24TH CENTURY CULTURAL ANALYSIS: CAITIANS

[Sergio Giovanni 0]

OOC: This information is more for your own general information, and shouldn't be considered accessable to your characters in the 22nd century.

 

USS EXCALIBUR, NCC-2004-B SCIENTIFIC DATABANK

SUBJECT: CAITIANS

COMPILED BY: Lieutenant Junior Grade Tar'Mok. Stardate: 10401.01

 

CLASSIFICATION:

Homeworld: Cait

Co-Ordinates: 1.80 N 2.16 E

Race: Caitians

Affiliation: United Federation of Planets

Landmass: 50%

Population: 5.2 billion

Land Area: 160 250 000 km

Climate: Tropical

Technology: Warp capable; At par with UFP.

Orbiting Star: Verrra;, type G-3 V Star

 

 

SOLAR SYSTEM:

 

Verrral (Class K- Adaptable)

N'rrrap (Class F- Geo-Crystalline)

Cait (Class M - Terrestrial, 2 Moons)

Sotarr(Class H- Geo-Thermal)

Asteroid Belt

Missat (Class F- Geo-Crystalline)

Torrel (Class B - Gas Giant)

Kezarr (Class B - Gas Giant)

Arrrot (Class G- Desert)

 

Planet Description:

 

The planet Cait isn't anything too unusual. It has five continents, three are very similar, one is far south and quite frozen, the other is right on the equator and has thick vegetation. The rest of the planet is ocean. It has a population of 5.2 billion people. The largest continent is Larrrtov. It is almost completely tall grass savanna. It is the perfect environment for hunting. Our fur tends to blend in quite well with the grass. There are several rivers that flow through the flat, open spaces. The annual rainfall is enough to encourage the growth of several types of trees and keep the grass tall in most places. There is a small forested strip that spans the southern coast. The continent of Pirrrem is the second largest. It is, for the most part, a smaller version of Larrrtov. The only difference is size and shape. There is evidence that, at one point, there was a land bridge from Pirrrem to Larrrtov. It is suspected that the original Caitians migrated from one continent to the other, similar to the Terran migration from Asia to North America. The last of the savanna continents is Canrral. It has a dry season that lasts for about 3/4 of the year. It doesn't receive enough precipitation to allow grass to grow as tall as on Larrrtov or Pirrrem. It wasn't heavily populated until domestication of animals made hunting unnecessary. The only heavily forested continent is L'narrr. It is located directly on the equator and is covered in tropical forest. It was never, and still isn't, heavily populated. It has never come as much use, except a few resorts which attract off-world visitors. The last continent is Virrrtam. It is located near Cait's southern pole. The only vegetation is a small area of tundra at its northernmost point. It is uninhabited, but at one point it was the destination of exiled citizens from Canrral. It does not cover the south pole, but the icecap does extend and join with it. The boundary of actual land wasn't known until orbital scans were conducted in the early phase of Caitian space exploration.

 

PLANET GEOGRAPHY:

Continents: 5 (Larrrtov, Pirrrem, Canrral, L'narrr, Virrrtam)

FACTS:

Larrrtov: Largest continent on Cait. Almost completly a tall grass savannah , which makes the continent excellent for the hunting of prey. Many rivers flow through the continent and the annual rainfall on the continent is sufficient enough to sustain several types of large trees and grass. Small forestrial areas spans southern coast.

 

Pirrrem: Second largest continent on Cait. Similiar in comparison to Larrrtov, however considerably smaller. Historical evidence finds that the continent once had a land bridge which from one continent to the other, similiar to the migration from Asia to North America in ancient Terra.

 

Canrrral: Savannah type continent, very dry with dry season lasting 3/4 of the Caitian year. Grasses aren't as tall on this continent as the other two previouslly mentioned. Not very heavily populated until the domestication of animals.

 

L'narrr: Heavily forrestrial continent located directly on the equator. Climate is very hot This continent remains sparsely populated, and is mainly noted for it's fre resorts which cater to off-world species.

 

Virrrtam: Located in the Southern pole of the planet. The majority of the continent is a frozen tundra with vegetation appraring only on the northern tip of the continent. The continent is mostly uninhabited though one time was the destination for exiled citizens from Can'rrral.

