The Ai’Mira
A Male & Female Ai’Mira. Though they always have white hair, their skin colors can range either darker or lighter than the examples seen here.
(pronunciation: eye-meer-uh)
Physiology
The Ai’Mira are a white-haired sapient species that originated from the now-barren planet they dub “Old Ai’Mir”. Many in the galaxy would compare their physical structure to that of the Humans of Earth, but there are a few key differences. They share some minor characteristics with various feline wildlife of earth, more specifically, the Panthera Leo, colloquially known as the Earth Lion. In comparison to humans, they are somewhat taller on average, but are significantly more agile by comparison. They have pointed ears, and possess long, thin, tails capable of supporting at least their own body weight. They also have claws, exaggerated canine teeth, and forward-facing eyes, marking them as an apex species of their biome.
The most populous subset of the Ai’Mira is currently located on the planet New Ai’Mir. The “New” Ai’Miran people are the descendants of the survivors of the Galactic Subjugation War, in which the former Ai’Miran Empire attempted to consolidate the galaxy under their rule.
Sub-Cultures
Flag of the Vaashti Commonwealth, each Circle represents the 5 founding City-states, North, South, East, West, & Central Bastion.
Flag of the Remnant Empire. It’s design is also the symbol of the Imperial Branch of House Oriyon, whose members are venerated as living dieties.
Culturally, they are divided into two distinct groups, those of the Vaashti Commonwealth, and those of the Remnant Empire. The Imperial subspecies is more culturally attuned to that of their conquering ancestors. Imperial culture is primarily centered around military service and has a strong military aristocracy that constitutes the core of its government, which in turn is an absolute monarchy. Members of this nobility serve as viceroys of the various territories of the empire. They in turn report to the Remnant Emperor/Empress and provide resources, tax revenue, and conscripted soldiers for the Imperial military.
(Left) Commonwealth Ai’ Mira, (Right) Imperial Ai’Mira. Due to gene therapy, the average Commonwealther is physically more robust and has sharper senses. Imperial Ai’Mira however, outnumber the commonwealthers 5-to-1.
Imperial Ai’Mira
Generally speaking, Imperial Ai’Mira are significantly smaller, weaker, and less agile than the Ai’Mira of the Commonwealth, with the only major exceptions to this rule being members of the aristocracy or merchant class. This gap is due in part to a rigid caste system that the Imperial aristocracy imposes on its citizenry. Despite a species-wide expertise in genetic modification, Imperial Ai’Mira may only receive gene therapy if their family is of noble stock, wealthy means, or if they have a decorated history of military service. On the other hand, in The Vaashti Commonwealth, gene therapy is viewed as a pre-natal health procedure and is standard practice. Though prospective parents in The Commonwealth have the choice to forego genetic enhancement, such a decision would put their children at a severe physical and mental disadvantage in comparison to their peers.
Commonwealther Ai’Mira
The Ai’Mira of the Vaashti Commonwealth choose to organize themselves into a constitutional monarchy. Even though the Commonwealthers have a seated Emperor/Empress, these heads of state are, in modern times, primarily concerned with the management and stewardship of the country’s Ciphers. More practical tasks associated with government are instead delegated to the high parliament, a chamber of elected officials from each of the 5 major regions of their country. The Commonwealth diverged from the Empire after a schism following their defeat at the end of the Galactic Subjugation War. As opposed to the military focus of the Remnant Empire, Commonwealther culture is an amalgamation of modernized tribal traditions from the days of their antiquity.
North Bastion, the Vaashti Commonwealth source: House Oriyon Chapter 10
The Ai’Miran “Cipher”
Be they Commonwealther or Imperial, the Ai’Mira are uniquely suited for warfare even though there are larger, tougher, and stronger sapients in the galactic community. Their talent for battle lies in their unique ability to produce Ciphers. Ciphers are a hereditary phenomenon unique to the Ai’Mira species. They are capable of both predicting the future and projecting various forms of energy from their bodies. This allows a single Cipher (depending on pedigree) to fight on par with dozens, hundreds, thousands, or even millions of conventional soldiers. Their expert understanding of genetics and selective breeding allowed the Old Ai’Miran Empire to cultivate a great number of Ciphers within their ranks, to the point at which they could militarily challenge the galaxy. All this despite their average-at-best population size at the time.
On the whole, the Ai’Mira are probably the most storied and resilient sapients the galaxy has ever seen, and we all hope that their modern-day approach to life is more compromising than the imperialist traditions of their ancestors.
