[hider=Myrkith] [center][img]https://i.pinimg.com/originals/cd/39/af/cd39af2d491948e4a4699f9f2865e293.jpg[/img] [sub]Myrkith Antathlon[/sub][/center] [b]Species Name:[/b] Myrkith [b]Homewolrd:[/b] Kythphus [b]Physical Description:[/b] The easily recognizable Myrkith are a curious species from the large jungle world of Kythphus. Standing anywhere from a diminutive 5" to a tall 6'5" on average, the Myrkithians are what could easily be described as a race of sentient humanoid insectoids which are just as diverse - if not moreso than humans are. From the tough and intelligent Bethelus, to the strong and hardworking Antathlon. Easily distinguishable among the more fleshy races, the Myrkith are proposed to have evolved from various insects from their warm, primal jungle home world of Kythphus. All have chitinous carapaces of various hardness, some form of wing like appendage, antennae single colored eyes. They do not however, all share the same traits. Each race that broadly falls under the Myrkith flag have both their own cultures, atypical appearances, and beliefs. [center][h3]~The Inhabitants~[/h3][/center] [hider=Bethelus][img]https://i.imgur.com/BBEfltX.jpg[/img][/hider] [b]Bethelus[/b] The generals, CEO's, and politicians of the Myrkith. These large humanoid insects resemble what we would call beetles. Often standing easily over six foot from head to toe (Without taking horns and antennae into account) the atypical Bethelus is covered in the hardest chitin of all the Myrkith. The only place that lacks this durable plating is the facial region, which is still covered in smooth durable chitin. Usually they come in browns, reds, blues, or any combination of. Males and females of the race resemble humans fairly closely, with Males tending to have larger horns than females, and females adopting a feminine bone structure similar to humans. All Bethelus have four eyes - two primary ones and two smaller ones above that help them see. It should be noted, their wings are useless for flight and most Bethelus simply use them as decoration much like a human would their hair. They tend to find clothes restrictive and unneeded, as their carapace is often protection enough but from all the strongest trauma. Most do have hair, though it is short and often grows extremely slowly. [hider=Antathlon][img]https://i.pinimg.com/originals/cd/39/af/cd39af2d491948e4a4699f9f2865e293.jpg[/img][/hider] [b]Antathlon[/b] These smaller ant people are the hard workers of Kythpuhs. The office worker, salary man, middle class, jack of all trades people. Standing anywhere usually from five foot five and five foot eight, their height, strengths, and general demeanor are comparable to that of humans and are the most numerous of the races on Myrkith. The most numerous of the species of Kythphus, they are often the ones people will run into off world, driving ships as pilots, guards, and generally the menial and mundane every day grunt work jobs. With four functioning arms, the ability to focus on the task at hand, the ability to run on very little rest, and a tenacious fierce, aggressive demeanor they are as some say, the perfect workers who take pride in doing things to 100% completion with 110% effort. They can be found everywhere, in every type of job filling out most of the roles needed. While they have an overall human appearance with a humanoid face and features, unlike the Bethelus, they do have more of an insectoid appearance. With four functioning arms with three digits on each hand, Males and females of the race tend to look very similar, with males in fact, being smaller to their female counterparts usually. Most males do not have wings, though some do have small non-functioning ones. They usually have a slender, but agile and strong physique and are in fact physically stronger than Bethelus, but lack their cousins tougher carapace. Females of the species tend to have a larger torso, fluttery wings on the back used only for show. [hider=Mokthraki] [img]https://i.pinimg.com/564x/a3/b4/9f/a3b49fe25f7e80206da4040badda722f.jpg[/img] [/hider] [b]Mokthraki[/b] The most popular of the Myrkith on Terra and elsewhere, simply due to their elegance and small, upbeat demeanor. Mokthraki are easily the smallest race that inhabit Kythphus, most averaging just over five feet in height. These are your fashion designers, social workers, diplomats, musicians, and most social of all the Kythphus races. With four arms like the Antathlons, but without the toughness or strength of them or Bethelus, they are naturally suited for more domestic jobs in the cities with their overall pleasant and friendly demeanor. Out of all the races on Myrkith, they are the ones with the least gender dimorphism. That is - it is nearly impossible to tell males and females apart. Males and females are practically the same, with all having fur, fur similar to hair on their head, and thin carapace colors ranging from pure white or black. Their most notable features however, are their wings which do allow for fully functioning flight due to their light bodies, and the thorax extended from their waist. They are fond of clothes, and as one human diplomat put it 'Their fur was like sleeping on a cloud'. [b]Quiterik[/b] The often underappreciated Quiterik are best described as large mosquitoes that live in the more rural areas of Kythphus. They are the farmers, animal handlers, fishermen, and other such professions. They range in height similar to humans, and body is covered in thin carapace that the Myrkith are known for. Contrary to what one might expect, they are extremely good at