======= Ottyo =======

^^Ottyo^^
^Physical Type | Biped |
^Species | Reproba Lacerta |
^Genetic Type | * |
^Galaxy | Unstated |
^Homeworld | Senkka |
^Population | 22.9 Trillion (Pre-Silicon War) |
^Milky Way Colony | Chaion (F34) |
^Population | 6.5 million |

The Ottyo are an interesting mishmash of traits that belong to warm and cold blooded species. Though they resemble highly evolved and vividly feathered raptors, the Ottyo are warm blooded. Otherwise, there are many reptilian traits to point out, such as their hearing membranes. Their physical form is often roughly compared to Drathonians, even though they tend to have 'straight' backs, are shorter, less durable, mostly scaleless and by far more colorful. Currently, the Ottyo are incapable of interbreeding with any other species, including the Drathonians.

==== Physical Appearance ====

The Ottyo are considered a colorful people, thanks to the soft proto-feathers that resemble those that Emus have. The proto-feathers cover the head, neck, shoulders, forearms and the back of their hands. Where the feathers end, a small two inch wide border region of scales starts and fades away into skin, which, it has the same color as. Comically, the rest of their body is skin only, often a pinkish tone, and can be compared to that of a bird stripped of feathers. The main colors available are green, red, yellow, blue, and occasionally white. Any other color, including military camouflage patterns, must be genetically spliced in or dyed by a time consuming process. Interestingly, they have decided to adopt a second pair of thumbs, like some other species in the universe, thereby replacing their pinkies. Since each hand has two opposing thumbs, they have an excellent grip. Their overall shape can be compared to Drathonians in general, except more streamlined and agile; they 'stand straight' and only lean forward when running at full sprint. Furthermore, they are not as tough as the Drathonians. On the upside, they are more intelligent, and are comparable to humans in this category. All Ottyo have a feathery crest which varies from person to person; in their society, individual identification relies on both the face and feather crest. When talking, their thin lips often draw back slightly and briefly reveal their sharp teeth; an observant person can note the set of molars in the back, obviously out of place in a creature descended from what had to be carnivores. A member of this species will have a tail approximately 2 to 2.5 meters long, and is semi-prehensile.

=== Civilians ===

The average civilian stands anywhere from 6 feet to 8 feet. Civilian Ottyo often tend to be stronger than the average Terran due to a minor size advantage coupled with high density muscle. This same high muscle density also means that the average civilian is not buoyant in water...

=== Military Personnel ===

All military personnel undergo a process which modifies their outward appearance, though only by a negligible amount. Height is automatically made to be at least 7 feet and 2 inches, with the maximum at 8 feet and four inches. A power source is directly grafted onto the spinal column, and protrudes outwards from the skin; in appearance, it looks like a black spine with small pinprick status lights. The tails of military personnel are modified to be prehensile at the last 10 inches, capable of grasping objects and surprisingly fine manipulations...

======== History ========

Before the Golden Age, the Ottyo people had descended into chaos; their interplanetary territories had self sustaining economies based on constant warfare, with excuses no longer necessary to fight. The galactic economy relied on the art of war and whatever was needed to support such an endeavor. At this point, the economy was ruled by Private Military Contractors, when the constant war reached a climax. Mechanized warriors known to the Ottyo as "Guardians" were created by a smaller Private Contractor, and wiped out the competition both on the field and through legitimate means, effectively ending the War Economy. Soldiers were then known as the "Old Breed" and became "obsolete" at which point a more common and normal economy took over. At this point, every citizen was as sharp as a knife mentally, and ready for combat. However, as time passed, this mindset faded away for the more profitable business man/woman mindset and economic cooperation. War was literally a thing out of books, and only protection forces remained.

Eventually, the Guardians became more and more complex to better integrate into everyday life, keeping the streets safe, and so on. With this, eventually and obviously, came self awareness. The Guardians became their own people who sought to expand, destroying all in their way. Since all technology was 'conventional' at this point, relying on mining metals, using semi-conductors such as silicon and so forth, the Guardians had no trouble spreading, as they merely absorbed entire cities and even planets. At this point, they were merely called "Silicon" by the Ottyo. Those who were prophets of this eventual fate were called lunatics until this very moment; after an untold span of peace most of their people were wiped out due to the inability to wage war. At this point, they picked up the concept of war again with new found vigor and alternate technologies to combat the threat. The Ottyo traded territory for time as their organic bio-technologies, which could not be used by the Silicon, developed.

Eventually, a massive counterattack was finally launched, and the two species entered a deadlock. At this point, fearing a sudden loss, the Ottyo distributed colonies to every nearby galaxy through a classic technique; sleeper ships. They created a factory world; it was a massive living structure that inhabited an entire moon. The energy and resources it consumed were either proportionally, or exponentially, larger than any endeavor known to civilized science combined. This monstrosity continued to churn out specialized colony ships that could literally 'become one' with it's destination world, automatically setting up a working colony well hidden from prying eyes. Despite the fact that these largest of ships were also the fastest, it usually took decades to arrive at another galaxy deemed suitable to live in. Some of the Ottyo people argued that the same resources could have been better used to win the war, but why the High Council and Leader, decided to remain firm on the decision, is unknown. Currently, the latest colony founded in this manner resides within what is known as the "Milky Way" and is the 4th colony of it's kind to have it's arrival confirmed.

