IV. The Jia Kuja Anomi Story
Jia Kuja Anomi, or Kuja for short, is a non-humanoid race whose existence had previously been assumed as myth or legend. Visually, Kuja appear, in natural state, as blob-like entities with a slightly translucent dark blue-grey body with a glowing area in what is assumed to be the "head". Their home planet is a highly humid environment. Kuja are apparently amphibious, able to dwell in water as well as on land. In early space exploration, Kuja found most planets uninviting because of the lack of moisture in the air.Thus, they dwelt in deep waters. Emerging from deep oceans, native races, including those which now dominate the galaxy treated them with great fear and created stories of suspicion and fear. Over the many milennia, these stories have become legends, children's stories used to scare young ones away for turbulent seas.
Jia Kuja Anomi is ancient. Their precise origins are unknown but it appears that they may have been around in some form during the age of the Precursors. Having had little previous desire for conquest or expansion, Kuja have been relatively quiet on the galacitc stage, aside from their occasional exploratory sorties which gave rise to the myths about them. From their perspective, such exploratorations were proof that the galaxy was filled with races and beings hostile to their existence. As such, Kuja are naturally xenophobic and afraid of these solid mostly humanoid races who appear to fill the galaxy.
Within Jia Kuja Anomi, the collection of entities called Kuja are considered a part of a single extended family of billions of mostly automonmous beings, each with their own glow of life and being. In addition to their highly complex kinship structure, Kuja appear deeply religious - if religious is the right term. They are deeply committed to the apparent ideas or prophecies of one they call Kuja Kai, an entity believed to be the one who gave them the glow of life. They are protective of their way of life, honoring the forebearers of their kind.
Kuja are highly intelligent and capable of great adaptation. They have strict atmospheric requirements which cause their abilities and skills to diminish in environments which are not ideal. As such, despite technology, Kuja are never able to colonize radioactive or toxic worlds. Further, they require certain atmospheric regulators in order to fulfill their ability. Kuja are also less adept with all manner of inter-species relations. However, great strides are being made to allow Kuja to better understand and interact with those they call "Other".
The story of Jia Kuja Anomi. then, is a story of an ancient race trying to take a courageous step forward, against their own fears and against the fears of others. They understand that, against hostile races, they will quickly become the target of aggression and mistreatment. However, within Jia Kuja there is hope, or even a quiet confidence, that they will rise to prominence, elevating the family to new heights and new paths.
V. Kuja Technologies and Improvements
I will not list all the technologies but point out where to find them and what they are for.
The Kuja Faction starts off with penalties in growth, production, and diplomacy (and all other "social" stats). They are, after all, treated with suspicion by others. All techs and improvements (and starbase modules) are designed to compensate for these deficiencies within the framework of their story.
Atmospheric Controls: One line of tech and improvements relates to the control of atmospheric conditions to become more favorable to Kuja life and wellbeing. After developing the basic improvements, further research will allow for fine tuning of the atmospheric environment to enhance Kuja life even more.
Genetic Direction: Another line of tech and improvements relates to the genetic manipulation or "improvement" of the species as well as the bodily improvement of Kuja through the use of rare materials. There are several types of modification which can be made. But these are not simple stat boosts as they come with trade offs (negative effects). These are tied also to improvements.
Intercultural Research: Because Kuja are naturally bad at relating to humanoids and other "solids", they require a bit of extra work to become palatable, trade-worthy, and influential. Research allows the contruction of Starbase modules that serve as "off-world" training centers... displacement experiences, if you will, to help Kuja learn to adapt. Eventually, this leads to ultimate adaptation in the form of shapeshifting and the benefit this brings to diplomacy and such.
