Varan
| Varan | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Base Information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Classification | Omnivore | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Status | Minor Human Race | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Locomotion | Walker | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Terrain | Forest | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Body Form | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Confluence | Human | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bio-Identenoid | Human | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Size | 1.9 meters | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 95 kg | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Culture | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Languages | Native Language | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Social Structure | Oligarchy | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Technological Epoch | TL:16-18 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Psionic potential | Standard | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Origin World | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Homeworld location | Varan (Varan 2023) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| UWP | A8676C7-G
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Primary Star | G4 V | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Atmosphere | Standard | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Off-world presence | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Zoetic individuals | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reference | Dalthor's Guide to the Mikhail (Varan) Sector | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Canon | No | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Also see | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Varan of Varan (Varan 2023) are a Minor Human Race with a humanoid appearance and technologically advanced sophonts.
Physiology & Environment (Ecology)
Varans are bipedal humanoids, who average 1.9 meters in height, and about 95 kilograms in weight, and are very similar to Terran Homo sapiens sapiens stock, with one significant visible difference. Rather than a single thumb and four fingers per hand, we have two opposing thumbs and three fingers on each hand.
Reproductive maturity is reached at around age 20. Average natural lifespan is 134 years. The Varan gestation period averages 272 days. Full reproductive maturity is reached at around age 20.
Varan Life Stages
| Num |
Life Stage |
Years |
Terms |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | Infancy | 0-1 | 1/2 |
| 1 | Childhood | 2-9 | 2 |
| 2 | Adolescence | 10-17 | 2 |
| 3 | Young Adult* | 18-33 | 4 |
| 4 | Adult | 34-49 | 4 |
| 5 | Peak | 50-65 | 4 |
| 6 | Mid-life | 66-81 | 4 |
| 7 | Senior | 82-97 | 4 |
| 8 | Elder | 98-113 | 4 |
| 9 | Retirement | 114+ |
Homeworld
The Varan home world is located at K-2023 (Varan 2023), with an orbital period of 360.125 days.
Psionics
Psionic ability is found in Varan citizens, who are tested at birth. Unlike the Imperium, Psionics have no stigma in the Varan sector. In truth, a Psion will normally be groomed for government positions, especially Espers, who are used as arbiters and judges.
All Psions are subject to rules of conduct, known as Psi-regs, that they follow. Psi-regs are basically ethical guidelines, and failure to abide by those guidelines is dealt with harshly. A Psion can be stripped of the ability via psychic surgery, and in extreme cases may be put to death for willfully breaking those guidelines.
History & Background (Dossier)
Varan has been a space-faring civilization for nearly 2,200 years, and has had jump capability for just over 2,000 years.
Dalthor's Missive
If you are reading this, you've been granted Ultim-4A security access by your planetary ruling body. All standard security provisions apply - please handle this E-document accordingly. If you've seen this file in error, please contact your local security office or Ultim-8 liaison.
My name is Dalthor Et Magera, which loosely translates to Dalthor from Magera in your tongue. As a native Varan, I am uniquely qualified to provide the information you are about to view.
I have endeavored to render this missive in the third person point of view. Should you find first person views, please be tolerant. I still find it hard to think, and therefore dictate, in your language.
Contact with Known Space
(The Varan Sector, Circa 1105): The Varan Sector is just outside known space, as defined by the Imperium. From the Core sector, it is 5 sectors rimward and 3 sectors trailing.
The Varans have their own unique calendar system; for ease of use, everything herein is converted to Imperial reckoning. This may help simplify your task and aid you in integrating this information into your own library data.
To date, there is no official contact of any sort with the Imperium. The Varans are aware of the existence of several star-faring civilizations, including the K'Kree, Aslan, and Humaniti, but have made no overt attempts to contact them.
A single Solomani colony ship reached the sector in 922, but crash-landed on Varan/Prospect/Scimitar (B-1202) after a drive mishap.
Shattered Worlds
Little is known about this area, beside the fact that a terrible calamity struck. There is not one single intact planet in any of the systems. The gas giants are all small at best, and everything else is an asteroid belt or shattered world.
The only system with anything recognizable is Returne (H-2914) and that system is off-limits. The remnants of MASSIVE battle monitors destroy any ship that jumps into the system. To date, only probes have been able to send back any usable data, and even the best armored probes were severely damaged. The smallest monitor imaged was over 5,000,000 tons, and appeared to be only about 50% functional. It still destroyed a significant portion of the first fleet sent into the sector.
The minimum estimated technological level of the system equals that of the best Varan devices and ships, and based on empirical evidence, would rival that of your Ancients, as you call them.
