Mirak Star League

SPECIES
Mirak Star League
Homeworld:	Mirak
Quadrant:	Alpha
Affiliation:	Mirak Star League
Biology
Average Male Height:	152 cm (5 ft. 0 in.) to 239 cm (7 ft. 10 in.)
Average Male Weight:	54.4 kg (120 lb.) to 294.8 kg (650 lb.)
Average Female Height:	152 cm (5 ft. 0 in.) to 229 cm (7 ft. 6 in.)
Average Female Weight:	54.4 kg (120 lb.) to 181.4 kg (400 lb.)
Minimum Academy Age:	18
Life Expectancy:	100
Distinctive Features:
Playability
PRC Rated:	Yes
NPC Rated:	Yes

WORK IN PROGRESS

Note: There is some confusion surrounding the Mirak Star League (MSL) and the Kzinti Hegemony. The Kzinti originally appeared in Larry Niven’s Known Space universe, and were later imported into the Star Fleet Universe, a variant of Star Trek fiction based on the Star Fleet Battles series of board games. Since publication of the game, Star Fleet Universe and main stream Star Trek have virtually ignored each other. Since Federation Space adheres more closely to that of Star Trek than Star Fleet Universe, the Mirak Star League presented here differ from the Mirak Star League/Kzinti Hegeomy presented in the Star Fleet Universe.

Introduction

The Mirak are known as a proud warrior species that make even the Klingons think twice before engaging in mortal combat with the large felines.

Physical Description

Resembling Terran ‘big’ cats, these bipedal felines are divided into six distinct sub-species. The sub-species of the Mirak are capable of inter-bedding and producing fertile off-spring, however this generally frowned upon in Mirak society and may result in the loss of the honor. Each clan has its own rules regarding reproduction with other sub-species or. In extreme cases, interbreeding may result in expulsion of the clan and exile. When the sub-species do interbreed, the off-spring retain the sub-species type of the mother, but often have features, generally color, of the paternal sub-species.

Tigris Mirak

The tiger-like Mirak are the most well known of the Mirak, resembling a Terran tiger in both coloring and features. Tigris males stand between 7’ and 7'6" tall and weigh about 420-650 pounds. Tigris females stand between 6’2” and 6'8" and weigh in at about 250-400 pounds. Tigris’s large, powerful body is covered with dark brown to black vertical striping on a ground color of light reddish yellow to ochre. The under-parts and inner sides of the limbs are creamy white in color, often with a slight yellow tinge. The head has a domed forehead and relatively long muzzle; the face is framed by a ruff of linger hair; and the nose pad is pink, sometimes with black spots. Their irises are typically yellow or green, and their pupils are round. Their short, rounded ears have black backsides with conspicuous white spots in the middle. Their arms are more powerfully build than their legs and the foot pads are large. The Tigris tail is relatively long and patterned with stripes and rings of black; the tip is usually black.

Leo Mirak

The lion-like Mirak is the least seen secular and religious leaders of Mirak society. Males stand about 6'8 to 7’ and weigh 380 - 550 pounds, while females stand between 6’ and weigh about 250 - 300 pounds. Leo’s are the only obviously sexually dimorphic Mirak, with the male having a noticeable yellowish to dark brown mane of hair on the neck and shoulders. The coat color of both the male and the female is usually a uniform tawny color, but can vary from silvery grey to yellowish red and dark ochraceous brown. The face is broad and the muzzle is relatively long with a mostly black nose pad. The iris is yellow to amber in color, and the pupils are round. Their ears are short and rounded with black over most of their backs. The tail is relatively long, with a dark tuft of fur at the end. There is often a hard, keratinous growth or spur concealed in the hair tuft. The female Leo is noticeably smaller and lighter in weight than the male, as well as being maneless.

Pardus Mirak

The leopard-like Mirak are well known as ship designers and engineers among the Mirak people. Males stand about 5’8 to 6' tall and weigh 200-280 pounds while females stand about 5’7 to 5'10 and weigh about 175-230 pounds. Pardus Mirak exhibit extreme variability in coat color, ranging from grayish or pale yellow to a rich buff or chestnut color. There are black spots on the head, lower limbs and tail, and black spots that form rosettes on the back, flanks, and upper limbs of the sleek, athletic body. The underside of the body is whitish in color. The head is relatively small and convex in profile. The irises are yellow, green or grey, and the pupils are round. The ears are rounded, backed with black and conspicuous white central spots. The legs are rather short and stout. Their long tail is patterned with spots and rosettes, and black tipped.

Jubata Mirak

The cheetah-like Mirak fill the ranks of the much feared Mirak Intelligence Service. Jubata Males stand between 7’6” and 7’10” and weigh a slender 200 – 250 pounds. Females stand 7’ to 7’6 and weigh in at 180 – 230 pounds. Jubata fur has a background color of light golden yellow, covered with small, round, black spots on the cheeks, forehead, crown, neck, and limbs. The tail, spotted above and pale below, has three to six black rings near the end, and a white tip. One of their most distinctive features is the black line, or tear stripe, running from the eye to the corner of the mouth. Their ears are black, but tawny at the base and edges. They have a mane-like black stripe running the length of their back. In some Jubata, this stripe is highly pronounced, and the body spots flow together to produce stripes and blotches.

