Viechtyren

Viechtyren (VSC: Vixt, [viçt], plural Viñoxt) are a species native to the planet Viechtyr. They are the dominant species on the planet, and have colonised several other planets and moons in the galaxy.

There are 77 different species of Viechtyren. Each has an uncanny resemblance to an animal found on Earth. Despite being called "species", this is not taxonomically correct,as all species of Viechtyren can breed with each other and produce fertile offspring. The appearance is always that of the mother.

History
The history of the Viechtyren can be divided into four epochs: Tribal, National, Global, and Galactic.

Tribal Epoch
The Tribal Epoch began around 10,000 years ago, as different groups of Viechtyren congregated into tribes and confederations of tribes. There was nothing resembling a kingdom or nation; rather, most tribal confederations were more like mutual defence pacts to protect from raiders. As Viechtyr has no large land animals other than Viechtyren, weapon technology was not as advanced as it was in Neolithic Earth.

National Epoch
The National Epoch began around 4,000 years ago, as farming began to spread across Viechtyr, being discovered independently in many places with different crops, the most common of which were corn, wheat, and rice. Those with the most food were able to feed others in exchange for working the land, and a system of serfdom began.

The National Epoch led to the growth of many cities and nations, and kings. It was a period of rapid technological growth, but also rapid environmental change. Around 100 years ago, the environment of Viechtyr began to undergo extreme changes thanks to intensive farming, burning of fossil fuels, and deforestation.

The governments of the world, backed by the large number of Viechtyren who followed the religion of World Spirit Worship who believe in staunch environmental protection, agreed to impose restrictions on pollution. This new era of global cooperation led to the Global Epoch.

Global Epoch
The Global Epoch officially began on March 16th, 2028 (Earth Date) with the signing of the Treaty of Capitolinus, which established the Viechtyren Union. Many powers were assigned to the VU, including the establishment of a duumvirate to "lead the Viechtyren races". There was to be an elected politician and a high priest of World Spirit Worship to lead together.

A new capital was founded at the mouth of the Silys River, named Canavar. This city quickly became the most populous city in all of Viechtyr.

The Global Epoch was a time of unparalleled peace and prosperity in all of Viechtyr.

Aerospace technology on Viechtyr rapidly advanced during the Global Epoch, and Viechtyren nations began to colonise planets, moons, and other bodies in the Viechtyren solar system. This boom in population on and off Viechtyr, as well as the discovery of new lands and new resources, led to the Galactic Epoch.

Galactic Epoch
The official start of the Galactic Epoch begins on November 19th, 2099, as the Viechtyren made first contact with an alien species, the Chogan. After the initial Viechtyren shock, amicable relations were established and a handful of Chogan trading posts were established on Viechtyr and Viechtyren colonies.

The next species encountered by the Viechtyren would be the Arkhir in 2154, and their relations would be much less friendly. The Arkhir launched a surprise attack on the small Viechtyren colony of Štazø, enslaving most of its inhabitants. All the spacefaring nations of Viechtyr pooled their resources together to retake Štazø. This led to the establishment of the United Viechtyr Space Corps.