Creature:Umbrian



- "There is nothing more dangerous than an enemy whose allegiance is never determined."

The Umbrians are a powerful, and opportunistic race from the planet Straznaeus, and has already set up a flourishing empire within the immediate interstellar web-connections. Though prospering from several alliances, the Umbrians have still brought upon themselves many enemies, the majority of which have been either wiped out or driven out of the immediate vacinity. They will do whatever it takes to do well within this galaxy and, as they intend, beyond.

Physical Appearance
Umbrians are a curious race; mainly they appear as black lizards, with slitted eyes and a long carnivorous mouth, yet also possess bird-like features such as feathery wings and clawed feet. As a result of their mix'n'match anatomy, they have often been titled under a single combined classification: Reptiliae Levitatum, which translates roughly as Floating Reptile.

A few minor details include two horns protruding from the end of a long tail, a previous evolutionary aspect used for charming and posing possible allies. On the crown of their skulls also protrude horns, however more twisted and more root/bull-like.

- "The Umbrian race is nothing short of a demonic amalgamation from one malicious creator."

Early Evolutions
Research into Umbrian history allows for the assumption that the Umbrians arrived on the planet of Straznaeus around 5 billion years ago, within the Sea of Anumbris as but small, non-sentient cells, and over an evolutionary period, adapted into larger, more developed creatures. Around 3.9 Billion years or so ago, it is believed that the first Umbrian - Ambuloumbras, or Walking Shadow - set foot on land in the spot that would eventually rise to become Ilazlar City.

Over around 1.56 billion years, Ambuloumbras further developed, growing arms, furthering a tail, and sprouting defensive spikes along its spine, slowly changing into a blacker colour. All the while, its brain grew and gradually the species heightened in its sentience, until, at one stage, its brain was large enough to begin to support sapience; the first Straznaeun species to do so.

The Founding of Ilazlar
By the time the species began to embark on founding civilisation, it was recognised as Umbrian and the species we see today. It is believed that, despite many migrations to different nests during the species' development, it was their landing spot that drew their initial eye, and there that they structured the first tribe, of which the most powerful of their number, Sants, was made Chieftan. As the progenitor Straznaeun tribe, the Umbrians relished in their accomplishment and sought to increase their own number, and flourish - the beginning of a campaign that continues even in the present.

However, it was not long before another species discovered the same gift of sapience, and too formed a tribe, just north of the Umbrians. Chieftan Sants, seeing this as an opportunity, banded his tribe together with newly invented instruments to treat with the new settlement; a feat which worked, and allowed for the Umbrian tribe to expand their land and increase their populace further.

Time provided a blessing for the Umbrian tribes, as more things were invented, and another treaty was forged between a new tribe. However, upon the arrival of a small tribe to the far north, the Umbrians took a more violent approach, and it is evident in research that they left nothing in their razing of the enemy tribe, of which their resources and tools were stolen for the Umbrian's own benefit. Things continued like this, the age of tribesman being prosperous on the Umbrians, as more tribes came, and more tribes were either allied or wiped off the face of the planet.

After setting itself up as the most powerful tribe on Straznaeus, the Umbrians sought more, and, upon the progenitor village, began the workings of a great city - the greatest city that the Umbrians would ever construct.

- "Ilazlar was, and always will be, the jewel in the eye of the Umbrian empire; even in its early days it did not disappoint with the glory it heralded, beyond anything any rival civilisation could muster. It was this reason that made them pronounce it their glorious capital, a testament to the skill of Umbrians."

Conquering of Straznaeus
- "After the forces of Ilazlar were through with them, the enemy could not continue. And in the end, only one city escaped annihilation through a quick surrender at the very end. They had it lucky."

Ilazlari Umbrians, shortly after the completion of the glorious capital, were challenged by a new threat; other Umbrians, within other, more crude cities along the different continents. Alliances now less highly beheld than previous stages, proved useless, and the Ilazlari were forced to wreck their full power upon each foe individually, taking over each captured settlement as a testament of their military might and to further their name and wealth. One by one, cities fell, and in the final few years, only two remained to challenge the might of the Umbrian capital. The Quontan and the Holtonian Umbrian, who were relentless in their pursuits of the remaining spice geysers, which had been heavily dwindled during the course of the warfare.

Holton fell in the final year of the warfare, a victim of the Ilazlari airforce and ships. From records, the Quontan refused to surrender, and were subdued into surrender. A final settlement, which had set up a temporary trade route with the Ilazlari Umbrians, surrendered willingly, unwilling to undergo unnecessary warfare when it was obvious of the Ilazlari's might. Victorious, Ilazlar banded the gained cities together with the promise of a new future for the Umbrian race.

