Remidia

Background

Detected by human reconnaissance probes, Remidia soon revealed itself to be an intriguing world teeming with life. Remidia is home to the Remidian civilization (named after the planet, both loose translations of their indigenous counterparts), a species of intelligent, non-carbon-based terrestrial creatures. While physically intimidating (vaguely reptilian in appearance), Remidia's folks appear to be gentle and cold-headed, although introverted by nature. 

A well established Mid Type I civilization, most of their ships are equipped with a form of rudimentary Warp Drive, although rarely used. Indeed, Remidians show little interest in venturing beyond the boundary of their stellar system. As such, no long-term commercial or official diplomatic contacts have been established, with the exception of a few human scientific organizations in hopes of learning more on Remidia's endemic lifeforms as well as its ancient ruins, similar in nature to those discovered a few years earlier on Xeikon.

Physical Description

With a diameter of 18 668 km, Remidia (RS 1186-2287-7-2021192-82 A8, 9.7.3) is a large, Titan-like planet with an extremely low surface temperature (-183 C), which is constantly swept by strong winds and blizzards. Moonless, its oceans are not affected by tides, yet remain constantly agitated. The planet is part of a large triple-star system, located in the periphery of the Andromeda Galaxy. While home to 19 planets, Remidia is the only planet of this system known to harbor life. The system's age has been estimated at 7.44 billion years.

Life on Remidia

Despite the extremely harsh climate (from a Human point of view), a plethora of lifeforms have developed, from the sapient Remidians to simpler, yet deadly micro-organisms. Thankfully, the latter are almost constantly frozen or washed away by the planet's large methane oceans. Complex life has also developed in those seas, dominated by the Claemmas (a translation of the name given by indigenous populations), large and extremely ferocious eel-like creatures. Naturally, the species' terrifying presence has captured the imagination of Remidians for ages, and the Claemma has cemented its position in Remidian culture and religion throughout time. Nonetheless, they now represent nothing more than a minimal threat to modern Remidian society.

Ancient Ruins

Located on Remidia's coldest continent are ruins similar in structure to those previously discovered on Xeikon, albeit more extensive. Artifacts found nearby (all bronze-colored, with characteristic markings) have attracted much interest from Human and Remidian scientists alike, who seem to concur on the nature of the ruins, presumably having been some sort of resource exploitation centers. Again, no control rooms have been found, and dating methods have estimated the age of those ruins and artifacts at around 70 million years, confirming a common origin with that of Xeikon's. On the other hand, as no signs have been found indicating the presence of ruins of a different kind (such as cities), it is assumed that this unknown civilization did not develop on Remidia, but merely colonized it on a small scale, most likely solely for the purpose of exploitation (of which resource remains unknown).

Regardless, it is now thought that Remidia's ruins have played a certain role in the evolution and development of the Remidian civilization, if only indirectly, as the origins of the Remidian species have been traced back to 3 million years at most, long after those ancient visitors had left.

Remidian Infrastructures

Being the Remidian species' homeworld, several large cities dot the planet's landscape, although largely uncolonized areas remained. Their capital city, Eonia, is a large metropolis where traditional Remidian architecture meets newer and more streamlined forms. Founded around 150 000 years ago by 'the enlightened ones' (some sort of ancient tribe, if local folk tales are to be believed), the city contains a trove of historical and archeological information, precious in tracing the history of this rich civilization. While outsiders are welcomed to visit and indulge in some sightseeing, no long term settling is permitted inside the city's perimeter.

Naturally, Eonia's kind and selfless citizens have opted for what everyone consider a more than satisfying solution, choosing to build a comfortable and highly equipped complex exclusively for Human scientists in the periphery. A single condition was enounced; that the center be used solely for scientific endeavors. While monitored for security reasons, the reigning atmosphere is one of friendliness and mutual understanding. While located near the shores of Remidia's methane ocean, measure have been taken to keep the Claemmas at bay.

Remidian Religions

Remidia's culture covers a great spectrum of ideas gathered over thousands of years, from a more recent scientific approach to earlier philosophical and spiritual beliefs. While contemporary Remidian society has for the most part turned their backs on ancestral religious rites and beliefs, most remain consciously faithful in the existence of gods, now conjectured to have been members of an omnipotent and unimaginably powerful civilization, whose pure expression of might was translated into the fabric of spacetime through universal creation. Regardless, ancient Remidian temples still stand, as most are maintained with great care in respect of the past. One such example is the temple of Nani'ya, located in the capital city of Eonia, and home to the ancestral cult of the Claemma.

Naturally, Remidia's ancient ruins have also won their place in Remidian culture, in no small part thanks to natural curiosity over their mysterious and (seemingly) eternal nature. Once considered the creation of deities, its true nature has now been understood, although much remains to be learned on their origins. A cult dedicated to these gods once represented their world's foremost religion, with captivating tales revolving around the deeds and adventures of a pantheon of deities commonly referred to as 'those from above who descended here'.

(To be completed)