Dionae Culture

Culture

Due to their highly nomadic nature, Dionae do not experience a universal culture outside of certain behaviours that appear to be biologically ingrained and somehow hard-wired into their genetics. Information on individual group cultures can be found, here

Art

While the species may make incredible artists in civilized space due to their longevity and capacity to learn, another form of visual art exists for Dionae that they practice as a recreational activity known simply as "Forma" and have two versions. Both utilize only their own bodies to make Gestalts in creative and practical ways alike. The first and most popular of the two is the Artem, or Art-Form. These are more for form than function and are used to display a Gestalt's creativity in strange and unique ways. Artem are typically observed being made in the void of space where they are free of the restrictions of gravity and require no rhyme nor reason to their design and exists purely as a hobby.

The second and perhaps most shocking of them is Vita, or Life-Form. Seen most often in some type of environment with gravity, there are two different forms: symbiotic which is done in the presence of other life forms, and competitive, preformed in areas where the concentration of Dionae are high. The symbiotic version is seen every day and is a form of passive mimicry to blend in with their extraterrestrial neighbours whereas the competitive version is a surprising display of violence. One is to increase their chance of survival in an alien landscape, the other used as a strange yet creative form of population control.

Competitive Vita is a theoretical evolution simulator where each Gestalt will merge, often as fantastical forms of creatures, which is then tested with the current environment they are in under different conditions. If present, they will then be tested against other non-sentient life forms before finally each other. Throughout the competition the losing Gestalts are either consumed or absorbed into their forms as additions, the final battle being the most dramatic display of a Gestalt's abilities. While most sapients would find this practice barbaric and contradictory to the species' desire to gain and preserve knowledge, the fallen and their knowledge simply become a part of the victorious.

In Society

Dionae are extremely complex, taking up many different types and forms. It is often said that Dionae have a hard time integrating into society, even though they are found in the majority of the nations throughout the galaxy. The largest clusters can be found within the Solarian Alliance, Nralakk Federation, and the Republic of Biesel, however, there have been sights of ‘wild’ Dionae on the edges of civilized space. The ‘wild’ Dionae usually are integrated, but some have been hunted down for the unique concentration of many valuable gasses, minerals and metals found within them from their eons of space travel.

Their concept of money is vastly different from other races, considering Dionae only need a little radiation and warmth, both of which can be extracted from sunlight. Many of the gestalts are used often for space-related jobs, including exterior ship repairs and mining thanks to their immunity to the void, as long as there is light nearby. It is sometimes possible to find Dionae have become housemates with other species, paying rent, and doing various menial tasks in exchange for safe shelter.

Dionae have been known to form communes on the outskirts of the major cities, such as Mendell City and Phoenixport. The communes consist of various gestalts unifying to assist the surrounding environment, often beginning small restorative efforts in particular ecologically damaged areas. Many have said without these efforts, the vast majority of the woodlands on Biesel would have fallen years ago.

Details regarding Dionae in each specific nation can be found, here: https://wiki.aurorastation.org/index.php?title=Dionae_Relations

Education

Although Dionae can contain vast amounts of knowledge and possess extreme intelligence, the species still have to obtain the appropriate degrees for the occupation they wish to pursue in their chosen location of residence. This can be accomplished after being registered for citizenship. All newly-registered Dionae must complete and pass the courses required for their field if their degrees from past planetary systems is not recognized in the new location, or they lack one all together. Their education must be defended one year following the awarding of a degree, and then every five years there on out. However, that timer is reset due to the fact that after each merging, Dionae are required to defend their education along with their re-registration for citizenship due to the possibility of accumulation of new knowledge, and possible loss of information depending on the nature of the new merging.

Relationships

As sapient beings Dionae, from nymph to gestalt, are capable of forming platonic relationships with each other and other species. Nymphs and gestalts "merging" is the closest human analogue for a "romantic relationship" with Dionae. Due to the low complexity of nymph emotions and thought, initial merging into a Cerberus tends to be carried out for practical purposes by all nymphs involved. Likewise, larger forms of Dionae such as Cyclops’ and beyond might merge with a single nymph as a symbiotic form of a teacher/growth relationship with the nymph learning from its new gestalt partners and the gestalt itself using the new nymph for grown and biomass.

