Aethralons

## Physical description

### Species

Assumed to be biological (before extinction)Biomechanical (After being recreated by Zetans)

### Height

7.5 - 8 ft (human)10 - 12 ft (biomechanical)

### Weight

300 - 400 pounds (human)2000 - 8000 pounds (biomechanical)

## History

The Aethralons were once a vast powerful galactic empire with a hierarchy similar to the Christian archangels. However, its beleived that the Aethralons are what accidently inspired the concept religion, and that early civilisation of humans misunderstood them as gods and angels. They had existed for thosands of years, conquering the cosmos and crushing all opposing forces until they crossed paths with the Zetans, who proved to be more than just a challenge. At first the two groups attempted to bargain and communicate, but the peace was quickly broken after the leaders of the Aethralon race chose to maintain their species' pride. This resulted in a century long war that ended with the near extinction of the Aethralon race and heavy damage to the Zetans. In the mid 1800's, the Zetans returned to Earth and resumed their unknown plans as well as developing the first recreated Aethralons. The biomechanical versions were designed to be scouts but were treated more like slaves. The first few were deployed to earth in the late 1800's, one of which having located in the Mount Desert Island area of Massachusetts. These first few are considered Elders, not only for their age but also their strength. As the Zetans made newer "models", they purpously weakened the other generations in fear of a possible uprising. But despite their efforts, in 1946 the new Aethralons managed to break free from Zetan control and plumited into another century long battle for independence. Like the initial war, this fight resulted again in mass casualties on both sides, causing the Zetans to retreat for at lest the next 200 years. By 2060, only a handful of the new Aethralons remained, all of which accepting a new life on earth. After a decade of hiding, they chose to reach out to anyone that could help them, soon getting accepted by the Big MT facility. The strange partnership offered better protection and assistance to rebuild the Aethralon society as long as they let Big MT researchers run tests and ask about their history. It's rumored that Quantum technology is a product of reversed engineered Aethralon tech, but proof for such statement has been long since lost.

## Biology

Though not much is known about the Aethralons outside of thier biomechanical revival, the discovery of ancient ruins and metal ingraved scriptures lead researchers to believe they were once humanoid biological beings. However, their exact physiology is unknown.

## Society

Aethralons were obsessed with the idea of divinity, almsot worshipping purity and making it their very identity. Structures and clothing were exclusively brightly colored white and light gray, and any other colors were strictly reserved for higher standing Aethralons, most particularly Eternals and Seraphs. For unknown reasons, the color black was despised and very strongly discouraged. It was commonly seen as a statement of evil, impurity and darkness. Individuals that wore the color or presented it in their homes were ousted and shamed until it was corrected either by the individual or by higher authority.

## Hierarchy

### Grand Eternals

Lording over all others, only two Aethralons ever obtained the ranking of Grand Eternal, the first being Quinn. Reigning for several millenia, Quinn was nearly believed to be the founder of the Aethralon empire as well as even being considered a god. Constantly portrayed as the representative of the empire as a whole, they were greatly feared by any and all others throughout the vastness of space. Sometime before the Zetan conflict, they began to get into many fights with other Eternals, the others questioned Quinn's judgement and morality as they used increasingly harsh and cruel methods of solving problems. They started suggesting and even pledged for further use of slavery, more lethal weapon development and new assault tactics. All were denied, but they were not yet challenged fir the position of power. After declaring war against the Zetans, the battle forced the other Eternals to listen to Quinn, developing new weapons and accepting new strategies, and soon enough even took prisoners of war. Despite the improvements it wasn't ending the war and casualties still built up. In a desperate attempt to even the scales, the other Eternals mutinied and managed to detain Quinn, then banished and imprisoned them within a vault constructed on Earth. A new Grand Eternal was voted into power and the war was turned slightly more into the Aethralons' favor. Though they were still nearly wiped out as a species, they had ensured the Zetans suffered a similar fate, crippling at best if not completely destructive.

### Eternals

Standing at the top of Aethralon culture, Eternals were the leaders of the species and ruled for near eternity. They were seen as royals and were granted access to whatever they pleased, most particularly the free use and expression of whatever color they wanted except black. In rare circumstances, an Eternal may be removed from power either by willingly stepping down or impeachment. They still retain their privileges and title no matter how they leave power, but can no longer give orders.

### Seraphs

Royal knights of the Aethralon race. Seraphs are executives and first hand fighters. They answer only to an Eternal and are to stand guard at the most important locations, usually palaces or vaults, or they may also be personal guards for Eternals. Seraphs rarely serve in actual fights, only being deployed to handle serious threats. They're the only ones trusted to weild a type of sorcery that has long since been lost. However, that same power lives on in the last know survivor of the Aethralon race.

### Dominions

Though they had decent influence in the overall governing, Dominions were more like security officers and were the primary peace keepers in the empire. Standing in the middle of Aethralon society, they ranked just above the lower classes, but were also commonly looked down on by higher ranking individuals.

### Civilians

The lowest and most basic standing, civilians are regular members of the empire, living ordinary lives and normally have little importance in their society unless some are shop owners. Civilians are more than welcome to improve themselves, and after enough work can be promoted to higher rankings, though this rarely happens.