their jobs and take pride in their work and are extremely good with the animals of their home planet. Most do not leave the planet, as they have no reason too so it is rare to meet one off world. Males and females of the species resemble male and female humans respectively, and one can easily tell who is who simply from looking. Males tend to resemble male humans, being larger than the females and often having their bodies covered in grey and black carapace. Females tend to have slender, feminine bodies. Both have functioning wings, but are ill suited for long or high flights, and are better suited for quick acrobatic movements. [hider=Biology] [b]Biology:[/b] Sharing many similarities to various insects of Terra, Myrkith are simply by nature, sturdier than humans, even the weakest Mokthraki sports physical endurance comparable to a human in a healthy, fit condition. This is because in no small part to the fact a tough, chitinous carapace covers most of their bodies lending to physical trauma not easily harming them. And in typical insect fashion, are able to lift forces many times their own body weight - though not to the same ratio smaller insects found on Terra are able to. The average Bethelus is able to lift roughly 4x it's body weight, Antathlons 5x their own, Mokthraki's twice their own, and Quiterik's 3x. This is of course, without training and an average comparable to that of humans. With the average Bethelus weighing in at roughly 165lbs, Antathlon's 150lbs, Mokthraki 100lbs, and Quiterki's 130lbs, they are on average as a whole, stronger than humans. The exoskeleton carapace that covers most of the Myrkith vary depending on the particular species. Composed of Chitin and reinforced with other natural organic substances, they have a natural defense against most of the elements and physical trauma. The tough Bethelus have the hardest and strongest exoskeletons. An alloy of different natural elements that ensure hardness and give protection against several different elements. It acts as a natural armor formed of tough Sclerotin - a natural process that amounts to a natural form of tanning. With other naturally occurring compounds present in their exoskeleton, they are resistant to small arms fire from traditional ballistic weapons. The less tough, but physically stronger Antathlon are no tougher than humans at a base level. While their carapace is resistant to weather, environmental effects, and they are similar to most other life. However, they are the physically strongest and can exert the most amount of force with their muscles comparative to their size. The flighty Mokthraki, are comparable to humans in a number of physical aspects. Their wings allow for slow, steady, and sustained flight thanks to an insects unique ability to contract their wings multiple times per nerve impulse. They have fairly good eyesight, and can see in low light conditions fairly well. A hold over from their closest, moth ancestor. The Quiterik are quite similar, with wings capable of flight and able to contract muscles the fastest, leading to quick and jittery movements. However, they are not suited for long or sustained flights. They are extremely talented natural trackers - and rely on their sense of smell the most. All the Myrkith are insects, and as such their respiratory system is similar to those of Terra. While theirs is more evolved, they still require more oxygen in the atmospheres of most planets to breathe properly. While most insects on Terra breathe using a series of tubes and internal sacs that bring oxygen directly to where it needs, such a breathing method becomes inefficient the larger the organism is. As such, while similar to humans, the Myrkith's respiratory system naturally needs more atmospheric oxygen to live comfortably. They can reasonably live in areas with less oxygen such as Terra and other planets, but they will become more easily winded as humans would should they be on a place with less oxygen. Their lifespan is comparable to that of humans. [/hider] [hider=Kythphus] [center][img]https://img00.deviantart.net/326a/i/2008/325/b/b/jungle_planet_by_admiraljcb.jpg[/img][/center] [b]Orbiting Star[/b] Arachka [b]Climate[/b] Tropical [b]Approximate Temperature[/b] - 75 degrees F (23 degrees Celsius) globally. [b]Approximate Oxygen atmospheric content[/b]: 53% [b]Size[/b] 4534 miles (7295.156Km) [b]Day Cycle:[/b] Roughly 22 Terra Hours. The planet Kythphus is a tropical, warm, wet and humid planet roughly 4534 (7295.156Km) at its radius, making it a planet somewhat larger than Terra. With a atmospheric oxygen content of 53% and a warm, wet, humid climate resting at a relatively warm 25 degrees Celsius on average, it is the perfect environment for the planets insectoid inhabitants and is teeming with many, many, different alien flora and fauna - all often larger than what is Seen on Terra. Most of the planets surface is covered with land, and it's tectonic plates seem to be locked together, eternally making the planets landmass into a Pangea. Furthermore, unlike Terra, Kythphus is covered in 39% land, and 61% water. Most of the landmass comprises of large rivers and lakes that dot the landscape, with only a single large ocean existing in the Northern Hemisphere. With a faster day cycle and thicker atmosphere, the planet is used to strong winds. Most of the land is covered in extremely dense forests and a tropical climate with rampant wildlife that is difficult to control and corral. [/hider] [hider=Flora & Fauna] [center][img]https://orig00.deviantart.net/ba45/f/2012/022/3/e/heavy_insect_by_jessada_nuy-d4n9c2a.jpg[/img][sub]A Gold Shell Scarath Beetle. Roughly the size of a Terran Elephant.