Sci-Fi Worldbuilding: Altafaan High Empire

Sci-Fi Worldbuilding: Altafaan High Empire

And now we have all three TL 12 species done, finally. The altafaans are an advanced bioroid species created by a long gone precursor civilization. As a racial template, they provide the possibility of playing a flying character.

Altafaan High Empire

Capital World: Altafa IV.

Major Species: Altafaans.

Languages: Altafaan.

Culture Groups: Altafaan.

TL: 12.

Altafa IV is a cold garden world (some call it a tundra world) orbiting a red giant star. The altafaans are a species of avian humanoids that lived in the tall cold mountains of that planet. The harsh environments of their home planet made the species hospitable, stoic, but sceptic. The altafaans were not very interested in spiritual matters, and often devoted their lives to research, trade, or industry.

When derelict installations of an unknown civilization (later attributed to the foscso) were discovered on the oceanic floors of their planet, the altafaans began to question their place in the universe. The ancient artifacts allowed them to advance technologically beyond their previous expectations and colonize space. When the altafaans began tinkering with their own genes, they discovered a message encrypted in their cells’ introns. The message in the Foscso language said “Experimental Artificial Species #14, Iteration #9, Designation: combat thrall”. This discovery caused an uproar in the altafaan society. Some groups called it a hoax, some became obsessed with finding their disappeared creators, but the majority started believing themselves to be the successors of their creators, destined to rule the galaxy.

The altafaans began exploring the space even more single-mindedly. Whenever they encountered sentient life, they kidnapped specimens and analyzed their cells, looking for more encoded intron messages. After that, they would return the specimens and leave their planet be. Eventually, they encountered a civilization as advanced as theirs – the kabauns. The altafaans approached them with care, but without any hostile intentions. Despite this, the kabauns attacked them. A short war broke out, the kabauns were humbled, and a truce was established. Shortly after that, another advanced civilization has come into contact. The appearance of the l’rimra united the three species in a loose alliance of trade and research partners. The alliance of these three factions will be known as the High Three throughout the galaxy.

In the current times, the Altafaan High Empire as a part of the High Three became more open to contact. The altafaans still rarely openly interfere in the affairs of other factions. Altafaan scientists are always eager to purchase foscso artifacts or specimens of previously uncontacted aliens for their research. While the latter practice is frowned upon in most societies, many adventurers, mercenaries, or pirates travel to unexplored corners of space to locate worlds with primitive sentient life just for this purpose.

ALTAFAAN [8] Attribute Modifiers: ST-2 [-20]; DX+1 [20]. Advantages: Feathers [1]; Flight (Gliding, -50%; Winged, -25%) [10]; Temperature Tolerance 1 (Cold) [1]; Sharp Beak [1]. Disadvantages: Skinny [-5]. Natural Comfort Zone: -4°C - 32°C (25°F - 90°F), 1.2 atm., 0.5g, oxygen atmosphere. The altafaans look like humanoid feathered birds. Their feather color ranges from light-blue to white to gray. Their feet and hands do not have talons, but their beaks are very sharp. They are used to living in cold temperatures. Generally, the altafaans are helpful and hospitable, so they often have the Charitable disadvantage. Chummy and Gregarious are common as well. Some of the altafaans are obsessed with finding their creators, which calls for an Obsession, sometimes accompanied by Megalomania or Delusions. Sample Male Names: Klak Forsi, Murak Voss, Trakak Kurosi. Sample Female Names: Tatrakat Maross, Wootakat Kutsso, Mutakat Faros.