Annör Lupi'i

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Object Name: ANNÖR LUPI’I (ANN-norr loo-PEE-EE)

Celestial Classification: Class C Planet, Forest and Meadows

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

Number of Moons: 2; DAMOS II (DAY-moes TOO), Class b Moon, Arid Savannah ~3613.22190008 kmd or 1.04 times the size of Lunar 1, EUROPA V (EWW-roep-AH FEYE-VV), Class b Moon, Oceanic ~3541.73686354 kmd or 1.02 times the size of Lunar 1

Rotational Period: 30 ESH (30 hours per day)

Orbital Period: 350 PRY (planetary rotations per year)

Atmospheric Conditions: Category III

Population Size and Diversity: ≤56,000,000 (Lupians, Ursanites)

Technology Level: Level II-III (Ursanites), Level III-IV (Lupians)

Annör Lupi’i consists of forests of tall, sinewy trees, clear lakes, flowing rivers and cascading waterfalls of cold, clear water. In between the lush landscapes, there are grassy meadows  stretching far and wide, tying each of the planet’s many landmarks together. Home to the canine Lupians, and the bearish and brutish Ursanites, Annör Lupi’i is a haven for many unique species of trees, grasses, reptiles, mammals and insects. The planet’s biodiversity is only tempered by its abundance of natural resources. 

Though the native Lupian tribes base their lives around harmony with nature, their structures, technology, and weaponry are highly sophisticated. Moreover, to the average outsider, the mixture of hardened Tesasteel, titanium, and glass among Lupian dwellings directly contrast with the lush, forest landscape. Though Ursanite cultural values and beliefs are, by and large,  vastly different compared to their Lupian counterpart, their species also blend more sophisticated technologies with the natural environments of Annör Lupi’i.

Annör Lupi’i is a medium-sized forest planet rich with life. It is the home world to many unique species of flora and fauna, including the gigantic 8-winged Barbbeetle (BAR-be-BEE-tel), the carnivorous, reptilian and poisonous Dör’raggac (DOH-orr-rah-GACK), and the mysterious Widow Wail (WIH-DOH WAY-EL) bird of prey. Scattered throughout Annör Lupi’i’s fields and forests, these wild beasts roam, hunt, and claw their way along the top of the food chain. This leaves the two principal species on the planet—the tribal Lupians and the clanlike Ursanites—constantly clambering to fend off attacks from the other inhabitants of the planet.

Annör Lupi’i has two moons orbiting around it; Damos II and Europa V. Damos II, a medium sized savannah moon, is believed to have once been ecologically similar to its planetary counterpart. Currently, it hosts few species other than the uncommon reptilian organism and or small predatory mammal. It is rumored that its climate changed after surviving a collision with a large asteroid. Subsequently, the moon’s large lakes and rivers dried up, leaving the Damos II’s vegetation to dry up and wither. 

Over time however, it is believed that some species of flora began to return to the arid moon, but only the hardiest of plants (including rough and dry grasses, thin and willowy trees, and thorny shrubs) being the most plentiful. Lupian warriors have been known to make pilgrimages to the moon for their “Journey Without” where they purposely fast, limit their use of technology and generally live without any of the plentiful resources they are accustomed to. Whatever the case, Damos II is not an ideal place for species who are used to plenty, nor is it a viable moon for any industrial operations. It is simply a barren backwater, where few species chose to venture. 

Europa V is drastically different from its arid counterpart. Covered in multiple large oceans and a few smatterings of islands, Europa V is home to many aquatic species. Its waters would be an often-sought location for underwater explorers and colonists, for they are naturally rich in oxygen, nitrogen, and salt. However, Europa V’s oceans are incredibly dangerous for many types of submersible vehicles, as its high mineral concentrations short circuit all electrical systems shortly after submergence. One’s only hope for a successful underwater adventure on the moon is the usage of rebreather technology and/or the implementation of extreme amount(s) of insulation filaments. Excessive planning, environmental awareness, and caution are all equally advised when attempting any extensive ventures on this oceanic moon. 

The Lupians (LOO-pee-an)

Lupian society remains one of the most tightly-knit groups across the Galaxy. Most of the Lupian tribes are matrilineal and matriarchal, and as such, female Lupians have specialized responsibilities far different from those of their male counterparts. Typically, Lupian females are put in charge of the majority of the tribe’s local governance through a small council and by representing their tribe during large gatherings held each year. Additionally, many of the Lupian tribes consider Lupian females critical to their species' survival, as they are directly responsible for childbearing. To that end, most Lupian females are expected to birth as many children as possible when they mature-a healthy tribe is sustained by the females and their children. 

That being said, as soon as a Lupian infant is weaned, the responsibility of raising the youth is passed to the local male Lupians of the tribe. Fathers, uncles, grandfathers, male cousins, and brothers are all expected to help teach and train Lupian youths (regardless of sex), and educate them about their tribe’s culture(s), histories, rituals, practices and expectations. Meanwhile, the recently postpartum Lupian women, while not prohibited from taking part in their children’s education and training, are expected to return to governing their people. 

