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The Silonians
Overview
The Silonians are a race of hexapedal, silicone-based, crystalline, intelligent organisms from the methane/carbon-cloud covered world of Vermell. The species is relatively young when compared to the rest of the galaxy, only having mastered interplanetary and interstellar travel some 300 years ago. They have colonized most habitable systems around their homeworld. Due to their biology, Silonians can only survive on high-temperature planets with thick carbon/sulfur/methane/hydrogen atmospheres, but also have the added benefit of being immune to most acids and high radiation. Silonians use the R-type reproductive strategy, with new Silonians being born from the Matriarchs of their species in massive egg-nests underground near thermal vents or radiation sources. Eventually, these eggs grow into small 3 legged organisms known as Cri'pups, which over time grow to become full-fledged Silonians. Cri'pups usually reach maturity after 4.5 months (One Silonian Year, also know as a Kel) While their skin is normally opaque, high levels of stress caused to a Silonian will cause their bodies to heat up, making their crystal skin translucent
Silonians use sulfuric acid, which usually appears on their homeworld in large bodies of liquid, as a solvent. Because of this, most planets that support carbon-based life are deadly cold and barren for the Silonians, and they require extensive life support to even visit such worlds.
Since sending their first colonist beyond their homeworld, The Silonians have engaged in a series of terraforming projects across various worlds with proper conditions to allow for the creation of thick carbon/sulfur/hydrogen atmospheres. Already 6 planets have been terraformed successfully beyond their homeworld, allowing for the propagation of large civilization centers such as that on Vermell.
Society and Culture
Silonian society is very Authoritarian and Hierarchical. Based on the tenants of technocratism, intelligence and skill are seen as valued attributes for all Silonians. Great importance is placed on the concepts of truth and logic, with punctuality being a core piece of Silonian conversational patterns. Despite the Technocratic foundation of their culture, the Silonians still live under an authoritarian, matriarchal regime segregated by casts. Much like Terran ants, the Silonians abide by the word and orders of the Matriarchs, who birth each and every Silonian, and by extension the 6 High Queens. Matriarchs, being in every aspect queens but by name and a such have their own level of autonomy, tend to each rule over their own individual star system, with subordinates known as Majors that direct and give orders to the lower cast of workers. Because of this, most Silonian workers display very little individuality, as they are almost biologically bound to the orders of the cast above them.
Most Silonians see the Six-pointed star as a universal symbol for their species, as it represents many aspects of Silonians themselves, such as the hexagonal molecular structure of their crystal exoskeleton, their six legs, the six main regions of their homeworld, their near worship of the Court of Queens, as well as the structure of their cities.
Silonian, like many species in the galaxy, live in large cities across their colonized planets. But instead of being situated near a body of water or particular resources, most Silonian cities are built near thermic vents, volcanos, radioactive veins of elements, or any area of significant geological or geothermal activity. This is so said cities can use the geological energy to power themselves as well as provide constant heating for the Silonian populace. This has added to the already strong cultural unity, allowing for a more autocratic, yet decentralized, form of government to form. This combined with Silonians unique psychology, created the foundation for the later rise of the modern Technocracy.
Physiology
As said, the Silonians are a race of hexapedal, silicone-based, crystalline, intelligent organisms from the acidic, Venus analog, planet of Vermell. The are far different from most carbon-based life, having an external skeleton of barium-silicon crystals (benitoite), joints and tendons made of natural Silicone rubber, with an internal composition of liquid zinc. The high-temperature nature of the Silionian body means they radiate massive amounts of heat energy and so they replenish this energy though three ways: absorbing ambient heat from their environment (slowest of the three ways), using chemosynthesis (hardest and least effective of the three) or through the consumption of radioactive minerals such as uranium, absorbing the alpha particles to supply them with the heat and energy to survive, while using a shell of boron in their body to control the fission process. This is the most common way of replenishing energy stores, effectively making Silonian miniature, natural, nuclear reactors. Uranium is found fairly commonly on the surface of worlds like Vermell, where ancient volcanic explosions brought the element to the surface crust. Usually, after consuming the uranium, Silonian internal structures will glow brightly enough to shine throgh their crystal skin.
The Silonian brain is made of and structures comparable to many modern computers, using micro-aluminum and graphene structures as neurological connections to send signals through.
Psychology
Modern-day Queens, Matriarchs, and Majors are the only creatures in the Technocracy with the ability to define their own purpose, and as such are given near supreme authority over all worlds within their respective star systems, planets, or places of work, including all that live within them. They are responsible for giving direction to their citizens, ensuring the wheels of Silonian society continue to move. This reliance on singular individuals has resulted in an extreme discrepancy of power between the people and their rulers, a discrepancy that the civilians of the Technocracy enjoy to the fullest extent, however. While individual Silonians do have some level of autonomy, they are all linked to their Majors and by extension, the Matriarchs and Queens. This also furthermore contributes to the extremely collectivist nature of Silonian society and culture.
