Official Quman Space Navy (QSN) Profile

Affiliation #25

Racial Affiliation

The Qumans and Oduds

The Qumans are a spacefaring race native to the planet Oduds in the 
Drell system of the Capellan Periphery. Understanding the Qumans requires 
a knowledge of the conditions under which life evolved on their planet.

Compared to Earth, Oduds is a heavy gravity world with a dense atmosphere. 
Seasons are marked by meteorological changes.  A constant wind sweeps 
across the planet at 50-200 kilometers per hour.  This wind is generated 
at the equator where temperatures rise as high as 175 degrees. The 
resultant updraft literally sucks the air down from the poles.   For 
half the year, the planet is overcast with violent electrical storms 
in the upper atmosphere.  However, due to the intense wind, little 
of the precipitation from these storms falls as rain.  Instead, the 
planet is bathed in a fine mist for days on end.

The storms diminish and skies clear as Oduds moves further from the 
sun. Throughout the remaining year precipitation falls mainly at the 
poles, as hail.  Hailstones pile-up, rebuilding the ice caps that 
have melted away during the stormy Oduds summer.

That's Quman, with a Q...

Although Qumans are often described as yellow skinned humanoids, the 
Qumans consider this comparison insulting.  They are quick to point 
out they are not human.

Despite its general similarity to humans, Qumans are totally unlike 
them in the details of their anatomy.  The most obvious examples can 
be seen in the manual and pedal appendages and in the unusual sensory 
organs located on the Quman head.  Both the hand and foot have 6 digits.
Two tendril-like, retractile sensory appendages extend outward from either 
side of their head in the region of their temples.  The ends of these 
appendages contain receptor \cells sensitive to the type of electrochemical 
pulses associated with normal Quman brain activity.  When two or more 
Qumen link their "antennae", a conduit forms through which direct 
mind to mind communication is possible.

Internally Qumans differ from humanoids in that they have no heart.
They have six, two-chambered "heartlets", three on either side of their 
body.  Operating sequentially in pairs, these heartlets maintain the 
flow of blood throughout the Quman body. 

Finally, Quman reproduction requires 3 genders.  Two of these provide 
the genetic material, while the third actually bears the young, which 
are always born as fraternal twins.  It is widely believed that the 
third gender is of a lower intelligence level than the other two, 
but owing to the extreme dislike the Qumans have for discussing their 
personal habits, this remains unsubstantiated.

What's in a Name?

Quman society is founded on the extended family. Some Quman families 
can trace their ancestry back to the earliest written records.

Quman families are intensely territorial, and even before the establishment 
of fixed dwellings, each family staked out its own tract of land, 
savagely defending their parcel against any trespasser.  The Qumans 
built city-fortresses to control territory and then developed agriculture 
as the most effective means to sustain the city.

The acendency of the city-fortress affected every aspect of Quman 
life.  Families joined to form tribes lead by autocrats, the chief 
of which was called a Coilox.  His primary responsibility concerned 
the division of labor.  The new lifestyle demanded specialization 
on a level never before experienced by Qumans, so the dictates of 
the Coilox came to have the force of law.

Qumans adapted to the city-fortress lifestyle so sell that the world 
population soared in a few generations.  The initial response to the 
increased population was war, but with a uniquely Quman twist.

Recognizing no religion, the Qumans did share a number of common practices.
Among these was an hexannual gathering of clans and families at a place 
called Pytfetisk for the purpose of bringing each family's history 
up to date. Pytfetisk was the Quman equivalent to a sacred place, 
where ancient records were preserved. Qumans observed special rules 
of conduct here to limit the chance that conflict might result in 
damage to this place and its contents.

Approximately 600 years ago, at the Pytfetisk gathering,  representatives 
of the major Quman families, concerned over the increase in devastation 
being wrought by improved military technology, set guidelines for 
warfare.  A new gathering place was erected at Unitredd. Here families 
would meet to discuss a uniform code for conducting war between the 
cities of Oduds.

The Unitredd Council convened every six years.  Though its authority 
was largely ceremonial, its rules were universally recognized.  The 
council even extended its authority to mediating peace.  With such 
responsibility, the Council met more frequently, until a standing 
body of Councilors, chosen for life, became the planetary government 
of Oduds.

The Quman Space Navy

Commerce between cities flourished under the Unitredd Council. Elaborate 
gift giving ceremonies developed wherein the wealthiest Qumans flaunted 
their status by giving away vast stockpiles of luxury items.

The Unitredd Council promoted a space program to extend Quman habitation 
to all planets of their system.  At this point, a decade ago, the 
first human ships from the Stellar Empire, made contact with the Qumans. 
The Unitredd Council encouraged human contact to expose the Qumans 
to advanced technologies.

