Volaria is a relatively young nation that is only just beginning to spread its wings to join the ranks of the space-fairing nations of the galaxy. In some ways Volaria is advanced beyond its years, but in others they struggle with primitive concepts and an archaic government. The nation is plagued with heavy class divisions reinforced by strong religious connotations that remain heavily entwined with their government.
Over-populated cities are heavily divided with the wealthier regions standing as a pinnacle of the arts, well renowned for their aesthetic architecture. The poorer regions suffer from famine, disease, and the homeless can be found sleeping in the streets.
With a population size fast exceeding their available land and resource, they have turned their eyes to the stars for possible expansion. Unfortunately with the way barred by the dominion of the TNG, their options are few and tensions are on the rise between Volaria and its TNG neighbors.
While the Volarian Matriarch, Avantia, maintains widespread support among her people as a fair and benevolent leader, unrest has begun to spread through the nation. Those among the religious factions are quick to turn an accusatory finger to the Matriarch for the ills that the country suffers, and others bristle at the increasing expansion of the Volarian military in anticipation of war with the TNG.
Avorian: 13.7%
Torajin/Catfolk: 3.7%
Scythian: .2%
Other: 5.8%
Summary: Volaria is a predominantly human nation with 77.2% of its population comprised of humans. Of these 77.2%, 82% of them are Volarian or have a Volarian parent. Losenyu immigrants make up 13%, while the Taiyou claim 2%, leaving 3% that are primarily made up of immigrants from Terra and other regions of Valore.
Though avorians scarcely claim more than a minority number of 13.7% of the population, they claim the most power within Volaria. Much of the nations's wealth can be found within its upper-class, the majority of which is made up of avorians born into their station.
Torajin immigrants from Losenyu, and their catfolk cousins from Terra make up about 3.7% of the population. The majority of these people are middle or lower class merchants, craftsman, and farmers that migrated out of Losenyu.
Scythian: [Details Pending]
Other: [Details Pending]
Volaria is currently under the rule of a monarchy, which is headed by a Matriarch. The current acting Matriarch is Avantia Kumara.
The levels of technological advancement vary greatly within Volaria. In the poorer regions of the country one can still find the remnants of shanty fishing villages lacking in modern comforts or electricity, while in more developed regions solar powered energy is prevalent alongside the use of Volarian crystal - an unusual substance relatively unique to Shintenchi. Energy based tech has been developed via the innate properties found within Volarian crystal.
Modes of travel vary just as greatly as means of power, and one can find poorer villages still utilizing beasts of burden, while the more developed cities make use of more advanced means of travel.
Class Divisions: Due to their concept of reincarnation it is the belief of many Volarians that it is their duty to fulfill whatever role they were born into. This has developed a series of rigid class divisions from the poor dredges of society all the way on up to the Volarian royalty. The son of a farmer has a duty to perform in his role as a farmer, while those of the royal family are imbued with a duty to lead and protect the people of Volaria. While foreigners might find the practice barbaric and at times brutal, many Volarians view it as a sacred duty. It is commonly believed that if they do not fulfill this duty they will be unable to learn the life lessons that they were expected to learn in this incarnation - thus preventing them from one day reaching a state of spiritual and inner wholeness.
Gender Roles: The gender roles of males and females tend to be somewhat rigid within avorian society, and though their society is matriarchal in nature it is almost unheard of for female avorians to serve in a military capacity.
Males are expected to take on military roles, while females tend to matters of running things from the safety of the cities. It is just as unusual to find a male avorian in a political or governmental role as it is to find females on the battlefield.
Both male and female avorians serve equally in the role of artisans and merchants.
Among the human populations of Volaria, the gender roles are less distinct and it is common place to find both males and females involved in various aspects of life.
Marriage: Marriage practices vary greatly between the humans and the avorians of Volaria. While the humans typically practice monogamy, polygamy is a common practice among the avorians. In particular they practice the form of polygamy known as polyandry; the practice of a woman taking multiple husbands. This practice is due to an imbalance of males to females, and the high infertility rates that plague the avorian people. By taking multiple husbands, the odds of successful conception are increased. It should be noted that in instances where polyandry is practiced, the males are almost always related to one another as when a female marries multiple males that are all brothers. This is to ensure that even if the father isn’t known, the family blood line is.
