Va'tramra'av Race.

[Covert0ddity]

Hello there! Covert here with another race idea. Well, this one is not really an idea. It's actually a finished production. Indeed, this species is already coded and all of its lore is finished. Here is the lore.

 

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Species Name: Va'tramra'av (Va-Tra-Mra-Av)

Home System: Sedantis (Sc'theth'stak, "Blinding Light.")

Homeworld: Sedantis IV (Va'tramra'avai, "Home.")

Majority languages: Zo'rane, K'laxane, Va'tramra'avese.

Major Polical Entities: Zo'ra Hive, K'lax Hive, Vess'ex Hive, Lii'dra Hive.

Synopsis: An insectoid species whose personalities and specialisations vary wildly with each hive, the Va'tramra'av, (Pronounces Va-Tra-Mra-Av) are one of the youngest, and the most recently discovered, races on the galactic play. The Va'tramra'av evolved on a planet covered in vast seas, rocky plains, preferring to stay underground. They have traits similar to ants, or termites, from the human homeworld, Earth. They were discovered five years ago.

Va'tramra'av have no gender, apart fromtheir Queens and princes. Each Hive is ruled by a High queen, and multiple lesser Queens.

Va'tramra'av population is skyrocketing fast as they continue to grow. While all of their hives combined only encompass 34 systems, they are growing immensely, and have a tendency to overpopulate their planets to an extreme. While their military is lacking, warriors of the species are ones to be reckoned with.

Biology:

 

There are very few male members in the Va'tramra'av race. They are composed nearly entirely of genderless, sterile workers and warriors. There are four classes of Va'tramra'av. There are drones, who make up the base of the population, rounding up to about 60% on average per hive. Drones are the scientists, workers, builders, lawyers, and can generally adapt to any situation. Drones can range from being around 3 feet tall, to six feet tall, depending on how they were raised within an egg. Drones generally having a single, solid colour, and different coloured eyes, which are gained from their father.

Warriors make up the rest of the population, at about 37%. Warriors are very large compared to drones, but smaller than Queens. Ranging from 5 feet to 50 feet tall, and nearly infinite amounts of width, weighing from a ton, to 10 tons. Warriors are used for just that, wars with other hives, and protection from the predators on their home world. More modern warriors, however, are employed in very high-casualty rate jobs, and can conduct prolonged EVA operations for repairs and scouting, handle hazardous wastes, and assist in heavy duty construction work, such as heavy lifting, arctic exploration, and similar jobs. Warriors have many ranging pattern types, and have different forms of 'weapons' due to how they were raised in a given egg.

The remaining 3% of the Va'tramra'av population consists of Breeders, or 'royalty.' These are the only parts of the population that have any specific gender. Queens are the most prevalent of these breeders, ranging in size based upon age and density of their hive. Queens have the capacity of laying millions of eggs per given year, but acquiring a suitable male, or 'prince' is another matter. While Queens can lay their own male offspring, it is generally frowned upon socially and genetics-wise to breed with a prince who is also a son. Queens can also make 'princesses' that can be deployed throughout a large hive, or sent to another place for a new hive, if a given Queen wishes to spread.

High Queens are queens who have more than three princesses in other areas. They are larger, more fertile, and considered the head of any given hive.

Prince's, are the only males present in Va'tramra'av society. Comprising 1% of a given Hive, a Prince is a strange entity in comparison to most known life. A prince is about the size of a drone, possesses no digestive organs, and only able to live for about six months. A Prince has large wings, presumably used for flight on the Va'tramra'av home world. Prince's are also seen as extremely handsome in Va'tramra'av society, often being painted and having gems encrusted into their chitin to enhance their natural allure when being introduced to a Queen. A Prince's digestive organs are replaced entirely by reproductive organs, in which are shot out explosively into a Queen's birthing chamber during sexual encounter, after which the Prince promptly dies of blood loss.

A given Queen and Prince pairing can result in millions of drones and warriors, depending on what a given Queen requires.

Each given Queen, Prince, Warrior, and Drone is its own sentient being, capable of making its own decisions and life choices. However, most drones and warriors are bred for specific purposes, assisted by chemical and social bonds that tie a warrior or a drone to their queen, similar to a loyalty implant.

