Ābus-∑

---

Object Name: ĀBUS-∑ (AY-bus SIG-ma)

Celestial Classification: Class C Planet, Tropical, Savanna*

Planetary Size: ~29306.556576 kmd or 2.3 times the size of LE

Number of Moons: 1; PANO (PAH-noh) Forest

Rotational Period: 32 ESH (32 hours per day)

Orbital Period: 290 PRY (planetary rotations per year)

Atmospheric Conditions: Category II

Population Size and Diversity: +5,000,000,000 Inhabitants (Abun, Miscellaneous)

Technology Level: Level III-IV (Abun) Level I (Miscellaneous)

Ābus-∑ is a medium-sized Savannah planet located in the Middle Rim of the Galaxy. A relatively dry world, Ābus-∑'s gravitational fields are extraordinarily low for its galactic position and celestial mass. Additionally, Ābus-∑'s atmosphere is rich in argon, helium, and nitrogen, which allows the local flora and fauna to flourish amidst the planet's low gravity. As a result, there are a series of "skylands" floating above Ābus-∑'s surface*. The local populations, who frequently fly high into the planet's atmospheres and settle there, consider these skylands to be holy religious sites. In recent years, these skylands have become popular tourist attractions for intergalactic explorers, but take heed—the local religious zealots guard their aerial homelands fiercely.  

A volatile world filled with arid deserts, dry savannas, and lush highlands, Ābus-∑ is home to some of the Galaxy's most dangerous flying creatures. The home planet of the theocratic Abun, the dangerous aerial predator the Ra'görta (RAH-ah-GOR-tah), and the highly poisonous (and amphibious) Ibgrág (EEB-grawg), Ābus-∑'s low gravity and high concentrations of noble gases make it a world well-suited for flight and aerial combat. However, only the most experienced pilots stand a chance in Ābus-∑'s skies, for their primary sentient species, the avian Abun, are among the Galaxy's best aerial combatants.

Much of Ābus-∑'s surface is shadowed by its levitating continents. Located kilometers above Ābus-∑'s lower surface, the skylands are covered in diverse microbiomes of lush forests, towering cliffs, bubbling hot-springs, and cascading waterfalls. Widely considered the original birthplace of the Abun people, the skylands are sites of holy pilgrimage and solace, and are often traveled by the most devout Abun warriors, scholars, and religious zealots. Moreover, Abun sigil shapers and dye makers frequently travel to airborne clay pits and hot-springs to craft the shrines and symbols of their faith. 

Pano, Ābus-∑'s only moon, is teeming with dangerous lifeforms. Though its verdant forests are home to diverse species of flora and fauna, Pano remains a place of religious imprisonment camp, and is reserved for ritualistic cleansing and purification. Every orbital period,  Abun sentries located across Pano's surface receive disgraced Abuns convicted of heresy. There, these prisoners await a slow, violent death from the moon's violent inhabitants, or being slain for ritual sacrifice. However, as heretic blood and sinew is considered "poisonous" to Abun ritualists, Pano's altars serve as places where the impure body parts can be "cleansed of the evil of their lies". As such, Pano is not so much a colonial moon orbiting its host planet, but is an off world prison camp and executioner's block all rolled into one. 

The Abun (AY-boon)

Ranked among the Galaxy's most proficient aerial combatants, the Abun are a prideful, theocratic avian species. Known for their thick plumages of colorful feathers, serrated claws on their hands and feet, and razor sharp beaks, the Abun are also one of the more militaristic societies within the Middle Rim. The leaders of a fledgling imperial theocracy, the Abun royal family leads their feathery brethren throughout their "holy journey of conquest" across the cosmos. However, outside of a few select planets within the Outer Core and Middle Rim, few Abun conquests have lasted long, and were subsequently deemed unsuccessful. 

Abun Culture

Organized into a strict hierarchical system, Abun society is structured around three distinct principles: praising the spirits through sacrifice and magic, declaring holy warfare on non-believers, and coercing the religious conversion of all avian species (Abun or otherwise). Though most of their on-world population operates under their chromatic religion, the Abun Ruling Family has long upheld their traditional class system. In this system, each individual Abun is assigned an ethnic group at birth, based on their distinct plumage patterns, general size and shape, and familial ancestry. Though upward movement is typically restricted, falling down the caste system happens fairly frequently, especially among the lower social classes. Marriage and procreation outside of one's social class is strictly prohibited outside of the Imperial Royal family and the uppermost social groups (specifically the Fal'exe and Änserän), and certain career paths are predetermined before birth. In short, according to Abun society, one's total existence is determined via their social class.

