Federation of Cathlium

## Overview

The Federation of Cathlium is a socialist republic. Resorces are allocated by the governing body of the Federation and there is a unusually high amount of transparency between public and government that has allowed it to go on without much issue of corruption. They are the most peaceful nation in Aetherian and have 13 jump-points in there nation.

## Species

The Cathlium are an aquatic species that require a salt water environment to survive. This makes it hard for them to gain new worlds to live on, travel to other nations or hold embassies. At full length They are 3 meters tall from the top of their head to the bottom of their tail. They come in multiple colors and variations that are split into 5 major groups: Highlands, Koi, regal/royal, Orca and Zail. The Cathlium have psionic abilities, this seems to have come from needing to communicate through waters. Being so psionically gifted also leads to them being greatly effected by psionic feedback; where they will feel every bit of the pain that is inflicted upon another near by them, up to 20 meters.

### Sub species:

#### Highlanders

Noted for their light green skin and fin like appendages around their head that resemble a shall. Highlanders are found in shallow waters around the equator and some of the most common type of Cathlium seen both inside and out of their territory.

#### Koi

Koi are pink colored with two fines extending off their forehead and wider thin fins. They are commonly find near fresh water sources and where salt isn't as prevalent. Aboard Cathlium ships they often have to wear specialized salt filters to keep salt from clogging up their gills.

#### Regal/royal

Seen as a salmon color and with wide fins that often resemble a frilly dress it's easy to see why they get the called the royal breed of Cathlium. In truth Cathlium have no ranking structure, the name comes from from outsiders who refer to them as this and the Cathlium have taken to using it too, despite little understanding of the context

#### Orca

Found in the north and covered in a layer of blubber they have a deep dark blue skin tone with a white under belly. They also seem to have hair on their head but this is actually more like the bristles found on a whale. They tend to be more endurance focused swimmers then the quick bursts of speed of the other species of Cathlium.

#### Zail

Known for being the "aggressive" one's in Cathlium culture due to their smaller amount of psionic powers the Zail tend to live in the deeper areas and are known for their love of speed in all things. Despite being "aggressive" this is to Cathlium standards and they would only fight in self defense as a last resort, which to the Cathlium is considered far more aggressive then any other species of Cathlium.

### Morphology

#### Tail

The Cathlium feature a large tail for swimming, this tail has an incredibly strong muscular structure as the Cathlium are constantly swimming and need to be able to move against the resistance of the water. Most Cathlium sub species have their tail fin aligned horizontally (the Koi, Royal/Regal and Orca) with the Highlander and Zail sub-species having a vertically aligned fin for quicker bursts of speed rather then continuous travel. Some sub-species also feature additional fins along their tail to increase speed or help during long periods of travel.

#### Arms

The Cathlium arms well not being to dissimilar to other species arms, with a bicep area and forearm, feature some kind of additional fin to assist with swimming. Most Cathlium feature this fin on the forearm, however the Royal/Regal sub-species has it located near the bicep. The Cathlium hand resembles that of the Acar, Human and Elion with four fingers and a thumb, however they are webbed with a type of membrane between fingers; except on the Orca sub-species.

#### Torso

The most notable aspect of the Cathlium torso is around the chest area where they have what appear to be "breasts". However upon closer examination these are in fact air sacks to help orientate the Cathlium properly in the water. On the females of the species these expand during matting seasons as the egg sack is located behind the air sacks and pushes them forward more as it enlarges in preparation for egg production.

#### Head

The Cathlium head is unique among the various sub-species with the Royal/Regal's and Zail types having a long fish like extension that helps them swim. The Highlander and Koi have a fine thin membrane like fin that does not appear to aid in swimming but is used to attract mates.

#### Special features

In addition to being uniquely adapted for water life the Cathlium feature the most powerful psionic abilities in all of the Aetherian sector. These are used for most if not all features of life including communications and sensing incoming predator's.

## History

Cathlium history is historically dry as the species had very few conflicts throughout its entire 5,000 year history. Primary marks of history were their discovery of thermal vents that allowed them to set up more advanced societies. Following this they built a highly scientifically minded society that values ideas and decrying violence. Eventually their desire for knowledge took them beyond their world and they developed higher forms of travel and acceded past their watery world. they stretched out seeking new knowledge and encountered other nations such as the Mass Alliance. Though they avoided any conflict as best they could and kept to their own devices. When potential conflict arises they often seek the aid of the mass alliance's stronger navy in exchange for payment of technology or money. Even to this day their ships are very lightly armed and not very well designed for any form of combat.

## Culture

The Cthlium are mostly pacifist and value scientific pursuits and other forms of acquiring knowledge. Their economy is often very volatile and as such a socialist reform was the best option. For the most part the Cathlium seem to see themselves as all equal, though those of higher achievement do stand above others.

## Fleets

Ship types:

* Xalmorina Class
* Pegasus Class
* Jerico Class
* Tempest Class
* Diplomacy Class
* Odessy class