 

 

LIFE:

 

Caitians:

 

Phsyiology: Bi-pedal and felinian in appearance, and ranging from 5'11" and 6'4" in height, and 160 to 180 lbs in weight. Caitians are known to have very little body fat. Like most Terran domesticated felines, Caitians have an usual dislke for large bodies of water, and often find difficulty in swimming. Their sleek, lean bodies are covered with a smooth fur, which colour varies from region to region.

 

Thick manes hang about from their faces, with a long tail protruding from their backs. Caitian eyes are gold. Their visions are very acute. They have highly developed night/low-light vision, and their vision is very motion sensitive.. However, they have less color acuity then the human norm. Their hearing is above Vulcan levels. Their senses of taste and smell are more developed than humans, though it is far less developed than that say, of an Antican or Terran canine. They can’t track by scent, though they can gain strong scent impressions when in close contact with another being.

 

Caitians also possess opposable thumbs with three fingers on each hand. Their hands and padded feet, which allow the Caitians to move swiftly and with impressive silence come with retractable sharp claws. Caitians customarily grow their claws long and sharp, but consider using them in battle unthinkable.

 

They have extremely acute sense. They have highly developed night/low-light vision, and their vision is very motion sensitive.. However, they have less color acuity then the human norm. Their hearing is above Vulcan levels. Their senses of taste and smell are more developed than humans, though it is far less developed than that say, of an Antican or Terran canine. They can’t track by scent, though they can gain strong scent impressions when in close contact with another being.

 

An extremely fast and agile people, Caitian reflexes, fine and gross motor movement are about 2.5 to 3 times faster than the human norm. Their range of flexibility is also greater than human, all this combining to in fluid, graceful movement. They can run at speeds of up 25 mph, but for only for short periods at a time. As their musculature is more developed for speed, mobility, and quick snapping motions ( like the claw slashes of their predatory ancestors.), Caitians tend to be about as strong in lifting terms as a fit human female of equal height, with a toned rather than built musculature. Caitians are able to exceed this strength but only through an intense regimen and specialized diet.

 

Caitians are less hearty than humans, tiring after shorter periods of intense effort than the human norm. Their physiology was designed for a predator’s wait and pounce, rather than long migrations. Almost all Caitians suffer from Heart Disease. This usually results in strokes and heart failure at around 70. Almost all Caitians above that age use artificial hearts. Many Caitians in Star Fleet are engaged in regular cardiovascular training to compensate for this, and can exceed this, but only through regular consistent effort. Due to evolving on a warm planet, Caitians have lower tolerance for cold climates. They also have a biennial, uncomfortable shedding. Females have ‘the season’, and both genders take drugs when off planet to control the urges when a female is in season.

 

As a result of their highly developed senses, as well as their fairly open culture, Caitians never developed any psi abilities, and the few cases where they had were minimal at best. Caitians also tend be ‘open books’ mentally, with low psi defenses. Caitians are Carnivores. They find the idea of eating plants to be distasteful. Herbivores are related to prey and so they see vegetarians as weak willed.

 

Lifespan: 75 to 105 years

 

Language: Language: While Caitians speak a single planetary tongue known as Caition, which is made up of many soft consonants. To an outsider it sounds like just purring at first. After more listening, words can be made out of this soothing language. Caitians speak Federation standard English when dealing with off worlders.

 

CAITIAN SOCIETY :

 

History:

 

The Caits have had only one world war, with tragic, but ultimately beneficial consequences. By (in Terran calendars) the mid-1800’s, the Caitians had successfully circumnavigated their globe, engaged in peaceful trade, and managed to achieve a late industrial era technology.

 

However, for whatever reasons, they never made a concerted effort to explore their northern seas. The various regions and phenotypes were united in a confederation states, and had made their first attempts at exploring their solar system, when a great terror struck. Myths had held that pure white or silvery demons had come down across the northern sea, bringing terror and destruction in their wake in what would be the Terran 8th century CE. In 1853, they came again across an unsuspecting world, steaming down on the united, but practically unarmed southern neighbors, taking material, captives, and destroying whatever cities they could find.

