The Terrakey

A gigantic Agricultural Arkship vibin' out in the Red Nebula. Headed and overseen by a high court of enigmatic world-shapers known as the Exalted Court. Guarded by silent watchers, home to a biomechanical people.
== Etymology ==
A massive, commodious ship, preserving a resplendent catalog of agricultural and fauna samples. The ship is shaped much akin to a skeleton key.
== History ==
== Demographics ==
=== Population ===
==== Matari ====
A large bipedal cat-like species that is the primary leadership caste of the Terrakey. They have a resemblance lions, tigers, jaguars and other big cats but with distinct humanoid features in the face and body with a pair of glowing eyes.. Offsetting these features are the masks unique to each individual, acting as a badge of office or to identify the individual. It would not be untoward to refer to them as Sphynxes or Manticores. Most members of the species have wings, with the vast majority being feathered, some being membranous. Their legs end in bird-like talons. 
Due to their slow reproduction and solitary nature, they are a minority. 
Matari height ranges from 7 ft to 10 ft (213.36 cm to 304.8 cm) and weigh an average 414 lbs (75 kg).
Some noted genetic defects that crop up in Matari include Vestigial wings, shrunken 'cupid' wings, Feathered membrane wings, Scale keratin overgrowth and Albanism
==== Mainan ====
A Medium-sized biomechanical humanoid, a servitor species, now the general populace of the Terrakey. They bear a resemblance to other natives to the Gothic constellation in that they have distinctly humanoid features. Bearing mask-like faces that are unique to the individual and skin color that spans a wide selection, though all seem to fall into certain color pallets and an associated element, with a darker, desaturated shade at key joints and Either that or a different shade along the front of the torso. Their hair, eyes, a small crystal nodule between their collarbones and their exposed spine all softly glow.
Among the organized groups are Flamepriests and Forge Masters (Reds, browns, oranges) representing Fire, Star Mappers and Sky Sentinels (Greens, teals,) representing Air, Dredgers and Rock Fishers (Black, dark greys, purples) representing Earth and Sirens
Most members of the Mainan people are flightless, though there is a collection of uniquely grey colored individuals with hair and eyes the color of lightning that sport powerful feathered wings. These are Stormwardens.
==== Birdknights ====
=== Education ===
Education starts with the youth, educated in all subjects by their parents/parental figure up until adulthood, then typically graduates to personal mentorship from there. 
Curriculum varies between the three peoples, with Matari receiving advanced learning in multiple subjects (math, language, art, theology physics, chemistry, biology, history and physical education), Mainan receiving basic grasp in a smaller handful of subjects (math, language, theology, physics, biology, history and physical education) with the ability to extend their education through specialized mentorships, and the Birdknights receiving only a basic education (math, language, basic physics and biology and physical education) and the rest of their teaching put immediately into the art of warfare.
The initial education for Matari and Mainan is on average 20 years, but can go on for longer through specialized mentorship.  Birdknight education is 12 years, but combat training is forever.
It should be noted, however, Birdknights are not barred from furthering their education if they so please.
It should also be noted that the only peoples with a concept of group education are the birdknights, where the older, higher ranked and veterans give the freshly fledged combat training.
=== Religion ===
The Terrakey’s faith is from before the Arkship’s creation, from when the Matari were planet-born, and like its people, has survived and persisted through the millenia. It is a Polytheistic faith with 11 surviving deities. Of the surviving, one is respected above all, The Allfather. 
Worship is conducted through offerings to public and private shrines, usually involving incense, food, wine. Though more esoteric offerings have been noted, such as carvings, scrimshaw, poems, Stormsongs and the headplates, pelts and ivory of animals. However, recently with the inception of the Flamepriests, prayer accents the physical offering.
Notably, though not members of the pantheon, the Matari Overseers also have shrines which receive offerings.
Shrines take the form of the deity or Overseer’s image carved into stone, sometimes formed or painted in clay. To the outside eye, some of the deific and Overseer effigies look similar to each other. Perhaps to suggest that these ancient gods are bestial unto themselves.
== Language ==
==== Sa'tari ====
Spoken Language of the Matari. This is a complicated language spoken only by the Matari due to growling inflections and the private nature of its speakers.
