Epsilon Ursae Minoris

=Epsilon Ursae Minoris= Currently, the only planet known to have a Dionae Civilization discovered by Skrell probes in the early 2420s, it is now undergoing rapid advancement thanks to their access to technology - some gifted, some stolen from others. Untold beauty lies across the planet, but also the overwhelming mystery of how the Dionae arrived on the planet, as well as how did they unlock sentience without assistance from other sapient species?

History
Discovered by Skrell probes in the late 2420s, Epsilon Ursae Minoris was initially believed to be perfect for colonisation. Prioritized for further investigation, it was soon discovered that the planet was already inhabited - but not by pirates, or Dominian edict breakers, but instead a sizeable community of Dionae.

Preliminary investigations unearthed that the Dionae were in fact sentient, a trait unseen by Dionae found outside of other sapient species influences. The discovered prompted the scientific community across the to rethink everything they ever knew about the species - including their belief that they were simply incredibly intelligent parasites.

Whilst communication was forbidden for the vast majority of the investigation, it wasn’t the Skrell that first communicated - but instead the Colony. The Dionae had formed a rudimentary radio tower out of their elderly, repurposing them to begin broadcasting to the outer reaches of the planet’s atmosphere. This allowed for the Skrell to open communications with the help of the Xuq Machine.

After numerous months had passed, the investigation was deemed closed. The Skrell determined that although the planet was desirable, it was best left in the clutches of the Dionae, who quickly began to advance with the technology brought down to the planet by the extraterrestrial visitors.

However, one thing perplexed the Skrell. The Dionae venerated a journal, written in a language unseen across the Orion Spur. The Colony labelled it the ‘Deathflower Journal’ and depicted that the Journal was left to them by the Eternal, and that it foretold of the day they would return to the stars and embrace the Light, Energy and Essence offered by the Eternal once again.





Environment
Epsilon Ursae Minoris is comprised of an earthlike atmosphere, with slight variations in the gaseous makeup. This has allowed for the formation of an intricate climate, that is affected by the rotation and orbit of the planet. Whilst a rainforest spans most of the planet’s continents, grasslands and boreal can be found on the latitudes closer to the poles - typically not inhabited by the Dionae. Average precipitation can reach as high as 1000 cm (400 inches) on the planet, which has allowed for the formation of many, many rivers across the planet.

Government
Before first-contact, the planet had no requirement for a leader. Instead, the community would vote in unison. This all changed after the introduction of technology capable of sending the Dionae into the upper reaches of the atmosphere was reverse-engineered. Whilst still focusing on democratic practices, the Dionae instead are governed by a council of elders. Each ‘elder’ in fact being numerous immovable nymphs that have since relied on younger generations to sustain their existence. Each elder leads a certain field, or topic, of the planet - the fields being; Economy (Foundational Thoughts of Prosperity), Military (Growing Hunger of Insatiable Greed), Diplomacy (Discernment of Underlying Betrayals Waiting to Pounce) and Science (Probing Discoveries of Unknown Investigations).

Military Structures
Created in 2455 CE, the Epsilon Expeditionary Force was formatted with the aim of exploration, discovery and science - however, also served as a defensive force for the Planet. The Epsilon Expeditionary Force, or simply abbreviated to EEF, has so far seen huge success in its aims; and have expanded the Dionae’s understanding of not only their surrounding systems, but also technology.

The formation of the EEF saw the rise of biotechnology; machines capable of being integrated with the Dionae essentially allowing the species to become ‘living computers’. Whilst those that choose to become integrated with technology are capable of great feats, it is unheard of for this Dionae depart from Epsilon Ursae Minoris, and instead remain within the planet’s sphere of influence (be it on an Epsilon Expeditionary Force Vessel or planet-bound).

Growing Hunger of Insatiable Greed is one of few argus forms that have been integrated with biotechnology; which the Dionae uses to amplify its ability to respond to communique, issue orders and calculate tactical methods. Amplified by Probing Discoveries of Unknown Investigations’ fusing has lead to unparalleled technological advancement, whilst still decades behind most species in the Orion Spur, they are expected to ‘catch up’ by the 2500s CE.

The EEF is comprised of the following ranks, in their respective order from lowest to highest:
 * Goroz (I, II, III)
 * Kirsr (I, II, II)
 * Jux’Ta (I, II, III)
 * B’muu (I, II, III)

Goroz (I, II, III) as well as Kirsr (I, II) ranks are considered enlisted personnel, whilst the remainder are those that have climbed the various ladders to advance in the Epsilon Expeditionary Force, and are now distinguished (and commissioned) officers. Typically, those who have been commissioned do not leave their posts until their death, however, whilst uncommon it is not completely impossible for an Officer to request to be posted in foreign lands - essentially as diplomats on behalf of the Council.

Culture
Mostly untouched by the external influences of other species - the Dionae on Epsilon Ursae Minoris followed an incredibly rudimentary, if not uneventful, existence for millennia. Following an agrarian lifestyle, where most if not all, of the Dionae dedicated their life spans to simply farming the lands, praying to the Eternal and reproducing. It wasn’t until after the introduction of alien technology that the Dionae seemingly were ‘jumpstarted’.

