Caullichaust-V

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Object Name: CAULLICHAUST-V (COW-lih-COST FEYE-VEH)

Celestial Classification: Class D Planet, Desert

Planetary Size: ~58613.113152 kmd or 4.6 times the size of LE

Number of Moons: 37 Asteroids that are just within the planet’s orbit

Rotational Period: 38 ESH (38 hours per day)

Orbital Period: 405 PRY (planetary rotations per year)

Atmospheric Conditions: Category II

Population Size and Diversity: +5,000,000,000 Inhabitants (Caulans, Hastisapiens, Miscellaneous Species)

Technology Level: Level III (Hastisapiens) Level IV (Caulans) 

Caullichaust-V is a large, sand-strewn planet home to some of the most violent and bloodthirsty species in the Galaxy. Hot, arid, and with low atmospheric pressures and gravity levels, Caullichaust-V is a planet that actively tries to kill off all who walk upon it. Its seas of sands are only impeded by the local Caulans, whose large gladiatorial pits terraform unrelenting hills of silt and sediments into hard, dry earth. Violent windstorms and skyquakes rock Caullichaust-V’s terrain, making the planet’s already unstable surface a particularly challenging landing zone for even the most experienced pilots.  

Caullichaust-V is a world whose environments, organisms, and weather patterns seem hell-bent on burning away all sentient life on its surface. Its superheated seas of hot, unforgiving sands make it difficult for agricultural development of any kind. Only a few steadfast societies persist on the planet, with the Caulan and the Hastisapien being the most notable. Typically, both civilizations try to center themselves around Caullichaust-V's occasional oases. The largest of these refuges that have not disappeared are currently metropolitan hotspots. In particular, the Caulan city of Helöit (hell-OYY) is the largest and most connected municipality in the entire planet and is considered the center point for all Caulan affairs.

Caullichaust-V is surrounded by approximately 37 asteroids floating on the edge of the planet’s gravitational orbit. Viewed by the locals as the “The Angered Arbiters,” these inhospitable pieces of space debris are believed to be the remnants of a gigantic landmass ejected generations ago. Hastisapien mythology dictates that Caullichaust-V was once a vibrant world, home to many microbiomes of unique flora, fauna and peoples. However, at some undetermined point, large chunks of Caullichaust-V’s terrain fractured and shot out into space. This catastrophic event, now colloquially referred to as “The Undoing,” lifted tons of soil, sediment, and fiery remains into Caullichaust-V’s lower atmosphere, blanketing its skies in dust and fire. It is believed that this led to the withering and death of the majority of Caullichaust-V’s organisms, with nearly all the planet’s plant life being completely eradicated. Thus, the remaining desiccated husks slowly formed Caullichaust-V’s scorching surface, culminating in a completely transformed world with few reminders of what came before.

The Caulan (COW-lan)

The Caulan, the dominant native species on Caullichaust-V, thrive through the slave trade. In contrast to their Hastisapien neighbors, Caulan folklore dictates that Caullichaust-V was always a desert world, and were only able to slowly terraform the planet through technological ingenuity Caulan benevolence. However, they maintain that through the treachery and wastefulness of the enslaved Hastisapiens, Caullichaust-V’s ecological prosperity was short-lived. As such, Caulan folklore dictates that every aspect of the planet’s hostile nature is the direct result of their subject's insubordination.

Caulan Culture

Caulan culture is centered on combative ruthlessness and enslaving other species. Their culture dictates that they are inherently superior to all other species that live on Caullichaust-V. Moreover, the Caulan believe that any species who happen to land on Caullichaust-V, regardless of motive or cause, forfeit their right to self-governance and free-will the moment their craft settles on the planet’s surface. To the Caulan, the order of their world is simple: unless one can fend off the Caulan’s military might, they are destined to be submissive and therefore deserve a life of obedience and servitude. 

Caulan society is based on earning one’s rights and privileges through force. This is often displayed through the ownership of other beings, primarily slave laborers and indentured servants. Gender norms, outside of procreation, are of minimal impact within Caulan society. Treating other beings as property and dominating others through excessive force is expected for all Caulans, regardless of gender. As such, Caulan males and females are equally expected to structure their lives exclusively around their self-interests, and own beings from other planets. Proving one’s superiority to other beings, regardless of species, origin, or political ties, is the cornerstone of Caulan civilization. 

Caulan Conflict Resolution

Within each of the large Caulan cities lie grand gladiatorial pits. Here, Caulan slaves battle for their master’s entertainment, spilling blood and sinew for a wide audience. However, Caulan fighters seldom clash in open, unorganized combat. Inter-metropolitan warfare is incredibly rare, as the most prominent slave fighters are champion warriors, fighting on behalf of their owners to settle any dispute. In other words, Caulan conflict resolution is deeply rooted in gladiatorial combat. If a problem arises between one Caulan city, official, or individual and another, their most skillful slave fighters will battle for their master's reputation. Instead of justice being achieved through an official court system, Caulan's settle their differences through representative combat. 

The resulting victor of these fights (often at the violent demise of the other combatant) thus gains victory for their master and their interests within the particular feud. However, although Caulan citizens rarely enter the gladiatorial pits themselves, two situations exist that warrant direct combat. The first situation occurs if a Caulan is ill-prepared for a gladiatorial fight. If a Caulan without slaves (or an adequate amount of slave fighters) is challenged by another Caulan (with or without slave warriors) then they must fight in the pits. The second exception to slave-on-slave combat relies on personal feuds. If a Caulan wants to personally challenge their disputed counterpart, and the other conflicting member agrees, then both involved parties may fight to the death to solve their dispute.

The Hastisapiens (HAH-stee-SAY-pee-ANs)

The Hastisapiens,  other indigenous sentient species on Caullichaust-V, are often victims of the Caulan’s oppression and cruelty. Primarily a tribal people, the Hastisapiens live amongst the highest dunes and outcroppings of the Átrocítûe (AAHH-tro-SEE-TEH-yew) Desert. A nomadic species, they often migrate across their arid homelands in large groups to prevent being kidnapped or murdered by Caulan raiders. Their culture is matrilineal yet patriarchal, with Hausti males being their primary military force. Seemingly destined to become fierce warriors, Hausti males are charged with protecting their families and neighbors from their hostile homelands. Meanwhile, Hausti females are the primary hunters and gatherers for their tribes, and use their intimate knowledge of landscape to collect necessary foodstuffs and water to survive. However, despite these distinct gender roles, Caulan slavers are indiscriminate with whom they try to abduct. To the Caulan, Hausti males and females are equally worth sequestering to their large cities for a lifetime of humiliation and servitude. As such, Hausti warriors and hunters alike seek to protect their families from a fate they consider worse than death.