Kosidian Cosmocracy

The Eridani Cosmocracy, as named by humans, is a race of warriors and honor, where even the philosophers and poets are skilled in combat. Bound by honorable tradition and a revered blend of war and arts, the Kosidians rule over Epsilon Eridani from their home planet, Epsilon Eridani b, a giant fortress world named Kosidia, Seat of the Stars. For the purposes of this page, both the words "Kosidian" and "Eridani" are interchangable.

Appearance

Eridani Cosmocrats, typically just referred to as Kosidians or Eridanis, are a bulky mammal-like species, standing between seven and ten feet tall. They have two legs, divided by a joint at the half-point and slimming towards the end similarly to humans, where three stout claws protrude as "toes." They have pronounced joints at the hip to carry the weight above and three thick segmented spines, two of which go from the back of the hip to both shoulders, for extra support. The internal organs are protected by a series of ribs and a tail extends from the back of the hip as a continuation of the central spine. The arms are slightly disproportionate to the body, they are thick, segmented at the half-point and span from the shoulder to the knee in length, with four digits. The head sits at the top of the spine, and the skull is thicker than any other part of the skeletal structure. The jaw is elongated, and ends in forty, extremely sharp teeth. For female Eridanis, two large tusks protrude from the skull itself and point forward with a pronounced curve, while males instead have a longer tail.

Seal of Kosidian Cosmocracy.

Their skin is rough and built up of thick, small scales, similarly to lizards, and is usually black or a dull shade if colored. These scales are frequently painted, and due to the fact that the scales must shed during growth and periodically, body modifications are extremely common. The eyes have an elongated, ovoid shape and sit in the front of their face, though they wrap around the curve of their head, which allows them a great range of sight; Kosidians eye colors are wildly different, but they all have small white irises. The nose is divided in two long slits that run across the top of the jaw, closed until required for breathing. Two additional slits run along the height of the neck, but they are always closed until required: they are a secondary airway. Their mouth is almost invisible, as the “lips” close to be an airtight fit. The Kosidians have no hair, but as aforementioned often modify their bodies, even with prosthetics and mechanical parts.

History

The modern history of the Kosidians seems to begin 3000 years ago, with the establishment of Gran Kosidia, the now capital of their empire, which at the time was a simple fortress ruled by a council of kings. Years after, the First War began, between Gran Kosidia and a band of nomads. Gran Kosidia had gained a reputation as a stable city in a time of chaos and constant war, and as such had attracted thousands of citizens, who protected it fervently. From their win in the First War, Gran Kosidia grew stronger and more famed, becoming a hopeful destination for wandering communities and villages sieged by bandits and criminals. As it grew, it became more uncontrollable, and thus started the Kosidian Revolt, roughly 300 years after its funding, considered Year 0. After a lengthy few years of civil war, the descendant of the original settler, Nakkrem of the Kos family, ended it in bloodshed and took control.

In the Year 1000, Gran Kosidia had expanded so much that even the Kos family could not manage it entirely. This led to unrest, and eventually a Second War. This is a changing point in Kosidians history, as the government had invested in a new technology: a glittery substance which reacted violently when ignited. With their version of gunpowder, they repelled the civilian rebellion and gained control of the city once again, though not after years of grueling warfare and the destruction of entire portions of Gran Kosidia. Having protected the throne for a second time, the Kos family felt stable in their rule, and technology boomed, together with culture and prosperity. For a thousand more years, generations watched over the city and the planet, eventually moving to the stars and starting to colonize Epsilon Eridani.

This is when the Third War took place, and when the Kosidians had to abandon peace in favor of bloodshed. An alien species, nowadays so despised that their name has been cancelled from the history books, assaulted the capital and destroyed the palace, declaring themselves as rulers of the planet and immediately beginning to colonize the planet. With the ruling family annihilated and the Gran Kosidian palace burning, the wrath of the Kosidians was unleashed. The Third War is described by historians as so brutal, so otherworldly horrific, that it is indescribable. Stories speak of a planet wide rage so vast that the aliens were simply overwhelmed, murdered with bare hands by the population, mauled to death by furious citizens.

A common phrase, used as a euphemism for a bad situation, is that “the crust is cracking.” That term apparently originates from the incredible violence that the Kosidian Army inflicted upon the aliens, so extreme that the planet was shaken. Of this war remain only legends, and the everlasting promise to find the alien home world, still kept to this day. That is how the Kosidians found Earth, presuming it to be the origin of the alien species that attacked them. It is said that no Kosidians soldier’s life will ever be complete until they annihilate the aliens, and that the souls of the dead will assist them when their final war begins.

Official Kosidian Army oath, spoken upon entry into the ranks.