Lupian males, alongside teaching their youth, are also responsible for coordinating and successfully enacting their various ceremonial rituals and practices. Lupian culture planet-wide appears centered around harmony with nature, protecting one’s kin and tribe, and honoring the spirits through hunting the various beasts on the planet. To that end, Lupian males are primarily responsible for preparing Lupian warriors and hunters for their various endeavors. Within each tribe, a select few of the wisest and most noble males are chosen to form the council of the Greyed Ones. The Greyed Ones help prepare Lupian braves-young and old-for any and all of their spiritual endeavors. This can include the usage of specific incenses and elixirs to “empower” the senses of Lupian warriors, to crafting rare amulets, bracelets, and other jewelry to be worn or attached to various tools and weapons. 

Lupian Rituals

One of the most prominent rituals performed by Lupian males is the Trials of Cohu’un (koh-HOOH-HOON), the Lupian Spirit of the Sky and the Hunt. Young Lupian warriors must pass a series of tasks, be that hunting dangerous beasts, or making a pilgrimage across the planet or to Damos II, to prove oneself wise and strong. The Greyed Ones will bestow gifts upon the prospective Lupian youths and assure them that if they stay true to the Path and return home with their task complete, they will be formally welcomed into the tribe. However, the Greyed Ones are also responsible for warning Lupian youths of the consequences of failure; banishment or death are all that await for those who stray from the Path or fail to return home alive.

Aside from politics, children, and faith, Lupian society is relatively egalitarian. Lupian males and females alike are not expected to pursue a specific occupation, neither are they restricted from any particular responsibility (save the aforementioned expectations). Lupian males and females alike can become hunters or warriors, builders or designers, miners or smiths, lumberjacks or carpenters, scientists or explorers. Sex in Lupian society is not strictly associated with occupation-the only gender norms that exist vary between each tribe, sometimes quite wildly. For some Lupian groups, the roles of childrearing, politics, and faith are reversed, with Lupian males taking responsibility of politics and tribal governance while Lupian females are in charge of raising and teaching their children, ensuring proper adherence to the faith, and issuing appropriate punishment to those who stray from the Path. 

Regardless of established gender norms and responsibilities, one trait is universal for all Lupians across the planet; Annör Lupi’i and all that walks upon it, are considered sacred. Everything given or taken from the planet must be done so with the utmost respect. This notion of complete and utter reverence to the land confounds even the most experienced intergalactic sociologists, as they cannot fathom how the Lupian people could have developed their technology while still adhering to this strict ideology. The usage of spaceships, sophisticated projectile weapons such as their renowned Photon Bow or Nightstalker Sniper Rifle, and the construction of pristine buildings made of metal, glass, and stone seems impossible for a society as ecologically focused  as the Lupians. Yet, Lupian society continues to grow and prosper across their planet.

The Ursanites (URR-suh-NEYE-teh)

Members of Annör Lupi’i’s other principal species, the Ursanites, are far different from their canine counterparts. The Ursanites do not live under a flexible, egalitarian society where responsibilities can shift based on local rulings. Ursanites live under a strictly stratified society, where males and females have distinct roles and responsibilities that hardly shift. Likewise, Ursanite society is organized into a series of independent clans. Each clan has their own chief, with the most powerful of the clans hosting the ÖberFangr (OHH-ber-FAYN-gerr). Loosely translating into “the hardest to kill,” the ÖberFangr is viewed as the supreme chief who is able to exercise control over the rest of clans whenever they deem it necessary. 

Ursanite Culture

Ursanite males are responsible for raiding and pillaging local settlements (including other Ursanite strongholds) for resources and conquest while also battling against the various creatures on the planet. Meanwhile, female Ursanites hold two main responsibilities: raising their young and forging weapons. In Ursanite society, females are viewed as physically stronger than their male counterparts and are thus expected to survive raising their young longer than their male spouses would. Additionally, due to the discrepancy in body mass between the two sexes, female Ursanites are taught at a young age that they are expected “to swing a hammer harder than slash a sword”. Therefore, Ursanite females must be willing to forge any and all weapons and armor for their clan’s raiders. Although it is rarely disputed that Ursanite females could win against their male counterparts in any fight, it is customarily forbidden for females to be raiders as it is believed that “if the women fought our wars, the whole planet would be burned to ash”.

Violence is deeply entrenched within Ursanite culture. For one, unlike their Lupian adversaries, Ursanites do not hold such intimate ties to their lands. Ursanite belief dictates that although it is in one’s best interest to take care of their lands and properties, they can be used as one sees fit, so long as it does not conflict with the orders of their chief or the ÖberFangr. Similarly, if a clan’s property or lands are taken by another clan through raiding, warfare, or conquest, unless that (or another) clan can take the pillaged property back, it is forfeit. Every clan—and by extension, every Ursanite—adheres to the right of conquest where if one wants something, they must take it by force. 

Navigating any sort of disagreement is similarly handled through bloodshed within Ursanite society. For example, if a clan’s chief has a disagreement with another clan’s chief, they are allowed, expected even, to wage war and shed blood to resolve the disagreement. Whichever clan that comes out of the resulting battle(s) with the fewest losses wins the conflict. Ursanites of lower status are similarly expected to handle any and all disagreements with violence. As a result, many Ursanites (both male and female) tend to practice polygamy, as more than one couple has “lost” their partner(s) from a disagreement or domestic dispute. In short, unless one is ready to brutally fight over virtually every conceivable situation, it is in one’s best interest to avoid contact with members of the Ursanite clans at all costs.