Our best scientists analyzed all available data, images, and samples where obtainable. Their best guess is a war of some sort, fought by a race or species unknown, with the end result being the utter annihilation of everything except the automated battle monitors.
In the 1,900 years since Varans first tried to explore the region, not a single manned ship has survived a foray into Returne. Attempts are still made, in the hope of both gaining intelligence, and in the hope of finding a defense against the battle monitors. The attempts may have been futile, but the learning experience has lead to many new Varan innovations and technological wonders.
Winnowing
A major factor in the current lack of expansion is the plague we call The Winnowing.
Just over 150 years ago, an extremely old (Ancient?) site was discovered on the planet Pandissol (O-2433). During the exploration of the site, a small canister was opened, releasing a virulent plague of incalculable destruction.
The plague spread silently, with no ill effect, for nearly a month before the first symptoms showed. By that time, all of Pandissol, and most other planets in the subsector had been exposed, thanks to interstellar travel. By the time it was recognized as a virus, virtually every living being in the Varan sector had been exposed.
The virus essentially modified our DNA; most of the deaths occurred when the host body was unable to cope with the changes. The virus seems to have targeted specific genes, removing "defective" gene combinations. It seems as though it was originally meant as a curative virus, but did not work properly.
Eventually a cure was discovered, although by that time it had run the majority of its deadly course. The plague itself no longer appears to exist, except in the minds and hearts of the people.
There are several hundred survivors of the original Winnowing. Of that number, 22 of them show no signs of aging. All appear to have stopped aging at around 35 years apparent age. Research into the subject has led to some interesting drugs and anti-aging treatments, but with nothing near the efficacy of the original virus.
For the survivors and later generations, the overall result of the virus was beneficent. Hearing, vision, and smell were enhanced. Birth defects and many diseases were eradicated. The loss of more than 70% of the population mitigated this result, even if the genetic benefits are still present and continue into new generations.
The Winnowing also altered our physical structure to some extent. All Varans exposed to the virus, as well as subsequent generations, have two opposing thumbs and three fingers per hand. Prior generations had one thumb and four fingers per hand. This has caused some engineering issues, which are now resolved for the most part.
Varans are still recovering from the effects of the plague. Even after 150 years, most planets still feel the effects from the loss of life. A lot of planets consolidated their populations, and began the process of rebuilding.
The biggest thing to note is that this virus was tailored for Humaniti - if you were exposed, you would go through the same metamorphosis, assuming you survived your exposure to the virus.
This also lends credence to the current Imperial assumption that the Varan people are also Terran stock, taken from the Solomani Rim, and placed on Varan. The empirical evidence is substantial, but as yet unproven.
Societal Redevelopment
As the rebuild nears completion, Varans are starting to plan the next round of expansion. They have the time, and the inclination, to do it slowly, steadily, and thoroughly.
They have also learned patience - a virtue that will stand them in good stead, considering that in that 50-year timeframe the odds are great that the first official alien encounter will take place.
By then most if not all League planets will be back to at least tech level 16, with some nearing level 17 thanks to Varan computer technology and automation.
Recent Developments
Of course, by now you are asking yourself how, if there is no contact, you came to be reading this document. Remember one thing - no official contact has been made with Varan.
Some of you may recognize my name - I'm somewhat well known in the Spinward Marches and Deneb sectors. By now, you may also have realized that my past has been...modified...to some extent by the Imperium. In due time, more shall be publicly revealed, and Varans will likely join the known races of the Imperium.
In the meantime, this information is being disseminated to select groups within known space, to give them time to prepare for first contact with the Varan people.
Government & Politics (Leadership)
The Varan Republic is characterized as having a high degree of centralization, which sets uniform policies that direct the entire multi-system state and disregards local/planetary differences. The Varan Republic is usually classified as a Republic, a form of a Unitary State.
- Please see Varan Republic for more information.
The Varan League of Planets
While the Varan homeworld is governed by the Varan Republic, all systems settled by Varans outside the core worlds are members of the Varan League of Planets, commonly called the League. These worlds are self-governed, and are also subject to the sector government. They are autonomous, but for the good of the people they have a common set of rules for communications, travel, and trade.
Calendar & Timekeeping
The Varans have their own unique calendar system.
The Varan calendar consists of 10 months of 36 days per month. Each month is broken into six weeks, each of which is further divided into six days. Each day is divided into 36 hours, each of which contains 36 minutes, each minute containing 36 seconds.
Every eight years, one additional day is added to the calendar. It is added as the last day of the year, and is called "Varandul" by the people.
This is the standard calendar used by all League worlds to synchronize time with Varan itself. Each individual planet also has its local calendar and day clock.
