyages. This have often save many species from becoming pets or slaves of the Empire. But the Exiles try to keep a very low profile fearing a new war against the Empire if they try to librate and warn to many Alien spices.

[Genesis]

Wow! This is great! I see some potential in them...

OOC: Mabye I should've started The Ryndalians at a further point... now no one pays attention to them... 

[Hydromancerx]

thank you for doing the back history! This is great!! More pictures would eb good if you can

[Yokto]

thank you for doing the back history! This is great!! More pictures would eb good if you can

I will try to make more pictures but i need a lot of inspiration for that. A part of the reason why i post the Spectral armor is because i did not have to show that mush detail yet was able to show the general appearance of a Ęthirans.

Anyway anyone that want to try to make you own Ęthiran lizard sub race feel free to do so. Most have large pair of upper arms and a smaller pair of lower arms (See Spectral armor.) 2 legs. 1 tail. 4 fingers including thumb and thin clawlike nails. Scaly hide. 2 Eyes. 2 nostrials on the end of the usually short face. (Sometimes even flat like a humans face.) But that just some general ides how they look. Like i posted before their variations can be extream. I'm sure i would except any contribution. 

(And do not worry about cloths. Most of the lower classes do not use cloths if they do not live in a colder climate. They do no even have to worry about their genitalia dangling about like use humans and their Armored Scaly skin protects them against the elements.) 

[emmet]

The Omics would much prefer the Exiles come to there planet! A lower chance of being pets then, lol

[Yokto]

The Omics would much prefer the Exiles come to there planet! A lower chance of being pets then, lol

I agree on that. To bad that Exiles are strictly forbidden to make first contact or any contact at all because of their unification with the Empire. Their is a small chances however that a small feudal lord in need of some scientist (Technomance for the feudal lord) would except a research party of Exiles on his exertions. (Generally the research party also pay for right to travel with the feudal lord.)

[operaghost21]

nice pic...looks a bit like a nano-suit torpal to me though

[Yokto]

nice pic...looks a bit like a nano-suit torpal to me though

But i bet you suit can not walk through walls like the Spectral armor.

And you can not expect that a fellow hexapod will look that diffrent in armor. but I'm glad you liked it. made it only with gimp without even using a any model to go by. Not even a scanned drawing to go by.