The Abun racialized caste system, from top to bottom, is as follows:

Fal'exe (FAHL-eh-EKKSEH)-The highest among the Abun socioeconomic system, the Fal'exe are the race where the majority of Abun military forces are drawn from. With plumages of thick, hard feathers scattered in dark shades of browns, greys, and blacks, sharpened beaks, barbed claws, and serrated wing spans stretching over seven meters, the Fal'exe are well-equipped for warfare. Most members of the Fal'exe class spend their days as soldiers, serving the Abun Imperial Legion as Imperial legionaires, commanders and armorers, all the while utilizing their natural combative abilities to their highest potential. 

Änserän (ON-seh-RON)-The largest of the Abun class systems, members of the Änserän are bred for efficient combat. Featuring wingspans over eight meters long, long, broad and spine-lined beaks, and thick, powerful claws on their feet and hands, the Änserän are natural berserkers. Like their Fal'exe brethren, the Änserän form the backbone of the Abun Imperial Legion. However, unlike other soldiers, members of the Änserän class often choose employment outside of the military. Though many Änserän begin their careers as siege specialists and artillery operators, many Änserän have pursued careers as mercenaries, bounty hunters and body guards across the Galaxy. Thus, members of the Änserän class are typically the most adventurous of their species, for they use their socioeconomic privileges to search across the Galaxy for potential clients and employers. As such, Änserän hired guns are commonly employed among high-profile intergalactic politicians, officials, or business owners.

Striggan (strih-GAN)-A class of expert tacticians, soothsayers, and sigil shapers, the Striggans are highly valued for their advanced tactical intellect, weapon analysis, and foresight. Featuring plumages of rich browns, dark yellows, and faded grays and whites, the Striggan are the most active at night. Wholly responsible for crafting, carving, and coloring the Abun sigils and shrines that dot their landscape, members of the Striggan class spend most of their lives in the sparse woodlands of the Eastern skylands. There, they gather the various materials necessary for creating dyes and pigments critical to their faith. Then, channeling arcane powers of unknown origin, the Striggan use the power of their spirits to craft religious sigils and shrines for worship. However, their arcane expertise is not limited to their sacred shaping—Striggan soothsayers frequently channel the force of their ancestors to access premonitions of the future. Due to these abilities, the Striggan are widely considered to be the "wisest of all Abunkind," and are therefore treated with the utmost devotion and respect despite their socioeconomic status.

Grú'ússi (grruh-OOH-uh-SEE)-A group of religious theorists and academics, members of the Grú'ússi class are seen as the intellectual powerhouse of their species. With delicate plumages of pale oranges, light grays, blacks, and dark blues, the Grú'ússi rarely lift their long, slender beaks and large, alert eyes from their religious scrolls. With a "natural" proclivity towards exploration, scientific advancement, and philosophical discussion, members of the Grú'ússi are stereotyped for their need to hoard knowledge about themselves and other species. The original founders of the Quïllanaeum (KWEEL-ay-NAY-eeum)—the great library that encompasses much of the scholastic city of Créh'stará (KREH-heh-STARR-ah)—the Grú'ússi house thousands of religious and scientific texts inside its walls.

Oscënnen (osh-EH-nen)-One of the smaller Abun races, the Oscënnen are their species' primary artisan class. With plumages of vibrant reds, yellows, grays, and blues, and wingspans spreading an average length of four to five meters, members of the Oscënnen class are well known for their musical skills and poetic ability. Though often pursued by art collectors, composers, and writers from across the Galaxy, members of the Oscënnen class are culturally viewed as socially inferior to other members of Abun society. Moreover, unless specifically sought out by Abun religious specialists or outside employers, the Oscënnen are typically hunted by other sentient species for sport. As such, many abducted Oscënnen are pressured into involuntary servitude, either as servants, jesters, or even prostitutes. 

Coraçann (kor-ah-CHAN)-With plumages of dark greys, purples, and blacks, the Coraçann are among the most ostracized of their species. Despite having the strongest sense of smell and sight of their entire species, the Coraçann are stereotyped as thieves and murderers. Though many Coraçann informants consistently deny  it, official Imperial decree dictates that members of the Coraçann class divide themselves into two large groups, the Assassin's Guild and the Darkened Consortium. Stories spun by the Abun elite tell of Coraçann hired killers and contract thieves, who stealthily steal the goods of the rich and sell them on the Galactic black market, killing all who oppose them-or all who fetch a hefty reward. In short, the myths about the Coraçann rest on two discriminatory qualities—their supposed knack for quiet murder and calculated deceit.  

Äpo'çae (AH-poh-oh-CHAY)-The lowest among Abun society, the Äpo'çae are a group of outcasts and dissidents. Reserved for political rebels, social non-conformists, and religious non-believers, the Äpo'çae social class are made up of those deemed most undesirable. Here, only heretics and non-avian species remain, and are viewed as lesser to every other Abun social class. To the Abun Imperial senate, nothing is worse than being an Äpo'çae, for their very existence is considered an insult to the spirits and all avian-kind.