 

Social:

 

Loyalty is a trademark value within the Va'tramra'av society. Lying or dishonoring a hive or one of its members can lead to long term wars, and grudges.

Fiercely loyal to their Queen, a drone or warrior would do anything to please them. Partially enforced by a chemical bond, as well as simply thousands of years of the same practice. Although trusting because of this trait, it is difficult for Va'tramra'av to operate on remembering that other species are not as loyal. Va'tramra'av are generally loyal to whoever their commanding officer, or superior is, whether it be a fellow Va'tramra'av, or an alien species.

 

Political:

 

Va'tramra'av have been known by Sol Union and NanoTrasen high officials for approximately five years, while the public has only recently heard of them, about two years ago. This has left most Va'tramra'av Hives to be isolated and alone, but ones that encourage trade and understanding are revered and loved among the few other races they have encountered. It is extremely difficult to tell the emotion in a certain Va'tramra'av, due to their lack of recognizable facial expressions and heavy use of pheromones. This has lead to a few issues, but no major problems have arisen.

 

Government:

 

The Va'tramra'av government consists of a form of 'monarchy' run entirely by a hive's queen. The queen makes all decisions, as well as acting as a general, grand strategist, main diplomat, symbol for her hive, and provides laws and guidelines for her children. Hives can vary massively in laws, structure, opinions, and symbolisms.

 

Currency:

 

Although the Va'tramra'av have not developed any form of tangible or meaningful currency, certain hives that embrace humanity and other races have quickly taken to the idea of Sol Union Credits, and have started to use the system.

 

Geography:

 

There is no real ideal environment for Va'tramra'av, as long as there is a stable atmoshpere and a moderate temperature, the Va'tramra'av can live in virtually any environment. Generally preffering to make their hives underground, modern Va'tramra'av society has expanded it’s city systems to the surfaces of their planets, as well as still using underground systems.

 

The Military

 

The military of the Va'tramra'av consists almost solely of, not surprisingly, the warriors. Weaponry typically consists of the grown biological claws, clubs, and spines that are already present on a warrior. However, some smaller warriors handle small particle beam weapons, specifically designed to kill other Va'tramra'av. No Va'tramra'av has yet to discover an efficient way of killing any other species other than themselves. Many tactics exist within Va'tramra'av culture, too many to be described. Some warriors are large enough to house small APC units and act as carriers for troops, or can be outfitted with large guns on their backs and arms, piloted by drones or smaller warriors.

Military technology developed by the Va'tramra'av consists generally of particle and heat ray technology, designed solely to kill other Va'tramra'av. Va'tramra'av weaponry has proven to be extremely inefcient when dealing with other races, however, warrior claws will still eviscerate any known race. Space weaponry consists of the same technology, but on a larger scale.

 

Naming:

 

Va'tramra'av naming systems are fairly simple. Although their names in their own hive language are extremely complex, with the learning of Tau Ceti Basic and other languages, the Va'tramra'av have been forced to simplify their names. Naming is chosen by the individual Va'tramra'av after birth, and consists generally of what sounds pleasing to the ears. Most names consist of three syllables, including the caste designation. However, depending on the caste they come from, Ka would dictate drone, Tac would indicate Warrior, and Ickaetch would indicate a prince. Queens make their own names, have only one name, whose name carries on through all her children. An example of a changed name from a worker Va'tramra'av in the Zo'ra hive, would be, "Ka'clitch'skai Zo'ra." A warrior from the same Hive would be, "Tac'skiith'ickat Zo'ra." A prince would be "Ickaetch'aski'cleethan Zo'ra." And finally, the High Queen herself would simply be, "Zo'ra." While other Queens coming from Zo'ra would be "Zo'ra I," etcetera.

 

Language:

 

Va'tramra'av language, while it might be extremely simple to other species' ears, is actually extremely complex. With each caste having its own pheromone release to identify mood and emotions, there is also a strange clicking and hissing noise that compromises their verbal communication. However, each hive has their own sublanguage, with their own changes to the subtleties of the original base language of Va'tramra'avese. An example of a sublanguage would be Zo'rane, which is the standard language of the Zo'ra hive. This has led to many difficulties within hives, as only the Queen's know how to speak Va'tramra'avese.