Due to the complexity of memory and thought, gestalts at Cyclops size and beyond are a lot more particular when merging with partners of a similar size or above. To merge is to become one mind and body in totality, therefore only those gestalts that truly love and respect each other would carry out the act. It is extremely rare for Dionae gestalts to split over disagreements and more likely for a “troublesome” or sick nymph to be ejected by the mass or a nymph to be temporarily split off to carry out a key task like safe exploration or to get help in a dangerous situation where the whole is in peril. In extreme cases the whole gestalt may break apart to save as many nymphs as possible. This is extremely traumatic, akin to losing yourself and is avoided. It’s a sad fact of life for gestalts from the Titan Prime cluster, most of which would have had to break apart multiple times throughout their lives.

When a gestalt grows beyond the size of a Cyclops, it becomes difficult for these forms to find work within known space and therefore becomes necessary for the gestalt to split temporarily into smaller forms in order to carry out tasks throughout the day. These split forms are often referred to as a “split partner” or “part of me” by the gestalts involved. If pressed, a Dione might describe their split partner as an aspect of their whole which their partner represents; “they are the brave part of me”, “they are the smart part of me” or something similar. Splitting in this way is unpleasant for the gestalt but a necessary evil. Gestalts who split in this manner all suffer from “splitting anxiety” and as such tend to work in close proximity to each other. Though analogous to a close romantic relationship, split Dionae are much closer than this in reality, essentially being aspects of a whole with each gestalt being a personality, memories and thoughts of a singular being, temporarily split apart. The larger the original gestalt the more split forms there could be, therefore it is possible for a Cyclops gestalt to have many split partners.

Blood Market

The Blood Market, known as such colloquially, is a relatively private sector of the DNA Market. It operates out of a facility called ‘Bloodworks’ in District Ten, owned by the Ichor Genetic Learning Organisation. The Market is mostly used by Dionae looking to enhance their skills in a certain field, or simply someone raising a nymph. The Bloodworks currently holds a monopoly over the lucrative trade, charging from 3000CR to 20,000CR for samples large enough for Dionae to learn from.

The ‘Ichor Genetic Learning Organisation’ was founded by a Diona Argus, Rationing Knowledge of Embodied Sanguis, and is a ‘publically’ funded organization spearheaded by various Researchers from the Nralakk Federation, Solarian Alliance and Republic of Biesel. The company holds various fundraising events, where many skilful participants are noted to donate their blood in order to be sold on the market. The Ichor Genetic Learning Organisation operates mostly within the Republic of Biesel, but are noted to sell their products to other nations. The largest donor to BBO is Zeng-Hu Pharmaceuticals, who recently gifted them the facility in District Eleven.

The Blood Market is not free of criminals, however, one particular group stands out more than the rest. The Blood Runners are notorious/renowned for their criminal undertakings, specifically their undercutting of the Ichor Genetic Learning Organisationn. The Blood Runners sell their samples from 1000CR to 10,000CR - leading the BBO to place reward for the arrest of the gang leader, Xia Lu-Qing. They have also been known to dabble in Corporate Espionage, using the Dionae’s ability to extract information from blood samples to their advantage.

Military and Dionae Martialism

As Dionae are generally pacifistic in their outlook they tend to operate in support positions within military units, acting as field medics, logistical support and any other function which does not involve direct aggression. That being said, under the teachings of the Eternal it is understood that there is a potential for violence to be unleashed by the powerful onto the powerless and thus it falls upon those who have undertaken martial studies to defend themselves and those unable to defend themselves. This is known as “Shh’sha’shu” or “The Divine Mandate to Defend All.” Dionae settlements that follow the principles of the Eternal are therefore aligned in their martial doctrines.

Training

“Evil is just a lack of empathy and perspective. To understand is to be good.”

In a universe largely unforgiving towards the Dionae it’s not uncommon for gestalts to study Dionae martial arts - “Shh’ush” or “Defence Mastery,” an art largely based on utilizing a Dionae’s great endurance and their opponent's momentum. The level of study a gestalt might undertake depends on a particular gestalts interest in martial studies overall with many dabbling in the art but not immersing themselves. Mastery of the student ranks or “Hshh’shee” allows a gestalt to ascend into full ranks or “Hshh” which serve as the highest scholarly ranks for martial studies and the military forces of the Dionae known collectively as “Guardians of Eternal” or “Chaa’shh’sha’shu” (The Guardians of the Divine Mandate to Defend All). Under the Eternal and generally for the majority of Dionae, combat or military defence isn’t a job but a calling and area of scholarly study. Other species might study Defence Mastery for its non-lethal takedowns however the art is especially suited for Dionae due to its reliance on their natural resilience and slower speed.

