Brikar

			Intelligent Lifeform Index

Brikar
Four Letter Code	BRKR
Federation Status	Member
Planet of Origin	Brikar
Encountered	Worf's roommate at the Academy was a Brikar named Zak Kebron
T/E Rating	T0/E0
Current Tech Level	N
List of Named Brikars
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Home System

• Quadrant: Beta
• Location: Purex Sector (coordinates B27-0002-1300 )
• Proper Name: Dovinda
• Star: It orbits a class G (Yellow) star
• Distance from Star: its orbit is approximately 52 million km
• Companions: 9 other planets. It is the 4th planet in the system

Home World

• Proper Name: Brikar
• Diameter: 15,533 km (9,652 miles)
• Gravity: 0.97 standard gravity with a density of 4.4
• Axial Tilt: 3.2%, no appreciable tilt and no seasons
• Orbital Period: 519 days
• Rotational Period: 38 hours
• Classification: M
  • Surface Water: 28%
  • Atmosphere: 1.13 is a standard pressure with 75% nitrogen, 24% oxygen, 1% trace chemicals
  • Climate: Very hot, dry conditions over most of the planets surface with normal temperature ranges of 30-40 degrees C.
  • Population: Just over 6 billion

History

Little is known about Brikar’s history past about 150 years ago. Information is scarce, and what does exist is locked away in Government files. What facts are known is that they fought a number of border wars with the Klingon Empire. This ended some 40 years ago, but tensions still remain. However since they joined the Federation tensions between them have been greatly reduced. The Brikar had been in good standing with the Federation for about 35 years. There was a brief war with the Federation, but it was quickly brought to a peaceful conclusion by Starfleet.

There is speculation on some accounts of the Brikar having their DNA altered to enhance their physical capabilities. However, there is no solid evidence to support this idea and the Brikar have never answered any questions concerning this. The Brikar for lack of other terms are very secretive of their history past 150 years ago. Not that they seem to be trying to hide anything from the Federation, just that they simply refuse to talk about it.

Government

The Brikarn government has a ceremonial head of State, the Derte. There are two houses of Parliament, a hieratical house (Iwere) and a house that represents the provinces (Fouis). Powerful families represent the upper house, and the lower house is elected by citizens of the provinces. Laws must be approved by both houses and then approved by the Derte. Most Government offices are run by Derte.

Description

Brikar are a humanoid species with such thick coarse skin they appear to be made of stone. Their eyes, nose, and mouths appear as slits in their faces, and their ears are tiny holes on the sides of their heads. Their eyes are deep-set and almost seem to have a sort of light about them. They have thick limbs, with broad, three-fingered hands. They also only have two toes on each foot.

Their skin is usually a deep bronze, or almost copper-like tone. This, along with the sharp, angular structure of the face (which resembles the facets of a cut stone) serve to enhance the rock-like appearance of the Brikar.

Physiology

Most adult Brikars range in height from 6’4” to 6’8”, the males being a bit taller that the female of the species. But it would be difficult to tell by the casual observer. The average Brikar weight runs from 600 to almost 700 pounds. They have a very hard skin, and their bodies are extremely dense. Due to their size, and dense bodies, Brikar do not swim. They are not buoyant and will sink in water.

Normally due to their unique physiology they only breed with their own race. There are some mixed races but due to mating customs, and other factors it is a very small number. Most family sizes are only 1-2 children. Mating customs are very private, and most Brikar do not even talk among themselves about it. The average life span of a Brikar in roughly 105 years.

Brikar require a major rest period every 5 to 7 years. They will sleep for up to three weeks, depending on physical exertion during that time. Medication can bring them out of it, but with only very strong simulation. Most Brikar can lift several tons. They can also go without breathing for up to 20 minutes. They can also withstand energy weapons blasts that would kill most humanoids, with little to no effect. Projectile weapons are similarly ineffective against their bodies. In extreme cold, their body may shut down, to go into a coma like shut down until the proper heat can be applied.

Psychology

There is a paramilitary training of all Brikar from the earliest of ages. They are all skilled in basic combat. Duty, Loyalty and Discipline are instilled at a very early age. Most males and a lot of the females will do mandatory military service after their primary or secondary education. Crime is almost unheard of on Arcada, as the family structure is very important and such an act would bring shame to that family. The social structure of Brikar community is based on honour to one's family.

Conversation is normally kept to a minimal among the population. If a Brikar tells you something it is usually important. They do not normally engage in any small talk what so ever. Only with close friends will a Brikar open up a bit more. Emotions are rarely seen and hardly ever in public. As a result they will have earned many nicknames by other species. However you could tell them all to most Brikar and they would never care, at least in public.

