THE ORYON

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The Oryon people were a futuristic descendant of humankind. Legends from peoples that were once subjugated by them tell of devils--monsters of the cruelest sort in human flesh--while tales from allied empires and republics tell of a prestigious, opulent society where all prospered. As far as anyone knows, however, there are none of them left to clarify the record--all they left behind were their fortresses and the countless artifacts that lay inside.



Although it had been eons since the Oryons had last step foot on Earth, their biology remained largely the same as their human ancestors. They were bi-pedal, and hairless except for the tops of their heads and in certain other areas. Records indicate that they stood roughly six inches to a foot taller than present-day humans; sexual dimorphism remained in height and build, with females retaining shorter statures than men most of the time--although, unlike their ancient ancestors, Oryon men lacked the ability to grow facial hair.

Physical appearances varied widely in facial construction and body types, but it was well known that Oryons were kept physically fit due to their militaristic society. Skin tone, hair and eye color were able to be modified at whim with gene-altering technologies.


Not much is known about the core culture of the Oryon. They absorbed cultural aspects of other species and races when beneficial; holidays, celebrations, and culinary traditions varied widely throughout their territories. They were a notably a devout nation, partaking in rituals and psuedo-religious observances regularly--it is unknown for certain whether the majority of the population was monotheistic, polytheistic, or partook in strict ancestral worship, though regional artifacts and literature indicate that such worship and devotion varied widely based on geography. What is known, however, is that the Oryon had a strict ethical code when it came to conduct within their own society; violations were subject to shunning, prison sentences, and exile rather than death.

For money, most Oryon relied on digital currencies--collectively called 'credits'. When dealing with peoples who were still tied to physical currency, or did not have a means to process Oryon credits, they used ducats made of various metals.



The Synda were an elite soldier class in Oryon society. Known for their efficiency and lack of remorse, the word Synda became ingrained in the lexicons of subjugated species as being equivalent to "demon" or "devil". While regularly utilized for front-line operations as shock troops, as well as spy and sabotage operations, they were regularly employed in putting down rebellions, terrorizing subject star systems and planets, and otherwise carrying out atrocities that the civil government wanted no part in.

The Synda were selected from a group of promising students in the military academies, going years of training, discipline and study. Rites of passage marked when a potential Synda had completed a milestone in their training--most in any given class never made it past their first, and each trial afterwards was designed to cull the selection down to two. The pair were expected to duel, and the one who made it out alive was inducted. Once a member, the newly made Synda chose a new name and their old identity was erased from official records.



There were six different schools, or divisions, within the Synda--members were assigned to study and master a particular school's combat techniques and traditions based on personality traits. Once assigned a school, Synda were colloquially given the title Ma'aktha, or "students", for life.

• Kä'ätcha - Honor
• Lynra - Valor
• Yvnnë - Compassion
• Oryk - Studious
• Fylka - Cunning
• Ryzon - Devout

The school Kä'ätcha was associated with the trait of honor. Members of this school often became officers, leaders within the organization, and the public face of the Synda. Along with Ryzon, members of the Kä'ätcha were strict--for the latter, it was of matters concerning battlefield ethics and chivalry in warfare; for the former, it was of matters concerning adherence to tradition. The fighting style of the Kä'ätcha was elegant, and practiced to keep combat without trickery; one handed swords were preferred.

The school of Lynra was associated with valor, bravery. Soldiers through and through, young Lynra students were courageous to the point of stupidity; the elders were far more tempered, and knew when retreat was appropriate. Lynra students practiced a fighting style that was savage, designed to barrel through crowds of opponents and clear a path through the enemy; heavy-axes and two-handed blades were favored among members of this school.

Yvnnë students were often trained as medics--tailored to heal and support their fellow Oryon at any point in a battle. Among the most revered of schools--only Kä'ätcha was more highly regarded in Oryon society--they were regarded as "angels" by regular soldiers, and even the Oryon's enemies regarded them highly. However, Yvnnë students were often required to perform torture and experiments on prisoners of war, as well as research medical information of other species for exploitation. The fighting style of Yvnnë was fluid, designed to disarm opponents and disable them rather than to go for an outright kill--staves were preferred among members, though tonfas were common as well.

Oryk students were strategists and tacticians; they studied the enemy, studied their territories, and the cultures of any and all peoples the Oryon had come into contact with in order to exploit their weaknesses and minimize their advantages. Often considered geniuses by the common folk, they were often stationed as commanders and squad leaders of strategically important holdings. The Oryk fighting style was one that drew out combat and was adaptable to those of many of the Oryon's enemies, or other Synda; unlike other schools, the Oryk seemed to have no preference of weapons.

Of all students, those in Fylka were held in the lowest regard among the Synda. Tricksters, practitioners of the deceptive arts, and by far the stealthiest of the Synda; no one has ever known a Fylka student to be caught in action. The perfect spies, they were educated in dialects, cultures, and forms of combat most in Oryon society had never seen nor heard of--all to ensure that their acts were perfect, and that they would never be found out until it was far too late. The Fylka school preferred light, quick weapons--daggers, nunchaku, and short swords--and throwing weapons such as boomerangs, knives, and glaives were also prevalent.

Ryzon students were the most devout of the Synda. Bound to tradition, they upheld ancient practices of warfare and civil duty to the rest of the Oryon. Oral tradition was strong in the Ryzon school--because of it, unfortunately not much is known about their roles in combat nor their style of fighting. Inventory records indicate that students solely used traditional blades, known as nikana.


One of the final rites in a Synda's training, regardless of their school, was what was known as The Gazing. Details on the exact proceedings are scarce, but a Synda was required to stare into the Void, standing on the cusp of the nothingness between realms. Though its exact effects are unknown to historians, it was said that The Gazing unlocked massive wells of power within those that undertook it--rumors persisted that it drove a few of those who survived insane, or that a few unfortunates were physically consumed by the very power they had attained.