TEXT: Ethaya
     The Ethayan Sovereignty is a small, autocratic power which controls just under a dozen star 
  systems on the spinward edge of the Alpha quadrant.  First encountered by the Federation in the 
  2183,  the Ethayans and Starfleet endured a three-day border war before a peace accord was 
  signed.  
  Personality
     Ethayan society reveres the hunter and the 
  warrior in many respects, and much of their 
  societal structure revolved around “Ethaya”- a 
  semi-monastic religious order dedicated to 
  martial virtues.  
     Personal honor, integrity, and clan loyalty 
  are the key concepts drilled into Ethayans from 
  an early age- though they exhibit as much 
  variety of character as any other humanoid 
  species. 
     As a rule, Ethaya come across as proud 
  (almost beyond the point of arrogance), 
  disciplined, and extraordinarily self-sufficient.   
  Physical Description
     The Ethaya are humanoid, sharing height 
  and weight standards with Terran humans, 
  though they trend towards the tall and lithe.  
  Considered a handsome people by terrestrial 
  standards, they tend toward dark eyes (like the 
  Betazoids) and towards mahogany or reddish-
  brown skin tones.  Hair is generally dark, and 
  often worn long.  Their cultural emphasis on 
  strength and fitness means that most Ethayans 
  tend to be striking physical specimens.  
  Culture
     The Ethayan Sovereignty is thus, technically, 
  a controlled theocracy, divided into four 
  ceremonial or religious classes.  Every Ethayan 
  subject is sworn to obey the Empress (a clan 
  matriarch descended from the “First Tribe”, 
  which united the clans ten thousand years 
  ago)- those who can not or will not take this 
  oath have no legal rights or standing.  
     The highest strata of Ethayan society are the 
  Eleven Clans- the daughters (through direct 
  descent) of the eleven semi-mythical tribes of 
  Ethayan history, with the Empress first among 
  them.
     Each daughter of the Eleven Clans is trained 
  as an “Ethaya” (warrior priestess) before 
  beginning secondary training in other 
  disciplines.  Male offspring have no particular 
  standing, and are often either apportioned off 
  to various lesser Houses in order to strengthen 
  or create family ties and as signs of Imperial 
  favor or trained as clerks, assistants, and 
  retainers to the Clans.  
     The next highest tier are the Clan matriarchs- 
  who collectively form the Imperial Council and 
  wield legislative, and limited executive and 
  judicial power.  Although it is not technically , 
  the overwhelming majority of the Clan 
  matriarchs are also members of the “Ethaya”.  
     Judicial power is normally held by the 
  presiding Clan Matriarch, but in rare instances 
  (or in cases of inter-clan trouble) can be 
  appealed to a Matriarch of one of the Eleven 
  Clans (who live in the Sacred City, but are 
  given regional jurisdiction by both tradition 
  and Imperial decree.
     The next highest class consists of ordinary 
  Ethayan men and women.  Basic civil and 
  property rights are guaranteed by a semi-divine 
  Imperial decree, though women are given legal 
  preference in property and custody disputes).  
     The lowest class in Ethayan society are the 
  populations of worlds conquered by the Ethaya 
  (there are currently four such worlds).  
  Ethaya- Warrior Priestesses
     The “Ethaya” or “warrior priesthood” is a 
  semi-monastic order which both transcends 
  and unifies the clan structure.  Candidate 
  members are inducted at the age of five years 
  old and trained (at their Clan's expense) in a 
  variety of martial disciplines, including the 
  religious/warrior code called “Ethaya”.  
  Candidates may drop out and return to their 
  Clan without prejudice at any time until their 
  ninth year.  
     After eleven years of training (and upon 
  completing the required religious disciplines), 
  the young woman returns to her clan to serve 
  as both Clan defender and adviser.  
     An acolyte who finishes her eleventh year of 
  training without completing the required 
  religious disciplines) is dealt with on a case-by-
  case basis.  The most common result is that the 
  acolyte is returned to her clan in disgrace and 
  lives out her days in quiet ignominy.  In 
  instances of gross misconduct, the acolyte is 
  stripped of all legal rights and status, and 
  becomes a non-person (often turning to 
  beggary or crime to survive).  The most 
  heinous crimes can result in the failed acolyte 
  being put to death.
  
