Welcome to Gaia! ::

Took me long enough, didn't it?

Here can be found all of the collected information about my Space Opera game, for your viewing pleasure. Let me know if there's anything else you'd like to see here -- I've got a few things planned for the future already, but since you guys will be the players, I want to know what you're interested in hearing about smile

Table of Contents
- The Basics
- Glossary of Terms
- Aliens
- People and Places of Note
- Terran Federation Systems and Planets
- Alien (and Human) Naming Conventions

Links and Other Info
- Namator - A really good name generator, in case you're stuck on names for characters or backstories.
- Wikipedia: Space Opera - the Space Opera page on Wikipedia has some good examples of the genre (though don't take everything they say to heart).

Aliens

N'var
Home Planet: Var'ri
Political Allegances: Council (founding member), Var'ri Republic

The N'var are tall, intelligent humanoids who evolved from lizards rather than primates. Thus, they have thick, gray-toned skin, no body hair (or ears for that matter), and long tails held over from their days as bipedal dinosaurs. They stand about seven feet tall, with females slightly taller than males. N'var have a matriarchal political structure and are the most technologically advanced race in the galaxy – it was they who first discovered the faster-than-light technology that allows for rapid transit across space, and they who founded the Council in hopes of advocating peace amongst the various races.

N’var can live for centuries, and are very private regarding their lives within their own territory. Most outsiders are surprised to find that the N’var mechanic that’s been traveling with their ship is in fact the matriarch of her own clan, has four husbands, two wives and thirteen children, and helped pioneer the exact engine that’s keeping your ship going. They’re modest like that.

N'var practice polygamy, out of practicality – N'var birthrates are low, and having multiple partners ensures that the race will flourish. N'var are often scientists, engineers, and scientists, and they are the creators of most of the technology readily available across the galaxy.


Hyperi
Home Planet: New Hyperion
Political Allegances: Council (founding member), Var'ri Republic

The Hyperi are tall humanoids, averaging about six feet in height. They appear delicate, but are stronger than they look. Uniformly pale-skinned, they possess long, pointed ears and expressive faces. When Hyperi are angry or frightened, their ears split along four spines and fan out on the sides of their heads, making them appear more intimidating. Blood rushes to the tips of their ears and to chambers surrounding their eyes as well, rimming them in red-black. A wise person stays away from a Hyperi displaying these signs. Hyperi are also known for their stamina and longevity.

The Hyperi are actually a sister-race to humanity – they originally evolved on the planet of Hyperion, known as Mars to most humans. A world-wide war destroyed most of their natural resources, however, and if the N'var hadn't been passing the system on a routine scouting mission, the Hyperi may have lived and died without any knowledge of the rest of the Galaxy. The N'var offered them a place in their Republic as a sister-colony, and the Hyperi migrated from their dying planet to the N'var sector. Since then, the originally war-like Hyperi have begun advocating total peace across the galaxy, and live a peaceful, idyllic life on their colony worlds. They were one of the founding races of the Council, and are excellent diplomats.

About one in ten-thousand Hyperi births yields a child possessing a stronger strain of the warrior genes that the Hyperi worked so hard to breed out of their species; these children, often identifiable by their gold-flecked eyes, possess heightened awareness and are warriors without peer – something the Hyperi dislike very much. They are often sent to Hyperi colony-camps funded by the government as a way to keep them in line and help them deal with their instinctive urge to fight; most leave these colonies soon after coming of age, seeking a more welcoming environment for their talents.

Hyperi are also able to cross-breed with humans, but any unions produce only infertile children who need constant (and expensive) medication to prevent their bodies from rejecting themselves. These “mules” often die during or shortly after adolescence without proper treatment.


Kesheen
Home Planet: Keshe
Political Allegances: Council (founding member)

Kesheen are humanoids of a height with humanity, though their skin is smooth, hairless, and can be of any shade of blue or white. They have no eyes, and are thus entirely blind – however, their senses of hearing and touch are infinitely more advanced, and they have risen to the height of their civilization despite what some other races would consider a considerable setback. Most other races also have trouble telling Kesheen males and females apart; the Kesheen find this amusing.

The Kesheen hail from a watery planet not far from N'var space, and are semi-aquatic – they possess the ability to breathe both water and air. A peaceful race, they learned quite early that surviving in a world without eyes is often hard enough, and currently have the only entirely peaceful civilization in the entire galaxy. They possess no standing army or navy, but will offer their help if needed. They are also a founding member of the Council.

Kesheen possess inborn psionics, which allow them to sense emotions and read minds. They excel at all forms of medicine, and are acknowledged as the galaxy's best doctors and psychiatrists. Their voices sound like they are constantly singing, and they pay homage to a concept called the One Voice, which all Kesheen join with upon their death.