[/sub][/center] As one might expect from its sentient inhabitants, the dominant species on the planet is insects - many different kinds of them. And most, have grown to gargantuan size thanks to the thicker atmosphere and ability to evolve past their rudimentary respiratory system. The Flora of the planet are often just as large - with many carnivorous species of plants similar to the venus flytrap or pitcher plants who lure large insects such as the Gold Shell Scarath, trap, and slowly eat digest it. The warm sea of the planet is full and diverse of life just as the land. With eels, Sharks, and peaceable fish often of equally large size as the creatures on land. [/hider] [hider=Myrkith Society] [center][img]https://pre00.deviantart.net/d681/th/pre/i/2013/029/2/3/jungle_city_by_josearias-d5t7xs3.jpg[/img] [sub]"Waste, and you will always want. Conserve, and you will never want." - Old Myrkith Proverb[/sub][/center] The Myrkith Society is one that many humans from Terra or other species might find odd and objectionable. At its core, it's a racial based society where race determines what you'll likely be doing for the rest of your life. Couple that with their inherently aggressive nature, traditionalist tendencies, and love of honor, one might view these social policies as inherently racist. However, that is not the case. The Myrkith have a very conversationalist and practical mindset - that is, they dislike waste, dislike wasting talent, and dislike trying to fit square pegs into round holes, which is why their society is the way it is. Each of the inhabitants of Kythphus are naturally suited towards something, whether it be the Belethus' leadership roles or the Mokthraki's diplomatic and entertaining personalities. To them, trying to do anything else is simply a waste of talent and would hurt the overall collective. This isn't to say an Antathlon couldn't achieve a leadership position - quite the contrary. Should an Antathlon be clever, smart, or otherwise show themselves capable they will have a very real chance at it. Most however, are content with their roles in their niche. Most Myrkith live in giant metropolitan cities that tend to be built upwards, rather than outwards for multiple reasons. Corrosion, high winds, Flora that has a tendency to overtake any building within just a few weeks - it is impractical to build outwards as the forests would simply reclaim it in a matter of months, and sustaining such a thing would not be cost effective. Due to their inherently resourceful and practical nature, most Myrkith cities aren't exactly what one would call ostentatious or attractive. Often just streets in very uniform, practical manner, with buildings built as far as the eye can see. The only exception to this rule is the Mokthraki who do have a say in some public art installations and more unique and creative buildings. The Myrkith are an inherently trustworthy and honorable species. One of the biggest taboos in their culture, is to lie or use acts of deception. Lying is in most cases, even worse than committing the most heinous of crimes. This is due to the fact that lying and acts of deception are seen as a danger to the whole of their community and will often end in the death penalty. The Myrkith do not have a monetary system comparable to that of the Terran or other peoples. Their practical mindset has historically, deemed any sort of paper currency or other money values as useless - a waste of paper or metals that could otherwise be used. That is, they use work minutes as currency - if they don't work, then they don't eat. The Myrkith are ruled by a council and and their Queen or King. The council, which is made of several representatives of each country or city that exists on the planet. The King or Queen - usually a Belethus or Mokthraki as they are the ones considered most suited to that position - are either elected by the council to handle world wide diplomatic affairs, or voted in by the populace for life. They are already devising a galactic governing policy made of a similar method, where the King or Queens of various settled worlds will make a council themselves, and will function in a similar manner as smaller, planet-level councils. While the Myrkith are usually fairly united in their practices and agree on many governmental affairs, the rare times they do disagree, it often results in physical conflicts. If a large portion of the populace or council disagrees, then a large-scale altercation is likely to be inevitable as both sides view backing down as something of a taboo and dishonorable. [/hider] [hider=Myrkith Technology] Myrkith technology would by some, seem to be backwards for a space faring civilization. While they have many of the same things, such as computers, ships, and much of the same tech, they still rely on a lot of more manual things rather than automated processes. That is, they prefer doing things by hand when possible, and only using a minimal amount of automation possible. Whereas humans and other species, might use heavy machinery for everything. Likewise, they have a tendency to not rely so much on high tech arms and armor, preferring more traditional ballistic weaponry. Much of their technology is designed to withstand the harsh conditions of their planet, and are typically of much larger size than other civilizations counterparts. Computers are designed with more cooling components. Their biggest and largest contribution, and what some would say is the Myrkith's crowning