Cardassian: Difference between revisions

fedstatus = Netural|

Over the shoulder of every Cardassian citizen is the [[Obsidian Order]], peering into their public and personal lives. It is said that a Cardassian cannot sit down to eat without the meal being duly noted, categorized and approved by the Obsidian Order. This is not an exaggeration; indeed, the Obsidian Order spies on its own citizenry with great alacrity using every means at their disposal. Because of this invasion of privacy, few Cardassians living in the Union enjoy civil liberties unless powerful friends protect them. Free speech is unheard of, as people have been known to disappear for voicing their opinions. The right to bear arms is denied the civilian citizenry unilaterally, though some civilians keep some sort of weaponry in their home illegally. Assembly of the citizenry (for any reason) without proper license is grounds for arrest. Communiqués are regularly tapped, mail opened, and homes bugged. People are paid handsomely for turning in their treasonous neighbors and can usually gain ''vesala'' by doing so. Families are encouraged to do the same; after all, dedication to the state should come before blood.

Citizens are free to establish businesses so long as they have the requisite approvals from the Ministry of Industrial Affairs. The private sector exists to serve the state, and the state controls commerce with an iron hand. The military is the largest consumer for these businesses, for without the military's patronage a business is sure to fail.

A Vainúvah is one who has taken an oath to act as a protector toward another, called the Vainúvahim.  The origins of the practise have been lost to the ages, the earliest writings already referring to it as a practise that had been established and ingrained in Cardassian culture.   

Such an oath is taken extremely seriously, and the Vainúvah is bound for life, unless the Vainúvahim grants a release or one of them dies.  In the case of children, the closest equivalent of a Vainúvah is the Terran concept of ‘godparent’.  Although orphans are generally considered outcasts, any orphaned child who has a Vainúvah is immediately adopted into the family and treated as if offspring by birth.  In this way <i>only</i> is a parentless child still considered part of society.   

The Vainúvah ritual usually consists of Vainúvah him or herself, the Vainúvahim, and at least two witnesses.  A vow is taken and a dagger is used to slice the palm of the Vainúvah.  The Vainúvah then writes his or her name upon the forehead of the Vainúvahim in the blood.  Should the Vainúvahim not be present, the same vow may be taken by writing the Vainúvahim’s name upon a piece of parchment with the blood.  This ritual is also incorporated in Cardassian weddings, as part of the vows taken are that of protecting one another.

The following section describes the six different social classes. When the text refers to population percentage it is referring to all Cardassians in the Union, and does not include non-Cardassians or client/servitor races.

Early in Cardassian history, the Obsidian Order learned that well-entertained masses are often too distracted to be mindful of revolution. The best way to remain in power was to placate the citizenry with the Feeds. The Feeds are a network of broadcast screens throughout the Cardassian city streets that broadcast propaganda to the masses all day long. Each home on Cardassia is required by law to have a Feed. On the streets, huge monitors show speeches, trials and executions. In the home, the Cardassian has a choice of five Feeds, however all of them are essentially the same. All extol the glory of the Union. All insist that service to the state brings happiness. And of course, the main Feed broadcast the appropriate propaganda of political speeches, trials and executions. Frequently the Feeds show the exact same thing on all channels, and the home feeds can be operated form the source, forcing the message to play in the home whether the homeowners want it or not. The same propaganda Feeds are broadcast throughout the Cardassian Union, not just on Cardassia.

Some unscrupulous individuals modify their Feed unit, allowing them to receive Federation broadcasts or to block the propaganda Feeds. These individuals are criminals, and the Feed units can report such alterations during random automated diagnostics, so most Cardassians choose to just leave them alone. At least one criminal a day gets executed for Feed unit alteration, and that keeps the citizens reminded that the Feed units are the property of the government and are not to be modified by unauthorized personnel.