DISTANCE: 18.8 light years from Sol
NEIGHBORING SYSTEMS: 61 Cygni 11.2 lys Eta Cassiopeiae 11.2 lys Groombridge 1618 16.8 lys
SIGMA DRACONIS is a yellow-orange dwarf with four planets in orbit including two small rocky worlds in the innermost regions and two large gas giants at the outer edge of the system. Nearly a hundred moons have been discovered in orbit around these massive outer planets.
RYTHMARU is the second planet in orbit and is a world covered in widespread temperate forests, humid marshes, and subtropical savannas. With an axial tilt of only 6 degrees, seasonal changes on this world are almost non-existent. Several small seas appear sporadically across the surface, but there are no major oceans. Instead, water is distributed rather evenly with the help of numerous large rivers and an extensive tributary system which provides water to nearly every region on the planet. This has allowed for more efficient plant growth and has also been a factor in the development of a variety of unique vegetation that covers this world.
Oxygen levels on this planet are slightly higher than on Earth which has contributed to the large size and sturdiness of many of the life forms that have evolved here. Rythmaru is also the homeworld of the Undari race.
The UNDARI evolved from a species of large arboreal primates who lived high in the trees to avoid a variety of predators indigenous to this world. Standing erect at around 2.2m in height, they continue to retain the long arms and stocky legs of their ancestors. Their faces have a somewhat simian quality to them with small bright eyes under a furrowed brow. They have large pug noses, wide jawlines, and multi-directional, tapered ears. Although younger individuals often have thick patches of fur on their heads and faces which they lose with age, their bodies are generally only covered by a fine layer of soft bristle-like hairs similar to peach fuzz. Their eyesight is relatively poor, but they make up for this trait with excellent hearing and a keen sense of smell. They are also strict herbivores with diets that consist entirely of plants and vegetables, fruits and berries, and an assortment of nuts and seeds.
Considered to be relatively primitive by Human standards; the Undari are a peaceful and noble race who have developed complex tools, distinctive architectural designs, and organized societal groupings. Their culture holds females in high regard as the “givers of life” and their elders are honored for their insight and knowledge. Although most of them live in large communal tribes throughout the dense forests of their homeworld, over time they have gradually populated nearly every region on the planet. The Undari have a great amount of respect for the sanctity of nature and believe that it is their solemn duty to protect the balance of life on their world.
They typically live to be around 400 years old and don’t reach full maturity until after nearly a century of development. At this time, it is their custom to leave the familiar comfort of their village and take a solitary journey into the wilderness. This ritual is a rite of passage in which their goal is to not only learn to take care of themselves, but to discover their own physical and spiritual paths in life. There is no predetermined length of time that this journey takes place and can last anywhere from a few months to several years depending on the individual. Most eventually return back to their villages as adults with a better understanding of the world around them. Some continue on into unknown territories only to find others who have come together to form their own societies. On rare occasions, one may remain in solitude for decades as a more intimate way of communing with nature. These individuals are typically revered as shaman and are often sought out for their spiritual guidance and wisdom.
Although the Undari have explored a great deal of their own world, they previously had no concept of other inhabited planets beyond their own. So, in 2187, when the crew of a Cygnian exploratory vessel arrived to investigate their arboreal home, it changed their entire view of the universe forever. Fortunately, the Human research team assigned to make first contact had the foresight to land several kilometers away from any populated areas so as not to alarm the primitive inhabitants. Although their original plan was to travel on foot to the edge of the forest where they could observe the natives discreetly, the scientists unintentionally disturbed much of the wildlife along the way and the Undari were quickly alerted to their presence. Armed only with crude defensive weaponry, a scouting party from the nearby village surrounded these newcomers to prevent them from going any further. The research team did their best to display a submissive posture and, with the help of their translator matrix, were able to convey who they were and their peaceful intensions. The Undari were impressed with their respectful and passive demeanor and decided to take them to the community elders.
As the science team stood in the Great Hollow before several dozen of the village’s most revered members, the Humans assured them that no deception was intended. The leader of their society, called the Matriarch, listened in quiet repose as these outsiders explained that they were merely curious and wanted to study their way of life without interfering in their natural development. She was genuinely grateful for their effort to protect their culture from exposure, yet also expressed her dire concern over the possible harm that may have already been done. The scientists were deeply regretful, but suggested that since the Undari were now aware of their existence they could learn from each other and try to dissuade any negative misunderstandings. The Matriarch agreed and proposed a marginal form of cultural exchange which would only allow a limited number of Humans to visit their world at any given time so as not to overtly disrupt their own civilization.
Within a month, twelve specially selected individuals from the Human colony of 61 Cygni were delegated to act as emissaries to the Undari people. Their mission was to develop peaceful relations and learn about them by immersing themselves in their culture. These emissaries were allowed to reveal basic knowledge about the interstellar community that existed beyond their world, but the sharing of technology or the discussion of information that would adversely affect their progress was strictly prohibited. The Cygnians developed a close bond with their hosts very quickly due in part to their mutual reverence towards nature. As these Humans participated in the day lives of the Undari, many of them began to feel a longing for a simpler life themselves.
However, less than a year later, the Human race was confronted with the reemergence of the Zendathu and thrust into an interstellar war. As the conflict escalated, Humans began to fear that this relentless enemy might eventually make the planet Rythmaru yet another target. The Undari, who had no history of war, only had primitive weapons to defend themselves against indigenous predators and would clearly be no match for a Zendathu attack. The Cygnian Navy offered to establish a permanent security force to help protect their world, but the Undari felt that they were attempting to impose their own hostile agendas upon them and fervently refused. Despite their objections, the Cygnians maintained an undisclosed patrol convoy on the outer edge of the system and were integral in averting two separate Zendathu invasions during the entirety of the long conflict. The Undari never understood that the Human race was fighting for its very existence and was merely attempting to defend those who could not defend themselves. Unfortunately, due to what they believed was an extreme duality in Human nature, they developed profound feelings of distrust and are suspicious of all outsiders to this day.
Nearly all of the Undari remain on Rythmaru living amongst their own kind and only a handful have ever left their home to journey to distant worlds. On rare occasions, these few adventurous individuals can be found working on freighters and cargo ships as they travel between the stars. Most Humans have never encountered a member of their race in person which has led to many misconceptions about these noble, yet reclusive beings. Their sheer size and strength alone is enough to give them an intimidating presence and they are often treated like monsters rather than the thoughtful creatures they truly are.