==== Sa'red ====
The Language of markings that decorate the Matari, denoting their rank and power, using white as a primary signature color. More white that garbs a figure, the more powerful and dangerous the individual is. Some Mainan have adopted it as a threat display.
Some pale-colored Matari opt to not use this language, some even trying to hide their form if they are low ranked, or do not wish to appear threatening.
==== Ter'ren ====
A long since diverted strain of some long forgotten language, spoken by all peoples of the Terrakey. Has a spoken and written form, consisting of lines and dots.
==== Ter'red ====
The Language of markings that decorates everything else.
==== Ter'bas ====
A Language of pictagrams and imagery that cover walls to tell a story.
== Family Structure ==
==== Matari ====
The Matari are nominally the most solitary of the people who make up the population of the Terrakey, it is very rare for them to pair up even to work together, rarer still that they find romantic engagement, but when they do, they are loyal to their respective mate to the bitter end. 
The Two, though mated, will spend time away from eachother, continuing to oversee the region they were assigned to. Unless it is their regional partner, or one has been removed from duty.
Matari pups are taken care of by their parents, but if the region the Matari governs is in turmoil, they will send them to be taken care of elsewhere by the Nursery Guardians, Matari who have not been chosen as overseers.
Orphaned or abandoned pups may be adopted by a lone Matari and mentored acting as his, or her Protoge.
== Government and Politics ==
=== Government Structure ===
A Representative Democratic Feudal structure, with the Matari as heads of state. 
==== Overseer ====
One singular Matari governs the rest and makes the primary decisions, choosing who is overseer. And, as of recently also choosing and training members of the Flamepriests.
For the leader, Protoges are trained replacements, be it his, or her own offspring, or one chosen instead. This title and position can of course, be usurped. Be it by a singular challenger, or by the rest of the court fighting back against a cruel and unjust leader.
When the Leader steps down or is removed, the new leader takes all burdens and responsibilities, including the knowledge of all the dark secrets the Terrakey possesses, and the keycodes that make the Ark ship tick.
If the Leader falls ill, disappears or something else transpires that the Leader cannot attend his duties, the next highest ranked member of the court will temporarily take his or her place.
Not all Matari are Overseers, but all Overseers are Matari, those not chosen for the duty maintain the grounds of the courts, or pursue other tasks. However, there are noted instances where Mainan have made a municipality often in equal standing with their overseer, this is through the Mainan sect's sheer brute stubborness and due to the Overseer's general neglect and lack of communication. 
Matari are exclusively chosen as overseers due to their psionic capabilities that goes above and beyond what any one singular mainan or Birdknight is capable of. 
Each region of the Terrakey has, unless otherwise noted, a singular Overseer, his, or her office is referred to as a Court. This is the equivalent of a throne room, some Overseers may choose to take on a court or council to mediate and arrive to decisions.
However, in rare occurrences, the Overseers may come together to decide on more pressing things. Presently the head of the Overseers is Muchi Koda.
==== Flamepriests ====
Flamepriests - the hands of the Overseers - A recent addition to the government structure under Muchi Koda's purview, are the diplomatic entourages of the Matari, acting as both direct servants as well as being the Overseer's eyes, ears and carrying out his will, going out among the people to ferry his message or take the people's complaints and concerns to the Overseer. Which may result in the Overseer themselves getting physically involved. 
This results often in a handful of Flamepriests being assigned to or volunteering to work with each Overseer.
Their secondary duty is to act as a representative of the people in the court of the Matari, as well as represent a Matari if they cannot attend the court, themselves. And as of recently, being the emissaries and ambassadors for the Terrakey as a whole.
They also have the task of spreading and upholding the Terrakey's faith amongst its people, being well studied in the religion.
==== Taskmasters ====
These members of state are the direct handlers and administrators of the Birdknights. There are four Taskmasters, one for Blackguards, one for Skuas and Osp'reis, one for Ra'ven knights and one for Aqui'la. Leaving Songbirds to act as messengers and represent themselves.
=== Military ===
=== Economy ===
The Terrakey's economy is built on favors and trade for services, supplemented by a coin based currency. 
