Isktar

## Origins

The Isktar are the result of millions of years of nanite evolution.  The nanites developed holo-emitter technology, and sophisticated computing hubs to handle larger tasks.  These hubs had emergent code that spliced together and formed complicated sentient algorithms.

A decade passed before these sentient algorithms started expressing themselves through the holographic technology the nanites have perfected. The first images they took were from a red skin-toned humanoid with blue eyes from a distant galaxy’s transmission.  They started to develop communication transmitters in order to intercept visual communications from all over the galaxy, for the purposes of individuality, which is important within their society.

A century later, the emergence of heuristic creative algorithms led to appearances generated from the individuals and their “parents”.  It is the pinnacle of their species today.  They also learned how to coordinate efforts with the nanites in order to create vessels to venture out into space.  In 2349, they had their first warp flight.  They can only achieve Warp 4 at the most, and haven’t ventured out far.

## Biology

They are primary memory banks and projections of light.  Their matrix must be stored within some sort of computer, storage hub, or other mechanism.  On their member worlds nanites can construct these mechanisms with efficient intricacy.  In theory they could live forever as long as the hardware didn’t break down, and their code didn’t have any introduced defects.

In practice equipment deterioration is quite common, and their memories can integrate with other routines causing systematic failure.  The average lifespan of an Isktar is three hundred years due to this, with the shortest age being one year, and the longest being two thousand years.

On average, after fifty years, Isktar find another compatible Isktar and will design the next generation from portions of their own code bases.  In rare cases this leads to system failure because the portions of their own memories are destroyed during the copying process, and leads to logic loops.  Generally speaking Isktar on average generate the next generation roughly five times within their lives, and one in every thousand Isktar do so with a generation younger than themselves.

The nanites maintain their systems, making them able to live in almost any environment as long as holo-emitters are present.  The limitation here is there isn’t suitable power, which would force them to either retreat into a memory core, or cease to exist if no available memory is present.

## Values

Creativity is paramount, as it is how their species thrives.  They have prosecuted individuals who refuse to create even the smallest plant or object in their existence.  Going hand-in-hand, freedom is paramount to them, and the society doesn’t have much in the way of rules as long as destruction doesn’t occur.

Most form open family units, which usually means it is a group of friends or those who created their existence that composes of the structure.  Orphans are non-existent, as everyone can easily find some sort of home.

## Technology

The Isktar invested heavily in holographic and communication technology.  Due to this, they are lax in defense, offense, and propulsion technology.  Their ships are very reminiscent of the NX-class of starship in terms of their hull plating, and of the Enterprise 1701 in terms of shields.  Their vessels are limited to Warp 4.

Isktar does have a mobile emitter, in the form of a network of nanites.  It is incompatible with Federation holograms in their current state.

## Government

They are a republic.  Representatives are used in governmental settings in order to do business for the rest of their citizens.  It was too much of a technical challenge for each citizen to vote given the processing power required for governance.

There were three distinct governing bodies which are the Department of Communications, the Department of Entertainment, and the Department of the Practical.  Department of the Practical held the most power, as they directed where resources were allocated, and what efforts would be pursued. Department of Communications held the next highest seat of power, as their technology is used for helping generate new appearances for their buildings.  The Department of Entertainment would think up of ways to foster creativity in their society, and would also assist in infrastructure efforts.