Kapulins

BASIC INFORMATION

Official Name in Standard:              Kapulin
Native Name:                            Kawpaulaw
Governing Body:                         The Highest Sovereign Chamber
Title of the Head of Government:        King and Queen

INTERPLANETARY SUMMARY

Quadrant/Sector/System:  Beta Quadrant / Kapulin System
Constellation: Sagittarius, coreward of the Lagoon Nebula
Spectral Type: Red Giant (K1.5III)
Distance to Earth: ~167 light-years
Radius: 21.4±0.2[7] R☉
Apparent magnitude: -0.29
Surface Temperature: 4286±30[7] K
Suns/Planets/Planetoids/Moons:  1 Star (Kapulin)/5 Planets/2 Planetoids/ Kapulin IV has 2 moons

POPULATION/GEOGRAPHY

Native Population: 4.4 billion as of 2430 
Transient Population 69 million per year 
Planetary Capital City: Ith, Lor continent (Population 9.35 million)

Race(s) of Native Sentients: 100% Kapulin
Land/Water Ratio(s) of Planets: 68/32
Planetary Weather: Tropical 
Diameter: 16,741 km (10,402 miles)
Gravity: .97 standard gravity with a density of 2.88
Axial Tilt: 35.3%, with minimal seasonal changes
Orbital Period: 394 days
Rotational Period: 29.8 hours
Classification: M
Surface Water: 68%
Atmosphere: 1.07% is a standard pressure with 73% nitrogen, 27% oxygen, 0% trace chemicals
Land Masses: There are nine distinct continents in a spiral pattern that span the globe. Each are connected to at least two other continents by land bridges. 
Continent names Arc, Dom, Eqq, Fio, Gyd, Ixa, Kyn Lor and Zha
Terrain: Lush green and flowered jungles surround every city, while the three continents possess mountain ranges. There are no desert regions, and due to the axial tilt, there are no polar ice caps. 

ECONOMIC SUMMARY

The heartbeat of the Kapulin economy harmoniously intertwines with the realms of both hospitality and education. Amidst the tapestry of this vibrant planet, a splendid array emerges, spanning opulent resorts to charming Bed & Breakfast bungalows. A substantial segment of the populace finds itself intricately woven into the fabric of all things associated with indulgence, serenity, and amusement.

Sprawling universities and smaller colleges are abundant in each of the Kapulin continents, serving as revered milestones on each citizen's transformative journey towards self-enrichment.

Breakdown of living standards:
        Technosocialist age:  68 percent of population
        Information age:  8 percent of population
        Industrial age:  0 percent of population
        Agrarian age:  14 percent of population

Kapulin is very much a modern world, as evidenced by the shear
breakdown of its population.  Only 5 percent of its economy is
geared towards agribusiness- but that's all they need.  Their
technological level is sophisticated enough so that 14% more than
fills the world's food needs.  Of course, replication technology
augments what is naturally grown.  Animals on Kapulin are not
bred and/or killed for food sources.

Kapulin imports very little that cannot be created by hand or mass
replicated. Likewise, there is no significant export of goods either.

Latinum is the standard currency of exchange on Kapulin IV, though seldom used
in domestic commerce.

GOVERNMENT/HISTORY

Federation Member?  No 
Federation Protectorate: Since 2414
Planetary Government: United Citizens of Kapulin IV. established in 2176 
Government Type: Democratic Monarchy Bicameral System
Socio-Political System: Meritocracy 

Kapulins have had a united planetary government for nearly three
centuries (Federation calendar), however that entity has grown to 
be a model of the minimalist and ultra-efficient philosophy that 
dominates their lifestyle. 

For centuries dating back to the earliest historical records,
citizens of each continent were their own independent state, loosely 
ruled by monarchy. In 2111, negotiations were initiated to abolish the 
independent states and form the planetary government. By a planet-wide
popular vote, the government was established in 2176. 

The Monarchy carried over from the continent state government, however
each couple (any combination of King and Queen) is elected by a planetary
popular vote for a 10-year term with no reelection possible. Each royal 
couple appoint a pair of Vice Kings/Queens to serve as their seconds
and successors should anything cause a vacancy. The Monarchy serves as
the Executive branch. 

