Encylopedia Excalibur, Scorpiad Information Options

[Cptn Corizon]

Scorpiad

Vessels
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Class
Gjak Battlestar

Type
War Cruiser

Unit Run
Unknown, The class remains in production.

Commissioned
Unknown

Dimensions
Length : Variable (Mk I-363m; Mk II-563m; Mk III-1063m)
Beam : Variable (Mk I-752m; Mk II-970m; Mk III-2161m)
Height : 286m
Decks : unknown, variable

Mass
Unknown, variable

Crew
Variable (Mk I-400; Mk II-570; Mk III-850)

Armament
1 x Heavy Phased Graviton Beam Weapon
3 x Quantum Bolt Cannons
10 x Light Phased Graviton Beam Weapon
Warp Field Collapse Weapon
Energy Mines

Defense Systems
Bio-Organic armored hull
Tractor Beams
Phased Subspace Cloaking Devise

Warp Speeds(TNG scale)
Unknown, likely superior to a Prometheus-class starship

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Class
Vampire Scout

Type
Heavy Destroyer

Unit Run
Unknown, The class remains in production.

Commissioned
Unknown

Dimensions
Length : 356m
Beam : 250m
Height : 342m
Decks : unknown, variable

Mass
Unknown

Crew
70

Armament
1 x Medium Phased Graviton Beam Weapon
2 x Quantum Bolt Cannons
Warp Field Collapse Weapon
Energy Mines

Defense Systems
Bio-Organic armored hull
Tractor Beams
Phased Subspace Cloaking Devise

Warp Speeds (TNG scale)
Unknown
_
Class
Andros “Spitfire”

Type
Heavy Fighter

Unit Run
Unknown, The class remains in production.

Commissioned
Unknown

Dimensions
Length : 15.3m
Beam : 8m
Height : 13m
Decks : 1

Mass
Unknown

Crew
None (Appear to be Automated)

Armament
1 x Quantum Bolt Cannon

Defense Systems
Bio-Organic armored hull
Phased Subspace Cloaking Devise

Warp Speeds (TNG scale)
Unknown (But at least as fast as a Soverign-class starship)

[Cptn Corizon]

The Following is the compiled information on the Scorpiad Empire released to the Allies by Semil.

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Dominion Archival Records
File: En-Ju 177365
Subject: Scorpiad Empire
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HISTORY
In 9894 BCE the Scorpiads encountered the Founders. The Founders were at the time a peaceful people who had welcomed the Scorpiads with open arms. However, fearing the technological and shape shifting abilities of the Founders, the Scorpiads did not reciprocate. They responded in the only way that made sense to them…wipe the Founders out before they could challenge their dominance.

In 9889 an Armada of Scorpiad warships attacked the original Founder homeworld, utterly destroying it, and most of the Founders. Content that they had eradicated the threat, the Scorpiads resumed rebuilding their Empire. However, this event would prove to be one of the most significant events in the History of the Gamma Quadrant; and perhaps the galaxy. Those Founders who survived the attacked went off in secret and founded a new homeworld.

Convinced that solids could no longer be trusted to keep peace in the galaxy, and thus founded the Dominion to bring order and peace to the their part of the galaxy.After bringing peace to the area now known as the Dominion, through their proxies the Jem’Hadar and the Dominion, the Founders turned their attentions to the last race that threatened the peace and order they strove to instill—the Scorpiads. In 9759, the Scorpiad-Dominion war began with the invasion of Scorpiad territory by the Dominion Forces.

The Scorpiads had spent the last one hundred years embroiled in controversy; ranging from a bloody feud between two high ranking Emri families, to a Rebellion among the outer colonies over the Empire’s inability to respond to the havoc wrecked by a deadly plague that killed billions. In addition to Borg Incursions in 9773, 9770 and 9762 that had done much damage to the Scorpiad Navy, leaving them off guard and ill prepared for battle hardened Jem’Hadar troops.

With much of the Scorpiad naval force still in the far reaches of the Gamma Quadrant, Dominion forces were able to easily overrun the outer territories of the Empire—most of which had only been acquired in the last thousand years. By 9756, the Dominion had begun striking in the inner systems of the Empire, though still not into the core of the Empire itself. By then, the Scorpiads had repositioned themselves and began fighting the Dominion for every square inch of space. While the Dominon was far more advanced than most of the species the Scorpiads had encountered, excluding the Borg, the Scorpiads still held a technological advantage that was offset only by the sheer number of troops the Founders could throw into battle. This phase of the war, known as the Outer Core Battles raged for over ten years with both sides taking heavy losses.

In 9746, the Scorpiads began withdrawing from their Outer Core worlds and into the heavily fortified inner core worlds, laying waste to the planets as they withdrew. Towards the end of this year, they scored a major victory over Jem’Hadar forces at the Battle of Ter’Ka. Unable to mount a strong charge into the Inner Core worlds, this defeat signaled the coming end of the war, along with the end of Scorpiad dominance in the Gamma Quadrant.

