History of the Naorhy

and other notes

by Mr. David R. Dorrycott

The Naorhy history extends unbroken over 6200 standard years (the Naorhy year of 0000 is equivalent to the Earth year 4169 BCE, a Standard Year is one Earth year.) Originally calling itself the MahKaun, meaning "Superior Intelligent Animal" the race name was changed in 6176 with the signing of the Great Compact. Naorhy translates loosely into "New Huntress." Throughout their history their world has been subjected to two reoccurring disasters that have destroyed most civilizations existing at that time. Most notable are the Nakatallan Events. This is a massive swarm of asteroids whose orbits intersect that of the home planet every 720 years. Naorhy History marks its start from the impact of a major asteroid that created the Tulare Sea, shattering the once great continent of Tularekenet into two smaller land masses. Tulare to the south, Kenetac to the North with the Greater Catorces (Fragments) to the Northwest.

The second great disaster to this race was the Great White Plague. This plague once appeared at random times, lasting from nine to ninety three years in length. It appeared in large cities, gradually fading out as fewer and fewer victims were available. Created by a f fungus that lives in the blood, it quickly turned healthy dark orange blood into a thick, creamy white substance with the feel of whipped cream. Death was a matter of hours after the first symptom due to the rapid growth of the pathogen. Thankfully it apparently could not survive more than a few minutes without a host.

These plagues had a terrible side effect, as male children became more desirable females slowly were regulated to nothing more than breeders, with those who complained the least becoming the most desirable. Unfortunately these were usually those with the lowest intelligence. By accident or design, females were slowly selectively bred to be unintelligent.

Several civilizations grew and fell during the first six thousand years of Naorhy history. Great technical advances were made, then lost as the GWP made its rounds. Flight was won and lost, as was basic space flight. Then during the Second World War medical science made an unexpected discovery. A horrible truth that the GWP was Naorhy maintained, not naturally reoccuring. The Clan, though through no fault of their own, that was responsible for hosting the GWP was made Outlaw. All members are forever subject to death instantly upon discovery, wither infected or not. Wither infant or ancient warrior.

In 6010 it became apparent that the females still falling intelligence placed too great a drain upon the race and their now limited resources. A crash program was instituted to raise the average intelligence of females to that of males by using the new science of viral genetics. By 6079 results were certain and a major program was launched, resulting in an unexpected side effect. As desired females intelligence quickly averaged that of males, but the cost was a lower male birthrate. By the time this became generally known females had moved into many areas of power. When an attempt was made by a small Clan to reverse the viral mutation another side effect raised its ugly head. These new females were as vicious as their ancestors, somehow the ancient predatory trace had been woken. The attempt was stopped, all records involving the project destroyed and by 6133 males no longer ruled any Clan.

In 6143 the third Space Race began as by now resources on the planet had reached a critically low level. This left the race only two options. Expand or die. By 6163 all three moons had hydrogen missile bases and again in fear for their races survival the three greatest nations called a conference. Known simply as The Three Nation Conference it resulted in the Great Compact, and the first true world government. Several smaller nations rejected the idea, raising their military forces against those who would rule them. All were eliminated in the most simply, and direct matter. They were attacked by the moon bases weapons. The Great Compact recognized that the planet could not support the current levels of Naorhy, that if the race did not quickly expand into space for those needed resources to be found there the entire race was doomed to, at best a slow fall into non-technological existence. A fall to at best a persistent iron age existence.

Population reduction began in 6177 and continued until 6205. Ranging from simply withholding medical care for all, to actual elimination of undesirables (criminal, mentally ill, etc.) this vicious program reduced the planetary population by over sixty percent by its end. It also saved the Naorhy race from certain extinction in the long run, although it placed them in a precarious position. Because of the harsh rules required to reduce their race naturally rather than simply sterilizing half the species they came extremely close to a world wide dictatorship. So close that actually changes were already in progress when the plot was discovered, and exposed by pure accident. A new style of government was created, one much like that of England though the Royal Clan holds much more power that the English crown.

