Sarapo

**The Sarapo** are a race of reptillian sentiants originating from the moon of Quixoni in the Apex Sector. They first emerged in the jungles of the Hydrissi continent. Over millenia they evolved into a hunter-gatherer society with the intelligence to navigate a harsh and unforgiving wilderness full of predators much larger and more deadly then themselves. Over time, they spread to the continents of Bassciar and Hydriss, growing more technologically advanced and forming their first nation states. Eventually, three dominant powers emerged: The Bassican Dominion, the Hydrissi Confederacy and the Terraxi Technocratic Union. After a destructive era of war and rivalry between these three great nations, the rise of Kaymin the Supreme saw all of Quixoni united under the planetary regime of the Sarapo Imperium. All Sarapo, regardless of where they come from, are now citizens of the Imperium.

### History

#### Early Civilization

Even in the earliest tribal societies of the Sarapo, a clear distinction was always made between Sarapo who work and Sarapo who fight. This led to two distinct castes: The Servitor (workers) and the Bellator (warriors). As a result, much of early Sarapo society was dominated by the whims, ambitions and rivalries of various Bellator warlords, who had dominance over the Servitor. However, Bellator all adherred to a strict moral code, which named the killing of a Servitor as taboo and unbecoming of a true Bellator. As a result, the wars between Bellator often took place away from civilian settlements and Servitor were seldom caught in the crossfire. Many a Sarapo philosopher points to this as a civilized time where war was not allowed to touch the innocent and combatants alone would bear the cost of it. Wars between Bellator were always frequent, but never particularly costly to the general Servitor population

### Culture

#### Religion & Spirituality

Superstition and belief in the supernatural are frowned upon in modern Sarapo society, who value pragmatism and science above all else. However, a belief in the ancient Skeen, the lifebringers, still exists in some parts of the Hydrissi continent, particularly in the more provincial areas. It is believed that the Skleen were gods who created Quixoni and the Sarapo, giving life to a lifeless world. Some believe that the Skleen will one day return, while others believe that the greatest test for the Sarapo race is reaching the stars and finding their creators for themselves. This contributes, in no small part, to Hydrissi eagerness to travel into space.

#### Science & Philosophy

The Sarapo value collectivism and unity, but are also known to celebrate individual achievement, ambition and providing opportunity for the greatest among them to advance and find their true calling. The strongest, the smartest and the most enterprising of Sarapo are always given a chance to rise high in society, while those who fail to distingush themselves are often treated poorly, living an oppressive and stratified existance.

### Society

#### Caste System

The Sarapo are divided into three distinct castes: The Servitor, the Bellator and the Imperator. The roles these three castes play in Sarapo society is rigidly defined and no deviation is tolerated. Although the Bellator and Servitor have existed since the early days of the species, the Imperator caste is relatively new and came into being only after the unification of Quixoni into the Sarapo Imperium.

The Imperator are the descendents of Kaymin the Supreme: the Imperium's founder and the most celebrated and reverred Sarapo leader. There are roughly three hundred Imperator currently in the Imperium. All Imperator live lives of luxury and liberty. It is considered taboo for an Imperator to have to work or fight. Rulership of the Imperium is their birthright by virtue of being the "Blood of Kaymin." Those who distinguish themselves may earn a seat on the Imperator High Council, a ruling body of twelve Imperator who collectively govern the Imperium.

The Servitor are the most numerous caste, making up roughly 90% of the Sarapo population. Strictly speaking, the Servitor are workers and are not permitted to fight or rule, which remains strictly the domain of the Bellator and Imperator respectively. Nonetheless, Servitor can hold positions of prominance as scientists, ecnonomists and important advisors to the Imperator. For this reason, any Servitor have tremendous power and influence within the Imperium. Internally, the Servitor Caste are a meritocracy and advancement is almost entirely dependent on one's ability to past various aptitude tests.

The Bellator is the military caste, which can only be joined by Servitor who are able to pass the Three Trials of the Bellator - A brutal series of tests that frequently result in the deaths of those who fail. The Sarapo Imperium's military is the sole domain of the Bellator Tactical Command. The chain of command among the Bellator is rigidly adherred to, with the First. Bellator as supreme commander and the various Primus' (roughly the earth equviliant to a general) holding authority over various divisions of the military. Bellator are also required to obey a strict and clearly defined code of honour.