Technology & Trade (Economy)
Varans have been a space-faring civilization for nearly 2200 years, and has had jump capability for just over 2000 years. Commercial and private ships are generally limited to jump-2, military to jump-4, and in rare cases jump-6. This is a feature of Varan culture, rather than any form of legal or military restriction.
In most respects, the Varan are somewhat above the Imperium in general technology. The largest difference is in computer systems and automation.
Most ships in the sector are over 150 years old, yet are still in very good condition thanks to robotics and excellent maintenance programs.
Current Varan computers are at a minimum of tech level 20 for all intents and purposes. All Varan computers are at least 50% smaller and lighter than their Imperial equivalents. The circuits are literally built molecular layer by molecular layer.
Most systems are controlled by voice in addition to a physical interface. The AI's are intuitive, and can run a starship with little to no Varan interaction. This allows minimal crew sizes, with no loss of capability.
This level of automation is common, and Varans don't give it a second thought. This became especially prevalent after the Winnowing, when robotics kept us from total collapse. We had already integrated automation into our society.
Careful analysis of the technological levels in the sector will reveal "rings" of decreasing technology radiating out from Core worlds. Slowly but surely everything is being built back up, from Varan outward. By the time it is done, the Varans will again be ready (and able) to expand their horizons.
Money & Mathematics
Varans, like the Imperium, use a consistent monetary unit. For practical purposes, it is the equivalent of the credit. We do have nicknames for amounts, based on an old coin-based system.
| Amount | Nickname |
|---|---|
| 1 | Fingul |
| 5 | Handul |
| 10 | Fistul |
| 100 | Bodul |
| 1000 | Nobul |
Varan math is based on tens, due to the total number of fingers and thumbs on two hands. In that respect, it is already familiar to the reader.
Varan (Sophont) Military & Intelligence (Force Projection)
The Varan Military: The Varans do not have a true military establishment, at least as you define one. It is more an arm of the government, tasked with maintaining order, fostering trade, and providing sector-wide communications to the League.
I've liberally translated the actual names of the branches. It also makes later references to these government branches a bit easier to scribe.
The military arm of the government is called the Cosat, a conjugation of Communications, Survey, and Trade. The separate branches within the Cosat are described below.
The Communications Branch
The Varan Office of Communication is responsible for communications within the sector. VOCOMM maintains a fleet of fast couriers, akin to your x-boat network. The system is set up in loops, with bi-directional messages traversing each loop. The loops are interconnected, which allows for fast, efficient passing of messages.
The Scouting and Surveying Branch
The Varan Office of Scouting and Surveying, or VOSS, is similar to your IISS. In addition to the exploration and survey of systems and worlds, it is responsible for colonization efforts in the sector.
VOSS is also responsible for early warning and defensive systems throughout the sector. The ships are fast and well-armed.
The Trade and Economic Branch
VECTOR, The Varan Economic and Trade Organization, is responsible for the economic health of the sector. It defines trade routes, sets pricing, schedules trade runs, and organizes the labor force in the sector.
VECTOR manages trade in general, but the member planets of the League actually supply the ships that run the routes. The planets also run the starports that maintain the ships.
The only restricted planet in the League is Ryfe (I-0829) due to its status as a prison world, although we call it a reintegration habitat.
Bases within the sector
Varan bases within the sector are similar to the Imperial equivalents. Some distinctions are made due to the "lack" of a military force.
Varan Naval bases are responsible for the support and maintenance of all vessels, regardless of type. In times of war, they will be fleet assembly points. The primary threat is the Shattered Worlds, described elsewhere in this briefing.
Varan Scout bases and way stations are functionally similar to their Imperial cousins.
Military garrisons of any sort are actually local security forces. Generally, they are also training areas for local police forces.
Exploration and expansion
For the near future, there are no plans to expand the current borders of the League. VOSS has explored every system in the sector, and has ranged out into adjacent areas. No contact has been made with any other race as yet - the VOSS missions have all been covert if they went into any other inhabited system.
It is a well known fact in Varan space that there are early warning systems stationed in every single system in the sector, as well as those in the eight adjacent sectors. While there is no intent to invade other regions of known space, there is also no current movement to be known to the Imperium or any other space-faring race.
Astrography
This race is primarily located in the following areas:
Homeworld
The homeworld of this race is:
World Listing: 1105
Significant communities of this race are known to dwell within the following systems and worlds:
References & Contributors (Sources)
- Dalthor's Guide to the Mikhail (Varan) Sector
- Traveller Wiki Editorial Team
- Author & Contributor: Ed Anderson AKA "Dalthor Et Magera"
- Author & Contributor: Lord (Marquis) and Master of Sophontology Maksim-Smelchak of the Ministry of Science