Ixtli
Home Planet: Azotl
Political Allegances: Ixtli Imperium

Ixtli are a race of bird-like humanoids, shorter than humans but no less intelligent or belligerent. They entered the galactic scene near the same time as humanity, and thus are humanity's main rival in the race to colonize and be recognized by the Council. The Ixtli are ruled by the Glorious Emperor of Light and Flame, a hereditary absolute monarch whose crown is notable for its amazing crystalline patterns of brilliant white fire.

Ixtli have feathers rather than hair and their plumage can be of any color, though they tend toward vibrant greens and oranges. They cannot fly, but can glide using their rudimentary wing-arms. They are also quite flexible, and somewhat delicate, a product of their low bone density.

The Ixtli have a society based off of war and conquest, and have carved their Imperium out of the surrounding galaxy with brutal efficiency. The Uhris were once their slave race, and though the Ixtli have now freed them (after pressure from the Council to do so), the Ixtli still look down on them and any other race they happen across. They believe that they were born to rule, and that eventually the rest of the galaxy will come to the same conclusion and bow to their superiority. They aren’t exactly everyone’s favorite neighbors…

Ixtli are trained for war and battle, and it’s a rare person that can best them in single combat. However, they’re not so good at group tactics, which is their downfall as a galaxy-conquering race. They, along with humanity, have just entered into the galactic scene in the past two centuries, and are quickly making a name for themselves.


Uhris
Home Planet: Uhzu
Political Allegances: Ixtli Imperium

The Uhris are a former slave race, the product of early Ixtli expansionism into their solar system. Uhris are short and compact, heavily muscled and able to lift four times their body weight without any trouble. Originally from a cold, high-gravity planet, they are quite dense in body mass, though are surprisingly graceful when off their own home planet. They are loyal to a fault, leading them to remain a part of the Ixtli Imperium despite their status as a free race, and their communal memory bank (accessed through rudimentary psionics) leads them to carefully consider any move they make before taking any action, leading many to believe them less intelligent than they are.

Uhris are furred and compact, with gentle, slow-moving gestures that hide tremendous strength. They rarely get angry, and will consider any word or thought that comes to them. They are quite wise and worldly, due to their communal memory, but find themselves often left behind when the other, “faster” races breeze through and make hasty decisions while they’re still going through the volumes of memory to find the insight into a particular situation. They are also fiercely loyal, and when off their home planet will attach themselves to a person or a mission or even a concept and defend it with their lives. They have black eyes, pale furry skin, and expressive faces that smile often.


Riken
Home Planet: Rik
Political Allegances: Riken Trade Federation, Council

The ambitious Riken are an insular race, with only one system to their name. However, they control close to all of the trade across the Galaxy and have a monopoly on pretty much most of the luxury goods that are shipped throughout the stars. They are hesitant to let any non-Riken set foot on their home planet of Rik, owing to their concern with polluting the religious sites of their ancestors. They are rather religious as a culture, paying homage to a group of god-like beings said to live in the ancient temples scattered across their home world.

Riken are average height (compared to humans) and come in a variety of colors, mostly shades of red, pink, or orange. Their hair and eyes are monochromatic shades of black to white and all in between. Their primary features are the pair of small stag-like antlers swept back from their foreheads (often painted or gilded to show wealth or prestige), and their six digits on each limb.

The Riken have a partnership with the Ilmiro, often using them to courier goods and messages during their endless travels. Ilmiro are the only inhabitants of the galaxy aside from the Riken themselves to have seen the planet of Rik in person.

During a naming ceremony that takes place about two weeks after birth, all Riken have a small teardrop-shaped gem grafted to their body. This Tear is a combination monitoring device and object of religious signifigance – it allows for simple monitoring of any individual, though it’s limited to whether or not the subject is alive and what condition he is in physically. However, there is a belief that the Tear will glow when Riken soulmates first see each other; it is a subject rehashed in many Riken romances to this day. It is true, however, that the Tear will react to strong feelings in its bearer, glowing in a multitude of colors. Tears are custom-made for each Riken, the color, stone, and placement on the body signifying the family and the home region of each individual. They are then blessed in a temple before being grafted to a young Riken’s body.


Ilmiro
Home Planet: Ilmir
Political Allegances: Riken Trade Federation

The Ilmiro were not born – they were created. According to their own mythology, their race was nurtured and evolved by an ancient race of beings called “the Masters” that wished their servants to have a better life. The Ilmiro lived in harmony with their Masters, until one day when they woke to find their cities empty and their Masters gone. All that remained was a message, playing endlessly over the communication frequencies and saying “Fear not, we will return.” No one is quite sure of the truth of this legend, but the Ilmiro believe, and hope.

