Byzatium
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| Intelligent Lifeform Index |
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| Byzatium | |
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| 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
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
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 (below):
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.
Below can be seen 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:
The Vectis: The Vectis are bi-pedal diploblastic (jelly-like) creatures that glow in dark light. This ability is due to luminescent pigments in their blood. There are also three main sub-groups within the Vectis:
Vectis - Gnaij of Byzatium:
Vectis - Iauh of Byzatium:
Vectis - Toaij of Byzatium:
Psychology
The Dorfmen and Omunics have no known telepathic or empathic abilities. However, the Vectis 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.
Religion
None of the three races have any organised religions beyond simple superstitions. Transient visiting species may have different ideas however.
Mythology
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 was evil, the other was 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
Dorfmen society is largely city based, and is nominally divided into different nations, with nuclear families as the basis of day-to-day life, but in actuality gangs, clans and rival syndicates dominate public life and children often owe greater alliegance to their gang master than their own parents.
Omunic society is largely unknown, and is thought to be almost like a hive mentality, with a few alpha individuals (or Queens) dominating their servitors and underlings. They have no single mass consciousness, but do display highly disciplined, swarm-like characteristics, especially when hunting.
Vectis society is confined to its few domed sanctuaries, and is far akin to a mass colonial group. As they reproduce asexually, family units are not even a notional concept, and offspring are literally offshoots of their parents, and have to a more or less degree the same psychological make-up. This allows for great cohesiveness within Vectis society. This is very necessary bearing in mind their vulnerable existence on the planet.
Culture
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. All this does not absolutely exclude more ethereal considerations, but that they are often shunted to the margins of society.
It is customary for Dorfmen to compete in extreme sports, where deaths are not uncommon, even at a young age. It is considered important in building up their resilience in later life.
Music tends to be loud and brash, and most popular is a form called Solid State Surge, which has been likened by historians to 21st century Earth extreme death metal music.
The culture of the Omunics is largely unknown, and is thought to centre around the worship of their own kind and the pursuance of an ever greater degree of genetic manipulation.
The Vectis’ highest moral code is a desire for their entire race to eventually be reunited into one glorious sentient entity, and travel the galaxy learning about the mysteries of the universe.
Customs
A popular custom amongst the Dorfmen is to engage in drinking contests that can last days, and result in serious health implications for the winners and losers alike.
It this love of danger and hard living that makes many Dorfmen of Byzatium have a very weathered appearance despite their usual natural good-looks.
Another custom associated with the Dorfmen is the giving of gifts and engaging in wild revelries for anyone reaching 50 years of age. It is seen as a great achievement to have survived for such a length of time, and the festivities can last weeks.
Technology
The Dorfmen Byzallians have warp travel technology, although their ships are not as elegant as those of the great galactic powers. They are merchants in weaponry, and also look to expand on their level of development by begging, borrowing or stealing from other races.
The Omunics have a very advanced level of scientific and technological development, but it is almost entirely devoted to genetics, both scientific and hostile.
The Vectis have developed their own unique brand of technology, largely chemical and optical. Light is passed through a number of fluid filled chambers, some constructed and some within their own bodies – and these have been used for a wide number of purposes such as communication, energy transfer and medical purposes.
Economy
The Omunic and Vectis communities are mostly self-contained economically. The Dorfmen would class themselves as traders and pilots predominantly, but that is really a euphemism for piracy, smuggling, slave-trading, and general black marketeering. The Dorfmen are considered rogues and bandits by most of their neighbours, especially the adjacent Bardeezans, who are most often enslaved to become the Dorfmen’s ‘Hotch’ (slaves).
Military
All three of the main Byzallian races are considered to me militarily mature. The Dorfmen maintain a large standing army and a growing space fleet, although this is divided amongst their rival nations. It has been called into service to a greater degree recently to fend off the invasion by the Pythro-Bardeezan Alliance, as well as against continuing raids by the Omunics. As more and more Dorfmen are killed or captured, they are increasingly having to rely upon their Hotch slaves or on those considered too young, too old or too ill for normal military service to plug the gaps in their ranks
The Omunics are a powerful foe and mount lightning raids into Dorfmen towns and cities at night, but usually retreat (along with captives) before Dorfmen reinforcements can arrive.
The Vectis have no standing army, but have devised highly developed and automated defence grids and weaponry to keep them safe from surprise attacks.
Federation Intelligence Files
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 2367.3.
THIS PROFILE IS CURRENTLY BEING RE-WRITTEN BY THE SDC; Species Development Committee