The Highest Sovereign Chamber serves as a combined legislative and judicial body, 
and meets twice a year, typically for 3-4 weeks to execute the agenda for the term. 
Each continent provides two Ministers to comprise the body of the Chamber. Ministers
are elected for a 5-year term and may be reelected once in their lifetimes. 

The Kapulin Military has ground, naval and space branches and reports directly to 
the Monarchy. The ground forces are the planetary Constabulary, and both the space
and wet navies are equivalents to old Earth’s Coast Guard. 

There is no record of actual 'wars' in all of Kapulin recorded history. Disagreements
have been successfully negotiated via diplomatic endeavors. With an over abundance 
of resources, there has never been a need in the Kapulin way of life to enact violence
on the scale of organized war onto another segment of the planet. 

The Federation Council has petitioned the 'U.C.K.' to join the UFP multiple times,
however they are content staying out of intergalactic politics and remaining a
Federation Protectorate. 

RACE/SOCIETY/CULTURE

Bolarus IX is a large planet that is roughly like Earth- Class M, mostly wet (in fact a bit more so than Earth) with three large continents making up its land masses, and possessing gravity almost identical to Earth's.

Bolians have a general hominid appearance- bipedal and upright, head on top of torso. However, there are several cosmetic differences that make Bolians quite distinctive from other races. Most notably, their skin tone is blue, usually of a pale blue hue. This is due to both skin pigmentation and blood color; Bolian blood is blue. Also, Bolian have a bifurcated head and face, which divides it neatly in half. Typically, Bolian eyes are gold, but a recessive gene in their chromosomes will give the rare Bolian orange eyes.

Another trait characteristic of Bolians is their baldness. However, this is not a naturally occurring phenomenon, but rather a ritual in which most members of society, including a large proportion of the female population, indulge. According to Bolian beliefs, baldness is associated with physical prowess and dedication, two things Bolians typically take very seriously. A Bolian who chooses not to shave will likely have hair color ranging from light brown to platinum. Dark hair on a full Bolian is unheard of.

The bifurcated ridge in the Bolian head has created a deeply divided brain- even more so than the Terran brain- which has the effect of making them resistant to hypnotic suggestion. It also tends to make more pronounced distinctions between "left" brain and "right" brain functions, which results often in very few multi-faceted Bolians in terms of skill variety- they tend to be very good at disciplines of a similar nature, and do not stray much from this.

The solar year is approximately 585 days long. Average temperature is 22 C on most parts of the planet and 36 C at the equator.

Bolian society revolves around the idea of the group. Families do not typically have a single spokesperson or decision-maker; all decisions are made by agreement between all adults in the family- once a child reaches adult age, he or she has an equal voice in familial proceedings. The typical Bolian family is extended rather than nuclear; not only do cousins, aunts and uncles live in close proximity to one another (not always under one roof, but at least neighboring one another), but the family expands with every marriage to include parents-in-law and their families. Some Bolian families have hundreds of people living in the same geographic area. This phenomena has given birth to the "megalopolis" on Bolarus IX, with cities typically 2-3 times larger than average Terran cities. Each family is essentially its own township, set up within city boundaries.

Child care is a burden accepted by all members of a family, not just the parents. The concept of the "village" raising the child is not a political platform to Bolians- it is common practice. All members of the family pitch in the education and rearing of the child, helping to instill Bolian beliefs and principals by example as well as word of mouth.

This group concept is the underlying fabric of Bolian society. As a result, they tend to be extremely social creatures, preferring the company of large numbers as opposed to smaller; indeed, the cliché "The more the merrier" may have first been uttered by a Bolian. They excel when working in groups as opposed to alone, able to capitalize on the strengths of one another; they socialize in groups, usually preferring a large party to a smaller, more intimate gathering.

The group concept has fostered a trait that is unusual in most star faring races- there is no xenophobia amongst Bolians. Bolians learned early on that one of the strengths of the group idea was diversity in experiences and beliefs- if one was going to fully reap the rewards of the group concept, then one would have to forget any prejudice towards anyone "different." As such, xenophobia has not existed (except for in the select few) for thousands of years. They tend to view differences as strengths that can only broaden one's experience rather than a racially- inbred weakness.