 

Diet:

 

Va'tramra'av diet consists entirely of a ground up paste, made from a native plant on their homeworld, mixed with water and a saline rock. This provides all nutrients they need, and without taste buds, they do not realise how incredibly foul tasting the substance would be for other species. They can also consume any form of meat if needs be, but would prefer to eat plants. In short, they can eat almost anything that would not be otherwise extremely toxic.

 

The Social System:

 

Va'tramra'av is fairly complex, relying on harsh backstabbing, alliances, and trading of quality Prince's, warriors, and resources. Prince's are seen as a highly valued commodity, the more handsome they are, the more they are worth. If a Prince is festooned with gems, paints, and ornaments, it conveys strength in a certain hive and appears much more attractive than a standard Prince. Prince's are generally given as gifts during conglomerations, alliance meetings, and as a signature of surrender. Each Hive has a High Queen, with multiple minor Queens under her. The High Queen of a hive is the only one with the ability to breed more Queens; however, with each Queen, the probability of revolt increases exponentially. The position of High Queen is a highly valued status symbol in any hive, and many would fight brutal wars or give as many princes as they can to acquire it.

 

Space Travel:

 

Space Traversing technology among the Va'tramra'av is in fact, extremely difficult. Lacking faster than light drive technology, Va'tramra'av society relies on slow, fission powered engines. Their ships are generally cut out from asteroids, and resemble floating rocks with engines and a few guns strapped to it. A typical Va'tramra'av ship is powered by two nuclear fission energy devices, and can act as a space-borne hive. Fit with a queen and enough drones/warriors to traverse the stars. Va'tramra'av fighters seem to be smaller asteroids with efficient drives, as well as having basic bomber and fighter-weapon technology. These large ships send wave after wave of small fighters and bombers to eliminate the enemy hive's ship, as well as make use of warriors in boarding pods.

On average, Va'tramra'av ships are cruiser-sized, each in itself a colony ship, a military vessel, a factory, a carrier, and an exploration vessel.

There does, however, exist small Va'tramra'av scout ships that are occasionally shot out into the galaxy to find suitable planets. They are generally a lot smaller than a frigate. They consist of around two warriors and five drones, with a queen and a prince egg. They use experimental drive technology, and all inhabitants go into cryo sleep until the ship's automated computer wakes them up whenever in radar range.

 

Known factions:

Zo'ra Hive.

 

The Zo'ra Hive is the largest of all the hive's, and generally seen as the government and ruling body of the Va'tramra'av. Believing in peace and prosperity, the Zo'ra hive has embraced their newfound friends, humanity, and opened up their trade lanes to the species. Drones have been dispatched from Zo'ra space to join human colonies and workplaces, but are not yet trusted in authority positions.

Stance:

The Zo'ra Hive has, by far, the most population, the most territory, and the most resources of all the hives. Composed of ten queens including the High Queen, the Zo'ra hive encompases around seventeen star systems, loosely. In constant battle with all other hives for dominance, apart from the K'lax Hive. All Zo'ra Hive members have a distinct hate for other Hive's. They have the best form of technology, which is to say, compared to humanity, slightly below average.

 

K'lax Hive.

 

The K'lax hive is the second largest hive in all of Va'tramra'av society, and is currently allies with the Zo'ra Hive. The K'lax hive provides males for the Zo'ra hive, who, in turn, also provide males and protection. The K'lax hive does not have much political authority, and is noted to be distrustful of other races.

Stance:

The K'lax hive has no real military to speak of, focusing mostly on breeding Princes and workers for the Zo'ra hive. They have the same amount of technology as the Zo'ra hive. Their ‘empire’ encompasses seven queens, including the high queen, and around five star systems.

 

Vess'ex Hive

 

The Vess'ex hive is an interesting hive. A fairly small hive, the Vess'ex hive is loosely allied with the K'lax hive, and also loosely allied to the Zo'ra hive. They consist only a single star system, and hate all other forms of life apart from themselves, their allies, and oddly humans. In fact, the Vess'ex Hive is extremely infatuated with human culture. It is rumoured High Queen Vess'ex wears a pompadour wig, and the Queen's of the Vess'ex hive all indulge in cultured human music, arts, and others. They have also modelled their ships to look similar to the Sol Union's ships.