Birth of the Umbrian Empire
As technology developed, the Umbrians were able to gain more and more in their pursuits for power and wealth, and at a revolutionary stage, were able to achieve spacetravel; their progenitor spacecraft, Shadow's Iris, did Straznaeus proud by colonizing it's first planet on Circaderon, signalling the birth in a new trade method for the Umbrians, who, following further successful colonizations, renamed themselves the Great Umbrian Empire.

Shortly after this, Shadow's Iris was involved in contact with a neighboring empire, the Andahani - devoted followers of Spode and having many colonies and systems under their control. As Shadow's Iris became a diplomacy key, relations between the Umbrians and Andahani improved; so much so that only a year after first meeting, an alliance was forged, benefitting both empires tremendously, and allowing the Umbrians to gain even more. It was decided then and there, that diplomacy and propaganda, having been briefly dropped during the war on Straznaeus, would return; making alliances would not only be fruitful for the Umbrians, but also increase the fleet in the event of warfare. A note that proved useful in later years.

Destruction of the Frug Empire
Within a reasonable span of years, the Umbrian Empire had gained a nice selection of colonies and star systems, some purchased from their allies the Andahani. Other alliances had also been forged, mainly between the Gibolobos and also the Ashonas; both great allies in the run of things, and had provided the Umbrian empire further funds through spice trade. It was through this trade system that a secondary Umbrian spacecraft was built, the Umbra's Vigil, which furthered the work the Shadow's Iris had begun, and which also acted importantly in what was to come.

At some point the Umbrian Empire took interest in the planet of Lawska, within a small star system but which provided alot of blue spice - particularly well paid for by the Andahani - and upon an inspection of the planet, encountered both the Frug and Popporoni Empires, the latter assaulting the Frug Empire for dominance of Lawska. Seeing an opportunity to both claim land and get a potential threat out of the way, the Umbrian fleet, commandeered by the Umbra's Vigil, entered Lawska and 'aided' the Popporoni Empire conquer the Frug's colony there.

Through careful timing, the Umbrian fleet managed to wait for the opportune moment, before decimating the colony with a recently added mega bomb, knocking back the Popporoni and also capturing Lawska for the Umbrian Empire. As a result of this 'trickery', the Popporoni were able to round up the straggling Frug Empire and eradicate their species from the immediate galaxy, yet thanks to the Umbrians, had lost a good colony spot, angering them - which would have significance later on.

The Assault on the Lillos
- "Surrender, or die. No second chances."

Though it's recent conquering of Lawska through trickery, the Umbrian Empire was genuinely close to it's allies the Ashonas Empire, and when their allies became assaulted by their greatest adversary, the Lillo Empire, it was their pleasure to respond. Once again, the Umbra's Vigil commandeered the fleet, consisting of both Umbrian and Ashonan. In response to the latest raid upon the Ashonan colonies in the Volinon star system, it was the commanders on board the Umbrian ship that led the course to the Lillon planet of Hyacene, which was - with more struggle than anticipated - wrestled from the Lillos Empire and given to the Ashonan Empire as compensation.

However, the Umbrian Empire - able to see profit and power from further transgressions against the enemy empire - furthered the assault and drove the Lillos eventually to their last colony on Attler, which was eventually captured, however with some sacrifices from a fleet ship and some vital energy. Converting Attler into it's own colony, the Umbrians had driven the Lillos Empire away, though their current status are unknown.

Great War with the Popporoni
Eventually, the Umbrian Empire, having now set up over 15 colonies, and captured around seven, was living prosperously and as a well-known empire within the galaxy. The only empire to disagree was the Popporoni, and after a couple of years after the Lillos' assault, the Popporoni raided and captured Lawska, but was sent back to their racial capital by the Umbrian fleet, who regained Lawska. In response, the fleet, armed with the Umbras' Vigil, and ships from the Andahani, Ashonas and Gibolobos empires, travelled to the Popporoni star systems to retribute.

Eventually, after a lengthy war span, the Umbrian fleet came to the planet Domer, which held the most Popporonian colonies. Most were cleared quickly, but in the last three, it was more difficult. When it came to the final assault on the last colony, one ship in the fleet was lost to turrets, which were swiftly destroyed. With victory imminent, the Umbrians rejected the Popporoni's petty surrender, and instead drove the stragglers away. It is presumed they now search to recolonise themselves elsewhere.

Government
The Umbrian Government is currently shared with the Ashonas Empire, in the form of a Grand Council, agreed upon early in their alliance. The Umbrian Grand Council, on Straznaeus, has around 47 members; most are based around military aspects though a fraction deal with diplomacy and economy respectively.

Known Alliances
- The Andahani Empire - The Ashonas Empire - The Gibolobos Empire - The Popporoni Empire (formerly)

Known Enemies
- The Frug Empire (destroyed) - The Lillo Empire (unknown) - The Popporoni Empire (driven out of galaxy)

Trivia

 * The word 'Umbra' is Latin for 'Shadow', so the species' technical etymology is A Shadow.