Ilmiro are average-sized humanoids, remarkably similar to humans, with the one addition of fox-like ears and tails. Their hair colors range from bright orange and red to pure white, and their furred ears and tails match. They are considered quite attractive by human standards. Ilmiro are also mildly agrophobic as a race – they prefer dark and enclosed places, probably due to their origins as a cave-dwelling race of fox-like mammals. Twin births are also common amongst Ilmiro.

Ilmiro are insanely curious, and are often stricken with wanderlust. They have no territory of their own, aside from their home planet of Ilmir, but can be found in all corners of the galaxy, running errands and flying starships. They have a close friendship with the Riken, and are an important part of the Trade Federation, if only because their wandering makes them excellent couriers.

Glossary of Terms

[in a bit]

Naming Conventions

Here's the list of alien (and human) naming conventions that all of you have been asking for!

A note on the generators used: You don't have to use these generators or the example names, but they're given as an example of the different types of names possible, and to illustrate the general sound and type of name without using established human ones. You're more than welcome to come up with your own, or to do something entirely different: this is just for your information (though I'd appreciate sticking within the bounds of the name styles, just for uniformity smile )

Another note on the generators: Sometimes, the names you get (particularly with this one) make absolutely no sense no matter which way you look at it. Feel free to switch around, add, or subtract letters to get your final name-- I certainly did.

N'var
N'var have three names: A family name chosen by members of a family upon marriage, a private name given to a young N'var upon adulthood that is used only by family and very close friends, and a public name used by all others. N'var names are sibilant and short -- most N'var who deal with the public use only their public name (N'var names are unique enough, even with the billions of N'var in the galaxy, to get away with a single name deal). Only a very trusted non-N'var will learn a particular N'var's full name. Some N'var have an additional name meant for use by non-N'var -- this is an individual choice, however, and is not always done. When N'var enter into a marriage group, they take the group's name as their family name, either alone or as an appendage to their own family name.

Names were inspired from here (it creates random Greek-sounding names). When picking a name, try to flip the implied gender of the name, using softer names for men and harder names for women. Family names are generally more elaborate than personal names.

Example Names
Female: Viph, Zesen, Ryir, Vithau
Male: Ochta, Hthi, Silusta, Chesthe
Family Names: Anisaelga, Ntuischo, Usamadone, Kratalcreli

Name Construction
Public: PublicName
Official: PublicName FamilyName
Private: PublicName PrivateName FamilyName
Example: Viph Karsin Ntuischo


Hyperi
Hyperi have two names, a clan name held by all members of a particular Hyperi clan (which can have anywhere between dozens and thousands of members) and a personal name. They also have a gender prefix, "da" for males and "de" for females, attached with an apostrophe to their personal names. Most Hyperi personal names are simple and easy to pronounce for most aliens -- their clan names are significantly more difficult to pronounce. Hyperi do not change their names upon marriage into a clan -- upon birth, the parents (or another authority) decide which clan their child will belong to, and the child himself is allowed to chose for himself when he reaches his majority. The throwback strain of Hyperi often take the name of their camp as their clan name -- any children of these Hyperi are given the remaining parent's clan name.

The Hyperi personal names are mostly my own creation, but tend to sound vaguely Indian. The clan names were derived/inspired by those generated here. When picking a name, use a short, two-syllable word for the personal name, and a longer, more elaborate name for the clan.

Example Names
Female: Sani, Enda, Rumi
Male: Rune, Harr, Erum, Kyro
Clan: Efihom, Opumr, Ifosouh, Nokumoe, Gouwh, Khyati, Lral

Name Construction
ClanName [de/da]'PersonalName
Example: Lral da'Rune


Kesheen
Kesheen are named as sounds and feelings, and they don't translate into the galaxy-wide common speech used by every intelligent race known to man. Thus, when Kesheen speak in the common speech, they are forced to find the correct interpretation of their name and convey it in as pleasing a manner as possible.

Kesheen have no family names, and their names are gender-ambiguious -- they find they have no need for these things, as they just complicate and form conflicts.

Example Names
The Sound of Waves upon the Shore of the Sea of Glass, The Movement of Wind in the Wide Weeping Silver Trees, The Warmth of the Sun after a Long Night of Rain


Ilmiro
Ilmiro have a complicated naming convention that some other races wonder about. The flighty Ilmiro have trouble remembering where they left their backpacks, never mind remembering long and complicated strings of names. But, the Ilmiro make do, and love finding different and alien names to assign to various members of society.

Their full names are more of a formality, for introductions and clan meetings -- Otherwise, Ilmiro usually go by their personal name, to make it easier on most other races that may not have such a complicated naming system as they do.