 

A rapid militarization began at a great environmental and social cost. So used to peace, the Caitian states retreated to a state of xenophobia. The only thing holding them together was M’grram, a charismatic General, whose broadcasts from the frontlines rallied the invaded peoples into what would become the original Caitian Alliance. He came to be known as the One Cait. After a year of failing to beat back the enemy, CA forces succeed driving them away. Then, after a prolonged period of ballistic missile bombardment, they engaged in massive invasion of the unexplored northern continent.

 

It was only two months into the invasion that CA intelligence realized that the Northern enemy was weakening, dying of diseases which were either easily treated or minor nuisances to the rest of Cait. On the final approach to the Northern Capital, they found a dead city. The Polar Caits, isolated from the rest of the world for thousands of years, were killed by infections caught from their captured slaves, and unknowingly carried over on the CA’s missiles. What had started out as an invasion became a rescue operation. What survivors could be found were immediately given medical help, a crash effort to save what was left of the Polar culture was undertaken, and massive graves dug to keep the disease from spreading.

 

1500 Polar Caits out of 2 million survived. Caitian cultural advancement stagnated, environmental distress plagued the planet, and the CA states began to break up, blaming each other for the genocide. In 1857, M’grram threw himself from the highest building in the remains of the Polar capital. The backslide accelerated, but was stopped two years later. In what became the first year of the new Catian calendar, the surviving daughter of the Polar leader, S’rreen, managed to restore the global communication network, and begged the peoples of the world to stop. Her people had paid for their crimes of ignorance, the rest of the world for theirs.

 

"We have punished ourselves enough. It is time to forgive." The next 10 years saw the CA renew itself, abandoning its military and creating a nominal police force. Technological development was focused on less impacting technologies, the remaining Polars integrated into the world proper, and a culture based on joy grew. They spread out into the system, and 170 years later, broke out of their home system, and into the larger Universe.

 

While the Polar Caits are all but extinct (some Caits of Polar descent have their distinctive coloring), their capital city has been maintained as a shrine to peace. Almost all Caitians spend some time of their life living in the city, trying to understand what it was to be such a lonely, paranoid people, and in some way keep their memory alive. Most Caitian criminals are sentenced to maintaining the City, shamed by the honor of their task. It is a surprisingly effective system of punishment.

 

 

Society:

 

Caitians live in close family groups, with attachments to larger clans. While Caitians speak a single planetary tongue, different regions have different dialects, and naming customs. The most common system is one name, usually all soft consonants. (et, M’rinn) though some Caits use a three name system (Lrr’thann’rr)..

 

Caitians tend to take great pride in their appearance. Cleanliness, well styled mane, groomed tail, fashionable dress, and perfectly maintained claws are all very important. Failure to do so is seen as an act of self mutilation. Caitians traditionally greet each other by clasping their hands and extending their claws to just touch each other’s wrist… it is a sign of the great trust they have for each other. As mentioned above well maintained claws are important in Caitian society, and to even think of using them to harm another being is beyond most Caitians.

 

Cities on Cait are be spread out and moderately developed, or built downward so as to have less affect on the environment. Xenophobia is almost nonexistent, the main cause for intolerance being violence. Caitians are almost clinically pacifists. While often quite proud, and more than capable of holding onto grudges and perceived insults, Caitians are trained from birth to avoid committing violent acts. Their societal right of passage is an oath to forswearing violence, taken at age 12. Caitians capable of violence are rare, most being sociopathic or criminally insane.

 

There are few Caitians who are both sane and capable of willful violence, though most Caitians would debate their sanity, and are either all-but or fully outcast from Caitian society. While they don’t hold their standards to other species, many Caitians are uncomfortable with all things military. They have had difficulties in relations with particularly warlike species, such as Klingons and Cardassians. In the Federation Senate, Caitian Senators are among the first to call for negotiations and peaceful resolution.

 

Government

The planetary government is not as powerful as its counterparts on other worlds. For the most part, individual provinces and districts govern themselves quick effectively. A planetary government exists mostly because it is required to join the United Federation of Planets.

