Primary:
Close
binary system. Tyeyo, spectral class G4V. ICN S5G0309G4V. Mass .96 standard.
Stellar diameter .934 standard. Luminosity .778 standard. Saietaie, spectral
class M0VII. ICN S5G0309M0VII. Mass .154 standard. Stellar diameter .256
standard. Luminosity .011 standard.
Planetary System:
Nine
major bodies. Two inhabited world (Kusyu, IV; Aoshi, IVa). Three gas giants. No planetoid
belts
IV
Kusyu: Mean
orbital radius, 150.3 million kilometers (1.004 AU). Period 320.02 days. Two satellites. Diameter,
12980 kilometers. Density, .99 standard. Mass, 1.05 standard. Mean surface gravity,
1.02G. Rotation period: 36 hours, 2 minutes, 23 seconds. Axial inclination
2°2.1". Albedo, 0.268. Surface atmospheric
pressure, 1.1 atm. Composition, oxygen-nitrogen mix. Hydrographic
percentage, 63%; composition, water and frozen water-ice. Mean surface
temperature, 9.1°C.
Remarks:
Kusyu
(often spelled "Kuzu"
in Galanglic) lies in the center of what we
know as the Dark Nebula Sector (or I'aheako,
to those of the Hierate). It is the homeworld of the major race calling
itself the Fteirle, which humans know as the Aslan.
The world is much like Terra in many respects, with similar mass, density, and
gravity. The mean surface temperature is somewhat cooler, but the minimal axial
tilt and orbital eccentricity results in a stable, year-round climate with a
continuous growing season.
Kusyu's equatorial temperatures are quite comfortable for humans. The slightly
larger land surface area has resulted in greater desert and tundra regions than
on the Solomani homeworld. Despite the extreme territorial nature of Kusyu's
natives, large tracts of less hospitable land have been kept as wilderness.
Kusyu's temperate regions are characterized by broadleafed plant life, heavily
pigmented a blue-green color. This lush flora, rich in color and form, tends to
give much of the planet's surface a jungle-like feel.
Society: Of
particular geosocial interest is the fact that Kusyu has no capital, per se.
Each clan has its own hyufteirlerye - the word refers to a meeting place
and could be translated as "city" - but there is no one city or
administrative center which speaks for the entire planet. Individual cities are
identified with specific clans (huiha), and
each clan large enough to control several such cities generally has one htahyu, a "first place", where judgements are made,
challenges accepted, and records kept. The Aslan "Council of the
Twenty-nine", the Tlaukhu, meets
periodically at agreed-upon sites in rotation.
The principal starport is Firuahfahr, an excellent class-A facility on the south
coast of the continent of Tafohti. The site is perhaps the closest thing on
Kusyu to an international city, since all the major clans and many of the minor
ones maintain trading
Being a tourist attraction as much as a practical structure, the Floating
Gardens is a vast, saucer-shaped building hanging 2 kilometers above the
starport's ground terminal. Housed here are certain administrative functions of
the starport as well the world's principal human enclave. Hotels, bars, shops,
restaurants, and other facilities catering to humans and other non-Aslan line
the gaily decorated boulevards.
Other notable places of interest on Kusyu include the cataracts of Saukhaeeah
Falls, cutting through crystal-encrusted cliffs along the upper reaches of the
Tiyrl River. The isolated splendor of the mountain city of Stausye'asarereah
provides a breath-taking panorama of the terrain below, while the Five Cities of
Aslan legend (Ihraaohealraoa, Ekhtiysakhoikhailr, Hwiaoheahrih, Khtyereahlaoh,
and Seaoul) on the Tafohti continent allow you to drink deeply of Aslan history
and lore.
Advice for Travellers: Though
the sites beyond Firuahfahr are tempting to visit, it is not a trip you should
make casually. Aslan outside of Firuahfahr are generally far less tolerant of
human ways. It is highly recommended that any excursions be conducted under the
company of an Aslan guide. In addition, you should keep the following behavioral
guidelines in mind:
Don't send a boy to do a woman's work
The Aslan are sensitive to the importance of sexual roles. Males do male work
(like hunting and fighting) while females do female work (administrative and
technical activities). Since Aslan find it hard to distinguish between human
sexes by external means, you will likely be assigned a sex based on the
activities you undertake.
If you seem ambiguous about your role (say you arrange a business deal, then
pilot a ship), you will confuse most Aslan. Such behavior is perceived as
"unnatural".
Do not show your teeth In public
Due to their carnivorous nature, Aslan often interpret a toothy smile as a
challenge, unless that Aslan is used to dealing with humans. An unstifled yawn
could have similar results.
Do not offer a male money
This restriction also results from Aslan's gender-related activity structure. In
Aslan society, it is the females who handle money. Males often don't know the
first thing about about handling monetary matters. Offering money to a male may
be perceived as trying to take advantage of him.
Do not refuse a challenge
Of course it is best to avoid situations where a challenge is required. However,
if a challenge-of-honor is given, it should be accepted. Though it is not an
activity that most wish to endure, it is usually only to "first
blood". Turning a challenge down will lead to ostracism and possibly
outrage by all Aslan who view this. In outback areas, it could even lead to
fatal confrontations.
Do not trespass without leave
Though Kusyu seems possessed of large tracts of seemingly unclaimed land, it
belongs to someone ‑ usually a noble who regards his landhold as a measure
of his wealth and status.
If you are found on an Aslan's property (by the land owner or his
representatives), you are expected to deliver ekhtaowetyu,
a formal, ritual obeisance (esteem/worship) which asks the landowner for
permission to enter his territory.
Delivery of the ekhtaowetyu entails the
following. A representative of your group (preferably male) should drop to one
knee, his eyes lowered. One or both hands are extended to face level, palms up,
with the thumbs (representing dewclaws) held upright. The petitioner then says: siyeikhtaowetyu
kakhteiyatai ("I formally request the protection granted under the
terms demanded by your honor and beg your leave to enter your domains.")
or, more informally: fiya'("l am your vassal, sir, and obliged to
you.").
Although the Aslan lord has the right to deny the request (legally, he could
kill you on the spot), common courtesy generally demands that he reply: ka'tai
("you have my gracious consent.").
Near Orbit: Kusyu has two natural satellites, Aoshi ("Swift Spirit")
and Aoka'ah ("Slow Spirit"). Both are planetoids with diameters of
only about 400 kilometers. As such, they appear merely as bright stars from the
surface of the planet.
There is little to interest outsiders, here. The innermost moon, Aoshi, is
characterized by its multi‑clan naval base, while Aoka'ah is a barren
sphere. In addition, there are numerous orbital facilities, including two large
habitats in what would be the inner LaGrange positions (L1 points), if the moons
were more massive.