Xardian FT Factbook (a work in progress)
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History
The history of the Xardians is a vague one since their race has only recently found any use in recording the history of their nation. From what little that can be found of their recorded history, the Xardians were one of thousands of sentient races upon their homeworld. The violent and insidious Xardians made war and destroyed these races one by one. Very few of these other natives survived and even fewer remained free of the oppressive Xardin empire. The homeworld of the Xardin slowly changed from a beutiful jungle to a barren wasteland covered the insectoid hive spires of the dominate race. The oppressed slave races quickly began to die in this nearly inhosipitable wasteland. Soon the slaves were no more and the Xardian worker caste were forced to make up the difference.
After many centuries of civil wars born of boredom and chaotic goverment changes, the Xardians finally invented space capable battlecruisers. They now scour the universe searching for more worlds to conquer.
The Xardian Race
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The Xardians are a race of large insectoid beings that hail from the fringes of the "southern" regions of the galaxy. Most beings that have visited Sol can easily compare the Xardian race to the mantises of Earth. They seem to most biologists to be a mix between the physical body of a mantis, the mannerisms of killer bees and the society/heirarchy of ants. Yet, the most curious thing about these creatures is their need for violence and expansion. If it were not for the invention of intersteller travel upon their world, they would have likely destroyed themselves.
Like ants, the Xardian race is divided into task specific castes. The castes of the Xardian Hive, however, are far more diverse and specific than that of any insect on earth. The Xardian castes are more like the occupations of other humanoids, save for the fact that they are born into their castes. Ruling this complex heirarchy is the Hive Lord, a being that indirectly controls the entire nation much like a living god. It is believed that this godlike being resides somewhere within its homeworld of Xardin. There it is said to plot the future of the mighty Hive of Xardin.
Religion
Nearly all Xardians worship their living God, a being that is only known as The Hive Lord. The Hive Lord is believed to be something like a hive mind in incarnated as a physical manisfestation. It is unknown as to why the Xardian hive mind would need a less influential physical avatar, but it exists and indirectly controls all Xardians through suggestion and divine influence. Even to the Xardians it is unknown what the Hive Lord's long term goal is, but they will follow its direction even to their deaths.
The Ctan
31-08-2005, 21:07
OOC: Interesting. Please continue.
Hierarchy
The Xardian hierarchy is much like a cross between that of insects and that of the human feudal system. The overall ruler is the Hive Lord who is considered divine not unlike a feudal king. The lowest caste in their society is the Chiochoti ("Impure") caste. The caste system in its entirity is as follows:
The Hive Lord
Unopposed, absolute ruler of the race of Xardin. Worshipped as a god and given the political powers of a dictator. The Hive Lord could control every Xardian in the Great Hive, but to reduce the stresses of micro-management, it uses a caste system.
The Prophets
Interpreters of the divine will of the Hive Lord. They are each given control of different areas of administration. The prophets usually are given the brunt of the administrative duty and in return for their hard work they are granted near endless lives. If the prophets stray from the divine plan of the Hive Lord, he is said to have the power to instantly kill them and replaces him with any Xardian He deems worthy enough.
The Cohanim Caste
The Cohanim or priest caste set the commands of the Prophets in motion. They are viewed by outsiders as revered errand runners. They seem to do little more than care of the prophets and make sure the proper officials get the orders from the Prophets. This caste is also most likely to surplant a prophet should he pass away.
The Urluk Caste
The Urluk or holy warrior caste consists of the best warriors in the Great Hive. Some are born to this caste, others achieve it through feats of brutality and loyalty to the Hive Lord. The Urluks are often the bodyguards and elite warriors of the hive. They can be found either guarding the Xardian leaders and important places or commanding the Xardian armies upon the battlefield. Aside from the Xardian elite warriors this caste includes the majority of the Xardian military leaders.
The Urlith Caste
The Urlith or warrior caste is likely the second most numerous caste within the Great Hive. The Urlith are divided into two sub-castes, one sub-caste (The Urlith-Rai) is the army and security forces and the other (The Urlith-Tau) is one that specializes in other combat positions. The Urlith-Rai, like most warrior insect castes, are large and powerful beasts naturally armored in an exoskeleton. These things are built for melee combat and biological advancements make them useful from a distance as well. The Urlith-Tau are smaller than the other warrior strain, they likely were formed to fill to role of naval and airfore personnal. Having greater sensory preception and impeccable accuracy, this strain excells in the role it was made to fill.
The Chiochoti Caste
The Chiochoti or worker caste is the most numerous caste in the Great Hive. The Chiochoti do all of the manual labor in Xardin and are looked upon by the other castes as lesser beings. Though abused and often beaten, this caste is also the most loyal to the cause of the Hive Lord. Doing their work with pride knowing that they are what keeps Xardin from falling into decay.