Currency 	Description 	Value
Luadimi 	half coin 	$5
Umideci 	full coin, two luadimi	$10
Hanericenti	Stack of ten Umideci 	$100
==== Industry ====
Because of the 'spacelocked' nature of the Terrakey, their industry is near exclusively what they themselves can create with materials on hand, and if that's not possible they trade and barter for the services. Nothing goes to waste. This also means that every product made is the highest quality possible with tradesmen taking pride and excellence in their work. As a shoddy item could just as much be their disadvantage as anyone else's. 
Quite literally a common question asked is "Would you trust your life with this item?".
The closest thing to mass produced goods in the Terrakey is anything created from metal, it is used in many utensils, tools, blades, armor, arms and armaments. Ironic, given the scarcity of the material. But its necessity in every day living has lead to other industries, such as Miners who space walk and carve out from the crust that coats the ships hull and Star-fishers who catch space rocks to haul in and strip them for materials. Even the rock is rendered down for chunks to carve and anything remains is made into fine sand.
But chiefest of the metal workers are the more industry-tier workers, the Forge-Engineers who convert the raw ore obtained to metal sheets and make all things necessary to repair the ship and service the skiffs.
Due to the Terrakey's no waste policy, they produce a plentiful market of textiles, paper, fabric, baskets, paint and charcoal. Supplementing an already excellent market of woodwork, stonemasonry, carving. 
Animal products are also frequent, primarily in pelts, bones and ivory.
===== Tabo =====
Fire weed, a zro infused crop cultivated exclusively for smoking pipes and incense with a bright pink smoke. Low grades are for more casual smoking, while higher grades are used by Magus for Dreamquesting, Dreamweaving, Mind/Vision walking, Clairvoyance and Divine Foretelling. 
Higher grades imbibed by those not psionically inclined get very wild, very lucid highs. Everything perceived looks decorated in florescent pink symbols, markings and graffiti. 
Frequent recreational use of higher grades runs the risk of making one psionically attuned. 
===== Taga =====
An alcohol distilled from grains, sugar and root crops. described colloquially as fire water, for its water-like quality and appearance and the intense burn when drinking it.
Often paired with fruits for flavor and extra sweetness, but the brave drink it straight.
==== Agriculture ====
Because they need to live off the land, all Mainan believe in personal gardens as well as community gardens, if they can't grow, then they raise livestock, or trade for their daily living, the Matari contribute strongly to this given their capability in controlling the land and creating the fauna.
==== Transportation ====
Mainan rely primarily on animals to transport, though they do have access to repaired skiffs and use that for long distance hauling, it's more economic to use beasts of burden. 
A Mainan skiff is "old world" technology, an open top boat-like vehicle, that was from the days of the Terrakey's initial creation, but they have since been heavily modified with a new engine that runs on biodiesel. They have aerial and aquatic utility with a weight limit of 10 tons. 
Some Starmappers however have figured out ways to link up several skiffs together to transport more material. Making a Convoy.
==== Energy ====
== Culture ==
=== Food ===
=== Literature ===
=== Philosophy ===
=== Music ===
On all echelons of the people that populate the Terrakey, music is widely enjoyed in all forms, it may as well be the lifeblood of the Terrakey. Shanties and group singing at parties and wakes, the quiet hymnal chanting of the Flamepriests, to the battle cant of the Birdknights, to the lone singers who stand alone and belt their soul out in the early mornings.
In less vocal fashion, instruments are also appreciated, though much of it is precussional form, there are wind instruments and stringed instruments among the number. Some are combined in strange fashion with one such among the farmers, a large, hollowed out gourd or piece of wood, making a hollow wooshing sound only to make an equally hollow whump on impact with the dirt. 
Even among a specialized group of Mainan called the "stormwardens" there is a form of singing. Turning their haunting warning calls into a form of singing to eachother over long distances, as the call carries quite the distance. "The Song of Storms" its called.
=== Theater ===
In lieu of cinema, The Terrakey enjoys very dramatic plays, opera and theater. Public displays take advantage of acoustics, with powerful singing and wild dancing of flowing dress and veils. More private venues with a selected attendance play host to possibly the most dramatic displays of bright, bold costume and words, much akin to Noh theater, for more music centric shows, the Matari and Mainan have their own separate forms of bellydancing. 
Sword dances are also heavily present, often with accompanying plays, playing out epic battles with giant puppets. 
=== Sports ===