The first human affiliation to make contact with the Qumans was the 
SSL.  Shrewdly sizing up the situation, the SSL persuaded the Qumans 
to believe an exclusive trade contract with the SSL was in their best 
interests.  Naively the Unitredd Council agreed, and a treaty was 
signed.

The SSL established a base, SSL Rendezvous, on Oduds. Here the Qumans 
brought their LUXURY GOODS to barter for SSL high tech items.  However 
the benefits of human contact were slow to arrive.  Yet the SSL demanded 
an ever greater percentage of Quman goods for a diminishing return.  The 
Unitredd Council complained.

To stave off a confrontation until reinforcements could arrive, Rendezvous 
sent emissaries to stir up resentment among the rival Coiloxes.  This 
succeeded so well that the Qumans took to arming themselves with SSL 
weapons and began to fight each other.  The Unitredd Council collapsed 
under the weight of the dissention.

With unity broken, Qumans became easy prey for the SSL.  They became 
virtual slaves. However, a kernel of resistance survived. Led by Cortom, 
Kreyn, and Lixn, the Unitredd Council was reformed.  Stocks of weapons 
were gathered and hidden.  Due to the Quman mind link ability, when 
the rebellion came it took the SSL by surprise. Rendezvous was taken 
in a single week.  The governor barely escaped. 

With Oduds again under Quman control, the Unitredd Council directed 
steps to defend the planet against human retaliation. The first step 
involved issuing a proclamation that declared the Qumans a free sovereign 
nation, subject only to the dictates of the Unitredd Council. The 
Qumans now claimed ownership of the Drell System.  The next step involved 
channeling the resources of Oduds to the defense of Quman cities, 
and the Drell System at large.

The Qumans copied the technology left behind at Rendezvous. However, 
a space force was necessary to ensure adequate protection.  The Council 
thereby created the Quman Space Navy and charged it with the development, 
construction, and arming of starships.

With the SSL stretched by their efforts to gain a foothold in the 
Transhole, they eschewed action against the Qumans. Likewise the Imperials 
were rebuilding after the Flagritz wars.  Noone actively contested 
the Quman's claims.

In 188 and 189 new and improved starships were developed. To offset 
the numerical advantage of the Stellar Empire, the Council sought 
to improve its relations with disaffected human and non-human affiliations 
outside the Capellan Periphery.  Late in 189 the IMP began to protest 
the Quman's trade with the DTR, RIP and certain TCA members. The Unitredd 
Council took the position that the Qumans were an independent soverign 
race, not forbidden by treaty from trading with anyone.  They said 
the IMP posted list had no validity under Quman law.  The IMP, tied 
up with other wars, took no action until mid-190.

When QSN intelligence learned of a planned SSL-SAM attack on the moonship 
Farnham's Kind, Quman ships were sent to aid the defense of the artifact 
against their old nemesis, the SSL. With a portion of the QSN away, 
the IMP chose to strike.  The Drell system was declared a war zone 
and the IMP announced the annexation of the Drell system.

In week 21, 190 the Imperial fleet blockading Oduds intercepted the 
majority of the QSN fleet.  They captured or destroyed 5 out of 7 
QSN ships. Joined by the SSL and GTT they sought to subjugate the 
planet.  The Quman capitol of Unitredd was bombarded but the attack 
was repulsed with both the GTT and IMP suffering the loss of capitol 
ships.

Nevertheless, the loss of their fleet proved a setback the Qumans 
could not easily overcome.  Rather than suffer the effects of a sustained 
siege, the Unitredd Council opted to sue for peace.

The Stellar Empire forced a disasterous treaty upon the QSN to end 
the war.  Particularly onerous to the Qumans were provisions forcing 
them to abandon their claim to their home system, retaining control 
of their planet Oduds.  They were also forced to accept the sovereignty 
of Imperial Law over Quman law, except in matters of internal affairs. 
Accepting full blame for the war and its consequences, the Supreme 
Coilox left Oduds in late 190, entering voluntary exile for life.

A new government came into power in 191. Vowing to regain their home 
system, the new Supreme Coilox announced the resumption of talks with 
the Imperials, the reorganization and reconstruction of the QSN, and 
a number of racial goals called the Quman Doctrine.

Long Term Goals

(Short & Long term goals are jointly termed the Quman Doctrine)

1) Reassert and maintain Quman ownership of the Drell 
System, by any means, at any cost; and, defend the Sovereign Authority 
of the Unitredd Council over its planets, moons, habitable bodies, 
and the Deep Space throughout.

2) Create a breathable atmosphere on every habitable 
body in the Drell System, and install appropriate indigenous lifeforms 
and a thriving Quman population on each.

3) Establish and maintain beneficial relations with 
all known sentient species, especially those whose physical or psychological 
profile permits contact only with non-human races.

4) Support the right of every sentient race to attain 
self determination; its right to protect its laws and customs; and 
promote the extention of free trade and transit to all known systems.