Culture

The Kosidians have roughly six languages, only partially translated, and have several accents and variations, some wildly different from others. The main language spoken and written is Kosidian, likely due to the planet’s importance in politics. In terms of grammar, most texts use a strict subject-verb-object structure, as they seem to treat writing as much more official and utilitarian than verbal communication. Written language is a mix between harsh straight lines and flowing, almost cursive words. Spoken word sounds chaotic and harsh, almost like yelling, with snaps of the jaw and teeth and sometimes guttural noises (only used for extreme emotional responses). Bodily movements and hand motions are crucial for conveying context and meaning. While speaking English thanks to universal translators, the Kosidians typically have a deep, grinding voice and growl very frequently. To humans, they might sound like they are mimicking the accent of a person whose first language is not English, and sometimes break their sentences, for example: “Touch ship and die.” or “Like pizza, yes?”

As per rights and social matters, discrimination is non-existent, as it would be dishonorable to insult another, and concepts such as sexism or racism are completely unknown to the Kosidians. Mental health is highly regarded, and an entire secondary branch of the healthcare sector is dedicated to maintaining the citizens’ mental wellbeing, with facilities and hospitals specifically for it. Conflicts are solved with a moderate discussion, then sparring and combat, as a way to vent the stress of a disagreement and connect the two parties on a physical level; if sparring does not work, and a third conversation doesn’t either, the issue is brought to a Tribunal. They have integrated more refined technical features in their society, such as efficient and easily usable prosthetics and exosuits, vehicles, entertainment facilities and anything for a high quality of life. A brain tumor can be easily removed, a stump leg can be replaced with a better, stronger version; transhumanism (or transranism?) is a common and very appreciated movement. Death, on the other hand, is treated with respect and kindness. Every Kosidians dies thrice: the First Death occurs when they are too weak or old to fight or work, the Second Death occurs when their body dies, and the third occurs when their brain stops its activity. A spiritual, Fourth Death, is reserved for souls: it is said that when the aliens who devastated Kosidia will finally be found and destroyed, then every dead Kosidian may finally rest.

On the topic of technology, their tech level has baffled human scientists for years now. Though they seem to have effortless space manipulation capabilities, and are able to move entire planets into the Goldilocks zone, they lack advances in other fields like artificial intelligence and nanotechnology. They operate gigantic, lumbering battleships, which lack more refined technology, sometimes using gunpowder weaponry, and having lacking systems. This leads them to a brutal way of conducting warfare, whereas ships fling themselves into the enemy’s range and use enormous barrages or even ramming maneuvers, shrugging off incoming fire with shields and impossibly thick armor plating.

On the matter of religion, it is particularly lacking. The Kosidians do not believe in a god, but are highly spiritual and consider ancestors and descendants as spirits that watch over them. A Ran’s life is revered and cared for, but it is not considered the only one: after their death, they will simply thrive as spirits, meet ancient warriors and watch over their offspring. Essentially, when they die, they will just live a better, more exciting life, and may finally witness the aliens’ destruction. It is common to call upon spirits of old warriors and soldiers before battle, for example, so that their strength may assist one in combat. However, this goes for anything else: spirits of poets and lovers are consulted before a date, philosophers and thinkers before exams, engineers and inventors before testing a new creation.

Politics and Law

Legal System

The Kosidians have a loose, customary, unwritten law system, similar to the common law system. Tribunals are the courts, where a judge hears both parties and conducts an investigation into the matter. Given that Tribunals are only kept for serious issues, a lengthy investigation is typically in order, and the process may last up to a year. Judges, trained since birth to be compassionate yet fair, neutral yet just, are considered the final step of the process: once a judge declares their verdict, the discussion must end. Cases of unjust or unfair judgments are extremely rare, and it is commonly accepted that the justice system is greatly efficient and empathetic: even the losing party is always offered assistance and counsel if they request it. A judge’s decision is inscribed, shortened, condensed, and further judges should take it into consideration in the future. The only official written document is the Word of Kos, the lengthy constitution of the Kosidian Cosmocracy, which has been revised and refined over the years to be a greatly loved document and an assurance to the honor and dignity of each citizen.

Government System

The Eridani are called a Cosmocracy for a reason. They do not organize themselves in cities, but in worlds and star systems. While local governments exist, they are considered much less important than the Chamber of Stars, in Kosidia. The Chamber of Stars is the palace where the Governors of each world meet to vote and take decisions for the entire empire. They have a semi-dictatorial power over the planets they rule, which comes at a cost: once a Governor, always a Governor. Once a Ran enters such a position, they must die in it or give the power to the next ruler; if they do, they must assist the new ruler until First Death (the moment in their life at which they are too weak or old to work).

Governors are voted by the inhabitants of each planet, but they are not organized in parties or movements. Each candidate is simply alone and must win based on their promises for the planet, ideals and eloquence. Combat and artistic skills are also valued. Once a candidate wins, he performs a ritual binding them to the world they will rule and enters their time as Governor. In the case that the citizens no longer enjoy the Governor’s decisions, they can freely elect him out. Or kill him. It is considered a great dishonor to be killed by one’s citizens, and effective government is essentially a tradition that must not be breached.

The Eridani, having no evident gender roles, are neither a patriarchy nor a matriarchy, and the leader of a family or community can be whoever is more capable or skilled; a son can lead a wounded father and a young woman can lead a dozen men. Local governments are, as such, mostly unofficial and autonomous, and report to Censors, who work under the Governor to manage the planet.

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