Diet: Both the humans and the avorians of Volaria share similar dietary habits with rice serving as a staple alongside fish, fruits, vegetables and nuts. Dairy products and other varieties of grains are also prevalent - especially among the human populations. The primary dietary variation found between the avorian populations and the human populations is that of meat - which the avorian people typically do not eat with the exception of fish. Goat meat is the most common meat found within the human populations of Volaria; though, many regions of Volaria abstain from the eating of most meat alongside the avorians. It should be noted though that even among those who don't abstain from the practice of eating meat, beef, mutton and pork are not typically eaten due to a lack of access. Eating the meat of winged animals is illegal in Volaria as these animals are viewed as sacred.
Religion: Volarian religion varies from region to region, and there are several branches and divisions that can be found throughout the small nation. Many of these religions share a common origin and similar concepts.
The majority of Volarian religions largely focus around the idea of self-actualization and inner-wholeness via a cycle of reincarnation. It is typically their belief that it is one's duty to perform in whatever role they were born into, so that they might learn the important life lessons necessary in their never ending cycle of rebirth to eventually reach a state of inner-wholeness.
It is often believed that to abandon ones role in a current incarnation will only doom them to be reborn into it once more - or perhaps into an even 'lesser' role so as to relearn the lessons of humility.
Within Volarian religion, inner spiritual strength is often represented through the depiction of wings which are prevalent all throughout Volarian art and mythology, and it is for this reason that it is believed that to incarnate into an avorian is a sign that one is nearing a state of inner-wholeness. It is often believed that avorian infertility is the result of a deficit of people progressing to this state of being in their cycle of reincarnation. This has given rise to many religious sects geared towards the pursuit of leading people along their path to enlightenment.
Values typically found within Volarian Religions:
- Patience and tolerance
- Non-violence
- Forgiveness
- Self-control and contentment
- Not to steal or conceal, or be selfish
- Cleanliness, purity and honesty
- Control over senses and sexual energy
- Spiritual knowledge or study
- Truth
- Absence of anger
It should be noted that though control of ones physical desires is a value upheld in most Volarian religions, this is typically not done through the denial of such things, but rather through the art of moderation. Satisfaction of genuine desires such as art, music, food, sports, clothes, jewelry and physical pleasure are not to be suppressed but must be satisfied in a controlled fashion. Through this controlled satisfaction of desires and passions, an individual becomes free from their bonds. This is true of wealth as well, and the accumulation of wealth is not to be frowned upon so long as that wealth isn't hoarded. It is the duty of the wealthy to share their good-fortune with the poor, handicapped, and less fortunate.
It should also be noted that not all Volarians are religious, and there are some who do not adhere to these practices and beliefs. These are simply some of the more commonly encountered religious beliefs. These beliefs also shouldn't be taken as the standard but should instead be viewed as the ideal. Even among the religious, greed and corruption are a part of every walk of life.
Dragons: Like their Losenji neighbors, the Volarian people hold an element of reverence for the dragons of Shintenchi. Though their numbers are far fewer in Volaria and they aren't worshiped as extensively as they are in Losenji, there are a number of shrines dedicated to the few dragons that do make their homes within Volaria. The two most well known dragons in Volaria are Haigara who holds dominion over the sea and is often revered by human sailors and fisherman, and Havaja who holds dominion over the skies and is often revered by the avorians.
The human branches of the Volarian military favor electromagnetic weapons common to Terra, while the avorians have their own technology that favors the usage of Volarian crystal and Volarian steel. Volarian crystal is an unusual substance relatively unique to Shintenchi with natural properties that are highly reactive to solar energy, and Volarian steel is a highly durable alloy that is extremely lightweight - a necessity for an aerial race. With the aid of Taiyou technology the development and usage of Volarian steel has undergone recent advancements as techniques and methods of forging weapons and armor have been influenced by those used by the Taiyou in the forging of nanosteel. The result is a light-weight armor that can withstand and even deflect many energy based weapons, and nano-blades capable of rending weaker metals.
