Urix

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Short Story Introduction

"You expected this?!" Ulloriaq snapped, bristling. She could feel blood rush to her neck scales and knew that they would be flushing red. She took a deep breath which was audible as a series of quick sniffs and forced her heart rate to slow.

"No." Ilippa Nuk replied, looking away into the distance his eyes unfocused. The short answer surprised Ulloriaq, and she waited for him to elaborate. When he did not, she was about to demand an explanation, but sensing her irritation he raised a claw to prevent her.

When he still didn't reply, Ulloriaq began to scan the room in annoyance, her neck jerking as she looked about. She was a trained Piniarsar, one of the best in the Urix military, but this situation angered her. If it affected her this much, she could only imagine how the regular soldiers were reacting, those who had little grasp of Nalun.

Urix male by James Goudie

"This one did not expect it," the Ilippa finally said at length. He brought his snout up to look at Ulloriaq, his red eyes seeming to pierce her. Suddenly she felt ashamed that she was behaving like an Ipping and her long training kicked in.

She closed her eyes, shutting out the world and brought her thoughts to peace. In her mind she saw a beautiful landscape, tall palm-like trees waved softly in the wind. Her heartbeat slowed even more and beat to the tune of those trees, slowly, softly, gently.

"We feared it, but did not expect it," Ilippa Nuk said softly, bringing Ulloriaq out of her meditation.

She opened her eyes and saw that she had unconsciously sat down, her legs crossed over each other and arms folded over her chest.

"Now that you are settled, we can decide what best to do next," he continued, smiling at her.

"Best thing you can do," an unfamilar voice barked over the crash of a door being kicked in.

"Is die, Pytho," the uniformed Gervian finished.

A flash of light sparked from his raised pistol, slashing through Ilippa Nuk's head. The gun moved and a second later there was a twinge of pain in Ulloriaq's shoulder.

The shot shocked her, but instead of agony she felt a familiar and welcome serenity.

Ulloriaq gazed about the room, unperturbed by the commotion. She saw her commander fall back in slow motion, blood still spraying slowly outward from his ruined skull.

She should have felt anger or even sadness. Instead she felt pleasure. Her gaze then settled on the assailant.

The Gervian frowned seeing his shot missing it's target and the gun once again began to move.

Almost lazily, Ulloriaq rose to her feet with claws outstretched.

She crossed the space between them in a single bound. His eyes widened in surprise and his mouth opened to utter a soundless scream as his throat was ripped open by her strike.

Racial Overview

The Urix are a bi-pedal race of reptilians who are covered in a tough brown/green hide of small scales. They have a humanoid head with a sharp double row of teeth. The Urix history is one of constant warfare and violence, fuelled by their natural predatory nature and passion for destruction. The race came to the verge of complete annihilation several times, with the latest near extinction caused by an internal cold war that went nuclear.

Out of the radioactive wastes rose a clan leader, Khdvan, who introduced a doctrine of discipline and self-control to the Urix who followed him. Resistance to his ideas was at first fierce and violent, and many died in the resulting conflicts. Khdvan's teachings prevailed however, and when his detractors saw the prosperity enjoyed by his people and were reminded daily of the result of their own toxic nature, they began to practice his teachings themselves. In time there was a universal adoption of the Khdvan philosophy on the Urix homeworld of Nunaa.

Once their destructive energies were focused more productively, the Urix expanded rapidly. including into space. Societal and military reforms followed their adoption of Khdvan philosophy, providing for even more expansionism. By the time the Concordium and the Urix met, both groups were huge and hungry for more territory, making conflict between them inevitable.

Racial Characteristics

Statistics

Urix Racial Statistics

Racial Special Abilities

- Very Thick Small Scales (Defensive)

- Predatorial Instincts (Offensive)

- Small Claws (Offensive)

- Horns (Offensive)

Appearance

General Features

• Scales
  • Small, triangular scales make a tough hide.
  • Some larger scales raised like armor plating.
  • Spikes around the face.
  • Double row of teeth.
  • Long "ear" spikes instead of ears, which turn vibrations into sound.
• Physiology
  • Bi-pedal.
  • Elongated scales on the knuckles that can be used as claws.
  • Six fingered, with fully opposable thumbs.
  • Scale colours tend to be earthy, with brown and green most prominent.
    • Black scales possible, but rare.
    • Armor scales become increasingly white edged with age, but never fully lose their color.
• Body Art
  • Armor scales may be etched with tribal or clan insignia
  • Scales can be dyed different colors.

