Demographics
The population is disproportionate to the castes however this is a reflection of breeding cycles and purpose. The Bellicus caste are the rapid breeders however they also have the highest mortality rate. Fertility is also a factor; the average Bellicus female gives birth to four children over the span of ten years with four years of non-breeding following, compared to two for Operarius females and one for Monachus females over the same period of time. The majority of females are not fertile until their thirtieth year regardless of caste due to anti-aging drugs.
Language
Thade is the de facto national language with English being secondary for trade reasons.
Peth
Largest to smallest:
1) Thessesius
2) Genero (capital)
3) Canusium
4) Aquippa
5) Hopsell
6) Lamaceid
7) Eiderius
8) Vividoc
9) Tapangis
10) Ranedoc
11) Aberdenium
12) Escendia
13) Taggot
14) Cernsalm
15) Hyspera
16) Pheno
Budding Peth:
Tabitheria
1) Thessesius
2) Genero (capital)
3) Canusium
4) Aquippa
5) Hopsell
6) Lamaceid
7) Eiderius
8) Vividoc
9) Tapangis
10) Ranedoc
11) Aberdenium
12) Escendia
13) Taggot
14) Cernsalm
15) Hyspera
16) Pheno
Budding Peth:
Tabitheria
Religion
Knowledge is believed to be the manifestation of divinity. Anything embodying or containing knowledge is sacred hence the individual person is as holy as the machine at his fingertips. The quest for knowledge - be it for the purpose of gaining a tactical advantage or researching a cure or engineering a faster ship - is paramount to the Thade peoples. The amassing of knowledge is the gathering of power. It was knowledge which spared the genius from extinction and applied knowledge which allowed them to reach the stars. All castes chant litanies during meditative periods of the day. These sutras were written by the Monachus in tandem with caste leadership offering guidance for the specific needs of its members.
The Monachus caste are the knowledge keepers and teachers. Many alien species assume that these are the priests of a machine god. In fact, Thade believe they are "gods one with the machine". A symbiotic relationship between organic and metal is kept in balance by applied philosophies. However, it isn't too uncommon for the organic to be stripped away. Flesh is weak; the machine is stronger. Emotions can be cast aside in order for the purist forms of logic to govern.
Meditation is the key for unlocking purpose regardless of the task at hand. A cog can't function if it isn't aligned with the rest. This basic tenet is manifested in a basic symbol which represents three cogs (castes) working in tandem. It is half revealed and half hidden, much like knowledge is known and still unknown.
The Monachus caste are the knowledge keepers and teachers. Many alien species assume that these are the priests of a machine god. In fact, Thade believe they are "gods one with the machine". A symbiotic relationship between organic and metal is kept in balance by applied philosophies. However, it isn't too uncommon for the organic to be stripped away. Flesh is weak; the machine is stronger. Emotions can be cast aside in order for the purist forms of logic to govern.
Meditation is the key for unlocking purpose regardless of the task at hand. A cog can't function if it isn't aligned with the rest. This basic tenet is manifested in a basic symbol which represents three cogs (castes) working in tandem. It is half revealed and half hidden, much like knowledge is known and still unknown.