Within two years, the Founders sent Vorta to begin negotiations for a peace treaty between the two empires. After fifteen years of war, the Scorpiads and the Dominon had suffered heavy losses, and the Scorpiads were forced into abandoning a number of worlds to form a “buffer” zone between the two Empires.


BIOLOGY
Classification A-2 life forms, the Scorpiads are Arachnid in origin; Dominon Scientists conjecture that at one time they were true Arachnids who walked on eight legs, however over the millions of years they have been in existence they developed the ability to walk on four legs, with a the 3rd and 4th pair developing small finger like appendages in addition to the powerful set of claws.

The species itself can be broken down into originally more, but now six subspecies; each with slightly different characteristics. However, certain characteristics are shared by all six.

Like terran Scorpions, Scorpiads are invertebrates and depend on their exoskeleton for support, however, unlike terran Scorpions, Scorpiads have a central ridge of calcium that supports their bodies when they ‘stand.’ Also all subspecies have multiple eyes, though the number varies between sub-species.

They also give birth to live young, though the bond between parents and children varies between sub-species.

Like terran Scorpions, Scorpiads have Cauda tipped with stingers that inject toxins. However, the potency of these toxins varies between subspecies, though even if the poison doesn’t kill the victim of a sting, trauma from the thrusting of a 9-12 inch object into the body often does prove to be fatal, if not extremely painful.

Scorpiads have thick outer skins which are highly resistant to radiation and heat. They can live in either extreme heat or extreme cold, though they prefer higher temperatures at lower gravity.

Additionally, they require no water to sustain themselves as they get all the liquid they need from their prey, which depending on the subspecies varies from insects to higher order mammalians.

Scorpiads, like other Arachnids must liquefy their food for digestion, and as such have sharp fangs on either side of their mouth for injecting enzymes into the bodies of their prey.

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Emri
The largest of all Scorpiads, these creatures span a size of 15-18 feet in length from head to the end of their stingers, or about 6-7 feet when ‘standing’. Emri have 6 eyes giving them a full 360 degree view, and range in color from obsidian black to dark blue. They have powerful claws that they use to subdue others in battle and are known as carnivores and occasionally cannibals.

Their poison is relatively mild, posing no danger to most humanoids and will rarely use their stinger.

Aggressive and arrogant these giants have ruled the Scorpiad Empire for many thousands of years making up the highest rung in Scorpiad Society. They prefer sandy habitats and build their expansive cities well below ground, and form tight family bonds.

They have average lifespans for their kind, though they are among the longest of most known species, ranging from 1300-1500 years.
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Androcts
These fierce warriors are third in size only to the Emri and Leiri, averaging 14-16 meters in length and standing at 5-6 feet in height. They have an unusually thick cauda that is almost 4 to 5 feet in girth. They have 8 eyes with a full 360 degree view; and are yellow and black in color with very dark coloring around the end of the cauda.

They have powerful claws that they use in battle, but also an extremely potent toxin they inject from their stinger and aggressively use said stinger in battle. The toxin itself is fatal in nearly all species of humanoids and non-humanoids alike; is causes pulmonary adema and ultimately death.

They prefer lizards and mammals but can survive on insects if they have too; this subspecies is not known to be cannibalistic.

Though aggressive, they tend to be more calculating than Emri and are in the second rung of society often joining the Emri in the role of military leaders. They make their homes in dry arid regions, building cities in caverns or in the sides of mountains.

They have average lifespans, ranging from 1000-1200 years; but do not have strong family bonds—children are self-sufficient almost from birth and are raised by the group entire.
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Leptertus
Far less aggressive than their counterparts, this species is a subdued race; though they are large, measuring an average of 13-16 feet in length standing around 5-6 feet. They are very flat and wide with slender cauda. They have 5 eyes with a 270 degree range of vision and very in color from dark to light yellow-brown with a dark stripe on their underbelly.

They have slender claws that are not effective in battle, and are among the most pacifistic of all Scorpiads. However, their stingers yield a parictularly nasty toxin that has kept them feared and alive among a race of aggressive and strong warriors.

Unlike other Scorpiads whose venoms are neurotoxins, Lepterus Scorpiads have highly cytotoxic venom which can cause serious wounds and inflammations (somtimes the wounds will look like 3rd degree burns with necrosis and blisters). These wounds are slow and difficult to heal. The effect of the venom is very similar to the bite of the terran’s Brown Recluse spider (Loxosceles reclusa). No antivenom is available for this venom.

Severe complications are known from the sting: Severe and fatal haemolysis, secondary renal failure, deep and necrotic ulcers, ankylosis of the joints, psychological problems and death are reported complications. The LD50 value for this species is 5.81 mg/kg. This value is not particulary low, but due to the serious effects of the cytotoxic venom, this is a highly dangerous subspecies if provoked into using their stingers.