5) Become a major supplier of rare commodities and 
luxury goods, and the principal manufacturer of fast, efficient transport 
vessels for the bulk carriers of the Capellan Periphery, Transhole, 
and TCA region.

Short Term Goals

1) Negotiate a new treaty with the IMP, granting more favorable terms
to the Qumans.

2) Peacefully acquire trading and exploration rights throughout the
TCA area, Transhole, and Capellan Periphery, including the right to own
and operate one or more colonies in each area.

3) Raise all Quman colonies to class 6 or higher, and construct at least
one class 8 shipyard somewhere in the Drell system.

Political Organization

The Unitredd Council is composed of representatives appointed for 
life, from every city-state on the planet Oduds.  It has the power 
to make laws, regulate commerce, and direct affairs of state.

The Quman Space Navy is the active instrument of the Unitredd Council.  Its 
primary mission is the accomplishment of the goals, aims, and ambitions 
embodied by the Quman doctrine. In order to better serve this end 
the following officers are appointed:

Maalox - directs the exploration and development of the major 
planets in the home system.  He controls the distribution of planetary 
resources on Oduds and is responsible for its defense. He also acts 
as ambassador to the Stellar Empire.

Dreddlox - responsible for exploration and development of the 
lesser bodies in the home system as well as the exploration and defense 
of the home system at large.  He serves as Emissary to the races and 
affiliations of the Transhole region.

Exlox - Manages the technological development of the QSN, directing 
research.  He is further in charge of the expansion of foreign trade 
and colonization outside the Drell system, and the defense of the 
merchant fleet and trading colonies.  He is the Emissary to the TCA.

All three officers have plenipoteniary powers, and have been extended 
the priviledge of signing documents of state in the name of Lord Cortom, 
Supreme Coilox of the Unitredd Council.

Laws of the Unitredd Council

1. The Drell System (43) and all its contents is claimed by the Unitredd 
Council as the exclusive domain of the Quman race.

2. The resources of the planet Oduds will be managed by the Directors 
f the QSN for the benefit of all Qumans.  No further debts or taxes 
will be levied.

3. No warship or armed vessel of any other nation, of a size in excess 
of 48 hulls, may operate within the Dress System (43) without the 
permission of the Director of the QSN.

4. The use, transport, or sale of slaves is banned within the Drell 
System (43).

5. In accordance with ancient tradition, PRISONERS, execpt those found 
guilty of war crimes, may be placed on a colony market for ransom.

6. No Quman within the Drell System (43) will engage in or support 
piracy against any government or individual.

Regulations of the QSN

1. All  Quman hips and colonies are owned by the QSN.  Private ownership 
is not permitted, although existing treaties seemingly in violation 
of this law shall be valid.

2. All members of the QSN must abide by the regulations of the QSN 
and the terms of all treaties to which the QSN is a signatory.

3. QSN starcaptains will operate only Quman ship types, or other designs 
approved by the directors.

4. All QSN starcaptains must accept a director as coordinator in order 
to be promoted, assigned missions, and paid a salary, including ship 
upgrades, commensurate with rank.

5. Shipyards will not be built at QSN colonies without the permission 
of the Maalox.

6. QSN colonies within the Drell System (43), and all QSN ships and 
GP's are considered by the QSN to be extentions of the Quman Homeworld, 
Oduds, and are subject to Quman laws and regulations.

7. No QSN starcaptain will fail to respond to a call to arms for the 
defense of the Drell System (43).

Special Abilities

1) QSN colonies have a minimum morale of 40.

2) QSN ground forces receive a 30% increase in both long and short
range combat factors in ground combat.

3) QSN ship hulls are capable of holding 24 MU's each instead of 20 MU's.

4) The Qumans have spent centuries perfecting the technologies and
infrastructure to exploit and deliver the wealth and resources of their
native world, Oduds. Quman cities provide the Directors of the QSN access
to the wealth of the planet in the following manner:

a. QSN Unitredd(1439), QSN Starredd (2345), and QSN Techredd (1850) on
Oduds are declared Director Colonies.  Unitredd will be controlled by
the Maalox player; Starredd by the Dreddlox, and Techredd by the Exlox
only. The planet Oduds is closed to all further colonization.

b. The special complexes at Director Colonies are delivery points for
the combined output of the QUman cities.  Once annually, on week 45, each
director may reassign these special complexes, subject to GM approval.

c. The Maalox, Dreddlox, and Exlox will receive an annual budget not less
than 200,000 Stellars each, delivered on the first week of each year, from
the Quman cities. 

Shipbuilding

The QSN may build the following unique ship classes: 
Pinnace (37), Xebec (38), Felucca (39), and Ship of the Line (40).
In addition they may build the Galleon (25) and Merchantman (26).

Membership

Membership in the QSN is currently by invitation only. However, the 
directors are investigating other options to increase enrollment. 