Male Features

• Physique
  • Smaller.
  • Smaller, less lethal spikes.
  • Armor scales less pronounced.
  • Longer snout.

Female Features

Urix female by James Goudie

• Physique
  • Bigger, more broadly built.
  • Spikes are long and sharp.
  • Armor scales more pronounced.
  • Generally fiercer and more assertive
• Body Art
  • Dyed scales tend to be used to enhance their fierceness, especially for warriors.

Accoutrements

• Clothes
  • Some, usually functional work attire.
  • Ceremonial clothing fairly common, particularly among those seeking Nalun.
  • Clothing tends to be well made and ornate, though never flamboyant.
• Armour
  • Natural and metal materials used to protect areas not covered by armor scales.
  • Some may use metal armours to enhance their natural protection.
• Weapons
  • Preference for light stealthy weapons. Energy or plasma bows, swords, or spears.
  • Some prefer larger, noisier armament for shock and awe tactics.

Don't all those spikes get in the way of clothing and stuff?

- Eloise Quepero D'Pigens

Sometimes they can, yes. Most of our spikes are on the head much like your long fur strands, though this one could never pull off the beret look you manage, Eloise.

- Darshana

Religion

The Urix homeworld was embroiled in a massive civil war which threatened to wipe out the species, but out of the ashes, a new philosophy rose led by a mysterious teacher called Khdvan. Since then, his teachings have united the disparate clans, and even encouraged them to move into space in search of new worlds.

Primary : Philosophy : 100% : The lessons of Khdvan are prevalent in Urix society, to the extent that it has become the accepted life style and only form of faith found on their homeworlds. New worlds are colonised by the Khdvan mentors leading their students to new places of meditation. Khdvan teaches many things, but the core ideal is that of patience.

Starting Ships: Scout and Light Carrier

Designs by Chet DeLano

Racial History

To be added.

Khdvan and the Urix

The Coming of Khdvan

The Urix race is old, ancient even. The current empire is not the first, and each new empire has risen on the ashes of the last. This current regime is, however, by far the most successful.

The previous Urix empire virtually wiped itself out through a huge cold war that turned hot. Nuclear weapons were fired, MAD (Mutually Assured Destruction) happened, and the race very nearly went extinct. This was the state in which Khdvan found them, and he led the race out of the grip of a nuclear winter.

Khdvan knew that the Urix had massive potential, but continually destroyed themselves due to their impulsive and ruthless nature. Suppress or control that, and you could get the best out of them. This is what the Khdvan philosophy set out to do; instil patience and a sense of calm on the population at large.

To do this, Khdvan imposed a new rite of passage for young Urix. When they come of age at 14, they must become a monk. Each monk is on the path of Nalun (Patience).

"Patience, Tranquillity, Peace. Khdvan means all of these things." - Ilippa Inieq

Nalun - Patience

Nalun is the most important part of the modern Urix, all strive for it and most find it. Even those who do not find it, continue to struggle but as they get older find that inner peace becomes more elusive.

Ipping (Troubled, one who has not yet tried to reach Nalun, or who has failed to do so. Children are called this, as are those who have failed to find Nalun at the rite of passage. Note, this is not at all insulting, though it is a little condescending when applied to those not actually young.)

The Path of Nalun is undertaken by all Urix at the age of 14, and lasts either until they have found it, until they leave the process, or are failed by a Iliappa (priest). Should they fail then there is only one profession open to them in society, the army.

Erinivoq (Impatient, one who has not reached Nalun. All young Urix on the path are known as this)

All Erinivoq are watched by an Iliappa while on the path, and they must be acknowledged as having found Nalun before they are considered of age, and allowed into Urix society.

Erinit (Patient, a graduate. One who has reached Nalun) Erininass (A long time Erinivoq. Insulting.) Niv (Slang for Erinit. One who is bored.) Erinitsap (or Sap for short. One who has not reached Nalun. Foreigners are usually called this. It is also one of the most insulting things than can be said to another Urix, particularly if they are actually Erinit. Sometimes unkindly used for adult Ipping.)

Some Urix choose to remain on the path, even after graduating, in order to seek a better understanding of Nalun and of themselves. Such individuals are known as Ilippa, and are considered priests of Nalun. While nothing is expected of an Ilippa, many choose to impart their knowledge to the young or to serve the state in other ways.

Ilippa (One who has learned. A priest of Nalun.)

