Ryushi

The Ryushi once possessed a trade empire that stretched from the centre of Fathoms Reach to the far edges of the Outer Reach. Their primary holdings, however, were in an area known as the Stars of Ephemus, now deep inside the Dindrenzi Federation. After the formation of the Federation and the inclusion of some alien races within the Legislature, the Ryushi were forced to abandon their holdings and flee to Fathoms Reach pursued by the vindictive spite of the Rense System delegation and their allies, the Illosians.

The Ryushi were not a warlike race, and despite their political and business acumen, were no match for the combined force arrayed against them. The Rense levelled a brutal propaganda campaign against the Ryushi within the Dindrenzi Legislature for having ties within the Reach, while the Illosians used both economic pressure and covert military action to break their ancient rivals. Forced to abandon a great deal of their material wealth and physical assets, Ryushi society was thrown into chaos as they attempted to adapt and overcome the stinging shame of their rout. From this societal disarray arose a matriarchal structure that focused on nurturing the elements that remained, rather than lamenting their lost influence, territory and material wealth.

As most remaining Ryushi holdings in Fathoms Reach are agricultural, they have adjusted their existing assets to the production and delivery of food and other logistical support throughout the area. They have established a series of corporate outposts down Fathoms Reach serving as an alternative to the Way Station network used by most ships. Despite their newfound reserve, it is not unheard of for Ryushi, if given an opportunity, to strike an economic or social blow against the Dindrenzi.

The Ryushi are human-sized bipedal creatures, their coarsely-furred bodies thick with layers of muscle or fat. Their faces are dominated by wide mouths set on jutting jaws and large, liquid eyes fixed wide apart on their broad faces. Males sport small, vestigial horns that sprout from before protruding ears while females do not. However, ranking female leaders will often appear wearing ceremonial headdresses designed to hide this fact.

The Ryushi were the first aliens to join Terra in the Kurak Alliance, having suffered directly at the hands of the most influential Dindrenzi faction. All corporate Ryushi assets were pledged to the cause, including a massive fleet of carrier vessels. The Ryushi military was reorganized after their exodus to focus on these large ships and their ability to bring vast numbers of smaller craft to bear on a target and yet retreat quickly from any setback without leaving assets behind.

Their new ships were designed to be able fight in the front without requiring smaller ships for defence. In this way Ryushi assets are consolidated on larger, more durable ships. If retreat is required it is far less likely that entire capital ships will be left behind at the mercy of the enemy. To further prepare their ships, point defence was improved and extended, their deck crews were trained to the highest standards in space and other defensive countermeasures are added regularly. Although most Ryushi carriers range in size from average carriers to battleships, there are several that are large enough to house frigates or transports, facilitating repair and refit in the field.