Lynx Mirak

The lynx-like Mirak are the smallest of the Mirak standing between 5’ and 5’6” with little to no difference between the males and females. In addition, both sexes weigh in at about 120 – 180 pounds. The usual ground color of the fur is a silvery grey or grey brown, but can vary to yellowish-grey and rusty or reddish-brown. Lynx fur is usually white tipped, giving the species a frosted appearance. Their thick, soft pelt can be variably marked with more or less distinct dark spots, and sometimes small stripes. A rare pallid color phase suggesting partial albinism is known as the ‘blue lynx’. There is a distinct ruff of long hairs framing the face; the ears are large and pointed with long, erect tufts of dark hairs, and backsides black towards the tip. Their irises are a yellow brown to a light yellowish-green in color. The footpads are broad and well furred, and the tail is very short and black tipped.

Onca Mirak

The jaguar-like Mirak, like the Jubata, fill the ranks of the Mirak intelligence service. They are also well known for their medical accomplishments. Males stand 6’2” – 6’6” and weigh 250-350 pounds while females stand about 5’8” – 6’2 and average 190 – 220 pounds. JOnca Mirak are relatively larger and heavier set than the pardus, with a broader head and shorter, thicker legs and tail. The short, stiff coat varies from pale gold through yellowish brown to a rusty red ground color. The coat is marked with black spots on the head, neck, limbs, and dark blotches on the white to light buff under parts. The shoulders, back and flanks have spots, forming broken-edged rosettes that enclose one or more dots in a field darker than the ground color. Melanism is common and albinistic individuals are occasionally reported. The head is heavy set, with a broad muzzle, and irises of golden yellow to light greenish yellow. Their ears are relatively small, short and rounded, with black back sides and white central spots. The short, stocky legs have broad footpads, and the tail is relatively short and thick, entirely spotted, and black tipped.

History

Evolutionary

Billions of years ago a mysterious race, known as the Preservers, spread DNA throughout the universe in an attempt to populate habitable planets with life. The Caitians, Mirak, and Kzinti all share DNA similar to the big cats of Earth, lending credence to the theory that a race known as the Preservers (External Link) seeded planets throughout the galaxy with the genetic basis of life billions of years ago.

Pre-Warp

The Mirak were a warlike offshoot of the Kzinti race, and split from their progenitors some time after the schism in which the Caitians turned their back on their fellows for much the same reason; the uncontrolled genetic engineering Kzinti scientists were employing on their own population. Unlike their peace-loving cousins, however, the Mirak sought not to integrate with the Federation, but rather to create their own empire among the stars.

Current Events

2384-2385 (Y9-10): First Klingon/Mirak War - Brutal war in which the Mirak lost three systems. 2387-2389 (Y12-14): Second Klingon/Mirak War - The Mirak regained the three lost systems. 2390-2395 (Y15-20): First General War - The Mirak joined with the Federation and Klingons to fight the Dominion, Romulans and Cardassians. The Mirak and Klingons put differences aside to fight their mutual enemy, and signed a peace treaty.

Life and Culture

Religion

The Mirak religion is based around the Hunt. It is primarly composed of Leo Marik, who are often inducted into the Brotherhood of Huntmasters. Huntmasters are the religious leaders of the Mirak.

Trials of Ko’Rathivor

The Trials of Ko'Rathivor, or the Trials of the Coming of Age, are a milestone event in the life of a Mirak. While the details of the trials are dependant upon the Clan, they follow the a core principle set down by the Supreme Huntmaster. During the Trials, the individual skills and knowledge of the Hunter are tested. The Trial determines the Hunter’s place and rank within their clan, as well as what path they will take in life. Superior performance during the Trials can earn a young hunter a position of leadership and the great honor of being able to choose their own path.

Government

The Great Assembly is the ruling body of the Mirak. It is composed of representatives from each clan, lead by the Prime Patriarch, the strongest member of each clan’s representatives. This is a contested position than can be won through ritual combat.

Though the Prime Patriarch is the recognized head of state, the Supreme Huntmaster has considerable power and at times can exert control over the Great Assembly.

Military

The Mirak military is called the Royal Navy in Federation Standard. The Mirak were among the earliest space powers to use fighter craft. Today, the skill of Mirak fighter pilots is legendary.

Language

Mirak speak their own dialect of the Kzinti language of Heroes’ Tongue. The language enjoys a great variety of modes, and includes detailed body language. When spoken, it sounds like a high-pitched cacophonic orchestra of growls and purrs to Humans. When written, it resembles a variety of punctuation marks, like this, for example: .‘.;,.;,.‘,.‘,.;,., .‘,.’,.‘,.’,’.

The Homeworld

The Mirak refer to their homeworld as Oranth. Oranth III is the third planet orbiting its host star. The planet is a Class M world somewhat comparable to Earth. Despite similar overall mass, the surface features of Oranth III favor greater landmass over oceanic volume. Mirak subspecies seem to have originated from a variety of environments somewhat comparable to their feline counterparts native to Earth.

The Sector

Star Fleet Cartography’s star chart number fs-sc-2 15 29 980 84 21506.05 depicts the relative position in space of Mirak (Oranth), within the Patriarchy Sector.