The typical diet of a Lepterus consists of small lizards and insects as they do not care for the flesh of most animals. They build small communal cities in the relatively sparse tropical climates of their homeworld, but have thrived on jungle colonies in the Empire.

Like Androcts they do not form strong family bonds. They live extremely long lives, the longest of all Scorpiads, ranging from 3000-4000 years. They produce in relatively small numbers, and are the voice of reason among the Scorpiads, inhabiting the second rung with Androcts.
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Mari
The smallest of Scorpiads, the Mari range in length from 9-13 feet standing at just over 4 feet. They are a light gold in color with dark tips on powerful claws. They have three eyes with a 180 degree of vision.

They are adequate fighters, but do not use their stingers often, preferring to use their claws. They have a mildly poisonous venom that is not dangerous to most humanoids, though certain species of insectoids and aquatic life have very fatal reactions to it.

Timid and Cautious, they will rarely strike first. They are the last of the second rung Scorpiads.

Typically dieting on lizards and lower mammals, they are also cannibalistic in nature. They form strong family bonds.

Even more so than the Emri they are a burrowing species living deep underground in vast cities numbering in the hundreds of millions.

They’re native to the higher latitudes of their home planet, which is among the few regions that experience winter, and thus have developed the ability to hibernate for over two years if food is scarce or temperatures drop below their preferred norms.

They live relatively short lives by Scorpiad standards, though still long by most species standards, averaging 800-900 years.
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Trog
A hardy subspecies, they have very elongated, flattened bodies and powerful claws. The body shapes together with stout, spinelike legs with highly curved claws; the former characteristics provides the legs with a strong grip on the rough surfaces. Males have a very long and thin cauda, with females having shorter ones. They have 9 eyes with a full 360 degree range of vision. They are very dark in color, almost black.

In length, they measure a total 14-17 feet, around 6 standing.

This species has a mild venom. It will rarely sting, and usually defends it self by using the powerful claws. Claws are used for defense, and can be very painful to be caught by.

A mildly aggressive species, they make up part of the third rung in Scorpiad society. At one time they lived in cities built in the sides of rocks, but after being conquered by the Emri adapted to life in Emri cities.

They do not form strong family bonds. Among the longest lived of Scorpiads averaging 1500-1700 years.
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Leiri
They are second only to the Emri in size and ferocity, averaging16-17 feet in length, and stand taller than Emri at 7-8 feet. They have 8 eyes with a full 360 degree range of vision. Coloration varies from straw to light yellow with brown horizontal striping across the body.

Aggressive and strong, they have narrow but surgically sharp claws that fit perfectly together. They are often called ‘Death Stalkers’ as they are partifucarly skilled at killing. Their venom is the most potent of all Scorpiads, including the extinct subspecies, causing almost instant death in all victims.

Brutal and harsh, this subspecies never truly forms bonds of any kind. Their allegiance is solely to the Emri and the Empire itself. They along with the Trog make up the third rung of the Scorpiad social latter. They will eat anything they can kill, including each other.

Before conquest, they did not make any established settlements, instead roaming in herds or packs. They are not terribly long lived, though most die before they reach ‘old age,’ that not withstanding they can reach ages ranging from 900-1100 years.


TECHNOLOGY
Scorpiad technology is far more advanced than any of the major alpha or gamma quadrant powers. Like the Breen, they utilize biotech in their vessels, though they have taken this to a far greater level the Breen.

According to Dominion sources, the inside of their massive spider shaped vessels are made of thick membranes which form the walls of rooms and can easily be reconfigured. The vessels themselves appear to be borderline sentient.

Their power source is truly unique—a subspace tap that taps directly into the raw forces of subspace and provides superior amounts of energy versus conventional M/AM reactions or even AQS units. Like wise their warp system is unique: utilizing phasing technology, it allows Scorpiad vessels to phase in and out of subspace at will. This doubles as a cloaking device as they are able to phase between subspace and normal space.

Their weapons systems are considerably more powerful than anything encountered outside of the Borg; they were easily able to disable Dominion vessels slicing them apart and are able to reduce planetoids to shards. However despite their many advances they do not carry energy shields, instead the organic body of the vessel absorbs weapons fire; however, captured Scorpiad vessels show an ability to create a web-like energy field that acts as a cocoon to protect the captured vessel.

Also they posses the ability to collapse the warp field of most vessels using an unknown burst weapon, it also proved effective collapsing transwarp conduits.

The high level of subspace-dependent technology demonstrates that the Scorpiads have an unsualy high-degree of understanding about the nature of subspace itself.

They have a unique FT-FTL drive system that utilizes fold-space technology, however the their Fold-Space drive can only be used between points known as “Focal Systems” where the Scorpiads have established a gravitational buoy. The Scorpiads are thought to have only a handful of these Focal Systems in the reaches of the Dominion and thus must travel between systems using conventional warp drive.