The emphasis on inner reflection means that meditation is an entirely acceptable activity, and even those who ought to be busy with other things can simply meditate and relieve the stress placed upon them. There are even reports of soldiers doing this while under fire... with mixed results.

Society

The Ilippa control Urix society, and are its leaders. Although officially there are different ranks of Ilippa which denote what level of control they exhibit, by the wishes of Annersior Ilippa Inieq, all are simply called "Ilippa". The Urix Empire is therefore technically a theocracy, though it is a little more complicated than that...

Urix hierachy is divided up into Schools.

Khdvan Atuarfik (School of Khdvan). This is the current Urix Empire as a whole. The Khdvan Atuarfik handle high strategy such as setting broad social requirements and inter-racial diplomacy. The Khdvan Atuarfik is ruled by the "Annersior Ilippa" (Most High Priest). His council of advisors are known as "Anner Ilippa" (High Priests). The Anner Ilippa are chosen by the Annersior Ilippa.

Akutt Atuarfik (School of Time). These are the planetary councils which preside over each planet. They are virtually autonomous. They determine the social values (explained later). Akutt Atuarfiks are also the absolute military command. Because fleets are not tied to a particular planet, each fleet has one. If an army is invading a foreign planet, that planet gets one. There is otherwise no distinction between a civil authority and a military one. The Ilippa in the Akutt sphere are simply known as "Akutt Ilippa". The first Akutt Ilippa are appointed by the Khdvan Atuarfik, however later ones are chosen by serving members of the Akutt from the ranks of the Eggarsaat.

Eqqarsaat Atuarfik (School of Thought). These are regional councils. They take the values or policies set by the Akutt and apply them to their populations. They are also responsible for the collection and distribution of any output depending on the social values and are known for being very bureaucratic. The Eggarsaat level Ilippa are known as "Eggarsaat Ilippa". Eggarsaat Ilippa are voluntary positions. When an Ilippa feels the call then they find a way to serve.

Eqqis Atuarfik (School of Peace). This covers everyone else. Note, that even this lowest strata must be Erinit!

Military Schools

Piniarsar Atuarfik (School of the Stalking Hunter). These guys are Erinit but have chosen the military as a career regardless. They are very highly trained, very well armed and extremely competent - likely the best soldiers in the Concordium. Those serving in the Piniarsar are known as Pinerrar. They are the Elite or Special Forces, and each is expected to serve as an individual. They are patient, cunning, skilled and ruthless. There are no officers as such and while they are subordinate to the Akutt, they work entirely separate from the Nakuaq Atuarfik. Nakuaq Atuarfik (School of the Capable Hunter). Name given to the massed military as a whole, though not the Piniarsar. Basically each army or battle group is a Nakuaq Atuarfik subordinate to an Akutt Atuarfik. The officer cadre are Ilippa (professional priests) who, interestingly, require no military skill or experience, though they are chosen for duty by the Akutt. As such, it is not uncommon for Nakuaq Ilippa to seek unconventional or unmilitaristic solutions to a problem. This makes the Urix military extremely unpredictable. Serving military Ilippa are known as "Sakkutuut Ilippa".

Under the Ilippa serve the Sakkun and Sakkutoq. The Sukkun are the aforementioned Urix who failed or dropped out of their rite of passage. The army is all they can do. They are cold, efficient, impulsive and ruthless. They are also despised by Urix society, and most of the Ilippa's time is spent trying to control them.

The Sakkutoq on the other hand are Erinit who are drawn into military service for various reasons: either as a militia force in defence of their homes, as convicts serving a military term instead of prison, or simply those who have chosen the military but have not yet earned the right to be Pinerrar.

As an aside, should the Urix Empire require fewer or more soldiers, then the Akutt Atuarfik can make the process of earning Nalun easier or more difficult - thereby manipulating the number of dropouts. Additionally, they can modify the Social Value attached to Sakkutoq. This makes it very easy for the Urix to create and field massive armies with a comparatively small mobilisation time, and so react to wars as they occur.

The Urix and the Concordium

The War

Urix Soldiers (The Ambush, image by Lloyd Smith)

The Concordium and the Khdvan Atuarfik have had diplomatic relations for centuries, although in the early days they had very few dealings with each other. The Urix looked upon the Concordium races as inferior, while the Concordium thought of the Urix as uncivilised barbarians who had nothing to offer them.

In time, both factions grew and expanded aggressively, all the time eyeing the other with mistrust and suspicion but each unwilling to cast the first stone. The first potential crisis was the Urix invasion of the then neutral Valdus core worlds. For centuries the Valdus had been a thorn in the side of the Concordium due to their continual raiding and piracy, so the Concordium was initially keen to see their old rivals humbled.

