Tricosu

## **Biology**

### Physiology

These bird-like individuals have many distinct features that define their species. In place of where humans would have arms they have feathered wings, though they have five feathers that are opposable and able to grab items by using them, these feathers still work as aids during flight. Males of this species have bright blue colored feathers of various shades that make a sort of fan on their head and protect their ears. Males are brighter for a display of strength and being able to survive even with the heavy plumage and color on their bodies. Females have dull, brunette feathers that help them to camouflage with their environment, as there are predatory creatures on the planet, this coloration does not make them any less beautiful than males. They have a similar fan-like section of feathers on their heads and a small patch to protect where their ears are located.  Both genders will often have silky hair that will match the feathers colors that they wear in any length they choose. Skin color can be any shade from pale to dark. As members of this species grow older they gain white plumage, signifying their age. Elders of the tribe are either fully white in color or mostly white with some small patches of color. Most members of this species only get to be about 5 ft tall at the most.

### Lifespan

Generally they will live  anywhere from 40 to somewhere around 50 years of age.

At the beginning of their life they start as an egg that their mother will tend to and keep safe until they are ready to hatch. As hatchlings they only weigh a small amount of 5 ounces with downy feathers. After about a year the hatchlings have developed more of their adult feathers. They are fully grown by the time they are 10 years old. At that point they will have all their feathers grown in, feathers do fall out just as hair does and they grow back in soon after. They have reached their full height by this time as well and will live out their life. As they age white feathers grow in place of others. In the time between ages 40 and 50 they are at risk of developing Tricosyion disorder. Around the age of 50 they will pass away.

### Medical Conditions

* Tricosyion disorder- Common in older subjects of this species, they suffer symptoms of weight loss, vomiting, swollen throat/trachea, and possible loss of feeling in extremities. Often this disease is not noticeable to the naked eye until the subject has fallen severely ill with it. Scans can pick up traces of this illness. If not treated soon enough the subject will die from either the weight loss or being unable to intake enough air. This is species specific.

## **History**

### Pre-warp

This species operates on a tribal lifestyle, living amongst each other and traveling to find new sources of food to survive on. They were nomadic and all food was gathered by able bodied females through foraging. Males defend their tribes as warriors who focus on an honor system when battling, they will fight and die an honourable death.They had little technology during this time apart from anything made by the species themselves.This was how they had been living for nearly 200 years up until they discovered farming, food was no longer needing to be searched for as they had a plethora after becoming successful farmers. However, insects were still gathered when seen to be eaten as per the species omnivorous diet. They were able to cease being nomads and build permanent nests where they could raise their families and keep their eggs safe. Often there were only other tribes who were dangerous to one another. Though tribes who lived among the jungle like biomes faced poisonous plants and even carnivorous ones who if a youngling wandered to close would have an avian snack.

As time went on for nearly another century the Tricosu species grew to begin having the capability to create technology. They learned how to create ships to travel and be able to gain new access to more parts of their world. As they could only fly for so long before growing tired. The ships provided them with a safe and easy way to explore more of their home planet. They found new resources to build with as they had never really been to some of the most lush and lively places. As it was much farther than they had ever traveled by their own flight. The ability to have more technology became useful as well for moving in between tribe settlements. There is one major settlement in each biome upon the planet.

### Warp

A small group of scientists within the tribe, roughly 11 active participants, began to develop better technology and means of transportation. It had taken them some odd 7 years to successfully create their first functioning warp drive. This brought the Tricosu to be able to travel to other planets within the Thanatos sectere, from their location near Cygnet XIV and Myrmidon.  So far they’ve traveled to about four other planets.

### First Contact

The first outside contact they were met with was the federation, they were unsure of the unusual people in uniforms they had discovered. Although, through diplomacy and some time given to discuss amongst themselves if the strangers were trustworthy the Elders of the tribe made the final word to trust the federation. After they had that interaction there were visits from other ships to their home planet. Where they were met with more discussion with the federation and opportunities  to learn from others about advancing their technology further.  Somewhere near 5 years after they were found their planet was accepted into the United Federation of planets (UFP). This opened a whole new world of opportunities for the Tricosu. With the connections that had been made they were able to provide their citizens with the chance to become members of Starfleet if they so choose to.

## **Culture**

### Beliefs

The males with the brightest and most colorful feathers upon their tail are upheld highly for their image. Males will fight for the sake of protecting their tribes until the point of dying for honor.

### Family

Families consist of at least one male and one female who mate for life, they may have anywhere from one to five children during their courtship.

### Society

* Elders: Lead the tribe and provide wisdom to the youth of the species
* Warriors: Defend the tribe until they die in battle or can no longer fight efficiently
* Able bodied females: Work to protect the younglings and to maintain their “nest”/home
* Children: Attend schools to learn the culture and when home help their mothers and fathers or play with other younglings.