Although Faster than Light (FTL) equations were completed in 6189 it was not until 6224 that the first prototype Hyper-engine was built. Testing began in 6230 with the first true FTL ship being built in 6239. A freighter, it was used simply to supply colonies within the solar system while testing the concept. No FTL ship left Naorhy home space until 6232. This fist exploratory trip resulted in the discovery of FURHOLD (a name which resulted in the discovering Captains temporary sudden loss of rank) in 6234. Due to the fact FTL communications were still only theory it was not until 6237 that the news of this new planet reached Naorhy.

In 6242 the first lightspeed signals from another race were detected. Ever careful a Monitor class warship was designed and built, then sent to protect the new colony world. All ships were immediately armed and the Military given command of all space forces. Crash colonization and military build up programs began. New weapons were designed as well as attrition units meant to carry death close in (known as Deep Space Fighters, DSF's, Keeleuf's, fighters or too their enemies.. “Those damn $%&$ shuttles!) as well as entire new classes of warships.

It is now 6256 (2087 AD), the events listed in GLASS PANELS begin. As yet they had not met a single ship from another race though they knew it wouldn’t be long. You will find this race loves battle, preferring to fight rather than talk. However they are quite able to sign and respect treaties, assist others, and trade. When it suits their plans that is.

Other Data

Naorhy live a maximum of 200 years, however their violent lifestyle keeps the average lifespan around 65 years. Old age is considered anything over 140 years. Physically the Naorhy are smaller than humans. Females stand between 4'2" and 5' in height. Marines are rarely under 4'10" in height. Males stand from 4'8" to 5'9" in height and are rarely under 4'7" tall. They still have rudimentary retractable claws but no tail or 'whiskers.' Their claws are larger and larger the taller a Naorhy is, but even the smallest Naorhy could quite easily rip open the average humans throat if she wanted too. They are more human looking than Lynx but could never pass for human, even in a large crowd at night.

Although the average Naorhy's brain is smaller than that of a human they make up for it with greater complexity. Thus the average Naorhy has an intelligence equal to the average human. They are more vicious than humans and like to take chances, standard battle tactics most often proving to be the best example. It is not uncommon for a mothership to scream down your throat with her fighters either before or behind her. The general idea being you are going to die, either from the fighters firepower or from the mothership. Its really your choice. They honestly don’t care which way you die, only that you die.

Fleet tactics are vastly different, but suicide fleets are not unknown when the tactic will buy critically needed time. They will not throw their lives away however, a captured Naorhy will endure great humiliation and pain in the hope that when she escapes she will have some information useful by the race.

Males are rarely found in space and never in combat. No male serves combat duty, although a rare few serve as ground officers. Males are considered too valuable to risk in combat. On average they occupy the social niche most often occupied by the stereo typical 'Dumb Blond' in United States mythology. Much like the African lion they tend to be lazy, self centered, spoiled, and indifferent to others feelings. On average. There are as in all cases, brilliant exceptions.

Due to the near impossible odds of finding and marrying a single male (20,000 to 1 on average) females tend to pair up with each other. It is quite common to find pairs working and living their lives together. Life groups over three are rare, over four unheard of. Pairs tend to react to other pairs in the same manner as a one person reacts to another. Friendships are usually for life, if pairs become enemies they tend to settle the matter quite quickly. An exception being those on active duty, as the military has laws making such duels both illegal and dishonorable. Almost all females desire children, but with the limited resources it often happens that such desires go unfulfilled for decades.

Certain very rare Naorhy have limited PSI powers, most commonly precognition in the form of 'feelings, hunches, and dreams.' These people are highly uncommon. Seelsa Ironclaw is an example of this type of person. Most often they find themselves working with the ruling Council or Royal Family. In Seelsa's case she is more interested in exploration and combat, making an effort not to bring attention to herself. A soft career (desk job) would drive her insane within a very few years. Events tend to form a nexus around these kind of people and those they pair with. They are the changers, the points of honor. Great events slowly unfold around these people, in the least they become catalysts for events even if they are not actively involved. Sha Prisschan is an example of a different kind of PSI. She is often drawn to events, becoming a player but not the major player. Often she and her partner are the only survivors of a catastrophic event as luck is always with them. In the very rare cases where both PSI’s have worked together impossibilities have become possible. Simply not explainable.