“Hshh’shee” or “Student Ranks”

“Waging war against good creatures is bad for the soul.”

Initial training in Defence Mastery is focused on techniques to neutralise an opponent with minimal harm to both the user and their opponent. This is achieved by utilizing grapples, pins and stunning blows before retreating as well as methods of defensive retreat. Lethal force is not taught at this stage and is even strongly discouraged. Students at this level refer to themselves as “Shee” - Student or “One who is learning”. The teacher is referred to as whatever their rank may be. All teachers are those from the “Hshh” or “Full Ranks.” Advancement comes through mastery of the subjects being taught at each level and the completion of physical and written tests.

Ranks from lowest - high:

Shee’sho - ‘’’First Rank’’’ aka Student of the First Level At this level, students are taught techniques based around defensive retreat from a threat.

Shee’cho - ‘’’Second Rank’’’ aka Student of the Second Level At this level, students are taught key close combat neutralization techniques alongside advanced defensive retreat forms, including methods to assist others in retreating from threats. Most Dionae who don’t feel the call tend to stop at this level.

Shee’cha - ‘’’Third Rank’’’ aka Student of the Third Level At this level, students are taught a wider array of close combat neutralization techniques as well as being taught to master defensive retreats.

Shee’che - ‘’’Fourth Rank’’’ aka Student of the Fourth Level At this level, students are taught how to utilize the environment/objects to assist in close combat neutralization as well as in defensive retreat.

“Hshh” or “Full ranks”

“Holding hate in your heart is like grasping fire. It is you who is burnt in the end.”

If a Dionae feels the call and has mastered the “Hshh’shee” or Student Ranks, they can opt to study the “Shh’sha’shu” or The Divine Mandate to Defend All and thus join the “Chaa’shh’sha’shu” or Guardians of Eternal. This is a more intricate martial discipline and covers military history, doctrine, diplomacy, martial theology and all combat forms. Advancement through the ranks is achieved not just by mastery as with the student ranks but also with the approval of the teacher. As with any hierarchy, commands flow down the ranks to the Defenders.

Ranks from lowest - high:

Shh’ch - ‘’’Defender’’’ aka Defender of the Dionae At this stage, a Dionae is taught lethal combat forms as well as the use of weaponry and vehicles. The “Shh’sha’shu” is also taught which includes military history, doctrine, diplomacy and martial theology. Escalation of force is also taught at this level with a focus on de-escalation. Police and security units would begin at this level.

Shh’ch’sha - ‘’’Sentinel’’’ aka Sentinel of the Heavens At this stage, a Dionae is taught further combat forms and more advanced lessons from the “Shh’sha’shu.” They might begin to specialise in a particular martial method such as piloting, combat engineer or even logistics.

Uushh’ch - ‘’’Master’’’ aka Master of the Defence of Heaven At this stage, a Dionae becomes an Overseer with mastery over combat and defence. A Diona at this level is familiar with all forms of the “Shh’sha’shu.”

Uushh’ch’sha - ‘’’Grand Master’’’ aka Grand Master of the Defence of Heaven At this stage, a Dionae has not only mastered the “Shh’sha’shu” but also multiple specialities. It is possible due to the way in which the advancement system works within the “Shh’sha’shu” for every member of the “Chaa’shh’sha’shu” to end up being a Grand Master barring the Marshall, though such a thing has never occurred historically.

Hss’shh’sha’shu - ‘’’Marshall’’’ aka Marshall of the Divine Mandate to Defend All The highest rank in the “Chaa’shh’sha’shu.” At this stage a Dionae would hold superlative knowledge of the “Shh’sha’shu” and not just be an expert fighter and military leader but also a tremendous diplomat. Unlike all other ranks the Marshall is largely unique, with only one Marshall per independent Dionae nation. The current Marshalls are: ‘Amplified by Probing Discoveries of Unknown Investigations’ of the Epsilon Expeditionary Force, ‘Metal Forms Made Ready‘ of the Narrows and ‘The First Lights Across the Void’ of the Biesel Choir.