The First Earadan Interstellar Mission

[Zuko Darkborn]

The crowd is still moving into the stadium. There are three separate groups of entrances so the short shall not be trampled by the tall. The individuals in the crowd disappear, creating only a huge ocean of different colors. Finally, they sit down on the elegantly designed sitting areas. Millions of people can be seated in the tall, extremely wide structure, formed like a simple circle. Yet, there is no lack of decoration anywhere. Nevertheless, it is the middle that is the most important. For there, is the largest hologram in the world.

The structure is hundreds of meters tall, ending in a hologram-generator. It is decorated by the history of the Eogons, from the ancient tribal times at the bottom, to the long ages of divide and stagnancy, finally coming to the new, civilized ago of the Guild at the top. The hologram depicts a strange design of a spaceship, which seems to care more about aesthetics than practicality. The colors might seem random to others in the galaxy, but to the Eogons, each and every shade of them together represented a deep philosophical message. Some controversy had been caused by the message of acceptance of new arts, especially among the Purist's Guild. Thankfully, due to modern technology, the hologram had the capabilities of showing those colors.

The crowed sheered when a platform descended from the ground, being held only by a strong arch linking it to the monument. On there, the Grandest Master of Arts and Politics stood, alongside five Grandmasters. The Grandest Master's fur was purple with streaks of silver. Elegant, and fitting for one of his kind. His horns were large, long and arching backwards, with the color of silver and rings of red. Other than that, he had a moderate height and five eyes of different colors. His robe was spiked at times, and was adorned by thousands of small symbols, which itself was a poem. His speech was long, and impossible to ever translate with all its meaning, so to summarize in English:

"Welcome to all Eogons of Earadar. I am the Grandest Master of Arts and Politics (and about hundred other titles and names which he includes). Today marks a new age for us, when we shall finally reach the stars ourselves. This shall finish the project of my latest predecessor, Grandest Master Starbringer (and about a hundred other titles), and start my own, that of communicating with other races, and colonizing new worlds. We shall finally bring our art to space! First however, the starship Starbringer (the actual name is too long and such, but it was not uncommon to use Starbringer's other names, so that is what it shall be called from now on)."

Now one of the other Grandmasters takes the lead, one which is a scientist. He explains how the starship works, and the meaning of some its design choices. Meanwhile, the hologram seems to focus on those parts. After about some hours, this ends, and the hologram changes to that of a galaxy. The many stars are connected by small lines. The crowd is heavily excited over this. The Grandest Master continues:

"This is the Hyperlanes, which we are taking advantage of to go to that other stars, faster than the beautiful lights of the world. We are not completely sure how they all look, but probably something like this. Aren't they beautiful? With all these stars, and the wonders we have found in just our own system, who knows what kinds of art we shall find, and be able to create?"

He goes on for many more hours, and the day (almost two earth days) is finished before the ceremony ends. Of course, the whole ceremony has been broadcasted worldwide, and has been filmed and archived for later. This is after all one of the greatest days ever for the Eogons, and certainly the greates ever filmed. In a few days, they would know whether the spaceship succeeded in leaving the system (which they certainly thought it would). They expected an even longer wait before it would return.

[Zuko Darkborn]

(Any names used are more descriptions than actual names used, as names and titles are considering one of the greatest arts, complex and important to the Eogons.)

Two Earth-months later...

The island itself was an artistic monument. It was commonly known as "The Sinking Island". As to avoid its surface being flooded with the ocean, a wall had been built around it. Now, the island itself was three meters bellow the surface of the ocean. The walls themselves is what brought fame to the island, being elegantly built, with abstract twisting columns sticking from the top of the lower wall, holding a platform where you can view the beautiful ocean. The lower, functional portion wall however, is a transparent mosaic, allowing visitors to be inspired by a surrounding aquarium with colored art layered on top. Afterwards, many other monuments, statues, buildings, holograms and unique plants had been placed there. In a way, art had attracted more art, and now, the island itself symbolized the culture of Earad.

This day however, the island was filled with millions of Eogons, respectively awaiting the event, while observing all the art found on it. Finally, a song was played all over the wall, as many orchestras and choirs had united to celebrate this day. The wall's platform had become a stage for a hundred thousand musicians. The crowd knew what would happen, and some were certainly disappointing with their position. The Grandest Master would only appear at one place, the one where the sun would rise. The news themselves were known, as the starship had yesterday reported back to Earad. Of course, both he and all pictures would be shown all over the island, even to those inland.

