Ophian

Humans arrived in the Epsilon Ophiuchi system in the late 25th century, old reckoning, in a long-leap embryo colony ship.
Due to the dense atmosphere of Epsilon Ophiuchi-2, the first settlements were twin underwater polar colonies. During the centuries long terraforming effort, the colonies branched out beneath the planets deep oceans.

Civilization and Culture

Common Etiquette Rules

Ophians affect a more refined disposition, speak in carefully crafted, complete sentences, rarely use slang or obscenities, and keep themselves and their surroundings neat and tidy. An iconic Ophian offers complete attention during a conversation, blocking out distractions as a matter of courtesy, and can be offended when other humans do not reciprocate.
Ophian work habits are seen by other humans as sub-par. They typically work shorter hours and take more leisure time than other human societies, which can cause jealousies.

Culture and Cultural Heritage

Ophian’s method of banishing distractions fosters many efficiencies. They are culturally driven to experience the highest highs, see the most exotic things, visit the strangest places, taste the most wondrous dishes. Ophians are epicureans, seekers of pleasure, lovers of life, though individually they seem to relish those pleasures reservedly. Each new sensation is taken in as a deeply personal experience; they are loath to share joys in open public celebrations, as these go against conventional Ophian thinking.

History

The Ophian colonists balkanized quickly as they spread across the planet—as humans are wont to do—leading to destructive and disruptive wars and needless economic and social competition that gnawed hungrily at every nation’s resources.
The annals of Ophian history contain tales of every type of government, tyranny, and oppression. Theirs is a dark past only quelled by the emergence of several “sensorial” philosophies that took hold over the past 500 years. National pride has given way grudgingly to internal peace and universal brotherhood, all centered upon meditation and the widely encouraged visceral embrace of sensory pleasures.
Despite their difficult, war-torn past, it was Ophian ambassadors and diplomats who aggressively sought and put an end to the Coalition Wars that plagued the human worlds after the advent of faster-than-light travel and connection. The Known Worlds would be a very different region of space today were it not for the Ophians’ influence.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Ophians navigate the Known Worlds in every possible role, but are often thought of as ideal guides or entertainers. Many of the finest chefs, artists, actors, poets, orators, architects, and executive assistants are Ophians.
To have an Ophian mate can be considered quite decadent and exciting. For the most part, the exoticisms attributed to their kind are overblown, but most are rooted in simple truths essential to their shared sensorial philosophies.

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• Humans (Terran)

Lifespan

90-110 years

Average Height

Male 5'10"
Female, 5'4"

Average Weight

Male 160lbs
Female, 110lbs

Geographic Distribution

• Epsilon Ophiuchi-2