Cendo Prae

**Catulla** (Known indigenously as **Cendo Prae**) is the sixth planet in the Theta Pictoris system, the homeworld of the Catullan civilization, and is a member of the United Federation of Planets since 2185.

## Geography and Environment

Catulla is similar in mass to Earth and has two moons; Milon and Milar.

Catulla is home to a large number of small land masses, islands, archipelagos and atolls surrounded by major oceans which isolate most major cities from one another. Barely four islands are large enough to be deemed continents, and only the polar continent is as large as any single continent on Earth. There are no large continental masses, and as a result, legendary surface storms are able to move across the planet's surface unchecked be geographic barriers.

Water covers nearly 86% of Catulla's surface. Even after centuries of careful coastline reclamation and near-continuous seawall construction, the amount of land above sea level on Cendo Prae is significantly below M-class norms. Nearly all land that isn't entirely vertical has been adapted for Catullan use. Above the water, virtually no wilderness or other apex predators native to the planet still exist (With the advent of replicator technology, even large domesticated animals are rare). Seen from orbit, Cendo Prae seems entirely tamed; terraced, bermed, groomed, fenced and walled everywhere but on sheer cliffsides and the steepest, narrowest mountain valleys.

Cendo Prae has a temperate climate that fluctuates wildly based on the howling winds that follow the tidal patterns of the oceans. Powerful hurricanes, called NAME, rage across the surface during the wet season. While the NAME were once a significant problem for the Catullans, they have been largely checked by the advent of weather-control technology. The wet season is followed by a hot, dry season which lasts for several months before the rains return.

The islands and small landmasses contain a wide variety of flora and geography. mountains with forested slopes; short, powerful rivers; irregular, deep lakes; fertile plains all characterize the landscape. Many regions have been restored to their natural states to preserve indigenous wildlife.

Catulla's aquatic biomes have fared much better. Although some species have suffered from excessive harvesting, the extreme depths of Catulla's oceans (which in many cases have yet to be explored) have protected hundreds of others. As a result, for most Catullans, the idea of wild and dangerous fauna is linked with large predator fish and amphibious or marine mammals, rather than terrestrial species. Cendo Prae has a surprisingly low population of reptiles and birds; many of the ecological niches normally occupied by those phyla have been taken over by mammals instead.

By the mid-24th century the Catullan population numbered 9.5 million and had built a huge industrial network covering the planet. The continent of Tesakar was home to the SHIPBUILDING COMPANY, one of the Federation's leading manufacturers of warp-capable spacecraft hulls. Harrell also maintained a construction facility in geosynchronous orbit directly above its planet-side facilities.

## History

The relatively limited area of Catulla's surface above water, numerous nomadic and semi-nomadic tribes of Catullans rose.  Scarce resources led to fierce conflict between tribes.  By the rise of the first Catullan city-states, the tribal structures which have come to characterize Catullan society had become firmly in place.

The Catullans slowly advanced towards an industrial level of technology over the next seven millennium.  Intrigue and open conflict between tribes were commonplace as short, furious wars sprung up across the planet.

Catulla's First Contact with an extraplanetary civilization came in YEAR when a SPECIES vessel surveyed the system and noted the extensive mineral deposits beneath the oceans of Catulla.

Catulla applied for Federation membership in 2269. Negotiations were at a critical stage on Stardate 5832.3 when the USS Enterprise apprehended the stolen starship *Aurora*, whose passengers included Tongo Rad, son of Catullan ambassador Tongo Sil.

## Flora and Fauna

Myranti: A mid-sized bird-of-prey native to the coasts of Cendo Prae.