Sci-Fi Worldbuilding: Domains of the Eternal King

Sci-Fi Worldbuilding: Domains of the Eternal King

Here we have the second of the three TL 12 civilizations. These small amphibians are a warlike species with their development heavily influenced by an swarm of nanomachines of unknown origins. As a racial template, the kabauns are nothing special, but so far they are the only species capable of living underwater. At such high TLs it shouldn't be a problem for other species, thanks to specialized equipment and genetic modifications.

Domains of the Eternal King

Capital World: Kaba Prime.

Major Species: Kabauns.

Languages: Kabaun.

Culture Groups: Kabaun.

TL: 12.

Kaba is a main sequence yellow star close to the galactic core. Only two planets orbit this star – a mostly oceanic world and a smaller barren world. The archipelagos of Kaba Prime were the place where a sentient species of amphibians, the kabauns, lived. These creatures were quite fond of warfare, and so focused on the military technologies.

Their first encounter with the extraterrestrial happened during one of their world wars, when an unmanned probe of unknown origin fell in the ocean. Its payload was a swarm of nanomachines that significantly boosted the physical and mental capabilities of whoever it was possessing. From a scientist to a scientist, from an officer to an officer, the swarm, as if guided by some unknown force, found his way to one of the warring kings. This king, Ulluma Talo, was already known as a master strategist, and with the help of the alien nanomachines his tactical acumen was elevated even higher. He swiftly ended the war, suppressing all resistance with force, and became the king of the world.

The alien nanomachines have extended Ulluma Talo’s lifespan greatly, but even they could not make him immortal. The king did not want to leave the throne, and the people did not want their strong leader to go, so the king devised a new regime, where his retainer would be his own clone, and proclaimed himself the Eternal King. The swarm of nanomachines would migrate from a dying king to his retainer-clone as well.

Eventually, the Domains of the Eternal King have expanded beyond the kabaun homeworld and home star system. Strangely, the civilization had not researched any nanobots themselves, and nowadays people believe that it is because of the King’s parasitic swarm’s meddling. The kabauns have encountered many less advanced species, exterminated several civilizations that were hostile, and then encountered a civilization that was equally advanced, or maybe even more advanced. The avian altafaans were not hostile, but the kabauns feared that what happened to less advanced civilizations would happen to them. A short war broke out. Altafaans, having access to advanced nanotech, managed to unknowingly neutralize and destroy the King’s parasitic swarm, dulling his political and strategical thinking. Shortly after that, the kabauns were humbled in the war, and a truce was established.

With the Eternal King de-uplifted, the Domains have declined. The whole faction would probably become fragmented and even more weakened, if not for the interference of the L’rimran Technocracy. The appearance of these previously unknown aliens united the l’rimra, kabauns, and altafaans 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.

Nowadays, the Domains of the Eternal King are not as formidable as in the past, but very strong nonetheless. Having powerful partners, they fear no one, but are always open to the possibility of other equally advanced civilizations existing. The Domains have a militaristic society, where one has to serve in the military to gain citizenship. The Eternal King is sending exploration parties to all corners of the galaxy to find where that mysterious probe has originated, hoping to find another parasitic swarm to play host for.

KABAUN [10] Attribute Modifiers: ST-2 [-20]. Secondary Characteristic Modifiers: SM-1; Basic Move -1 [-5]. Advantages: Amphibious [10]; Doesn’t Breather (Gills, -50%) [10]; Enhanced Tracking 1 [5]; Pressure Support 1 [5]; Speak Underwater [5]. Natural Comfort Zone: 1°C - 32°C (35°F - 90°F), 1-10 atm., 1.1g, oxygen atmosphere. The kabauns are amphibious creatures. A typical kabaun visually resembles an upright frog with a short trunk. They stand shorter than humans, and are weaker physically, but thanks to their warlike culture they often have such advantages as Combat Reflexes, High Pain Threshold, and Fearlessness. The skin color of a kabaun can range from green to blue to gray. Their large yellow eyes are capable of independent movement, allowing the kabaun to track two different targets simultaneously. Sample Male Names: Ummalu Lalo, Allilu Lali, Mallolu Mamu. Sample Female Names: Kalamala Umam, Uklamala Ullulu, Malakala Kumalu.