Fours

Even energy beings can feel pain...
Sometimes used as a pejorative, sometimes a term of endearment or cultural identity, the denizens of Redal IV knew nothing of their kin and cared only that they lived and loved. When increased solar activity from the central star drove the Threes into a frenzy, Fours suffered first under their cruelty and desperation. Little more than naked babes compared to their neighbors in the system, they had no defenses whatsoever. They had no knowledge of weapons or even words as other civilized species understand. They had yet to establish their own unique culture, preferring a care-free life under the stars. Forced to either evacuate to Redal IX or be devoured by Three's war machine, Fours have found themselves violently wrenched from their formerly idyllic, simple world.

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

According to Caroline Wendell, Fours do not speak phonetically like most sentient space-faring races. In the past they would simply place their fingertips on another individual's face and engage in conversation using a Morse code-like system of electical impulses. With so many evacuating to Redal IX, they've been forced to learn quickly.

Culture and cultural heritage

Precious little is known about Fours to begin with other than they are Redali. Very few have bothered or had time to ask with evacuations taking utmost priorities. They had never forged a unique cultural identity of their own in their infancy, and with the entire system in tatters and most of their population being relocated to IX or Dasphati orbital stations, they might never get the chance.

Average technological level

Events of Cataclysm War

“Dais, there’s some things you need to learn about this system,” Caroline began and sighed in exasperation, raising three fingers. “There’s three inhabited planets: Redal III, Redal IV, and Redal IX. Redals are organic-energy beings capable of breaking down their molecular structure at will and converting it into ionic surges then back again. Think of them as looking something like a...a lightning vampire. Their skin looks pasty white with a gold sheen, sort of see-thru like a jellyfish with their glowing veins showing. III and IX are about on the same level as the Thunthen when it comes to technology. IV not so much. They’re simple folk. They don’t even talk like you or I do. They communicate using electrical impulses, sort of like a...a Morse Code with static shocks. They’ve never had a concept of the outside world before, they never needed to!"

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Captain Caroline Wendell (Sketch) by Mardrena

Made with BlackInk

“The system’s star has been going through something of a bit of a growth spurt in the past few centuries. The corona has already consumed Redal I and Redal II is starting to get roasty toasty. There’s no signs of it abating anytime soon and instead of asking their neighbors nicely if they can crash on the couch until things stabilize, the denizens of Redal III have kicked off a war of aggression that’s consumed the entire system. Redal IX can hold their own well enough and have blockaded their orbit, but they can’t be everywhere at once nor fight a war on two fronts. Redal IV’s found itself caught between a rock and a hard place. They have no ships to evacuate, no communications to issue distress calls or any tech to defend themselves. ‘Threes’ use bio-capacitors to drain ‘Fours’ of their energy, using them as living batteries to power systems inside their ships."

— Cataclysm War Ch. 7

Common Dress code

In the past Fours simply lived naked as jaybirds-as Gage once put it. While Nines and Threes use body suits to engage in combat and give a more sophisticated appearance, Fours in the past had eschewed just about anything be it a fig leaf or a fur loincloth.

Art & Architecture

With a planet as fraught by storms as Redal IV, homes are simply impractical for the ionic-Redali that dwell there. A lightning strike would simply be treated as a rude awakening. As such, Fours generally sleep out in the open on whatever surface feels comfortable to their transluscent pale skin.

Foods & Cuisine

“So what do we got here today, Squidbert? Weapons? Contraband? Steamy romance novels?”
“Grain...” “Squidbert” replied as he used his tentacles to push his head back into shape and followed after Caroline as she entered the cargo hold. “Just...just a simple shipment of grain.” The rest of Caroline’s crew followed behind and Dais lingered towards the back of the group. Several huge plastic cylinders lined one wall of the cargo hold. “To ease the burden of so many poor souls taking refuge on Redal IX. Surely you would not be so heartless as to steal food from the mouths of babes?”
“uhh huhh…”Caroline let out a dry, skeptical hum from the back of her mouth as she paced along the line of cylinders.

— Cataclysm War Ch. 7

Being organic-energy beings, Redals in general have no need to consume solid food as other major superpowers do, however they are capable of tapping into natural forms of energy such as electrical storms or geo-magnetic fields. However, the extreme solar radiation being generated by the central star can prove hazardous even to an organic-energy being, disrupting them on an atomic scale.
While it would seem rather odd for ionic beings to be "picky eaters", Threes cannot simply remain on their world and feast upon the solar output of Redal itself lest they become horribly warped. Because Redal IV is much farther into Redal's "Goldilocks Zone", Threes have elected to simply kick down the door, coveting both IV's stable position and its rich banquet of storms.

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Redal by Mardrena

Made with Solarcell

Dais remained quiet, processing what his mother had said. He glanced up and around the chamber. Then he blinked, raising his eyebrows in realization and raised a finger. Caroline raised her arm at the same time.
“Energy beings don’t eat grain,” Dais and Caroline said simultaneously. They chuckled and glanced at each other warmly.

— Cataclysm War Ch. 7

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Redal IV by Mardrena

Made with Lunarcell and Paint.net

Demon Ryo clenched the small fireball in his hand and quenched it then cocked his head. “You looking at something, Gertie?” he sneered.
“Just studying an unusual specimen. You remind me very much of a Redal,” Tar Uhnin said.
“A what?” Demon Ryo laughed, baring his fangs.
“A Redal. They’re a race we encountered in the Redali System in our explorations decades ago; organic-energy beings able to convert themselves from a light to a solid state at will. You share many similar characteristics…Almost like…” Tar started to say something then closed his mouth and drew himself up, continuing to regard Demon Ryo with scientific curiosity.

— Fight Alone Ch. 11

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Highlord Takshi Anazhar by Mardrena

Made with Spectrum Noir Markers (AKA red-headed stepchild of Copics....) Background done in BlackInk.

Takshi Anazhar, the great old Highlord of the Sons-in-Exile, has taken pity upon the Fours and lends military and logistical support to the defending Nines.

“You wouldn’t think an organic-energy being could feel pain, but they do. You’ve never heard a Redal scream...It’s a horrible sound...it feels like someone dragging a knife through your nerves.” Caroline clutched her elbows with her hands and shuddered. “Das Anazhar’s descendants used to keep the peace around here, but the Sons-in-Exile don’t have as much clout as their ancestor these days especially after the Dasphat Revolution on the Homeworld. Privateers such as myself sometimes pick up evacuees from IV and take them to IX, but we can only do so much.
“There’s plenty other worlds in the system the Threes could colonize! There’s no resources on IV to exploit! If it was just about simple survival all they needed to do was ask for help and the Nines would have given it gladly. It’s like they’re lashing out at the Fours and Nines just for the sake of it! The sheer aggression they display to their own species is staggering. They act as if they have the whip of a master at their heels. I don’t get it...” Caroline muttered and shook her head.

— Cataclysm War Ch. 7