Sphere of Influence

The following star systems are currently under Visitor occupation or otherwise within the Visitor sphere of influence.

Gomesia: Once home to a retreat and new colony world, now abandoned.
Mekbuda: Once home of the K’zzizk Protectorate, now extinct.
Monercerous: System used for military task forces and billeting.
Pixis, Antila, and Alfaro: Home of the Piltanus and the Oolot Condordium.
Procyon: Convoy route and military training zone.
Puppis, Azmidiske, and Markeb: Home of the Veern and the Veern Confederation.
Sirius: Home of Sirius IV and the Visitors.
Sol: Home of Earth and homo sapiens.
Subra: A star with a single planet whose moon houses a Penal colony.

Sirian History

Few written accounts remain of the early events of Sirius IV, since the majority of historic records were destroyed following the Supreme Leader’s assumption of power. However, there is enough evidence to trace some of the beginnings of Sirian society.

The Sirians were originally a peaceful people flourishing in the lush environment of their world. Sirian society was divided into tribal elements, with certain tribes responsible for cultivating the planet’s land and growing crops to feed the entire world. These tribes subsequently pursued science and invention, advancing the technology of Sirius IV. But at the same time, the jungle-dwelling tribes began to segregate themselves, rejecting science and instead choosing Spartan lives of fitness, combat prowess, and self-sufficiency.

Eventually the planet’s tribes combined in two main groups. The House of Raman included of the military leaders, while the House of Xon consisted of the scientific peoples. The House of Raman moved out of the jungles and soon gained power and influence and subsequently labeled the House of Xon a "renegade house," calling for the execution or exile of its members. A bloody civil war ensued, but the House of Raman was eventually victorious. The Sirian military became the dominant class in Sirian society.

With the planet conquered, the military cast its gaze out into the vastness of space. Although the Sirians possessed the beginnings of an advanced civilization and the rudiments of space travel, they still lacked the knowledge for interstellar voyages. So when the more advanced K’zzizk (pronounced sic) made first contact, the Sirians eagerly joined their federation of allied worlds. Sirians served aboard K’zzizk starships, quickly learning the new technologies and biding their time...

At the right moment, the Sirians made their strategic rebellion. Taking control of a K’zzizk task force, they attacked the K’zzizk home world, demanding that the K’zzizk turn over all their space freighters and bases. The K’zzizk were unprepared for war and capitulated, but their allies did not. For almost a year a military balance existed while the Sirians’ smaller but more advanced fleet fought the Oolot and Veern, whose strength lay in their sheer numbers. It was then that a charismatic military officer, known simply as "the Leader" turned the tide of battle for the Sirians. Massive suicide missions were conducted against the Oolot and Veern home systems, and they petitioned for peace. The Sirians claimed victory.

The Leader and his companions then took control of Sirius IV itself by assassinating top-ranking officials and assuming control of the military, government, and the entire planet. Although the Sirian public protested, they were too war-weary to put up heavy resistance to the Supreme Leader’s new order. The Leader then focused the industrial complex of Sirius IV to become a vast war machine. Using slave labor from conquered worlds and raw materials from the K’zzizk protectorates the Leader amassed a staggering war fleet of mother ships and other space vessels. Then the real bloodshed began, as the Sirian military planted its flag on planet after planet, star system after star system. Whole worlds were devastated and depopulated as the Leader’s thirst for power grew in proportion to his victories.

Meanwhile, Sirius IV suffered from severe food shortages, attacks from vengeful enemies, and a war that drafted one quarter of its population to serve and die on alien worlds. Finally, a dramatic turn for the worse occurred that would shake the foundation of Sirian life and prompt a daring mission: A K’zzizk nationalist group managed to regain control of one of its space freighters and smuggle an anti-matter device aboard. The ship managed to evade the defensive perimeter and battle satellites of Sirius IV, and the bomb was delivered to its target. The catastrophic explosion ripped through one third of Sirius IV’s surface, killing millions and destroying the entire military complex located on the far side of the planet. The Leader retaliated instantly, ordering the K’zzizk home world razed and her people killed.

The K’zzizk perished, but they had taken their revenge. The Sirian public revolted, demanding an end to the Leader’s expansionism. Instead, the Leader made them a promise. He had located a new home for the Sirian people — one much like their own but infinitely richer. He would secure this new world for them, he vowed, or relinquish his power. The populace agreed grudgingly, and a fleet of fifty mother ships departed to conquer a shiny, water planet in the Sol system.

The Home World

The fourth planet in the Sirius system is the only body in the system capable of sustaining life. The planet’s single moon is marginally hospitable for life. Sirius IV rotates in 37.5 standard hours and revolves in 389 standard days. Average mean temperature is 29 degrees Celsius and seasonal variation is minimal.

The tropical biosphere of Sirius IV is currently severely compromised as a result of heavy industrialization, overuse of natural resources, and the effects of prolonged war. The only significant bodies of water are located inland as landlocked oceans. On the shores of these oceans are the major centers of population, trade, and commerce. Bordering the oceans are vast jungles that mark the origins of the Sirian people. The planet topography is unremarkable and fairly uniform, excepting a few low mountain ranges and the polar regions.

Since the emergence of reptile life as the dominant species, all mammal life has been virtually exterminated from the planet. Some species, such as the Slon (similar to a Terrestrial pig) and the Grook (a rodent) have been bred for food, but the bulk of Sirian sustenance comes from synthetically-augmented vegetable matter. The Qomp (similar to a Terrestrial ape, but marsupial) has been trained for centuries to perform menial labor for the Sirians.

Capitol city Murkat, home to the Supreme Leader, is located on the shore of the largest inland ocean, Kaal-a-Mat ("Blanket of Life"). The average Sirian citizen has never visited Murkat nor even seen the Leader. Access to Murkat is restricted due to assassination attempts and other security risks. Alliance groups are known to operate from bases deep within the jungles. The far side of Sirius IV was once the site of all military operations, but has since been rendered uninhabitable due to an anti-matter explosion. All operations and military expeditions are now launched from Sirius IV’s small moon, and all incoming craft must first dock there.