Myenru

A species encountered by the USS Hades at Beta Seranis III.

Physiology and appearance

Myenru are stocky and typically range in height from 4 1/2 to 5 feet though some may get taller. Myenru up to 5 1/2 feet in height are not unknown. Physically they are similar in some ways to Klingons with pronounced brow ridges though their heads and faces tend to be fuller with a full head of hair. Hair runs the gamut of dark colors, from dark browns and reds to black with some tawny blonds thrown into the mix for variety. Facial hair is also highly prized by the males. Myenru also may color their hair wildly for parties and religious festivals. Their bodily organs have some redundancy with a larger liver and five chambered heart. Musculature especially among males runs on the heavy side. Hands and feet have five digits.

Culture

Myenru are a highly militaristic culture due primarily to their religious beliefs and are heavily caste regimented. The warrior and priest castes dominate the culture obviously. Women are treated well unlike what you might think but are not allowed to have positions of authority in the ruling castes. They may be recognized members of any lower caste but are highly prized by their mates no matter what caste those males occupy. Children obviously are born into castes but do have upward mobility, male children may be recognized by one of the ruling classes as having special capabilities and promoted after a period of training and testing. All Myenru males regardless of caste are required to take at least rudimentary martial training after reaching the age of 14. Those showing special promise obviously have upward mobility.

The Imperial throne is handed down through bloodline though it has changed hands a number of times in the last 1,800 years. High Prelate Mor'Lor'Shel'Shabaz obviously believes however he has a divine right to rule, although he can not sit upon the throne by law he seeks to dominate the throne by proxy. The only way to take over the throne directly would be through civil war, the throne and High Prelacy have only been combined once before and that through Mel'Kerah'Mesat'Hoku'Merak'Jela'Shan who is recognized as the author of the Myenru faith.

The Leadership of the Priest caste is chosen by a religious council known as the Arc Elders from among their number and is a lifetime position.

Children are born with given and family names but may acquire other names as awards for exceptional feats such as conquests.

Which leads us to religion

The Myenru people at one time worshiped numerous deities, due to Mel'Kerah'Mesat'Hoku'Merak'Jela'Shan however the whole culture became monotheistic forcefully, any who refused to recant and embrace the one "Angry God" were conquered or killed. The deities name was never settled on but would be quite long due to the Myenru naming practice. :-) The High Prelate is the supreme religious figure chosen by the Arc Elders. Other lesser priests are of course stationed according to need. The religious codices of the priests are carried in phylacteries worn upon their persons at all times when in public, these codices are the blueprints for the indoctrination of the faithful and the destruction of any infidel races they may find. Possession of religious literature or at the very least obedience to the codices is expected of every Myenru, any who wished to leave the faith would be destroyed if found out.

Origins

Myena system in the Beta quadrant. A system of eight planets, the fifth world is the Imperial home world. Binary stars are yellow (Major) and blue-white (Minor). Myena V is type M.

Stellar information

The Myenru Empire spans 30 major and 80 minor star systems in the Beta quadrant, Federation exploration has penetrated near the outskirts of inhabited Myenru space as seen in the mission "In the Hands Of An Angry God"

Technology is roughly approximate to that of the Federation of one and one half centuries is the past, about the time of the "Wrath of Khan" episode.

An important fact I forgot to mention earlier, the Myenru also have the technology to use their version of the genesis device and are not shy in wielding it. Due to the belief in their divine duty they are quite willing to "Cleanse" a planet of its inhabiting "infidels". This is a large part of their effectiveness of expanding the scope of their imperial ambitions.

Credits

Image by Roger Wackowski