Editing K'shek Cluster

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The [[K'shek Cluster]] is a group of [[star]]s that forms part of the [[Demon Cluster]].

== Details / Specifications ==
The K'shek Cluster is named for the [[K'shek (world)|K'shek]] [[system]] and its bright primary [[star]]. It lies within [[Sath Subsector]] in [[Far Home Sector]] and is accessible by [[Conventional Pattern Starships|conventional]] jump-1 vessels. The cluster has been inhabited for millennia and is home to billions of [[Sath]]: lying at its heart is [[Ch'kaahi (world)|Ch'kaahi]], their [[homeworld]]. The Cluster has a rich and complex history and many ancient traditions. It lies on the edge of the [[Great Void]] and is considered to be at the rimward boundary of the [[Moat Rifts]].

The K'shek Cluster contains 6 systems and lies within [[Sath Subsector|Sath]] [[Subsector]] in [[Far Home Sector]]. It is named for the blue main sequence primary [[star]] of the [[K'shek (world)|K'shek]] system (2737 [[Far Home Sector|Far Home]]) and is accessible by [[Conventional Pattern Starships|conventional]] jump-1 vessels.

The K'Shek Cluster forms part of the territory of the [[Sath Alliance]]. Its worlds are entirely dominated by the [[Sath]], a [[Minor Race|minor]] [[Sophont]] species.

The Cluster is the power base of the [[Shikh’aa]] Faction. The main spoken language within the Cluster is [[Kha’thak]].

[[Ch'kaahi_(world)|Ch'kaahi]], the [[Homeworld]] of the [[Sath]], lies within the Cluster.

== Physical Astrography ==
=== Other Clusters & Traces ===
* [[Aasa'tha Cluster]]
* [[Demon Cluster]]
** [[Sha'a Cluster]]
* [[Hak'tha Spread]]

=== Rifts & Voids ===
* [[Great Void]]
* [[Moat Rifts]]

=== Other Astrographic Features ===
==== Nebula ====
* The [[The Cauldron|Cauldron Nebula]], lying within [[Cauldron Sector]], some 86 parsecs to coreward-trailing, can be seen as a star-studded luminous region in night-time skies from all of the [[world]]s of the Cluster.

==== Bright Stars ====
* [[Basilisk's Eye (world)|Basilisk's Eye]] (1723 [[Tarchon Sector]]). The extremely luminous white supergiant [[star]], lying around 122 parsecs to coreward-trailing, can be clearly seen from all of the [[world]]s of the Cluster.
* [[Demon's Eye (world)|Demon's Eye]] (1621 [[Far Home Sector]]). The intensely luminous blue supergiant [[star]] lying approximately 15 parsecs to spinward-coreward at its closest point, can be clearly seen from all of the [[world]]s of the Cluster even in daylight.
* Manjazar, the red bright giant primary [[star]] of the [[Sarudis (world)|Sarudis]] [[system]], Manusta, the red giant primary of the [[Quistil (world)|Quistil]] [[system]], and Intens, the white bright giant primary [[star]] of the [[Orret (world)|Orret]] [[system]], all lying to spinward-coreward of [[Sath]] territory, can be clearly seen from all of the [[world]]s of the Cluster. They are beacons marking the boundaries of a slumbering giant, one that should not yet be woken.

=== Jump Bridges ===
Two [[Jump Bridge]]s have been constructed to give Jump-1 vessels access to the [[Sha'a Cluster]] and the [[Chaiik (world)|Chaiik]] [[system]], the seat of the [[Issh’t’ka]], and a third [[Jump Bridge]] has been emplaced to open the worlds of the [[Hak'tha Spread]] to regular traffic:
* [[Sch'ikaa Waypoint]] (2435 [[Far Home Sector|Far Home]])
* [[Tiirk'sch Waypoint]] (2536 [[Far Home Sector|Far Home]])
* [[Ith-Saa-Ka Waypoint]] (3038 [[Far Home Sector|Far Home]])

=== World Listing ===
The following [[system]]s and [[world]]s are a part of the K'shek Cluster:
{{ClusterWorlds2|K'shek Cluster}}

=== Subsector Listing ===
The K'shek Cluster lies within the following [[Subsector]]: 
* [[Sath Subsector]]: Subsector P of [[Far Home Sector]].

== Political Astrography ==
=== Demographics ===
Population: 9.204 billion [[Sophont]]s.
* [[Non-Human Race]]s:
** [[Sath]] ([[Minor Race]]): 9.204 billion (100% of the population)

=== Native Sophonts ===
The [[Sath]], native to [[Ch'kaahi (world)|Ch'kaahi]].

=== Linguistic Topography ===
The following [[language]]s are the most commonly spoken within the Cluster:
* [[Asath]].  A [[Sath]] language, the primary language of the [[Shikh’aa]] Faction of the [[Sath Alliance]].
* [[Kha’thak]]. A [[Sath]] language, the primary language of the [[Ka’sa]] and [[Khas'ahi]] Factions of the [[Sath Alliance]].