### Behavior

They are a close knit species who works together to survive, everyone has their role and as long as things are done then the species thrives in their environment. Generally they don’t see many arguments happen. Though this does not mean there haven't been problems that sparked up. There is competition for who is best fit for a role if there are two who are close in skill. This is what may cause a scuffle. Generally more common around times of the annual strength ritual.

### Rituals

Once a year they would have a ceremony to determine the strongest males among the tribe who would be selected to be the defenders of the species. This trail entails hunting a beast of the Rainforest on their own with only their traditional weapons, and returning with it as their prize.

### Recreational

For recreation they fly and run to keep their endurance strong, children play games and learn to fly with their parents.

Games include a form of tree tag, hide and seek(Both work for either flight or on ground), and many games where the children will use their imaginations to pretend they are fighting one of the striped creatures of the rainforest biome. The children select one of their playmates to be the monster and the others will either run hide or play fight with them(The play fighting is most common among young boys)

### Language

They speak in calls to each other that only they can really understand, translators may translate the words meaning from the call if used. Though they have learned to speak more than squawk since first contact with the federation.

## **Technology**

### Ships

All ships of this species can be identified by the bluish teal tint to them and the wing-like design on the sides of them, the tail fin in a way resembles a fan like shape. The shade of the ship will define what class

* **Arien fleet** -A small fleet of battleships to protect the planet from outside danger. This fleet contains 10 of these ships. They take a crew of 2 to operate, one pilot and one gunman. These are only deployed if given the order from the tribe Elders. They are a deep navy blue in color.
* **Condor carriers**- There are three of these ships upon Tricondor, these are ships that are able to transport members of the species to other planets, space stations, or to send in any who have chosen to apply to Starfleet. Carriers are royal blue in color.
* **Skywren**- Cargo transportation ship used to provide both imports and exports to the planet. As the Tricosu only inhabit one of the biomes they only require this ship and another for importing and exporting goods. The skywren is turquoise in color
* **Ravenflight**- The partnering ship to the Skywren that is used to aid in exporting and importing goods to and from the planet. Ravenflight is a deep indigo blue in color.

### Stations

Within the orbit of Tricondor there is a medium sized station run by members of the tribe. This is for maintaining the ships and providing a place for visiting ships to dock in order to visit the grounds of Tricondor. There are 4 main habitation levels to this station. (list top to bottom) Bridge/control room, Medical, Rest areas, Maintenance.

### Weapons

For cultural reasons they  use their natural weapons (Claws, beaks) and spears similar to a Kuda Yari type blade.

### Unique Technology

In development they have armor for their claws/ feet to make them better weapons as they  do prefer to use them in battle over phasers. If they are able to finish the development then they’d be able to begin testing more on how to maintain their mobility without weighing them down.

## **Home Planet**

### Overview

Tricondor is a planet with a habitable atmosphere, safe for most species. It has beautiful environments where the species inhabiting it live and prosper.

### Ecosystem

There are three major ecosystems on this planet, they are connected by rivers and streams of water that flow from the mountains.

* Temperate Rainforest/Jungle: The Temperate rainforests are coniferous or broadleaf forests that occur in the temperate zone and receive heavy rainfall. This biome is located around the western side of the planet. However there is a dangerous species of predator that will roam these forests, preying on the Tricosu. They resemble the image of a tiger except they have bat-like properties. These beasts are quite large but are killable given enough battle experience on part  of the individual attempting to take it down. Their pelts are useful in making garments for the higher class members of society. A hunter that takes one down is in for a good pay day.
* Taiga: This is the sometimes swampy coniferous forest of high northern latitudes, this biome takes up most of the northern section of the planet. Within this biome there aren’t any dangers apart from falling trees. The Tricosu inhabit this biome both on the ground and up within the giant trees.
* Mountains: This is where abrupt and drastic changes in elevation are common across the landscape, often the highest points reach below zero temperatures. The tallest peak  on Tricondor is Vulturi peak.

### Government

There are three main Elders of the tribe at any one time, they make all final major decisions with the help of their advisors.

High guards of the tribe work to defend and ensure the safety of the elders. Warriors are similar to police and rank lower than High guards. Medical experts and teachers are valued in the society.

Base level citizens are those who help keep everything running smoothly, many are farmers or small business owners.

### Space Infrastructure

The Tricosu are mainly a trading cartel for supplies they export and import, they have begun to excel in this area with the help of more technology advancements since their past time.

### Ground Infrastructure

The cities in the Taiga are built around the trees and often even use hollows in them as nurseries for the eggs of their young. There are houses in both the branches up high and on the forest floor, though most of the buildings on the ground are shops and small businesses. At the center of the village there is a gigantic tree believed to be the oldest tree in the forest, this is where the Elders reside and run the village from. Within the hollows of the wood there are multiple levels to the landmark. The base level is for consulting the advisors of the Elders, Mid level is where the Elders have a discussion/meeting room, top level is where the Elders sleep.

### Important Landmarks

* Vulturi peak
* Elters tree