The Empire of Xoth

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Czernobog
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The Empire of Xoth

Post by Czernobog »

The Empire of Xoth
Full name: The Great Empire of Xoth.
Systems governed: 14
Population: 20 billion
Government Type: Hereditary Monarchy, Authoritarian.
Derogatory names: Squidheads, Squids, Squidies, Space Squids.
Motto: ‘The Empire shall endure!’

History:


Xoth has always been a world of falling and rising empires. In the beginning there was the Empire of Kaiphon the Great, a glorious empire that stretched across half the world. But then it overreached itself, and collapsed into barbarism. Then the Long Night came, an æon of war and bloodshed, followed by the Rebirth, and the rise of Duathar the Glorious’ Grand Empire. It fell again due to over-reaching itself, disintegrating into many smaller states.

In the end, two large power-blocs formed – the Trade League and the Glorious Axis. The cold war between these two groups ended dramatically when the Axis developed nuclear weapons, used them to crush the Trade League’s cities, and then invaded the burned-out remnants. Then, Grand Marshal Denach led a coup d’état that resulted in the Glorious Axis being turned into the Empire of Xoth, which quickly expanded into space, colonising its two moons and spreading out to other planets. The nascent interstellar power then discovered a graveddy in its home system, leading directly to their recruitment into C-WEB.

Emperor Denach then died at the age of 234, and his son Kaiphon became Emperor. In deference to his ancient ancestor, the new Emperor called himself Kaiphon the Second. This was followed immediately by a massive increase in military spending and the beginning of widespread colonisation efforts, in an attempt to increase his empire’s military presence as much as possible.

Physiology and Biology:


Xothan biology is standard carbon-based, though they might not look it, instead looking an incredible deal like certain creatures from the works of Terran horror-writer HP Lovecraft. Instead of bone, Xothans use a crystal-based superstructure that is several times more flexible and stronger than human bones. This allows their prehensile chin-tentacles, which are actually part of an electromagnetic sense, a sort of ‘sixth sense’ if you will, that allow Xothans to feel another Xothan’s emotions. The Xothans use this as a sort of early-warning system, to detect fear and apprehension, and can also be used as a sort of third arm to carry objects. The Xothans make extensive use of neuro-cybernetic manipulators, producing enhanced versions that allow telekinesis and high-level telepathy.

Instead of hair, Xothans have short, unprehensile tendrils that are coloured black, although some ethnic groups grow the tendrils long. They have black, leathery skin and short tails. On average they stand taller than humans, maxing out at about nine feet and at their shortest being 6 feet.

Xothan eardrums are tougher than those of humans, being made of crystal, and thus they can tolerate louder sounds. They have six fingers, five and a thumb, and the same number of toes.

Xothans have a growth period roughly as long as that of humans, but after they reach adulthood they age far more slowly, eventually dying at 250 or thereabouts.

As a result of their occupants preferring colder temperatures, Xothan ships and buildings are often refrigerated instead of heated, with the result that other races are not comfortable there. As a result, Xothans have sensitivity to heat, finding human room temperature to be quite uncomfortable.

Xothans reproduce sexually like humans, although the difference between male and female Xothans is quite difficult for other species to detect.


Culture:


The Xothans have a somewhat militaristic culture, though this is not associated with honour as some believe. No. Xothans believe in solving the job as quickly as possible, in giving problems their all, and not retreating till they or the enemy are dead. It is easy to see why such thoughts might lead to a militaristic culture. Xothan music is loud and bombastic, a result of their species’ ears being tougher, and as such subcultural music tends to be slow, calm and dignified, a contrast to human bands like Necronomicon Alpha and other examples of Burning Metal, a major human musical style. Xothans do not care about minor issues or disputes, seeing that there are much more important things to care about, like war or government. In fact the Xothan government is a meritocracy, the most decorated war heroes or the most intelligent strategists rising to the top, with the exception of noble titles or the Emperor’s position, which are hereditary.

The children of Xothan nobility are not parented – instead they grow up in communal crèches, except for the Emperor’s children and those of citizens, which are parented normally. This is to prevent any one dynasty from growing too powerful, which may eventually lead to a man with de facto rule over the Empire, with the Emperor becoming merely a figurehead.

Most Xothans worship the god Atauar, revering him as the Grand Creator that created all life in the universe. Xothans who live their lives by the Nine Virtues of Atauar are supposed to go to his Kingdom, and the Emperor is revered by some as the Son of Atauar, but in general the religion is rather low key, focusing more on interpretation and good living than converting the faithful or declaring holy wars, playing little part in modern Xothan life, although some extreme and militaristic sects believe in Xothan supremacy over non-Xothans. Like most aspects of their culture, Xothan religion is kept secret, with little known other than the name of their holy book – the Final Testament of Atauar.