=== Polities ===
The K'shek Cluster is a part of the [[Sath]] [[Sath Alliance|Alliance]]: its [[system]]s are controlled by the powerful [[Shikh’aa]] Faction of the [[Sath Alliance|Alliance]]. [[Human]]s are not welcome within [[Sath Alliance|Alliance]] territory: those few [[human]]s that stray into the K'shek Cluster are generally met with a hostile reception and are closely monitored at all times.

==== Interstellar Relations ====
The [[Shikh’aa]] Faction is focused on internal development and expansion into the [[cluster]]s of unclaimed worlds lying within the [[Moat Rifts]] and [[Great Void]]. Much of its recent effort has gone into the construction of the [[Ith-Saa-Ka Waypoint]], lying within interstellar hex (3038) of [[Far Home Sector]] and it is preparing large-scale colonisation of the worlds of the [[Hak'tha Spread]]. The [[Shikh’aa]] Faction does not trust the [[Ka’sa]] and [[Khas'ahi]] Factions and does not approve of their frivolous and cavalier wars against the [[human]]s. It is obliged by honor and by treaty to offer some degree of support to its fellow [[Sath]], but it maintain large defense forces and powerful garrisons on its worlds in case they see easier targets closer to home.
* The worlds of the Cluster teem with activity and its ports are lousy with ships.

=== Capitals ===
* [[Ch'kaahi (world)|Ch'kaahi]] is the prime system of the [[Shikh’aa]] Faction.

== History & Background ==
[[Sath]] detest [[human]]s, who they regard as interlopers and thieves who have stolen "their" region of space. [[Human]]s have held them back and thwarted every effort that they have made to claim their rightful place among the stars. They have been restricted to the [[Sha'a Cluster]] and the K'shek Cluster while [[human]]s have seized everything else.

[[Human]]s have always been extremely reluctant to provide any [[DeVoss Drive|jump-2]] drives to the [[Sath]]. As a consequence the [[Sath]] have been dependent on [[DeVoss Drive|jump-1]] designs and have made extensive use of [[Calibration Point|Jump Bridge]]s, the [[Sch'ikaa Waypoint|Sch'ikaa]] and [[Tiik'sch Waypoint]]s, to connect the two [[cluster]]s of stars that form the heart of their territories.

The [[Sath]] gained the ability to manufacture their own [[DeVoss Drive|jump-2]] drives during the middle years of the 56th century and this advance has opened a whole new era, allowing them to compete on equal terms with [[human]]s for the first time in their history. They have begun to flex their muscles and use their new technology, spilling out into previously unexplored space.

=== Major Historical Events ===
* ca 150,000BCE Proto-Sath emerge on [[Ch'kaahi (world)|Ch'kaahi]], their [[homeworld]].
* ca 12000 BCE: first permnanent settlements founded. Origins of the Factions.
* ca 1500AD–2200AD: Global wars drive a period of technological advancement.
* 2255AD: Humans arrive in the [[Demon Cluster]].
* 2325AD: Humans detect radio signals of Sath origin from the surface of [[Ch'kaahi (world)|Ch'kaahi]].
* ca 2350AD: First [[human]]-[[Sath]] contact.
* 2468AD: The [[Jacent Incident]]. Beginning of the [[Sath]] [[Introspective Period]].
* 2525AD: First independently produced [[Sath]] [[DeVoss Drive|jump]]-capable ship.
* ca 2550 AD: First [[Sch'ikaa Waypoint]] becomes operational.
* ca 2600 AD: First [[Tiik'sch Waypoint]] becomes operational.
* 2657AD: [[Battle of Jacent]].
* 3730AD: [[Voyagers]] arrive and devastate the Sector. The [[Fringian Dark Age|Dark Age]] begins.
* 4549AD: The [[Voyagers]] depart and the [[Fringian Dark Age|Dark Age]] ends.
* 4590AD: The [[Sath]] reemerge into space.
* ca 5100AD: Second [[Sch'ikaa Waypoint]] becomes operational.
* ca 5100AD: Second [[Tiik'sch Waypoint]] becomes operational. 
* ca 5220AD: [[NAFAL|STL]] probes are launched towards the [[Hak'tha Spread]].
* 5338AD: [[Voyage of the Hiishiiha]].
* ca 5450AD: Faction wars within the [[Sath Alliance]]: the [[Sath Diaspora]].
* 5538AD: [[Long-Range Pattern Starships|Long-range]] scouting missions are sent into the [[Hak'tha Spread]].
* ca 5550AD: The Sath technological base advances to the point where they are able to produce their own [[DeVoss Drive|jump-2]] drives.
* 5596AD: The [[Sath]] occupy the [[Hell Worlds]].
* 5599AD: The [[Ith-Saa-Ka Waypoint]] becomes operational.
* 5600AD: Data for the K'shek Cluster is published in the [[DSP Listing]].

== References & Contributors / Sources ==
{{Advanced}}
{{Sources
|S1= Author & Contributor: Lord (Marquis) and Master Scout Emeritus [[User: Alagoric|Adie Alegoric Stewart]] of the [[IISS]]
|S2= Author & Contributor: Lord (Marquis) and Master of Sophontology [[User:Maksim-Smelchak|Maksim-Smelchak]] of the [[Ministry of Science]]
}}


{{LEA|Distant Fringe}}