Khakii-II

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Object Name: KHAKII-II (CAW-keye TOO)

Celestial Classification: Class C Planet, Savannah Grassland

Planetary Size: ~22298.46696 kmd or 1.75 times the size of LE

Number of Moons: 1; YUROS (YEW-ross), Class b Moon, Stormy Oceanic ~5211.3777405 kmd or 1.5 times the size of Lunar 1

Rotational Period: 23 ESH (23 hours per day)

Orbital Period: 304 PRY (planetary rotations per year)

Atmospheric Conditions: Category III

Population Size and Diversity: 2,500,000,000 Inhabitants (Heitherins) 

Technology Level: Level III (Heitherins) 

Khakii-II is a dry world where only the most durable species of flora and fauna reside. Its enormous swaths of arid grasses are only interrupted by the small valleys, open savannahs, and periodic rivers that dot its landscape. Khakii-II possesses a complex river system where virtually every waterway is interconnected. As such, very little of the planet is not surrounded by flowing rivers and streams. Even the planet’s infamous Sea of Seeds—the area where the planet’s native grasses and grains stretch for endless kilometers—is bordered by Khakii-II’s most prominent perennial rivers, the Kor’bodok (KORR-BOH-dohck) and the Khlef’nïffe (KLEH-eff-NEE-ffeh). Throughout Khakii-II’s dry seasons, the Kor’bodok and Khlef’nïffe provide steady streams of water across the planet, earning them the title “the lifeblood of the savannah land,” among the locals. 

Khakii-II’s other prominent biome is its gigantic swaths of grasslands. Located near the nexus of its river systems, Khakii-II’s large fields of grasses, shrubs and grains are only tempered by the voracious appetites of the local herbivorous species. Many larger settlements are also located within the grasslands, for the consistent access to waterways, coupled with a plethora of grains and nuts, allows easy cultivation of crops. This dependable source of sustenance has attracted many of Khakii-II’s sentient population, the Heitherin, to these areas, where they have built many permanent settlements. 

Khakii-II is a medium sized savannah and grassland world. Its arid climate and low annual rainfall make the majority of the planet difficult to inhabit, and the majority of the planet’s population lives in close proximity to the vast network of rivers, streams, and deluges scattered across the landscape. Due to its aridity, most of Khakii-II’s inhabitants prefer to stick close to the river lands. As the local saying goes, “the rivers are your blood,” and most of Khakii-II’s residents prefer to not to test this theory. 

Outside of its lusher areas, Khakii-II is dotted with multiple patches of dry savannah landscape, where only the most brittle of grasses, trees, and bushes survive. Few animals live in these areas, save a few resilient reptilian and avian species. The species that do reside there seem to prefer to stake their territory near the local watering holes whenever possible, both for steady sustenance, and, in the case of the few predatory species that prowl the area, predictable access to prey. 

Heitherin cities, despite being made of mud and clay bricks, have expansive crops fields located within. Additionally, the relative stability and sustainability of the local water supply has allowed the Heitherin to make surprising technological advancements without consistent access to rare minerals or fuel sources. They believe that all they need can be found through the river and the lands that accompany them. As such, the various Heitherin clans have taken to calling themselves “the River People,” denoting their close ties with the rivers as intimate, inarguable and irrevocable. 

Yuros, Khakii-II’s moon, is quite different from the planet it orbits. Yuros is a medium-sized, stormy moon, with few landmasses located in its expansive oceans. Its many seasonal storms cause the moon to be incredibly dangerous, as the gigantic waves and powerful winds  propagating the moon’s surface make it incredibly difficult to establish permanent settlements. 

As such, the majority of Yuros' inhabitants live exclusively within medium freighter ships, periodically landing on small land strips to refuel and resupply. 

Most of these wayward survivors survive by fishing and hunting for some of the moon’s largest aquatic game. To do this, survivors would carefully pilot their ships just above the crest of the highest waves and lie in wait. This task is quite dangerous however, as Yuros’ wave patterns are anything but predictable, and some of its more aggressive and titanic aquatic species are known to attack any ships not armed enough to fend them off. Many shipmasters who have survived many attacks from the moon’s larger lifeforms tend to tattoo or mark themselves or their ships in some way as mementos to their multiple adventures. 

The Heitherin (HEE-thur-INN)

Khakii-II’s principal sentient species is the Heitherin. The Heitherin have large, durable skin and thick shell-like armor plates located on their chest and backs, protecting most of their vital organs. When threatened, they are known to contort their bodies to protect their vital organs from potential physical damages, curling their arms, legs, and even their heads into their armored shells.  They are rough, robust, and acutely aware that they are aptly suited to their local environments. 

Heitherin Social Structures

Heitherins organize themselves into multiple clanships, relating to each other through their mother’s bloodlines. Each clan is organized into smaller sections, or “plots” within itself. Each plot is organized through a distinct household, each appointing a “Seed Sower” who speaks on behalf of the household. Though there is no gender requirement for this role, the Seed Sower is typically female. The Seed Sower, while being responsible for speaking on their family’s behalf, is also in charge of organizing and maintaining their household’s main crop for the season.  

Meanwhile, it is typical that a particular clan’s leader is drawn from the local male population. Though it is exceedingly rare, there have been some instances where a prominent female Seed Sower was selected to be their clan's leader. In summary, Heitherin societies are patriarchal in their collective governance structure but matrilineal and matrilocal in local organization. 

Every clan is distinctly represented by one of the planet’s most prominent features, be that plant, animal, or landmark. However, each of the clan leaders are not only responsible for upholding the honor of their clan and the accuracy of their symbol (ensuring that the people live by “the way” of their family’s crest) but also ensure that their particular feature is safeguarded from other species. In other words, if a clan’s symbol is a landmark, then that landmark is considered holy to that clan, and must be protected from all potential damage or intrusion from other clans. If a clan’s symbol is a particular plant or animal, then that clan is charged with protecting and cultivating that organism above all else. 

Because of this protective philosophy, some Heitherin clans have taken incredibly militant stances against other nearby clans to protect their interests. To the Heitherin, there is no greater shame than having one’s symbol desecrated and damaged, and the only punishment for such negligence is banishment. Those who are banished become the “Kinless,” and are doomed to wander the dry landscapes of Khakii-II without any hope of outside aid.