The favored weapon of the avorians is that of the vishtafa, a three pronged spear weapon that serves as a formidable melee weapon, a long ranged energy weapon - fueled by Volarian crystal - and an effective stun weapon via the capacity to generate and inflict a debilitating electrical shock. Vishtafa translates simply to 'war-spear' in the common tongue.
Most avorian soldiers are also outfitted with a kala'i ka dohe - a defensive item worn around the wrist and fingers of the wearer. Five rings fitted with Volarian crystal are attached by chains to a disc on the back of the hand, which is in turn attached to a brace around the wrist where yet another Volarian crystal is embedded. When activated, the kala'i can emit a powerful energy shield. Kala'i ka dohe translates roughly to 'wrist guard' in the common tongue.
Though more expensive to produce in large quantity, many of the elite members of the Volarian military are typically outfitted with a headband designed to ward against psionics. When worn, the wearer cannot be targeted by psionic based abilities - though it does not prevent psionic based abilities from being used in the nearby vicinity. This item has the drawback that the wearer cannot use psionic abilities while wearing it.
Specially trained avorian soldiers also make use of modified versions of the Taiyou rocket-angels that serve as powerful anti-tank and anti-air units. They are however vulnerable to enemy anti-air defenses, and are inefficient against infantry.
A newer addition to the Volarian military is that of the GHX Infantry model of soldier fresh out of the LightLab line of military hardware. Each unit is made of hardened Cardion alloy from deep within the mines of Cryo, a recent discovery of Chiron Corp. Each soldier weighs just shy of 430lbs, and can reach running speeds of eighteen miles per hour. The fully functional SatLight technology links the five-men squads of cybernetic soldiers together, to both share and keep a constantly updated battlefield towards their mission parameters. Each of the five man squads are able to communicate with each other in real time with zero delay, utilizing only bursts of data. This allows for them to coordinate complex maneuvers in sixty-six percent more efficiency and speed than that of a human squad, and outfits each soldier with total battlefield awareness.
Another recent development in Volarian technology has come about from the Taiyou's own research into sunstone which share similar properties to Volarian Crystal. Though still in the early prototype phase, the Shintechi borders have been outfitted with watchtowers capable of harnessing the power of Volarian Crystals into focused beams of concentrated solar energy through an array of ground based radar stations and solarcannon defense turrets to provide a formidable anti-missile, anti-air, anti-sea, and anti-orbital defensive net.
Language: Volarian is the official language of Volaria, but most Volarians are taught Losenyu and Taiyou as second languages. The common Terran tongue is a less frequently used language within Volaria, and few speak it.
Firearm Regulations: There are currently no restrictions regarding the possession of weaponry by citizens within Volaria; however, all weapons are disallowed from being carried openly within the capital except for those carried by the royal guard, law enforcement officers, and military personnel as well as government officials on official business. Weapons within the Royal Palace are strictly prohibited except for those carried by the royal guard. Ownership in the privacy of ones place of residence, or properly secured weapons for the purpose of transportation out of the city are permitted. Non-citizens are not permitted weapons within Volaria without a permit (poorly enforced outside of major cities, but heavily enforced for any legal points of entry into Volaria by spaceports, airports or by coastal docks). These permits are typically only approved in instances where carrying a weapon is required by a job or for attending local sporting events.
Non-firearm Weapons: Deadly weapons that don't fall under firearms are treated much the same as firearms within Volaria. No restrictions apply, except for within the capital with the same exceptions afforded as with firearms.
Psionics/Metaphysics: No restrictions apply to Volarian citizens, but using psionic or metaphysical abilities on another person is treated the same as armed assault. Tourists and other visitors are required to register their abilities and undergo a brief background check prior to entry, and Volaria reserves the right to refuse legal passage to any individual they deem unsafe.
Dietary Restrictions: It is illegal to eat the meat of winged animals within Volaria. It is also illegal to harm or kill winged animals.
Polygamy: Legal for women to take multiple husbands
Homosexuality/Gay Marriage: Frowned upon and not recognized, but no legal restrictions regarding engagement of the practice.
Slavery: Illegal
Citizenship:
- Born in Volaria
- Born to parents who are Volarian citizens
- Marriage to a Volarian citizen
Visitation/Tourism: Legal