Meet the Kaek: The Avian Species of My Universe

Pronounced: "Kek," this species plays a dominant role in my first novel. The image here expresses one of my main characters, Porias, who is an elder Kaek gifted with the ability of visions from who he believes to be the "Source" of all things. The humans would probably call it God.

Introduction:

Who are the Kaek & Where Do They Come From?

This avian species originates from our own galaxy here in the Milky Way; one of the three governed galaxies of the IG. Their star system is comprised of an impressive stretch of eleven habitable planets directly in an extended 'Goldilocks' zone from their star which is nearly four times the size and mass of Earth's sun. This star system is called Enowm, hidden approximately 11,000 light-years (ly) from Earth inside of the Cassiopeia Constellation.

Each faction that is adjoined into the intergalactic governance is done so not out of charity, but with a mutual benefit. The originating species - which will be revealed on a later blog - is a Type 3 civilization, which if you are not familiar with, check this link out here if you're interested: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSnfMH8OX1g

More on that, my universe focuses on a slightly more realistic approach to 'type' civilizations and their actual capabilities (again, we'll get to that another time.)

The originating species of (let's just call the governance... (IG) to help with repetitiveness) never selects a new faction for the potential to join unless they have something that that faction can offer in return of what the IG offers, which is their level of technology. Thus, any species that is adjoined into the IG immediately becomes a type 3 civilization. Now, despite that being an incredible offering from the IG, that doesn't mean they require a large return value, just something that could strengthen the longevity of the governance itself and help increase prosperity. If the IG does not see potential in a civilization, even if that species resides within the IG territory - i.e., the three governed galaxies - then the IG simply leaves them alone and does not interfere with that species natural evolutionary timeline.

Most species that are adjoined into the IG are completely unaware that the IG even exists, thus it is a big decision - usually made by either the top governing force of that species - to accept the offer to join.

The Kaek - for reasons unspoken at least for the sake of this blog - caught the eye of the IG and were offered a place in the governance in return for the avian species' valuable source of wisdom that they carry from a millenia of insight from family dynasties like Porias', which is the Adracott Dynasty. Not every Kaek have insightful visions of prophetic events, but the ones that do are able to set the physical realm on course depending on what the Source deems them to know.

In addition to their wisdom, the Kaek also bring a very unique tactic of wargaming to the militaristic aspect of the Nexus to include methods of fighting in martial arts that has dated back to their origin.

Why & How Did They Join the Intergalactic Governance?

What are the Kaek Like?

First off, never call them a bird. They find it offensive.

The Kaek species is diverse, with hundreds of varying species of them spread throughout the eleven inhabited planets of Enowm. Some, like Porias Adracott featured in picture above, resemble what humans would consider to be an "owl." Over the years, however, his beak has worn and his feathers and hair, faded.

Not all Kaek can fly. Many of them are trained in an ancient martial art-form at a young age, joining their military later in life, and those with flight capabilities stand a significant advantage over opponents. These beings do not quarrel with one another, however, as their ancient Scripts forbid it.

Interestingly enough, their wings are separate appendages from their bendable arms, most with either three-to-four talons at the ends, lightly beaded with hair. Speaking of, they have a very broad range of color. Porias' for example has typically always been a cream-brown, but has faded through the years and was much darker in his early years.

Depending on the race, some Kaek can live well past 100 years old. Porias, approaching 80, still has plenty of time left, though their bodies do get weaker, yet their wisdom levels improve.

These beings walk up-right on two legs with similar talons as their hands. They fluff their feathers when they're cold or wet, some of them able to withstand water exposure much longer and others the cold. Most sleep on straw-beds dreading when the winter - or what they call the Frill - comes to ice-away the comfortable heat.

Portrait of Porias Adracott (Early Years)