Kingdom of the Siqahi

## General Overview

The Siqahi (pronounced "sɪgˈaɪ") are a newly discovered Adversus Galaxy species that have a long history with the Synth. They are a reptilian, serpentine species, often sporting a cobra-like hood but hood-less sub-races also exist. Many do have venom as a natural defense but biting has long been considered akin to assault among their culture, and the race as a whole has become disinterested with conflict and much prefers shrewd diplomatic and mercantile relations with their neighboring worlds.

The Siqahi are rather religious, the dominant religion hosts a pantheon of deities that represent anything from natural phenomena like the weather to abstract concepts such as love, wisdom and success. They are a matriarchal society and their queen is worshiped as a revered goddess of magic and eternal mother of all mortals, she is believed to be reincarnated as every succeeding ruler. Their religion is known as Enneadism, named after their Pantheon, the Ennead.

All Siqahi are encouraged to explore crafts from birth and even their warriors often become accomplished artists and artisans, as these skills are valued exercises in discipline and are part of their martial arts training. Their trade and military systems are closely tied with each other. Seemingly defenseless caravans are always ready to fight off pirate attacks with their own private forces and arsenals. Finally, though otherwise peaceful and observant of their own ethical codes, they have a reputation for being cunning, and ambitious in their relations with other species.

## General History

Before discovering space travel The Siqahi have communicated with each other through shipping and trade. The planet of Siqah is a warm ocean planet with limited above water terrain, it is mostly consisted of small islands and a few small continents. In modern times the Siqhai trade with other planetary races and have set up a merchant marine system that closely works with their military. They have also established colonies on relatively nearby planets, moons and other satellites for both resources and proximity to valuable trading partners.

Their first contact with The Commonwealth is accidental and resulted with one of their moon colonies - Silvanus Prime - being displaced in the Black Eye Galaxy when the Adversus Galaxy was moved, the moon having caught the orbit of a planet in the Lambda Quadrant. Due to this Silvanus Prime has sense become the Siqahi unofficial embassy and base of all activity in the Black Eye Galaxy. For the most part they are quickly becoming a welcome addition to the alliance for their industrious nature, and their high intellect. Civilians of the Commonwealth appreciate their warm relationship with the Synth and their affinity for arts, music and culture, which even members of the military are encouraged to pursue as a discipline.

A problematic aspect of their relationship with the Commonwealth is that their private ventures are not above black markets and profiteering off of warfare. Weapons trafficking has already surfaced in various corners of the galaxy. Siqahi trading companies would even follow intergalactic law to the letter, while still finding ways to game the system to their advantage. During their time in the in their new home, they have become bitter rivals with the Scuiri, who don't appreciate having new competition in their galaxy, and who are regarded by the Siqahi as being crude and reckless. As new neighbors in the Lambda Quadrant, the Siqahi also have found the Qox'cotel Protectorate prudish and strongly object to their "Directive".

## Siqahi Hospitality

One aspect of their culture that crops up a lot is their custom of hospitality. A highly sacred custom before business, political meetings, and any receiving of guests. A typical Siqahi would bring food and drink, and sometimes gifts to their meetings. The custom stems from the Siqai's belief that their deities sometimes disguise themselves as guests, of all walks of life, to promote generosity and cordial attitudes. Proper etiquette in response is to receive these offerings. Turning down their generosity can deeply offend a Siqhai and can be seen as haughty and rude, and lucrative business decisions have been rejected over it. Use of this custom for the purposes of treachery, including the use of poisons or traps, is considered a severe crime with consequences both in law and in, as believed, in the afterlife. In modern times exceptions are of course made for food allergies and incompatible alien physiology. In these cases Siqahi try to replace the offering with something more appropriate.