Byzatium

			Intelligent Lifeform Index

Byzatium
Four Letter Code	BYZT
Federation Status	Allies of Federation
Planet of Origin	Planet of Byzatium
Encountered	DS9: Defiant
T/E Rating	T0/E0
Current Tech Level	N
List of Named Byzatiums
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Name

• Proper Name: Byzatium
• Pronunciation: Bi-Zay-Teum

Home System

• Quadrant: Beta
• Location: Vectis System
• Proper Name: ByzBar Vectis
• Pronunciation: Biz-Bar-Vec-tys
• Star: It orbits a class G (Yellow) star
• Distance from Star: it's orbit is approximately 300 million km
• Companions: 7 other planets. It is the 4th planet in the system, only two are inhabited.

Home World

• Proper Name: Byzatium
• Pronunciation: Bi-Zay-Teum
• Diameter: 10,900 miles (17,440 km)
• Gravity: 1.06 standard gravity with a density of 5.8
• Axial Tilt: 0.87%, no appreciable tilt and no seasons
• Orbital Period: 380 days
• Rotational Period: 26 hours
• Classification: M
  • Surface Water: 80%
  • Atmosphere: 1.07 is a standard pressure with 75% nitrogen, 24% oxygen, 1% trace chemicals
  • Climate: Varied between tropical and arid desert. Most life in thin temperate zones around the coasts.
  • Population: Just over 1 billion.

Description

File:Byzatium.gif

Unlike many planets in the known galaxy, where one species has come to predominate – Byzatium is home to a myriad of different races, all of whom owe far more allegiance to their own nation or clan than to the planet as a whole.

Byzatium is nothing more than a geographical term for a rocky planet surrounded by enchanting blue clouds. To call any one of the races Byzatian (or Byzallian as they all prefer) is not very helpful in determining who or what you are dealing with.

There are three main ‘Byzallian’ groupings, all mutually hostile and antagonistic:

1. The Dorfmen – these are humanoids, very similar in physical appearance to Terrans, although on the whole slightly taller and broader. They are usually athletic looking and not unattractive, although their hard living takes a toll on their bodies. Numerically, they are the largest group on Byzatium.
2. The Omunics – these beings’ original form is shrouded in mystery. They are masters of bio-engineering, and have transformed themselves by reconstructing their DNA, and then grafting on mechanical body parts to the resulting cocktail. They have also expanded their experiments onto unwilling test subjects, known as 'Crazies' by the Dorfmen. Most Omunics wear long cloaks from head to toe, with only the occasional glimpse of a muscled arm, claw or metallic limb showing from beneath the cloth. The Omunics and the Dorfmen are mutually hostile, not helped by the former harvesting the latter as guinea-pigs for their warped science projects.

3. The Vectis, comprising the Gnaij, Iauh, and Toaij sub-groups. They are three sister races of sentient, bi-podal ‘jelly fish’ beings who have strong psychic powers, and a grasp higher level technology. Although able to walk on land, they prefer wallowing in shallow warm pools under their domes of tranquility. Being of diploblastic cell structure, they are of little interest to the Omunics and their experiments.

Beyond these three main groups, there are the Hotch, a servitor slave cast made up of any unfortunate who gets captured by the Dorfmen. A particular favourite race seem to be the hardy and friendly Bardeezan peoples from the neighbouring planet of Bardeez. Nearly half of all Hotch slaves are from Bardeez. This slave trade prompted the Bardeezans to ask for help from their allies the Pythrons to warn off the Dorfmen. An expeditionary force was sent from Pythro V to link up with the Bardeezans, leading in 2388 to the Pythro-Byzallian War.

There are also many transient peoples and aliens drifting in and out of the ports of Byzatium, some staying longer than others. In times of war, an eclectic mix of species are drafted to fight. Orders can sometimes need to be given in over twenty languages. Byzatium is a nodal point for beings from all over the quadrant who want to escape their past, or engage in shady business ventures. A den of inequity is how the planet has been described by some of its more reputable neighbours.

Government

There is no one government on Byzatium. The Provisional National Government holds a nominal position over the Dorfmen, and often acts as the ambassadorial representatives when dealing with outsiders, notably the Federation. However, the Dorfmen are divided into over 30 states and nations, often at loggerheads with one another. There has been a movement over recent years to try and bring a measure of co-operation between the various Dorfmen nations, especially in response to on-going threat posed by the Omunics, and the more recent battles against the Pythrons. The Omunics are in theory a more powerful single force on the planet than the Dorfmen, but are also isolationist in terms of politics. Their main interest beyond their borders is in harvesting donor victims. The Vectis (Iauh, Toaij and Gnaij) are more peaceful, and have little interest in governing anyone beyond their own species. They have, however, been pressed by both Dorfmen and Omunic intrigues to strengthen their own defences.