Religion

Brikar Mystics will teach the ways of Kolker, and the value of honour and courage in battle.

Mythology

Brikar myths and legend are taught at an early age. While some of them have been recorded and are available for viewing in data files most are not. This is partially due to their secretive nature regarding their past but may more likely be simply because most of these stories are passed down in the various families and are considered family property.

Society

The family is the centre of the Society on Arcada. To get to any real position of authority requires good family connections and marriages which are arranged by the maternal head of the family. To join the Military Service to be an officer, it requires family influence other wise the academy is closed to those without families. Orphans are rare in the Brikar society. To be without a family name, one cannot expect any sort of high position in government or the military. Only in the arts and sciences would one find any completely merit based position.

Culture

See also: Gguss

Due to their size and strength any form of weakness is frowned upon. Most Brikar will never sit down in public, and chairs are rare in any shop. Only the very elderly would consider using a chair or bench in public. To fall or to be knocked down, is to be publicly shamed in public. One form of discipline is to be forced to sit in public in front of ones peers. Only on the athletic field during sporting events is it permitted to be knocked down.

Public displays of any emotion are frowned upon, and usually only shown sparingly in private. The elderly are given a high status in their old age, thus emotions are not unheard of for them in public. It is considered a rite of passage of age. Most senior posts in any institution are made up for the very old. There is no mandatory retirement, but a lot of older Brikar retire to take up cultural pursues. To question an elder or person in a senior position is rare.

Customs

To the outsider, probably the first strange view of the citizens is that they do not normally wear any clothing what so ever. Due the hardness of the skin, there is no need for any protective covering. Only certain military and security forces will wear uniforms, usually on dress occasions, or off planet.

Charity is a natural part of life as everyone looks out for their neighbours as well as their family. It is considered not only a responsibility but a privilege. While they are a very proud people there is no shame attached to requesting assistance from others.

Children from the age of 3 to 7 are sent to public pre schools. To learn the core values that are ingrained into their society. “Duty, Loyalty and Honour”. These are state run institutions, children remain there for 4 years until they return to primary school and their homes. At that time they live with their families. It is not considered uncommon for adult Brikar to live with their parents. Brikar children are routinely matched up for marriage while just young teenagers. The female elder of a house hold is in charge of all marriages to be arranged.

Death Rituals

Brikar can usually feel the onset of the end of their lives by a stiffening of the joints. It usually starts about two weeks before death. Usually, the Brikar will get his affairs in order, and in some situations will name a successor if he is still working. Retirement is not mandatory, it is an individual decision. By tradition, most will walk out in the open spaces, and perhaps met with a trusted friend or successor. Dying declarations are considered a binding contract with the individual and the dying member. That person is duty bound to care them out, and they have the force of law and tradition in the society. When the person dies, normally the body will become hard and will at some point turn into rock, becoming part of the landscape. Death is a normally just part of life and there is little mourning of the dead, just to be remembered in the family stories that are passed down from generation to generation.

Technology

The Brikar have had warp capabilities for about 70 years. While they are behind the majority of other Federation worlds technologically they have made large leaps forward since becoming members.

Economy

The Brikar economy is based on the “jut” which is almost the same value as the Federation credit. Most Brikar citizens live a very simple life. Most homes are uniform in size, and shape. Some have referred it to as a military encampment. Personal wealth means little to most, and they live in fixed family structures. All citizens are guaranteed housing, health care and other public services by the state.

Military

Brikar still maintains some military formations. The Brikar Defense Force (BDF) is the umbrella organization for the Brikar Army and Brikar Space Force. The BSF has a small fleet of 12 patrol craft, whose primary function is to monitor their system and the nearby border with the Klingon Empire. They are roughly the equivalent of Nova class starships. A bit slower, but they have heavy defensive capabilities. The BSF also maintains a string of sensor outposts near the Klingon border. They are routinely turned off under the peace treaty with the Klingon Empire.

Brikar maintains a medium size army, with a cadre of officers. Normally all Brikar males and females are required to do 2 year active service and 25 years reserve duty in some form to the BDF. The Security detachments to each province fall under the authority of the military branch of service.

Federation Intelligence Files

The Brikar Patrol Craft Verter was encountered by the USS Aurora near the Klingon Border on stardate 238808.29 there they assisted the USS Aurora with Orion smugglers.

References

Both Memory Alpha and Memory Beta were used as sources as well as the written novels TNG - Starfleet Academy novels: Worf's First Adventure, Line of Fire and Survival as well as the Star Trek: New Frontier series of novels. All the books feature the same Brikar character, one Zak Kebron.

On 27 March 2014, this file was updated to include data created by Lt. Cmdr. Eerie and approved by the SDC.

Content from this article may have
come partially, or entirely from
 Memory Alpha