WIP Cyclorites
| SPECIES | |
|---|---|
| Cyclorite | |
 Cyclorite |
Play-ability: Round Start |
Cyclorite
The Cyclorites are a blunt and sturdy people from an Abyssal world within the Null Scar, with much of the appearance and attributes of stone. They are a durable people, well suited to life on a space station, and though only recently contacted by the wider galaxy they have already found their way onto various stations in the sectors around the Null Scar.
Biology
Cyclorites are taller on average than any of the other common species onboard NanoTrasen Space Stations, towering over their peers. Their most notable feature is their large, singular eye- the namesake of their species in Common. This eye is adapted for the dark, and due to the palette of their homeworld has an underdeveloped red photo-receptor.
Their skin is composed of a rocky material, often featuring jagged stone-like growths at the joints, shoulders, and around their heads. Their bones are composed of a bright blue crystalline structure which is durable and heavy, adding greatly to their overall mass. Even their heart appears to be made of a purple gemstone, pumping abyssal sludge through their dark organs.
It is rumored that Cyclorites never stop growing, constantly gaining mass as they age. The oldest known Cyclorite is believed to be over 450 years old, though almost none over 100 have left their homeworlds.
Culture
History
Cyclorites have only been recently introduced to the wider galaxy, with research expeditions into the Null Scar discovering their homeworld of Cyla less than a century ago. It took some time for them to be integrated into NanoTrasen and Central Command as employees, though their familiarity with the Null Scar as a people formed within it made them excellent guides and fonts of knowledge for the researchers studying the phenomenon- though much of what they knew was shrouded in myth and obscured by legends and folktales.
Religion
According to Cyclorite legends, the very first Cyclorites were formed when an abyssal storm struck their nexus planet Cyla. Their ancient texts speak of an "Elder God" who was contained within this storm which created them. The predominant accepted theory at Central Command is that the rush of ions across the loose nitrogen atmosphere produced a charge that, albeit confoundingly, has still has not been replicated to this day. The resulting lightning struck the tallest structures on Cyla, these large seemingly inorganic rock formations. Formations were blasted apart, ejecting large chunks across the planet, and into space.
Afterwards, remains of the pillars were strewn across the surface of Cyla and carried off by the abyssal storm. Over time, these remains slowly coalesced into humanoid shapes. While slow at first, the humanoid shapes, early Cyclorites, quickly gained speed, adapting quickly to their new environment. Within a short time-frame, these Cyclorites had developed a language, vibrating their bodies at resonant frequencies to generate sound. Within only a few decades they had formed tribal governments, each one unique to their own planet. It is theorized that those Cyclorites which are large enough to produce subsonic waves are able to communicate between planets, leading to the establishment of alliances, and enemies.
Family and Community
While some family structures exist, they tend to be much looser and less defined by either a matriarchy or a patriarchy. Cyclorites generally place less emphasis on their lineage than other species, not even taking or using last names to keep track of such things.
Despite this, the Cyclorites are a very communal people. Inherently able to communicate over a larger distance than most, via subsonic vibrations that carry through the ground, this has created a very connected people. It has also slowed the integration of Cyclorites into the wider galaxy somewhat, as learning to speak other languages with comparatively much narrower ranges of sounds used to communicate, is difficult for Cyclorites. Even those that speak Common often find themselves echoing their words in deeper vibrations in their native language, like they are speaking under their breath.
Fashion and Aesthetics
Cyclorite fashion is generally more function over form, with the need to accommodate their bulky frames and the irregular stoney growths on their bodies making long sleeves undesirable and impractical. For much of their history, their fashion has favored sleeveless clothes, with loose and flowy fabric. Some of this perceived simplicity is a misconception born from environment. Cyclorites produce dyes from the materials on their Abyssal worlds, so while sometimes dull or plain looking under normal lighting, their clothing is often intricately colored and luminous in the dark. Cool blues and purples are the most common tones, with reds and greens being very uncommon.
Their architecture tends to be rather abstract, influenced by the twisting nature of the plant life on Abyssal planets. It is believed their early shelters were often tapered and integrated the twisting spiral growth of the native trees into their design, interlocking for structural stability. This design has carried into their modern architecture, with interlocking spiral joints in their carpentry.
Society
Government
While communication between nearby planets inhabited by Cyclorites has been possible for most of their history, it was only very recently that space travel became accessible to them. Because of this they have not unified under a single government but instead each planet has a somewhat tribal government, with individual leaders that hold a large amount of power individually but can be replaced at any time.
Economy
Abyssal worlds are often ravaged by electrical storms that have effects similar to EMPs. Despite this, they have managed to advance technologically by harnessing a unique material on their worlds- Abyssium. This material can insulate and harness these EMP storms, protecting electronics. This is one of the Cyclorite's most lucrative exports, with the Central Research Division of CentComm being most interested in it's application. It is rumored that this material may even be used in their AI Cores, which would explain why they are less prone to the effects of Ion Storms.
One of their secondary exports is Abyssal Wood. It's purple hue and hardness makes it desirable by the elites of the galaxy for furnishing.
Trivia
- The Cyclorite language is a mixture of sounds created by vibrating their bodies at high and low frequencies. Most species cannot understand their true language, but over the years many Cyclorites have learned how to imitate the common tongue of English, allowing them to work for Central Command.
- Cyclorite names tend to reference the dark and damp nature of their homeworlds, and they do not use last names.
- The incredibly secretively 'White Space' technology used by the Central Research Division is the only thing enabling Null Scar exploration. Without it, the Cyclorites would not be able to leave the Null Scar, nor would anyone be able to venture into it safely.
