Altara's Star (ALL-tah-rah)
Lutara
Located in a distant orbit of the Sukarino System, there is a comet with a brilliant and long trail. This comet, artificially created and artificially placed centuries ago, is known by two names and has a unique history from both the Drakari and Varkesh perspectives. Among the native Drakari people of the star system, it is known as Altara's Star, or Lutara in Si Kari and is a symbol of their people's unity. For the Varkesh, however, it is written in history as T'Kraa'op's False Comet - A name known well in infamy.
Characteristics
When viewed directly, the comet is best described as a large metallic rock emitting a constant stream of reddish-purple particles around it. These particles leave behind a trail, identical in shape to that of a natural comet, but of an unnaturally darker and more red-shifted hue. The color of the tail isn't the only hint of its unnatural origins, however - Closer inspections and scans of the object reveal it to be made of an artificial alloy common among older Dovol space craft in a perfectly rounded shape.
Orbit
The comet maintains an elliptical orbit around the dual stars of the Sukarino System, synchronized with Roka's orbit to produce seasonal appearances throughout a given year. It does this through a relatively simplistic satellite stabilization system, also common among Dovol technology, allowing it to not only maintain orbit but also evade any potential obstacles. Part of the comet's orbit takes it into a cloud of dust and particles, which it uses to replenish the resources used to produce the purple-red tail.
It has been estimated the comet can maintain it's tail and orbit for another several centuries.
From Roka's Surface
Through the atmosphere of Roka, the comet is visible in the night sky as a bright, red trail streaking among the stars. It is more visible in the summer seasons of the northern hemisphere, where it can also be faintly seen in broad daylight, while being smaller and more diminished during the winter seasons.
Cultural Significance
The Drakari
According to teachings widely accepted throughout the Drakari Union, Altara's Star is a part of Altara Krieus' spirit. This spirit is said to always be watching over the Drakari people, and allows the current Drakari-Ta to observe all of Roka and the stars in the sky. Drakari history, both written and spoken, states the star appeared in the night sky as Altara Krieus' body was burned in the first Drakari-Ta Na'Tika.
In more modern times, many Drakari still believe the comet to be a part of the Drakari-Ta. The teachings of his wide-reaching sight through the comet now expand not only to Roka, but to Takri and the rest of the Sukarino System as well. The common populace have rejected any inferences that the comet is fake, or was created by any being other than Altara Krieus' spirit, despite some attempts made in vain by Varkesh representatives. This has been used in some isolationist circles as evidence the Varkesh are attempting to dismantle Drakari culture and religion.
The Varkesh
Among the Varkesh, Altara's Star is known better as T'Kraa'op's False Comet. This artificially created satellite is considered a failure of the Varkesh to uphold their laws of non-interference with developing cultures. T'Kraa'op, a Dovol xenocultural researcher now known for completely disregarding the alliance's laws, was the lead of an expeditionary team that was observing the development of Drakari culture.
However, in secret, T'Kraa'op and her team were guiding the growth of the Drakari people's religions and culture. It's believed that many common mythologies from various Drakari cultures actually came from direct or indirect contact from T'Kraa'op. However, all of her prior transgressions pale in comparison to her final act: The creation and launch of a fake comet in orbit of Sukari, at the exact moment the Drakari god-king's body was burned.
T'Kraa'op's activities became visible to the Varkesh as astronomers noticed the sudden appearance of a comet that had not existed prior. A member of her team, stating he was unaware of what she was doing until he saw the comet, also reported her to the Va'Ral'Te Council. T'Kraa'op was taken into custody, tried, and found guilty for her crimes and sentenced to exile from the Varkesh. She has not been seen since.
A new observation team was formed and assigned to the system, tasked with observing and documenting all cultural developments resulting from T'Kraa'op's interference in the natural order. It was decided, as well, that the comet should be left in place and untouched - The damage had already been done, and removing the comet now that it was in place would only lead to further outside interference.
Cultural Recovery Efforts
In modern days, with the Drakari now aware of the Varkesh, efforts are in place to educate the Drakari people of the truth behind their religious history. However, these attempts have been unsuccessful - Many Drakari, already uncertain of this relatively sudden appearance of alien life, only see an outside force trying to subvert their culture and history.
The outbreak of the Drakari Civil War has not aided in these efforts, either. The separatist faction, fighting against the Drakari-Ta's rule, have stated Altara's Star as evidence not just of the Drakari-Ta's treachery to the people, but also that the Varkesh cannot be trusted as the ones whom created and then allowed the Drakari-Ta to grow.
Altara's Star is used as the number one example for the Varkesh non-interference law today.
Table of Contents
T'Kraa'op's False Comet
Guiding Star
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