Stance:

The Vess'ex hive has a miniscule military and population size. Almost every one of their members wishes to deal with Humanity in some way, and there are many employed on small outposts and colonies.

 

Lii'dra Hive

 

The Lii'dra Hive is extremely hostile and fire upon any and all human, and other races ships. Thankfully, the Lii'dra hive is fairly small, only encompassing around two star systems. Lii'dra have refused to speak with any human, or otherwise, emissaries. They hae even refused to speak with any other hive.

Stance:

The Lii'dra Hive has a large military force, almost equal to that of the Zo'ra Hive, even despite their small size. However, the Lii'dra Hive is very far away from Zo'ra and other race's territory, so they are not a worry.

 

These are all the factions that intelligence has provided. Statistics dictate there to be at least ten more hives, size differentiating.

 

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Mechanics wise, they are unable to wear outer jackets and suits, have their own hard suits and are resistant to brute damage. They do not breath, and are resistant to radiation. They react extremely badly to pesticides and varying temperatures, heat or cold, making them easy laser targets.

The only playable caste would be drones, from whatever hive listed, or another hive if someone wants to make up a name.

The race will be introduced with a large event.

[Covert0ddity]

Sue will be submitting sprites of what we have so far. If accepted, expect *implementation after bug(hehe) testing from sound* before, pending update schedule.

Edited September 11, 2014 by Guest

[Susan]

[Jboy2000000]

Now THATS something Id like the Ahrpee as.

[canon35]

So, we got lizards, cats, robots, dogs, trees, squids, and now ants. I'm guessing a Pig race is next.

[Guest]

I've always been fascinated by Ants and Termites, and I actually know tons about them, I think my knowledge would help me RP considerably as one of these, with behaviour etc... If this gets implemented, I will set a new record for how fast a whitelist app can by typed.

[Rusty Shackleford]

So, we got lizards, cats, robots, dogs, trees, squids, and now ants. I'm guessing a Pig race is next.

 

PEQUENINOS, MOTHERFUCKER!

[Chaznoodles]

I've put a no into the poll. Why would a hive-based ant-thing, which relies on the hive system to provide for itself, work on a space station where there is no hive system like that, and no queen to rule?

[Frances]

I've put a no into the poll. Why would a hive-based ant-thing, which relies on the hive system to provide for itself, work on a space station where there is no hive system like that, and no queen to rule?

That's my issue as well. I didn't vote yet, but what I would like to see is a clear example of what a player-Va'tramra'av character would look like, on the station. Possible motivations for working on Aurora, leaving the hive, personality, etc. Because reading this lore, I can't formulate a character in my head that would comply to it, yet find themselves on the station.

[GlamourChariot]

I've put a no into the poll. Why would a hive-based ant-thing, which relies on the hive system to provide for itself, work on a space station where there is no hive system like that, and no queen to rule?

 

Why would a race of angry dog-bat people that just want blood and sacrifice work there?

Some things we'll never know.

[Covert0ddity]

They're given as gifts, or to figure out more of humanity. If you read some of the lore, each one of the drones, warriors, queen's and princes are, sentient beings, capable of making their own decisions. However, they feverently serve as a queen. Each hive has a different motive for sending drones to work for humanity, and you can read about it in the faction lore. For example, the Zo'ra clan wants to improve relations, and the Vess'ex hive has an infatuation with humanity.

Both to Chaz and to France.

[Frances]

They're given as gifts, or to figure out more of humanity. If you read some of the lore, each one of the drones, warriors, queen's and princes are, sentient beings, capable of making their own decisions. However, they feverently serve as a queen. Each hive has a different motive for sending drones to work for humanity, and you can read about it in the faction lore. For example, the Zo'ra clan wants to improve relations, and the Vess'ex hive has an infatuation with humanity.

Both to Chaz and to France.

So, if I take it right, they're basically "given out" in order to foster bonds with new species (whether NT would accept this offer would have to be discussed, as that seems like possible slavery from an ethical standpoint), and in return, the Va'tramra'av get to learn more about these species through their "emissaries/explorers"?