Xothan clothing focuses more on survival than fashion, with thick furs and warmth-preserving materials commonly used, to help endure the harsh winters that reign on Xoth. Military wear is black with silver lining, and officers often wear capes and ceremonial swords.

Xothan buildings are made out of a strong black stone not found on earth, which is an effective insulator, allowing them to survive in environments which even their preference for cold climates cannot withstand.

Because they prefer the cold, Xothan spaceships and homes are refrigerated, which makes them uncomfortable to humans, but Xothans are themselves accustomed to cold temperatures, and are thus uncomfortable at human room temperature. 

Homeworld:


Xoth is a dangerous place, at the outer edge of its system’s habitable zone and thus having large polar zones and a cold climate, in which it sometimes snows at the equator. It has two moons, Ysolo and Ubothal. Ysolo is what most Terrans think of when they hear the word ‘moon’, but Ubothal is an asteroid quite recently (in cosmic terms) captured, and thus has a highly erratic orbit, although not one likely to result in an impact on Xoth.

Xoth has three continents, named Zhogolo, Nalazoro, and Zlahono respectively. Zhogolo is the northernmost continent and the one where Xothan civilisation developed.

Nalaboro is somewhat southwest of Zhogolo and was obliterated by nuclear weapons in the war between the Axis and the League. It is uninhabited except for a few military bases, although there are rumours that horrible devoluted Xothans dwell in the remains of the once-great cities.

Zlahono is the last continent, standing to the east of the two and being perched on Xoth’s equator. It is of little note, being colonised just a century ago, save a few small towns, a heavily volcanic interior that warms the continent and an abundance of plant and animal life.

The greatest anomaly of Xoth, though, is the Dark, a large system of underground caves that honeycombs the northernmost continent, Zhogolo. It has its own climate, being quite warm and humid, and is home to many endemic species, including the almost-sapient Athreh.

Xoth is also home to species of towering fungi that stand in the place of trees, and are pretty much the same, growing to gigantic sizes and in general standing in their role.

Military Doctrine:


In its barest form, Xothan military doctrine holds as its central tenet that a successful war is victory over the enemy. Thus, killing the enemy is judged as superior to forcing him to surrender. Fighting the enemy psychologically and economically is treated as second hand to the dirty business of actually killing him. Xothan assaults are usually done calmly, with every situation planned against and every viable variable analysed to how it fits into the plan. Xothans radio orders and communication entirely in their language, which they keep secret, not deigning to teach it to outsiders. Besides, all their broadcasts are expertly coded and disguised as static, safeguarded in ways that not even the intelligent machines of the Sigilites can easily decode.

A typical battle starts with an orbital bombardment to drive the enemy out of hiding, followed by the deployment of rapid reaction forces, power-suited and armed with cutting-edge Graser Rifles, which are used to annihilate the enemy. They show no mercy or emotion, firing on the enemy, taking cover, and then wiping them out. Xothans do not care for collateral damage, firing on civilian centres as easily as on trench lines. This can cause them to be seen as atrocity-mongers (as the propaganda of the OAS says), but the Xothans always make sure that there is a military presence first, and do not actively fire on civilian buildings such as schools and homes. Civilians and captured enemies are treated relatively well, except if they try aggressive action or escape, in which the punishment is instant execution.
Last edited by Czernobog on Sun Nov 22, 2009 9:10 am, edited 2 times in total.
You have ruled this galaxy for ten thousand years.
You have little of account to show for your efforts.
Order. Unity. Obedience.
We taught the galaxy these things.

And we shall do so again.
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Heretic
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Re: The Empire of Xoth

Post by Heretic »

THis sounds familiar. Didn't you have this race elsehwere? Cause I remember you having a militaristic squid lifeform.
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Magister Militum
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Re: The Empire of Xoth

Post by Magister Militum »

Heretic wrote:THis sounds familiar. Didn't you have this race elsehwere? Cause I remember you having a militaristic squid lifeform.
He posted the rough draft of this polity on the TSW start-up page a while ago.
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Czernobog
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Re: The Empire of Xoth

Post by Czernobog »

Full draft posted.
You have ruled this galaxy for ten thousand years.
You have little of account to show for your efforts.
Order. Unity. Obedience.
We taught the galaxy these things.

And we shall do so again.
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