resource, is the metals they use in construction - a super strong alloy that is made and refined from metals on their planet. This metal which they call 'Thuarhil', is used in nearly all of their construction and by far, is some of the hardest, most durable, and functional alloy metals found on any known planet. They are fairly secretive about its construction process, and only the higher up government officials know exactly how to make it, but it is known it's made through a special treatment process involving local Fauna. They use this Thuarhil in almost every aspect of buildings and machinery. From spaceships, to computers, to the smallest computer. The alloy is super strong, resistant to heat and radiation, corrosion, and can withstand impossibly heavy impacts and tearing. However, it is expensive and takes time to make and can usually only be found in military installations and only high-ranking armor for officials is made from it. [/hider] [hider=Myrkith Military] Much of the Myrkith's combat practices, like their technology, may seem outdated by much of today's standards. Their main focus, is still on personal melee combat even during the space age. With their natural strength and toughness, perhaps it's no surprise. It is seen as more honorable to use melee weapons and engage in honest physical combat without the aid of anything other than their traditional weapon - and often times easier and more effective for them instead of sending all soldiers outfitted in thick mechanized plate armor. Often times, the commanding officer is the only one with such luxuries so they do not become easy targets to take out for foes. Traditional ballistic weaponry has difficulties going through half-inch think metal plating they can wear with ease, and with advancements in technology this has only become a more prolific problem resulting in larger and more devastating ballistic weaponry compared to human arms - a human LMG, would be a peashooter to a fully armored Belethus. The amount of force needed to even scratch one would be a standard human missile launcher. This sort of methodology serves them extremely well, against each other and while not tested - they assume it would fare extremely well against other species as well. A lot of their ship-to-ship combat practices focuses on boarding and engaging in melee combat rather than long range engagements. That said, they aren't strangers to ranged weapons and their ships are outfitted usually with heavy, powerful railguns as their main armament, able to deliver differing payloads on a target depending what is needed. [/hider] [/hider] [h3][center]~Notable Members~[/center][/h3] [hider=Captain] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/BBEfltX.jpg[/img][/center] [b]Name:[/b] Kirimik Drakat [b]Gender:[/b] Female [b]Age:[/b] 34 [b]Race:[/b] Myrkith Belethus [b]Appearance:[/b] Standing at an impressive 6'3", Kiri is impressive, even among Myrkith Belethus. With dark chitinous red plating, a horn that would make most males of her species proud, and a figure that would likely make most human men stare, she's had a fairly easy life as far as it goes on looks alone. Oddly though, she has no wings unlike most other Belethus - she lost them during the war. She can typically be seen wearing dark blue military attire, with several medals pinned on her chest and telling of her rank within the Myrkith military, and as the captain of the ECS Stellaria. [b]Bio:[/b] - Joined the military at age 18 - Fought in the Contact War shortly following contact with the Humans, which lasted two Kythphus years. - Served and eventually promoted to Myrkith equivalent of Admiral. - Successfully led the raid on enemy compound that saw to the end of the war ten years ago. - Spent five years after on Terra learning human culture - Spent the next three years learning Equariel Culture. - Spent the next years serving military and was assigned for the exploration mission. [/hider] [hider=Mokthraki] [center][img]https://i.pinimg.com/564x/a3/b4/9f/a3b49fe25f7e80206da4040badda722f.jpg[/img][/center] [b]Name:[/b] Malia Russil [b]Gender:[/b] Male [b]Age:[/b] 23 [b]Race:[/b] Myrkith Mokthraki [b]Appearance:[/b] Like most Mokthraki, Malia is a fairly small and fluffy humanoid bug. He can typically be found wearing extravagant clothing, making his appearance on the Stellaria a bit of an oddity. [b]Bio:[/b] - Son of a popular musician - went to art school on Terra - joined Myrkith military three years ago. - Trained in basic Myrkith engineering practices, can make the Thuarhil metal. - Intends to learn Terran and Equariel technology practices. [/hider] [hider=Antathlon] [center][img]https://i.pinimg.com/originals/cd/39/af/cd39af2d491948e4a4699f9f2865e293.jpg[/img][/center] [b]Name:[/b] Erka Tearch [b]Gender:[/b] Male [b]Age:[/b] 45 [b]Race:[/b] Myrkith Antathlon [b]Appearance:[/b] Oddly, he doesn't like showing his face. Instead, he wears armor most of the time. Tight, form fitting armor expected of most Antathlon's who join the Myrkith military. What does he look like under it? No one knows. Erka doesn't like taking it off. [b]Bio:[/b] - Joined Myrkith military at the age of 19 after being arrested. - Learned to pilot ships and aircraft. - Part of the Myrkith's government's black ops - the sort of stuff most of their culture would consider taboo. - took part in several clandestine military missions prior to the Contact War. - Served with Captain Drakat during the contact war. - Retired after the war, had trouble readjusting to civilian life - Signed up for the mission at Captain Drakat's request [/hider]