If so, I believe that explains it, thank you.

[Covert0ddity]

Yes, you could make a charcter like that. Some other ideas is that a drone simply petitioned their queen, or wants to make credits for their hive. As long as a drone has permission from a Queen and their actions doesn't harm their Hive in any way, it's pretty much fair game.

[Frances]

[...] or wants to make credits for their hive.

Given the relative insignificance of the capital of a single individual in relation to trading between entire empires spanning several planets, I find this difficult to believe/understand.

Forgive me for the racially charged example, but to establish a parallel with one of our current-world realities, this would be as if Mexican immigrants came to the United States to work for money, but instead of sending it back to their families in Mexico (as it happens now), they used it in the hopes of supporting the Mexican government.

[hivefleetchicken]

I fully support this. Like, I think an insectoid race would be the most common in space, as sentient ants would be able to take over the universe in no time. It's the one species this game is missing, and I think it's an awesome idea. The bugs that should be working for a hive but are working on a station thing is a bit weird, but still, understandable. I don't see anything about their lifespan in the info, however, and those besides the breeders would most likely have a very short lifespan. Other than that, this shit is hip.

[Guest]

I'd also like to ask if like in a real ant colony, if all the Va'tramra'av are female except the males who mate at nuptial flight and then die?

[Covert0ddity]

Also stated in the lore, the drones and warriors are completely genderless. The only gender is the queen and the prince, princes die immediately after mating.

[Guest]

While I like that I can easily call them bug people, I dunno. It feels like they're there just because we can put them there, and while "just because I can," has worked for me in the majority of my actions, I like to hypocritically hold others to a higher standard than myself.

What purpose do they serve?

[Vittorio Giurifiglio]

Great a new race to go starship troopers on.

[Covert0ddity]

I would say they serve as much a purpose as the other races.

For good RP. There is no /need/ to have other races, or overwhelming compelling desire. If these guys are a race that at least someone will have fun with playing, same with any others, then by God why not? Either way, no real purpose. Good RP.

[Rusty Shackleford]

Great a new race to go starship troopers on.

 

[Nik]

Their design is amazing for all the wrong reasons, I think. They look exactly like one of the monsters that attacked the power rangers in some season or another, which I suppose is due to the lack of ability to make these inhuman.

Of course, they could have been designed as entirely unable to wear clothes, and give them four sets of legs. That might have improved them a bit, as they REALLY do look like a Sentai minion grade enemy currently.

Still, I suppose they are interesting enough. Shame we can't get anything except "Human BUT" races. These would have been nearly the same if they had been say...non-carbon lifeforms made of a flexible metal, that are human shaped because they are imprinting on them or some shit.

/me shrugs.

[Frances]

Their design is amazing for all the wrong reasons, I think. They look exactly like one of the monsters that attacked the power rangers in some season or another, which I suppose is due to the lack of ability to make these inhuman.

Of course, they could have been designed as entirely unable to wear clothes, and give them four sets of legs. That might have improved them a bit, as they REALLY do look like a Sentai minion grade enemy currently.

Still, I suppose they are interesting enough. Shame we can't get anything except "Human BUT" races. These would have been nearly the same if they had been say...non-carbon lifeforms made of a flexible metal, that are human shaped because they are imprinting on them or some shit.

/me shrugs.

Clothes are somewhat of a restriction. I'd argue you want to have races be able to wear jumpsuits, so their function on the station is easily identifiable at a glance. Which, of course, limits us to anthropomorphic races.

Of course, there might be some counter-arguments to that. Such as servers that have playable Vox. But from what I've heard, this usually delves into awful.

[Nik]

Clothes are somewhat of a restriction. I'd argue you want to have races be able to wear jumpsuits, so their function on the station is easily identifiable at a glance. Which, of course, limits us to anthropomorphic races.

Of course, there might be some counter-arguments to that. Such as servers that have playable Vox. But from what I've heard, this usually delves into awful.

 

Frankly, roleplay gets pretty awful anyway on every other occasion, but I do see the point. Still, I'd prefer mild confusion on what the bug man's job is over it being a Power Ranger minion who eventually turns into a giant form of itself.

[Rusty Shackleford]

Just give 'em a colored arm band.

Problem solved.