The Sora

## Overview

The Sora are a highly advanced and long-lived species who originated from the planet Sorall and are the founders of the Mission. They can be found mostly in Mission and Red Mission space.

## Physical Appearance

The Sora are a species of mammalian creatures with a slender build and violet skin. They are considered to be one of the most beautiful species by others, even by some species that have totally different aesthetic values. The Sora have a variety of shades of violet skin ranging from deep purple to more pale pastels.

## Lifespan and Aging

The Sora are known for their exceptional lifespan, living for hundreds of years without showing visible signs of aging until they are near the end of their lives. It is sometimes whispered that Soran leadership has access to advanced life-lengthening tech that they keep secret from the rest of the galactic scene, and indeed many Soran leaders throughout history have lived for an even greater span than the already long-lived species is known for. Leadership denies the existence of such tech. The exact age a Sora can be expected to naturally reach varies greatly from one person to another. Some might live just 200 years, while others might reach the coveted 400 year threshold.

## Evolution and History

The Sora species are believed to have evolved from a common ancestor shared with the Sorii Manorid, a sentient species that preceded the Sora on Sorall around 500,000 years ago. The Sorii Manorid, often referred to simply as the Sorii, had an unusually high brain-to-body ratio and research suggests they were a highly intelligent species. Although the Sorii were not the direct ancestors of the Sora, their evolutionary path influenced the genetic development of the modern Sora species through interbreeding. Over time, the Sora species emerged and developed into a complex society, guided in part by the influence of Revism, a prominent religion among the Sora people.

## The Path to Founding the Mission

From their primitive beginnings, the Sora society gradually advanced through various stages of technological and societal development. As they expanded their knowledge and understanding of their world and their region of space, they began to establish contact with other species and civilizations. This expansion led to the formation of alliances, trade agreements, and eventually to their uplifting of the Xian species, an event which is considered to be synonymous with the founding of the Mission in the year -2160C. The founding of the Mission was a major turning point in the history of the Sora people, as it solidified their position as the major power in the galaxy. It wasn't until the founding on the Union of Planets in the year -603C that the Mission could truly be said to have a peer in the galactic scene.

## Influence in The Mission

The Sora are the most prominent species in the Mission, even if they aren't the most populous. Their influence can be seen in many aspects of its operations. Although other species have made power plays, with minor success, the Sora have always controlled the vast majority of power in the Mission. Every Grand Ambassador of the Mission to date has been a Sora.

## Influence in the Red Mission

The Sora are also a key species in the Red Mission, and there is known animosity between Mission and Red Mission Sora. The Soran Order was dissolved in Red Mission space, so while there exist Created and non-religious Sora in the Red Mission, there are no adherents to the original Soran religion that was chosen by the Soran Order, Revism. This division between the Sora in the two different factions has further complicated their relationships and influence within the galactic community.

Also, some have noted that the balance of power is more equitable in the Red Mission where, instead of being focused so much on the Sora, power is shared among Bendonites and Yannis leadership as well.

## Religion

As religion is not mandated by law in the Mission or the Red Mission, individual Sora are free to believe whatever they want or to have no religious beliefs, however in the Mission, Sora could be roughly divided into two camps: Those who adhere to the Soran Order/Revism and those who are Created.

### Soran Order Sora

The Soran Order is an official religious body in the Mission that chooses and assigns one religion out of the many a given species has as the "correct" religion for that species. The Order has been at odds with Created Sora (and other Created in Mission space) for hundreds of years, and there is no sign of a resolution anytime soon. The split is so deep that there are major Soran leaders on both sides, and the conflict has spilled over into policy and doctrinal debates within the Mission. The religion chosen by the Soran Order for the Sora is Revism. Sora who follow the Order's teachings 1) follow Revism for themselves, and 2) encourage members of other species to follow their "correct" religion, as chosen by the Order.

### Created Sora

Created is a galactic religion with adherents in the Mission, the Red Mission, the Union, the Dead and beyond. Sora who are Created tend to have a more inclusive and flexible view of religion, especially because the dominant sect of Created in Mission space is Light Created, one of the more open-minded sects. These Created Sora oppose the strict dogma and doctrine of the Soran Order, and their more progressive approach to religion and policy has contributed to the ongoing conflict between the two factions.

## Baga

Baga is a concept in Soran culture associated with cuteness and innocence. It's difficult to define exactly what makes something "baga" or not, but primarily the distinction is related to being over-sized or over-done. A very large stuffed animal would be considered baga, and therefore cute and innocent-seeming, but so would a very large truck, such as one being used for a specialized construction job. Someone overreacting to an event—especially if they do so on purpose—would also be considered baga.

Baga is associated with children and babies, but is not exclusive to them. Sometimes, such as in a romantic setting, an adult might intentionally make a baga statement or have a baga reaction to something for the enjoyment of other Sora.

Some other sentients have been known at times to find baga annoying and difficult to endure, while others find it endearing. The Xian in particular are known for attempting to mimic baga, usually with low degrees of success as judged by a Sora.