History

The exact origins of the Byzatium races is not clearly known. The Dorfmen, being almost indistinguishable from Terrans, are assumed to be pioneers of early Earth space travel, but have intermarried with the Omunics in the deep and distant past. The records of their space travel was lost, even though the timespan to the present day was relative short. Overtime, the forefathers of the Omunics did not like the way that their bloodline was becoming tainted by Dorfmen genes. However, their solution was to change their own physiology through genetic engineering, trying to turn themselves into the ultimate creatures in the Galaxy. However, far from achieving a noble end, they are now twisted and monstrous, hiding their warped forms inside long flowing cloaks. The Omunics have lived on Byzatium for much longer than the Dorfmen, and were reckoned to be the dominant species before the humanoids arrived nearly two centuries earlier. The Omunics are very secretive, and have almost no contact with the outside galaxy. They are capable of space travel, but have never been known to leave the surface. The Vectis are known to be non-native to Byzatium, and hail from a distant corner of the galaxy. They are traders in energy, especially psychic power. When their homeworld was destroyed by a freak wormhole millennia in the past, massive ships set out across the galaxy in search of new homes. One such ‘ark’ landed on Byzatium. The warm moist climate suited their needs and they settled in the lowland swamps near the equator. An uneasy peace existed for centuries between them and the Omunics. This balance was upset by the arrival of the Dorfmen who have spread across the planet’s surface in recent decades.

Physiology / Psychology

Dorfmen: The humanoid bi-peds are very similar to their Terran ancestors, but on average tend to be over six feet tall and athletic. Dark hair predominates, and many of the men have beards, often to hide scars from fights and brawls.

Svorna Destave, a typical ruthless Dorfmen piratess:

Omunics: These creatures are bi-pedal, but beyond that nothing is certain. It is assumed that they were originally close to humanoid too, as they interbred with the Dorfmen, but now they could sport tentacles, claws, horns and tails. They are often well over six feet tall, and some are over seven feet tall. An Omunic from Byzatium, on the prowl for fresh meat:

Crazies: The ‘Crazies’ is a generic name given to the creations of the Omunics. They were mostly Dorfmen prisoners or abductees, and were mutated into whatever the Omunics wanted to make them into. Some were used as function-specific slaves, whilst others were mere play-things. A Selection of 'Crazies' created by the Omunics:

File:Crazy1.jpg

File:Crazy2.jpg

File:Crazy3.jpg

The Vectis: The Vectis are bi-pedal diploblastic (jelly-like) creatures that glow, and have strong psychic energies. However, their telepathy is only between their own kind. They cannot read the minds of other races. The only skill they have in that field is that when they talk to other species, the voice is projected into the mind of the receiver. The Vectis therefore have no vocal chords in the traditional sense. However, this psychic projection is just one way. A visitor’s thoughts are still their own.

Vectis - Gnaij of Byzatium:

File:Gnaij.jpg

Vectis - Iauh of Byzatium:

File:Iauh.png

Vectis - Toaij of Byzatium:

File:Toaij.jpg

Religion / Mythology

There is not much room in the lives of any of the races on Byzatium for religion beyond simple superstitions. A favourite tale, told as historical fact, is the legend of two warring cousins, each in possession of a mighty castle upon its own island city. One cousin evil, the other kind. The Good Cousin did all he could to protect his own people, and minimise the suffering of the other island’s people as much he could, but the actions of his wicked relation pushed him further into hard reprisals. Eventually the noble man offered to decide the war in single combat with his rival. The dark master accepted. The great duel began, and raged for hours, then days, neither man yielding. Eventually, the good cousin saw a chance to win the fight, but only at the cost of his own life. Without hesitation he made the move. Each man ran the other through with their swords. Where the good man’s blood spilt on the ground, trees, flowers and even a spring erupted from the soil. Where the evil cousin’s blood seeped out, a multi-headed serpent burst forth and slithered away. The legend persists that one day the two men will fight another battle to the death, but only one will be victorious – and will rule the planet, and the galaxy, for eternity.

Society / Culture / Customs

Dorfmen culture is centred upon a persons ability to make money and fight. Art and literature are considered to be luxuries that the people cannot afford to waste time in. A love of weaponry and vehicles is the most popular pastime on the planet.

References:

NB: This race was mentioned on DS9 in passing. The Byzatium are a race whose six ships arrived at Deep Space Nine circa stardate 2467.3.

THIS PROFILE IS CURRENTLY BEING RE-WRITTEN BY THE SDC; Species Development Committee

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