Finally, from the sea itself, an elegant hovercraft appeared. Filmed to be streamed both on the island and elsewhere, the silver-colored vehicle opened, and a platform descended over the sun's rise. There, the Grandest Master of Arts and Politics stood. Speaking into a microphone, his speech reached them all. Firstly, he introduces himself again, and greets the crowd. He followed on with traditional speeches, before reaching the important part.

"I am honored and proud to be the Grandest Master to oversee the recent operations. I am at the end of my reign, and it was just because the great deeds of our scientific artists that the hyperlanes were discovered in time... As you undoubtedly know by now, our first faster than light travel-mission to a neighboring star system succeeded. What a better way to show this than the natural works of art that was pictured?"

Pictures of the star, gas-giants, barren worlds, asteroids and star maps ensued, to the enthusiastic response of the population. After an hour of celebrating them, a new individual stepped forward onto the platform, from the hovercraft. With a completely snow-white fur, a whole nine eyes, all still white, and similarly white short horns, the crowd recognized this individual instantly. The Grandest Artist introduces him by many names, of which "Swarmking" shall be hereby used. He then explains his status, and the reason for his arrival.

"I am the captain of Starbringer, and shall represent the crew, all of whom are talented individuals. Others might know me for my science fiction book series, The Call of the Swarms. I highly hope we won't ever meet any such hive minds in space. Inspired by the mission, I have started a new book series, with a far more positive and glorious version of space, yet it shall happen in the same universe as the others. The Grandmasters have been kind enough to let me speak of my works, for I dare say I deserve it after such a hard month."

The event goes on. Suddenly, the oceans start moving, as if something huge is moving in it. That is the case. A large ship, similar in architecture to the submarine cities below, ascends from the waters. The crowd grows frantic. The Grandest Master speaks:

"We are proud to announce that the Ark shall finally leave our oceans to those above, hopefully settling down in those far away. The interstellar drives have already been applied, so it shall be able to leave in a month... And the destination is the green oceans of Asaener! Be sure to apply for the voyage if you wish to be part of the progression of Eogonkind!"

[Zuko Darkborn]

The early colony ship finally arrived at the Asaener, sinking into the oceans for now. Science ships had just days before arrived, and only had time to check if the oceans were safe. The flora on the mostly arid, rocky islands could always be dangerous. Tests on the submarine life was easier, since that was the Eogons' field of expertise. As the crowds on the ship gasped at the strange green oceans, and the stars far more easier to see than on Earad, a Grandmaster took the lead.

"All Eogons of Asaener, we are the first colonists outside of Hasar... Enjoy the nature around you, for they are an art in themselves. This time, let us be careful in spreading our own, and of course, be careful to survive in this new environment."

Most of the crowds cheered ignorantly, but especially the Nature's Conclave followers. Those who knew what happened, silently fled below. Grandmaster Earthwood, previously one of the nineteen, retired to pursue the arts here, had been influenced by one of the factions. They in turned had now taken control over the colony.

(This thread is now finished, as the first interstellar mission has happened, and the first colony has landed. I hope you didn't have anything against the early colony ship. It already been mostly built before FTL-travel was fully researched, something I see as a potential alternate path than the usual one, especially considering the Eogons was used to creating habitats for living somewhere usually impossible. Tanking it up with fresh air, introducing proper gravity, and giving them hyperdrives was some of the only necessary step to make a colony ship.)

[The Clans]

(That's perfectly fine. You could have started with a few planets if you wanted. Ain't nothin' wrong with the early expense of a colony.)

[Vagrant Hero]

lol, Swarm King. Glorious irony, everlasting proof of the Gods' black humor.

[Zuko Darkborn]

I take that as a support for a future marriage between Swarmking and a Swarm's (hive) queen?

[The Clans]

Too bad Swarmking is dead, Jim.

[Caspoi]

They would have spared him and his crew if they had known about his name!

[Vagrant Hero]

He was the chosen one! He would have ushered in an era of peace and enlightenment! And now, this vision is struck down by the realities of this galaxy. There is no Swarmking. There is no hope. There is no future. Only war.

[The Clans]

He was the chosen one! He would have ushered in an era of peace and enlightenment! And now, this vision is struck down by the realities of this galaxy. There is no Swarmking. There is no hope. There is no future. Only war.

And hella sweet uniforms for whoever is left. You've got your choice of turning the fancy lad artists into client tailors, or the skulls of exotic xenos. Take your pick.

[Zuko Darkborn]

Then we need a new Swarmking!

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