The speed with which the Valdus fell in the 22nd century, however, caused alarm in the Concordium inner circles who feared the growing might of the Urix Empire. In response, the Concordium began to grow their own military and started increasing investments in its maintenance and power. Countering this, the Urix did the same and the two factions spiralled into an arms race.

I have seen at first hand the power of the Urix military. Their ability at arms has certainly earned my respect.

– Conleth, Historian to the Concordium.

These were costs that the Concordium could not maintain for long, as it struggled under the grip of the Triticus Plague during the early 23rd century. The Urix, too, were affected by their disease. Unlike the Concordium, however, their treatment was vastly different - complete eradication of affected populations through orbital strikes. Although ruthless, this process was highly effective at containing the spread of the plague.

The woes facing the Concordium deepened with the outbreak of the War of Psionic Privacy between the Tuleonetians and Saraven. Sensing the balance of power moving in their favour, the Urix invaded Maratasen space, a race who had been used by both sides as a buffer between them.

Switching their priority to this external threat, the Concordium promised military aid to the Maratasen, although this did little to blunt the Urix advance. In a desperate attempt to bolster their resistance, the Concordium offered full membership to the embattled Maratasen factions and threatened the Urix with a declaration of war should they assault any of the new member tribes. Many Maratasen tribes accepted the offer, although not all. Those who did not fell quickly.

The outcome was not entirely in the Concordium's favour, however. Distracted by the external threat, the Saraven took the initiative and seceded from the Concordium, joining the Urix Empire for protection from retribution.

The decline of the Concordium continued as the plague thrust on unabated, wiping out entire populations with impunity. The final knell seemed to be when the origins of the plague were discovered to have been a result of Concordium illegal genetic modification. Cohesion finally collapsed and the War of Genetic Purity began, tearing the Concordium in half.

Seizing their chance, the Urix declared war.

The Peace

So what caused the Urix and the Concordium to not only stop fighting, but to actually join forces?

The precise details are sketchy. The early years were all in the Urix' favour. They made massive gains in territory, taking many of the Maratasen planets they had desired. This was followed in the 25th Century with the fall of the Inarian homeworld (although there are questions about the resistance put up by the Inarian forces, fighting as they were at the time, against the Concordium loyalists).

Despite these early victories and internal strife, the Concordium was still a massive entity; far larger than the Urix Empire. The threat of a stalemate began to loom as the two sides increasingly entrenched their borders. The Urix themselves were ill equipped to deal with such rapid expansion, however, since ruling over vast territories and populations of angry peoples threatened to be their undoing.

A massive revolt by the embittered Valdus in the 27th century was the first sign of things to come, with its success soon followed by other conquered peoples rising up against their cold blooded overlords. The Urix might was thwarted by these internal problems, and the war came to a stand still with both sides wearied and exhausted from constant fighting.

Following years of stalemate, the Urix forces suddenly collapsed in the 28th century and seemed to melt away from the fight.

The Concordium responded to pleas from the Urix to talk after this sudden change in circumstances. To the surprise of many, instead of capitalising on their enemy's weakness, they agreed to terms. The result was the Grand Concordant, a ceasefire which brought the conflict to a close and also saw the Urix empire integrated into the Concordium as a full member.

This was, of course, heralded as a diplomatic coup by the Concordium. Not only had they defeated a bitter enemy, but they had successfully conquered the entire Urix empire with virtually none of the Urix territories actually occupied. Critics, however, were quick to point out the very lenient terms demanded by the document.

Naturally there was a backlash against this sudden and unexpected outcome within the Urix Empire, both from the politico and from the military, with some Akutt pointedly refusing to abide by the Concordant. For most of the war, the powerful military regimes held a great deal of influence in Urix politics. Towards the end of the conflict, however, most had fallen silent or disappeared, replaced by a far more tolerant and harmonious generation of Ilippa. There were changes at the very top, too, with Annersior Ilippa Innieq rising to power after the death of his predecessor. He too was in favour of peace, and it was he who personally orchestrated talks with his counterpart, the Concordium Chancellor.

Within the Concordium, the inclusion of the Urix resulted in a significant shift in the balance of power in the Assembly, with the influx of new Interstellar Electors from these territories. More direct opposition was quickly and brutally suppressed by the secret services of both sides. For decades the enmity festered beneath the surface, manifesting as continued suspicion and mistrust.

