Clan Ikaw-Akha
| Clan Ikaw-Akha | ||
|---|---|---|
| {{{image}}} | ||
| Notable Populations | 72% Feni, 9% Caera-Leecii, 8% Tavari, 6% Human, 5% Other | |
| Capital | Eshk'olar Risani (Risan's Frozen Tears) | |
| Ruler | Board of Pilots | |
| Official Political System | Council of Appointed Experts | |
| Evaluated Political System | Technocratic, industry-managed corporatocracy | |
Clan Ikaw-Akha
Ikaw-Akha History
The clan was formed over a millenium ago, when permanent orbital habitats began to look practical for the Feni species. Originally it wasn't a clan, however, but a joint commercial venture between the clans Ikaw and Akha. What began as permanent manufacturing stations utilizing the advantages of a 0g environment soon began to add research facilities, and then as the habitats grew into small orbital cities, commerce and transport began to boom. Once mining began on the celestial bodies of Ahni and beyond, the residents of these stations began to severely outpace their ancestors on Fen in terms of wealth, resources, and culture. Eventually, feeling that they deserved greater political representation than they were getting in the Directorate at large, they effectively bought the political power out from under the clans on Fen and ever since have maintained independent rule of space, from space. For over a thousand years now, clan Ikaw-Akha has been avariciously seeking to exploit the advantages given by their early mastery of the void, always eager to stay one step ahead of the competition both commercial and otherwise.
They currently maintain their "capital city" as a network of high-tech orbital facilities around the gas giant Khorsi V, only a few lightyears from Ahni. The density of this network, and the glittering blue and white stations when seen against this orange hydrogen-helium planet, have inspired the name Eshk'olar Risani (Risan's Frozen Tears), a name from old Feni mythology. It's standard on Ikaw-Akha stations to keep the gravity low or even off, since the early colonists had to do without grav-plating and subsequently adapted over the generations to low- or no-gravity environments. Their ruling body, the Board of Pilots, is composed of leading figures in science and industry. Potential members are evaluated by the Board itself, which is a self-managing body, and if they accept the offer to join, they must divest control over their given enterprises in return for a lifetime appointment to this prestigious body.
Ikaw-Akha Specialization
Ikaw-Akha has made it a policy to spearhead development of complex orbital facilities and technologies, as well as ships and drives, mostly of cargo and scouting vessels. They're expert miners, diligent researchers, keen industrialists, and all-around excellent spacers.
Ikaw-Akha Reputation
Most other clans view the Ikawi as reserved but decently respectable oddballs, content to keep to their business in space and let their work speak for itself. However, due to the centuries they spent in space before the practical adoption of gravity manipulation technology (and their lack of desire to introduce gravity to industries where lack of it was advantageous), nearly all members appear 'stretched' as an evolutionary adaptation to weightlessness. They tend to appear very tall and lanky by the standards of most Feni.
Political Bloc
As industrialists, builders, and independence-minded spacers, most of the Ikawi naturally side with Houyani's vision for the Directorate. Those in science and research tend to gravitate instead towards the Celleni bloc, but the political leadership is firmly in the Houyani camp.
