Kurati

The secretive caretakers of the educational facilities of Prodigium and Mueseum, the **Kurati** are rarely found outside of these places, only serving as staff at other planetary museums. Recognized by their signature robes and glowing eyes, Kurati avoid direct interactions with guests, instead frequenting the maintenance areas. With the facilities acting as the galaxy’s foremost museums and educational centers, Kurati are respected by every group and remain neutral to most outside conflicts. This doesn’t mean the Kurati are unexperienced in combat; their facilities are covered in defensive measures, with the Kurati themselves having personal protective bots. Small-time criminal groups believe the Kurati to be easy targets; this easily proves untrue as they are either repelled in violent fashion.

## Biology and appearance

The Kurati are humanoid beings known for their distinct appearance. They have a slender build and stand at an average height of one meter. Their skin is pale and smooth, often giving off a faint luminescence. The most striking feature of the Kurati is their glowing eyes, which emit a soft, ethereal light. Their eyes come in various colors, including shades of yellow, white, and purple, adding to their mysterious aura.

Kurati are nearly always observed in their distinct staff robes, which heavily obscures the figure of the Kurati. From common observation, the Kurati appear to have snouts and may be reptilian in nature. Yet, the Kurati are careful to avoid full exposure to outsiders, often feeling at the sight on non-Kurati.

## Society and culture

The Kurati are primarily associated with the caretaking and maintenance of educational facilities, particularly the renowned Prodigium and Mueseum facilities. They are regarded as the guardians and custodians of knowledge, dedicating themselves to the preservation and dissemination of information and historical artifacts. The Kurati take their responsibilities seriously, ensuring that the museums and educational centers they oversee are kept in pristine condition.

Due to their preference for seclusion and limited direct interaction, the Kurati are often perceived as enigmatic and reclusive. They prefer to work behind the scenes, conducting maintenance tasks and safeguarding the valuable artifacts and treasures within the facilities. Their staff robes, which are distinctively designed and marked with symbols representing their role, serve as a symbol of their dedication and identity.

While the Kurati maintain a neutral stance in most external conflicts, they are not without the means to defend themselves and their facilities. The educational facilities they oversee are fortified with advanced security systems and defensive measures, making them formidable to infiltrate. Additionally, the Kurati possess personal guard bots that assist in maintaining security within the premises. These bots are highly efficient and programmed to protect the Kurati and the facilities under their care.

The Kurati enjoy a high level of respect and admiration from various species across the galaxy. Their role as caretakers of educational centers and museums has earned them a reputation as wise and knowledgeable beings. Many species seek their guidance and expertise, especially in matters of history, culture, and the preservation of ancient artifacts.

Although the Kurati generally avoid direct interaction with guests, preferring to work in empty areas, they are known to provide assistance and answer queries when necessary. Their interactions are brief and to the point, with a focus on imparting knowledge and maintaining the sanctity of the educational spaces. Any communication is done through the guise of their personal bots; it is not known whether the Kurati have the capacity or are simple unwilling to communicate vocally.

The Kurati's neutral stance in conflicts and their commitment to safeguarding the facilities they oversee often earns them the appreciation and protection of larger galactic organizations and governments. Criminal groups who underestimate the Kurati's defenses quickly learn that their facilities are not easy targets and may inadvertently attract the attention of more powerful factions.

## History

Despite the limited information known of the Kurati's culture and origin, their presence throughout galactic history has always been noted. The earliest preserved Cogre writings (stored within the Mueseum) bear written and visual depictions of early Kurati and their much smaller curatorial facilities. While the Kurati are rarely seen outside of their facilities, they remain up-to-date with galactic events, techniques, and technology, often involving themselves in the direct aftermath of recent events. Yet, they refuse to involve themselves in any of these events beyond a limited aid role: in most wars, the Kurati interacted with both sides in the preservation of their movements. A notable exception was during the Reptoid Wars, during which the aggressive Reptoid fleets attempted to raid the early Kurati fleet near Exumasphere, before being repulsed with heavy casualties. The Kurati fleet then played an important role in the retaking of Exumasphere, ending the wars.