The large group philosophy has also fostered an extreme desire to succeed in most Bolians. Success of the group is all that matters, and no Bolian wants to be thought of by his or her peers as someone who was not giving his or her very best effort. Personal success enhances group success, so the belief goes. As a result, Bolians are the consummate "team players."

Like most things in Bolian life, health care is socialized; the government covering all long-term expenditures. This practice stems from the government stance that it is simply looking out for the interests of a very large group- ALL Bolians. However, there is no assisted living in Bolian society- elder Bolians, if incapable of caring for themselves, are cared for by their families, with any assistance necessary provided by the government. However, Bolians are generally a people in excellent health; since most of their food products are genetically engineered or replicated, they are created to be exactly what Bolians need in terms of vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, etc.

However, should a Bolian be terminally and painfully ill or with less than his or her complete faculties, they engage in the practice of euthanasia. This practice has caused some tensions to arise between Bolians and other cultures, but they view this as the final service one can perform for a respected member of the group. They don't see suffering as dignified or proper- they see it as an unnecessary burden to be lifted, and will do so almost without question or fail. it is considered one of their most sacred beliefs, and is one is honored by his participation in this elaborate ritual. On another level, they also argue that it is counterproductive to the group, but this argument only serves to enflame others. Though certainly a secondary motivation, it IS still a motive.

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-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Creator(s)/Adaptor(s): Scott Lusby E-Mail Address: scottjlusby@charter.net

Created for/First Use (if known): "Conspiracy" was the first Next Generation episode in which Bolians were seen. Much of the basic character traits were taken from those episodes and subsequent episodes themselves. The elaboration on these, however, is my own conjecture.

Bolians have been seen in The Next Generation, Deep space 9 and Voyager.

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PART 2- NOTE ON BOLIAN LANGUAGE

Not much is known about Bolian language. However, there are some structural peculiarities that bear mentioning.

2.1- Names

==

Traditional Bolian family names end in a double hard consonant, and are almost exclusively single-syllable names:

Domm Finn Warr Mott Ludd Pell Grexx Trobb Hegg Hett Garnn Juff

The origin of Bolian family names bears close resemblance to some Terran customs. In Terran history, many surnames were created in order to show a relation to one's job. For instance, in ancient Terran England, one might have met a "John Smith," whose surname "Smith" indicated his trade- that of a smith. Often, this name stayed with a family through generations because all male members of the family line were trained in the same trade. Over time, however, the connection with the job faded, and surnames were passed down with the family instead of the trade.

Bolian tradition is remarkably similar in this manner. Many traditional Bolian names were taken from the job or trade of the person, with those names becoming associated less with the trade and more with the family over time until the connection to the trade faded completely.

2.2- Suffixes

=

Bolian language uses a lot of suffixes to denote all sorts of things, often differentiating between the size or number of the root it modifies.

For instance, some Bolian surnames have a "u" that follows the double hard consonant the typically ends Bolian surnames- people with this suffix are twins. Accordingly, surnames that end with an "o" signify triplets, and names that end in "a" signifies that the person is part of a set of quadruplets or larger. Of course, given the Bolian proclivity for groups, such people are generally held in high regard.

Domm (surname) + o (triplet suffix) = Dommo (surname for a set of triplets) Hocc (surname) + u (twin suffix) = Hoccu (surname for a set of twins)

Also, Bolian location names have suffixes attached to them which denote the size of the town:

Large Megalopolis -at Regular City -ar Medium Town -ab Small Village -al Rural -or

Region names, like surnames, are typically single-syllable, and end in a double hard consonant. Most regions were likely named after famous or founding bolians- thus the similarity in construction to Bolian surnames.

Hospp (region/location) + at (suffix) = Hosppat

                                            (largest megalopolis)

Promm (region/location) + or (rural suffix)= Prommor (farming community)

There are other suffixes used in Bolian language, such as those added on to nouns/pronouns to denote singular and plural (again dealing with quantity). However, conspiculously enough, there

are comparitively few prefixes.