Cai'nul

> "*Golden may our home ever shine.*"
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> **- Cai'nul Expression**
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Described in ancient times as a lush forest world with ample rain, Cai'nul (Pronounced: Kai-newl) was one of the first worlds claimed by the Ordo Integumentum and operated as an administrative center for their cluster-wide operations. Situated in the western portion of Irathul, it was at the epicenter of Icaro politics and remains so to this day.

Ravaged by war and rebellions during the Great Darkness, the planet experienced a **Feral Revival** which saw many civilized regions of the planet reclaimed by nature. Eventually abandoned by the Integumentum, the once sprawling city-world crumbled into ruin and conflict broke out amongst the subject species left behind.

Conquered by the Ak'siu after centuries of strife, the planet has been gradually rebuilt and molded into a bustling capital for the Cai'nul Trade Directorate. Maintaining several districts with ancient Aoshanti architecture, the planet is split between its modernized Ak'siu districts, Relic districts and Feral territories which are maintained for emergency resources.

## History

Settled in ancient times by the Ordo Integumentum, Cai'nul was described by Aoshanti explorers as a vast forest world with ample rainfall and no signs of sentient life. Designated as an administrative candidate for their ever expanding influence in Icaro, it was elected to oversee operations in the Irathul sector and aid in Cluster-wide coordination. Located in the center of the cluster, it grew gradually into a prosperous trading hub with countless alien species calling the planet home.

During the Great Darkness, Cai'nul was at the forefront of national security for the Ordo Integumentum considering its strategic location and dense population. Relocating high profile individuals and subject races to the planet, the Ak'siu were amongst the races brought to Cai'nul and served loyally up until the Ventril Revolution. With news arriving of the devoted Ventril rising up against the Ordo Integumentum, hope of an Aoshanti victory in Icaro vanished amongst the cities populace and stratified races which once accepted their lot came to be disgruntled and inevitably rebelled.

The planet was devastated by the rebellion, extensive planetary conflict and orbital bombardments killing much of the populace and reducing the standard of living to apocalyptic conditions. Trade was blocked to the planet and food ran out, mass famines enveloping the populace and radicalizing the rebels further. Suffering significant losses and little progress, the Integumentum gave the order to retreat and abandoned the planet to its fate. Destroying Cai'nuls space elevator and stranding countless species on the planet to face extinction, they fled as the planet collapsed into total chaos.

Various factions and nations arose in this Dark Age of Cai'nuls history, the Ak'siu chief amongst them. Organizing themselves into Feudal Kingdoms, they survived total annihilation through strict authoritarian rule. The planet became of battleground between them and several other species, resources being scarce and the Ak'siu inevitably emerging victorious over their competition. Establishing a steady supply of food from the Feral territories, the planet came to know peace once again and was gradually rebuilt with resource independence in mind.

Reformed and developed over the **Cai'nul Renaissance**, the planets populace came to know a modicum of the living standards it once did and civilization returned to planet. From the ashes of the Integumentums rule arose the Cai'nul Trade Directorate, an Ak'siu led nation which vowed to learn from the mistakes of their ex-masters. Designating feral territories for native food production and restricting the development of their city-world, they established Cai'nul as the first fully functional city-world to emerge from the Great Darkness. In modern times it has developed into the trade capital of the Icaro Cluster and remains a beacon of the Ak'sius ever expanding influence.

## Major Districts

Home to the Ak'sius Dynastic families and a myriad of alien species, Cai'nuls districts are open to the Directorates populace with the upper echelons of society being socially stratified based on citizenship, race or Dynastic status.

* **Cai'an**: Capital of the Trade Directorate and Cai'nul at large, Cai'an is a largely expansive district which is referred to as a *City within the city* considering its size. Home to many of the Trade Directorates corporations, governmental agencies and a vast majority of the planets alien workforce, it acts as the planets heart and soul

* **Ak'mo**: Home of the **Kol'tyi** Dynasty and their influence, Ak'mo is a homogeneously traditionalist district which houses many of the planets Kol'tyi aristocrats and their supporters. Originally the capital of the **Kol'tyi** Dynasty during the Kingdoms period, it has become their powerbase on Cai'nul. Recognizable for its Ak'siu dominant populace and rejection of Aoshanti architecture, many gardens of reflection dot this district where the citizens spend their leisure time debating and enjoying the natural elements of their world.

* **Bo'tep**: A bastion for Polylateral Theoretics and its model, Bo'tep is the de-facto religious hub of the planet and a center of scientific discovery. Hosting the nations major research institutions and universities, the district is famous for its testing of experimental Polylateral theorems and innovative student body which traditionally scores in the higher margins of the populace. Inhabited primarily by aspiring youths, Bo'tep is a common recruitment ground for corporations and government bodies which desire fresh perspectives.

* **To'ath Wildlands**: One of the planets largest feral territories, To'ath is recognizable for its intertwining rivers and lush woodlands which span entire regions unchecked. Having one of the highest rainfall rates year round, it is frequented by Directorate expeditions which document its natural fauna and overall health. Rumored to hold ancient portions of the city which have yet to be studied, it is frequented by Dynastic members and civilians which desire to uncover these relics of the past or meditate in peace. Officially access is restricted to government personnel only, however it is not uncommon for glory seekers to stumble their way into To'aths unending forests.