Quickly absorbing the available knowledge, reverse engineering the various machinery left behind by the probes, the Dionae were able to implement and amplify their Colony. This seemingly allowed for the Dionae to form the belief that the extraterrestrials ‘gifted’ them the technology, a touching introduction and thus a sign of friendship.

Whilst most of the Dionae on the planet experienced life without such technological advancements, once it began it quickly soared. Within a decade, those that were against the technology were ostracized - deemed non-believers, or obstacles sent by the Eternal to push the Dionae to their limits. This belief formed the perspective that those not willing to adjust, will be left behind. It is a gift to be able to adjust, and to not do so is going against the Eternal’s wishes.

Despite the somewhat small extraterrestrial assistance, the Dionae have begun to despise those that prey on their vessels - Pirates. The plundering of the vessel, and often consummation of the Dionae by the Pirates, have begun increasingly common - pushing for those to not only pursuit advanced technology to reach other stars quicker, but to increase their military presence within the region of space.

Religion
As most Dionae, those on Epsilon Ursae Minoris follow the Eternal. A primordial entity that exists through the use of Essence, Energy and Light and most believe that they a part of the entity. More unique, however, is the fact that they have a Journal supposedly inscribed before the Dionae had achieved sentience. The Deathflower Journal has been described as featuring a language unknown to the greater majority of the Orion Spur, with only a handful of Eternal Overseers being capable of reading it. This has lead to great speculation on whether it is evidence of precursors or something else entirely.

Calendar
The Calendar followed by the vast community of Epsilon Ursae Minoris stems from the idea of - ‘sunrise to sunset’. The subsequent creation of the Calendar revolved around the idea, with variations being detected depending on the season the planet was experiencing, which allowed for the formation of the Jzki-Wxi.

The Jzki-Wxi lasts six months, each with forty-four days. However, the accumulation of the days, as well as the reproductive periods of the Dionae, lined up to create: Utzs. Utzs, loosely meaning Day of Birth, occurs once every decade, akin to that of a leap year. It is the designated day for Dionae to go forth, and commencing dispersing their seeds in hopes that they produce additional nymphs.

Jzki-Wxi is comprised of the following months;
 * Qeem, the first month of Jzki-Wxi. Mostly shown through an increase in temperatures across the globe, but also the continuous ‘new moon’ phase due to the planet’s proximity to both its moon, and the binary coupling it orbits. Qeem typically is hailed as a time of ‘Fresh Start’, and is followed approximately three days of thanks to the Eternal for continuing to provide the Dionae with yet another Jzki-Wxi.


 * Nojept, the second month of Jzki-Wxi. Temperatures remain consistent with Qeem, however, there's usually an increase of humidity during this period which begins the period of ‘Gnokrq’. Gnokrq is an extremely turbulent time period, mostly due to the fact that the increased humidity welcomes the formations of tropical storms that engulf vast swabs of land across Epsilon Ursae Minoris. Seen as a time of ‘Preparations” is usually hails the changing seasons, and cooler weather moving in. In bygone times, Nojept was used to calculate when the last harvest would come in.


 * Wueh, the third month (as well as the halfway) of Jzki-Wxi. Temperatures begin to dip to just above 20°C, and the occurrence of tropical storms comes to a halt. Considered a month of ‘balance’, where the Dionae are expected to gather their affairs in order before the coming of Gnisep. Restoration, and resting, are important goals during this month.


 * Gnisep, the fourth month of Jzki-Wxi. Nearing the end of the year, the temperatures dip even further to approximately a chilly 10°C. Before first contact, hundreds, or even thousands, of fires would be lit in order to provide both heat and light but now with the advancement of technology, it has become obsolete to do it. Some maintain lighting the fires, simply stating that it’s ingrained into them - formulating a tradition upon where a giant bonfire is lit within Curaz Square, the planet’s largest community centre.


 * Cahl, the fifth month of Jzki-Wxi. Continuing to draw closer to the final few weeks of the year - temperatures begin to spike, yet again. Rising to just above 20°C similar to Wueh. The flora and fauna that entered hibernation begin awakening, essentially slowly bringing the planet back to life. Considered to be a phase of ‘Birth’ it is during Cahl that once a decade the Dionae will disperse their seeds in hopes of parenting additional nymphs.


 * Aell, the sixth and final month of Jzki-Wxi. Temperatures continue to rise, mostly reaching levels similar to Qeem. Whilst both the month and year draw to a close, the Dionae commence their weeks of remembrance - whereupon they recall their ancestral gestalts and repeat their names. Whilst there are usually hundreds of names, the majority simply chirp a … rising crescendo, fluctuating in pitch and tone before abruptly ending.

Major Locations
Qerr’Naal, the planetary capital. The largest, and only, settlement across the planet. Little has prompted the Dionae to expand across the planet until the last few decades - with plans being made to expand into the mountainous regions in order to gain access to the valuable minerals kept within the arctic tips.

Lxzti Station, the orbital platform that rests above Epsilon Ursae Minoris. Mostly a communications relay that allows for interstellar communication to occur, as well as ship construction, the Lxzti Station was constructed in the early 2450s in hopes of bringing additional trading prospects towards the planet. The Epsilon Expeditionary Forces operate from this Station often dispatching themselves to continue exploring.