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Epsilon Ursae Minoris

Currently, the only planet known to house a Colony of Dionae. Discovered by Skrell probes in the early 2420s, it now is 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 unlocked 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 Spur 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.

Epslion Ursae Minoris is a planet that can only be described as full of untold beauty.

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, Military, Diplomacy and Science.

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 lifespans 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 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, is considered vile by those within the Flotilla. This has lead to a ‘shoot first, ask later’ mindset to those that commit crimes that go against sentient rights.

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, has allowed for the formation of the Jzki-Wxi (Solar Year).

The Jzki-Wxi lasts eight months, each with thirty-four days. However, the accumulation of the days, as well as the reproductive periods of the Dionae, lined up to create: Utzs (Birth). Utzs occurs one 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.

Epsilon Ursae Minoris displayed using the Robertson Projection.

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 - however, the plume of pirates has ceased any and all efforts of such. The Flotilla operates from this Station - often responding to the calls for assistance if required.