The sample Ilmiro names were generated here, using the Celtic style option. Ilmiro also use the marker "imur" (for males, meaning "son of") and "imar" (for females, meaning "daughter of") to indicate the name of their mother (or closest female relative, if they aren't sure). Some Ilmiro use their father's name in place of their mothers, but this is rare -- in a culture that raises its children as a group, the mother of a particular child is much easier to trace than the father.

Example Names
Female: Harlan, Ylaerra, Lietta, Foeyla
Male: Effaiher, Ossear, Oeliah, Saccevr
Tribal Names: Eisvoell, Hradd, Tei'leen, Oary'oarr

Name Construction
TribeName PersonalName [imur/imar] Matronym
Example: Oary'oarr Ossear imur Ylaerra


Ixtli
The Ixtli are very concious of honor and the importance of titles, and thus have a complicated caste system built around the ever-fluxuating system of honor and dishonor ever-present in their lives. Their honor-title is the most important part of their name, and they will often be called it when addressed formally.

Names were inspired/derived from here, using the Oriental-Generic option (for the family name) and the Hebraeic option (for personal names). Add a dash of feathered imperialism and serve hot!

Example Names
Female: Eihle, Kliu, Eiru, Raehi
Male: Veavi, Icu, Huerui, Tirh
Family Names: Kue, Mhit, He, Lie, So, Lrae
Honor-Titles: Qi (Ruler), Boj (Squire/Apprentice), Ko (Warrior), Myo (Great Warrior), Gho (Greatest Warrior), Wru (Teacher), Tu (Historian), Cu (Smith), Ru (Artist), Hu (Holy One)

Name Construction
Honor-Title FamilyName'PersonalName
Example: Boj So'Eihle


Humans
You guys know what human names are like, and they haven't changed much in the future, except to become a little more... eclectic. Humans will name themselves after anyone and anything, and similarly, will sometimes take nicknames that have nothing to do with their birth names.

This generator is the best one I could find for creating unique and interesting combinations of Earth names. Feel free to use it, switch around the personal name/family name order, or just find an interesting word and use it. There's nothing stopping you smile

Example Names
Female: Klytaimnestra, Rosemarie, Dynah, Nadia, Galina, Liadan, Fuyuka, Caolainn
Male: Erasmo, Carvell, Wilton, Orestes, Till, Palmer, Marc, Odion
Family Names: Dobias, Corkin, O'Donnel, Sampson, Ozuna, Kawashima, Chekanov, Al-Jud, Humphreys

Name Construction
Most names follow western naming traditions: PersonalName FamilyName (with a middle name or two sometimes thrown in, as well as patronyms/matronyms as the culture dictates).
Otherwise, feel free to use any sort of Earth-based (or not) construction! The most important thing to remember, though, is that Earth culture is quite a melting pot, and you should end up with names like Fuyuka O'Donnel and Rosemarie Al-Jud, to better show this!


Uhris
Nothing here yet!

Example Names
Female:
Male:
Family Names:

Name Construction


Riken
Riken have single names, followed by their family names -- quite similar to human naming conventions, actually. Most of their names are gender neutral, and are universally pronounced with all syllables intact. Riken names can be translated into descriptive phrases, such as "born under the red moon" or "child of great sadness."

Riken also have a system of suffixes that act as honorifics -- since their entire society is essentially an organization rather than a culture, the proper way to refer to your superiors and subordinates is very important.

Another strange aspect of the Riken is their way of naming their ancestors and gods. Once a Riken dies, his personal name is symbolically struck from his birth record, and he is is given a title: "She whose hands praised the Gods", for example, or "He who was friend to many." The former name of the deceased is not spoken for a period of mourning that can last up to a year -- if any other Riken possesses the same name, he must change it -- and after this, the deceased's body is interred with the other honored ancestors, his name forgotten. For this reason, many Riken have unique names, or if they are named for an honored ancestor, they usually add or subtract a syllable to prevent such a situation. Riken gods are similarly named: The God in Hiding, the God with Many Children, the God who Smiles, for example. Note that this descriptive title is by necessity different from the translation of a Riken's name, though they may be related somehow.

Names were taken from here, using the Oriental Japanese setting. Honorifics were made up on my own. The title descriptions were also made up.

Example Names
Female: Cidegea, Jihade, Urute, Nehia
Male: Sefusa, Aceyoboa, Oyuruo, Deleti
Family Names: Udirori, Eyaka, Iyaneroa, Yatecui
Honorifics: -kar (superior), -sai (subordinate), -yu (parent, older relative, or respected elder), -ji (younger sibling or relative, a much younger close friend), -ia (a close friend, younger or older), -kiin (a spouse or lover)

Name Construction
PersonalName(-Honorific) FamilyName
Example: Deleti Eyaka