There are those in the Concordium who believe that the Grand Concordat is simply an extraordinary Urix ruse to complete their conquest of our space.

– Conleth, Historian to the Concordium.

This one knows that the mistrust is mutual. We wonder what the Concordium gains, that they have been so willing to forget and forgive former grievances? The Urix are not known for their benevolence.

- Darshana

Forgiven, perhaps, but not forgotten.

– Conleth, Historian to the Concordium.

I only hope I never meet whatever it was that stopped you stubborn boneheads fighting!

- Eloise Quepero D'Pigens

Nearly one hundred years have passed since the Concordat was signed, and time has healed some of the wounds suffered. The Urix are now welcomed as reasoning and wise counsel in the Assembly, while exposure to such a diverse population has made the Urix far less insular and paranoid about alien influences. Militarily, there was always a grudging respect between combatants. Now there is a definite relief that they now fight alongside, rather than against each other. Concordium technology and tactical flexibility have gelled nicely with the massed formations and ruthless efficiency of the Urix art of war.

Once again the winds of war blow and the combined forces of the Concordium and Urix state march to fight. This time, however, the campaign feels different, fuelled at its heart by a level of secrecy and mystery never before experienced by the hyper connected lives of those living in Concordium space. Vast armies and fleets hasten to combat an unseen foe. Very little is known about this conflict at large beyond the fact that it has been escalating in recent years. All civic media channels are closed and no journalists are allowed onto the battlefield.

What few reports do emerge are quickly and efficiently silenced.

Khdvan Atuarfik

The ruler of the Urix Empire, known by the Urix as the Khdvan Atuarfik, is Annersior Ilippa Inieq who is considered Khdvan reborn. A new Annersior Ilippa is determined by a unique cry of anguish at the predecessors' death, taken up by all other Urix when they hear it. Children born during this cry are eligible to be chosen, they are then nurtured throughout their life and groomed for a life of command.

Ilippa Inieq prefers to drop his "Annersior" title, as he believes that all Ilippa are properly prepared for leadership and that no distinction should be made between them regardless of their position. Other Most High Ilippa's have not always been quite so egalitarian.

There are two elements inherent to the Urix economy, Centralization (as processed by the Eqqarsaat and Akutt Atuarfik), and Social Value. A Urix will create some kind of value or input for the Urix Empire as a whole, either as material goods that are handed over to their local Eqqarsaat Atuarfik, or services rendered for others while acting as doctors, soldiers, managers or lawyers.

The Akutt Atuarfik sets each possible profession a value which is updated yearly. This value assigns the amount of reward (salary) a Urix can expect to receive for undertaking that profession. While these values do not change dramatically year on year, it does allow a certain amount of control over the direction of the economy. For example, if there is a food shortage, then the Social Value given to farmers would be increased, encouraging more of the population to become farmers.

Low skilled labour can switch quickly between tasks, thereby allowing the Urix economy to react to shortage or surplus remarkably quickly through central planning and oversight. Obviously there is a problem for highly skilled professions as it is more difficult to move between them. Careful thought has to be applied on a generational basis as to what value to place on each, therefore encouraging students to study those subjects).

The Akutt Atuarfik for each planet will set a range of values, determined by the planetary need for that service. The Eqqarsaat will then use that range and solidify it for their own requirements and resources. Akutt Atuarfik's of smaller or independent entities (fleets) require outside support. Therefore each Akutt sends a tithe to the Khdvan Atuarfik which is then spent accordingly.

So every person has a designated social value. How is this different from a Caste system?

– Conleth, Historian to the Concordium.

It is the profession, not the person who has the social value. Should they change jobs, then their value changes accordingly.

- Darshana

Traveller's Log Entries

End of the Beginning - Toreekto!

by Gareth Kay

"Toreekto!"

Ulloriaq pressed herself against the wall with gritted teeth. She could hear the Gervian voices nearby and she had to fight to suppress the temptation to rush out and gut them. Ever since the murder of Ilippa Nuk three weeks ago all she had lived for was death.

"Nalun, Nalun Ituinarpoq," she breathed to herself, forcing her heart to calm, "patience, patience everlasting".

Despite her best efforts, her knuckles tightened around the knife in anticipation. She didn't just want to kill, she needed to. Ulloriaq closed her eyes and rested her head against the wall. Enveloping herself in darkness, she felt her breathing slow and her hearing heightened.

"... toreekto... pytho... toreekto..."

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