 

The government consists of two branches. First, is the k'tarrela. This is the senatorial council. The k'tarrela is composed of 500 members from around Cait. They do not represent any particular region and are allowed to run for election only if they are shown to work solely for the good of Caitian society. They create laws, agencies, and control the planetary militia in times of crisis.

 

The other branch is the novirrass, our court. It is made up of 13 justices that are nominated by the k'tarrela and elected to office by the a vote of the continental courts. The novirrass is the highest court on the planet. Appeals can be made to the UFP if parties are not satisfied with the court, though the court cannot accept off-world cases. Any dispute with another world must be made to a UFP court. The continental courts are the governing courts for the individual continents of Cait. They are the last step before the novirrass. Under them are several smaller courts to handle particular regions. Centuries ago most of the courts were abolished due to globalization and acceptance into the UFP.

 

Religion

The religion of Cait is the worship of our deity Rrikalla. Rrikalla controls all life in the universe. Unlike the deities of some worlds, ours has no specified gender. For every birth, there is a death. Rrikalla maintains existing life, as well, by providing the material things to sustain it; plants for the prey, prey for the predators, and finally predators feed the plants

 

The Communicator Myth:

 

A myth common to different communities on Cait is that of the Communicator. Thousands of years ago, while Caitian society was composed of family based prides, fighting would break out when prides unfamiliar to each other met. When a pride won, it might still come under attack from other prides, either out of vengeance or opportunity. One Cait realized this would continue ceaselessly. He made stone disks, tokens of his pride, and sent them out to each pride he knew, saying "Make these. Give them to strangers, let them know who you know, and who knows them.

 

"Strangers know you have friends, and are strong. They will look beyond just the pride in front of them. Encourage them to make their tokens, and send it back through the prides they came out of, so that all may come to know each other.." "If they need to hunt, let them know what is yours, and what you can share. If they hunt on land not yours, but on a pride you know, stop them before they hurt the other tribe. Introduce them to the pride you know, so they may share, and you may share in their joy. This way, we will soon all know each other. Who is where, Who can help, Who will need help. Send tokens back to me, so there will be at least one pride who can answer all questions, one place where strangers can come to be friends."

 

"This way we can all hunt and move in safety, knowing that out there are only friends, out there are those who like us, just want to be left alone till it is time to find a new mate, till it is time to get help, till it is time to unite if there is a pride that does not want to be a friend." This practice continued, and grew, as did the story. Gradually, cooperation grew, and when Caitian’s began to travel their world, and find other Caitians on other continents they avoided the immediate blood shed found on other worlds. Also, variations of the Communicator myth existed in different forms through world.

 

The differences between regional cultures were muted, and became less important. Celebrations of the Communicator became the basis for inter-regional meetings, and the forums for settling differences. Academics came to think of the myth as something similar to the prevalence of flood myths among humans… a result of their shared common psychology. They also pointed out that no mention of the Communicator could be found among the Polar Caits. Within the past 50 years, though, archaeological evidence has been mounting that the trade of tokens went back for longer then expected, till a tomb was found near what is considered the evolutionary birthplace of the Cait race, containing hundreds of tokens, built into a rough sarcophagus of a pride leader. It is believed this is the actual Communicator, and the myths have been reevaluated in light of this information.

 

 

Federation:

 

The Caitian worlds joined the Federation shortly after its founding, and have been steadfast members ever since. Their desire to serve the commonwealth has lead them to enlist in Star Fleet in great numbers. For the most part, Caitians in Star Fleet are involved in Communications, Diplomatic Services, Medical, Counseling and the Sciences, places where they can serve the common good without compromising their deeply ingrained pacifism.

 

A smaller number have found a home in Engineering, and less then 20 are currently found in TAC/SC or the SFMC.

 

Before joining the Federation, Caitians had established territorial claims to four systems outside their own, and all four, while maintaining close to the homeworld, have long been independent of direct rule from Cait. All Caitian worlds are open to other species, and as of last census, there were about 17 billion Caitians living throughout the Federation.

 

END OF REPORT

 

(Source cited: http://www.freewebs.com/usspegasus/Races/Caitians.htm )