     There are rare instances (again, mostly 
  recorded in legend), where a failed acolyte has 
  triumphed against all odds, done great service 
  to the Imperium, and redeemed her honor.  
  There are also legends in which the failed 
  outcast becomes a “shadow”- an assassin, spy, 
  or thief who misuses her training for personal 
  profit.  
     In rare instances- usually involving heroic 
  self-sacrifice on behalf of the Imperium, some 
  “Ethaya” are awarded a husband from the 
  bloodlines of the Eleven Clans- promoting her 
  children into the highest elite of Ethayan 
  society.
  Language
  Ethayan, Federation Standard
  Homeworld
     The Ethayan Sovereignty currently controls 
  eight planets, four moons, and several large 
  asteroid belts within their recognized 
  borders,and conduct limited (but peaceful) 
  trade with neighbors.  Trespassers, pirates, 
  smugglers, and looters are dealt with harshly.  
     As of the last survey (by the Federation 
  Science Council's Office of Interstellar 
  Anthropology (completed in 2357), the 
  Sovereignty is a Tech Level 7/8 society, roughly 
  comparable to the Federation and the Klingon 
  Empire, with a population of just over 37 
  billion.
     The Imperial capital (on the Ethayan 
  homeworld) is divided into two portion: the 
  the Sacred City and the surrounding capital of 
  Ethaya Regis. The Sacred City is a massive 
  walled enclave covering roughly 260 km2, and 
  dates to the First Imperium (roughly two and a 
  half thousand years ago).  The Sacred City, like 
  the Chinese city of the same name- is reserved 
  for the Eleven Clans, their descendants, and 
  those in their immediate service.  Trespass is 
  punishable by immediate execution.  Even the 
  Imperial Council (the Ethayan senate) meets 
  outside the Sacred City.  
     Ethaya Regis is a massive modern city some 
  hundred and thirty kilometers across and 
  boasting a population of eleven million.
  Interstellar Relations
     The Ethaya have limited trade relations, 
  mostly with the Federation and a few of their 
  smaller neighbors, but are largely insular and 
  self-sufficient.  Their insular nature (and the 
  complex, ritualistic nature of their 
  interpersonal relations) has served to keep most 
  of their interactions limited.   
     Contact with the Ferengi and the Orions 
  apparently went badly, and relations with the 
  Klingons have been strained.  According to 
  legend, the last Klingon ambassador 
  (apparently deep in his cups) was expelled 
  (head-first) after making a derisive comment 
  about a society ruled by women.  
     Ethayan contact with the Federation has 
  been sporadic, at best, largely limited to either 
  limited informal trade or to major diplomatic 
  events.  Infrequent information and 
  technological exchanges have taken place- but 
  those have been largely limited to 
  navigational, agricultural, and some medical 
  data.  The Ethayans seem to be especially 
  interested in Federation inoculation regimes.  
     The Ethayans have consistently refused offers 
  of membership and alliance from the 
  Federation, and seem content to “go their own 
  way”.  A major exception to this rule took 
  place during the late Dominion War,  when 
  Admiral/Princess Oniri led a combined 
  Federation/Ethayan task force to destroy several 
  Jem'Hadar and Breen staging bases being built 
  near the Ethayan border.  
     The Ethayan have been observed to conduct 
  limited trade with the Romulans and 
  Cardassians, but this appears to be irregular 
  and specific in nature (and to have left a bad 
  taste in the mouths of all concerned).  
     Aliens and outworlders are generally treated 
  with suspicion by the Ethayan Sovereignty, and 
  “uninvited guests” or lawbreakers are usually 
  given one chance to explain themselves and 
  then executed out of hand.  
  Technological Summary
     Ethayan spaceflight technology is late-Level 
  7 or perhaps early Level 8.  Ethayan starships 
  are powered by third generation antimatter 
  drives, and they are equipped with advanced 
  beam and torpedo weaponry and powerful 
  defensive shields.  Little information is 
  available about their computers or command-
  and-control systems, but they had little 
  difficulty interfacing with Federation systems 
  during the Dominion War.  Ethayan technology 
  is generally judged to be roughly comparable 
  to Earth at the launch of the Enterprise-B.  
  Projections:  
     Starfleet Intelligence and the Federation 
  Diplomatic Corps expect little change in 
  Federation-Ethayan relations over the short 
  term.   All overtures toward expanded trade 
  
  and diplomatic relations between the two 
  powers have been summarily rejected by the 
  Ethayan, as have offers of Federation 
  membership.
  Favored Profession
     Soldier, Starship Officer, or Diplomat.  The 
  Ethaya can take up almost any profession, but 
  will most likely be encountered in one of these 
  roles.
  Species Adjustment
  +1 AGI, +1 VIT   
  Species Abilities:
  Physically Fit:  As members of a warrior 
  culture, the Ethaya push themselves to 
  the peak of physical condition. When 
  making a Strength, Vitality, or Athletics 
  test, the character doubles the key 
  attribute modifier.  The character also 
  gains a +1 Stamina at character 
  creation.
  Warrior Balance:  The Ethaya are taught to 
  fight with grace and agility- and gain a 
  +1 species bonus to all Physical tests.
  Warrior Culture:  The Ethaya are trained to 
  fight almost from the time they can 
  walk.  Ethayan characters gain the 
  Unarmed Combat and Armed Combat: 
  Simple Weapons skills at +1 each at 
  character creation.  These are 
  considered a professional skill for the 
  purposes of advancement.    
  Warrior Pride: The Ethayan insular nature 
  (and the complex, ritualistic nature of 
  their interpersonal relations) strikes 
  many species as prideful to the point of 
  arrogance.  Ethaya suffer a -1 to all 
  Social tests.   
  Ethaya Warrior Priestess 
     (Personal Development Package) 
     Your youth was spent receiving rigorous 
  religious instruction designed to instill the 
  knowledge and discipline to take your place as a 
  guardian and leader in Ethayan society.  
  Pick 1 Skill: Any one Armed Combat skill +2, 
  Knowledge: Politics +2,  Any one Ranged 
  Combat skill +2,  Social Science +2, 
  System Operation +2, 
  Pick 3 Skills: Athletics +1, Craft +1, Enterprise: 
  Administration +1, Influence +1, 
  Knowledge Culture (Religion) +1, 
  Observe +1, Survival +1, any one 
  Unarmed Combat skill +1,
  Pick 1 Edge: Command 1, Contacts, Fame, 
  Famous Event, Promotion, or Shrewd
  Prerequisite:  Ethayan Females only.
  Notes
     The Ethaya are not recommended for use as Player Characters without express Narrator approval 
  and a suitable backstory. Stats by Roger Taylor.
  
SOURCE: textdata/thevault/Star Trek RPG/Decipher/Species/alien_Ethaya.pdf