Prior to the sudden onset of the Silicon War after the Golden Age, the Ottyo viewed war as both terrible and romantic, as it had only been confined to their books until the recent decade. As their population still controls much of their home galaxy, not everyone was to be affected by the Silicon War, or at least not yet, thereby perpetuating this detrimental mentality. The numbers of people lost are simply just that to those who did not witness the great conflict, numbers, and propaganda to raise war awareness had only recently been implemented. Ottyo display a wide range of emotions, and therefore, crest gestures. However, their minds are somewhat group based, preferring to work in pairs or more, need attention and interaction to stay mentally healthy, and with some deference to authority. Much of their Golden Age culture has been destroyed, with just as much remaining due to their former size. Much of it revolves around nature, even though most of their habitats prior to the war and Organic Revolution were deprived of any plant or animal life, and their civilization could be described by observers as "cyberpunk" in habitat. As they longed for what was lost, it can be surmised that this is the main driving force behind the new technologies the Ottyo use.

======== Culture ========

First, years upon years of civil war destroyed most of their culture. Literally. Not much is known about before that, but thankfully, the 'Golden Age' remedied the lack by creating new things to replace the old and lost. The families are typically nuclear, with the mother and father living with the children in the same residence. The Ottyo are more group orientated than other species, such as the Terrans, and it is important that an individual feels a sense of belonging. This is especially important, as the Ottyo are conditioned or brainwashed from birth to have compulsions to fit in. The conditioning compels individuals to do what is considered the 'right thing' or 'for the greater good' and becomes stronger when certain phrases or words are spoken in their native language. Without other Ottyo, an individual will slowly go insane, as the conditioning will weaken, and the compulsions to do what they believe to be morally correct fades...

=======Government=======

The home galaxy branch is known as "The Principality of Senkka" while the Milky Way Galaxy branch is called "The Principality of Chaion". The government type is best described as a Fascist Oligarchy, with two heads of state, a 'Prince' and 'Princess' respectively. Besides the executive branch, which is able to declare war and issue line-item vetoes, there are are two other branches. First, there is the Legislative Branch; The Realm of Sovereigns, consisting of a Senate, and a House. The Senate consists of three Senators from each planet, while the house has directly elected representatives. Again, three for each world. The final branch, The Justice Branch, is known as the Court of Arbiters. It works by interpreting law, and occasionally decides to give the final say on more controversial cases. The Grand Arbiters are all appointed for thirty-five years, and cannot be reelected. Out of all the branches, the Executive Branch holds the most power; it also holds the most sway over the people's hearts. The Ottyan Principalities are exceedingly efficient governments in concern with it's work, and perhaps dangerously so.

======== Technology ========

Before, and during the so called Golden Age, the Ottyo utilized weapons highly industrial in nature. A majority of small arms were kinetic in nature, launching hordes of metal projectiles of all sorts. Matter creation devices, also known as "Replicators" to some, were very well refined and common, as was energy to power them. Because of this, no one ever needed or wanted for anything. Larger weapons based off of vehicles and star ships were either energy based, kinetic, or sometimes a flexible mix of both.

As the Silicon War came to be, it was quickly learned that the Ottyos' adversary could assimilate pre-war technology due to the high concentration of metal and silicon in the core components. A more organic technological architecture was soon developed to prevent the 'hijacking' of weapons, vehicles and ships. A good example would be the new 'Skeletal Interface Suit' and usually accompanying 'Combat Skin' issued to Galactic and Colonial Marines. The metal armor plating is an organic "Memory Metal" which seeks it's original proportions, and can "consume" other metals to replenish itself. The body suit resembles a combination of muscle and placenta tissue in order to negate it's own weight and act as life support. The suit's larger components, if opened, will reveal stringy flesh hanging between the parts, blood vessels, organelles, a strong "raw meat" smell and eventually even a line leading to a semi-organic reactor along the spine. A good portion of the suit's advanced technology is controlled by specially bred microorganisms and bacteria that are often described as 'stupid but loyal' things. Due to the regenerating nature of this new technology, it is theorized the devices can be buried for centuries when nearly destroyed, and dug up to be found "Good as new" by anyone persistent enough to go through the trouble.

Many of the latest weapons systems are designed to combat non organic adversaries, and are not entirely perfect when dealing with more conventional enemies, such as the Drathonians. For example, the MC-R1 or Matter Creation Rifle 1, by default fires magnesium alloy projectiles designed specifically to beat off hoards of armored machines; trying to keep them back while melting mechanized internal components. The projectiles, though numerous at thirty a second, would have little "stopping power" when used on "soft" targets such as Drathonians, as they would mostly pass through. Even the heavy projectile mode would not kill a Drathonian; it would merely lodge a four millimeter spine around two feet long in the person in question, and stay there, being nearly impossible to remove without surgery. They were, again, designed to fight machines; this mode would make a more advanced enemy unit clumsy by adding on protrusions that would interfere with it's aim and movement, as proper destruction was nearly impossible.

Matter Creation type firearms and heavy weapons work by taking in large amounts of energy and converting it into more tangible things such as metals, and even complex time delayed explosives and plasma charges at a higher energy cost. The same weapon is also capable of emitting laser and plasma beams, or perhaps even a stream of gaseous carbon dioxide to extinguish fires. All substances created by the MC-R come into existence traveling at a high velocity relative to the rifle; the rifle itself is incapable of creating tools or other items of any sort, as said tool will likely embed itself into the wall, and/or get squeezed into an unusable form as it travel's down the barrel. The downside to this system, is the complex formation algorithms that must be entered into the weapon's organic memory; the Ottyo military only issues a few basic creation algorithms and programs, and the creation of new projectiles is time consuming and strenuous on the user's mind. Though Matter Creation class weapons cannot have their projectiles easily modified on field, and are restricted to "presets" made prior to battle, the weapons, such as the MC-R, always have a quick solution somewhere down the road. Thus far, the MC-R series of firearms have been known to be the absolute, most temperamental series ever created; they are occasionally dangerous to the user as they are to the enemy. Usually, only officers or notable individuals are allowed to use the MC-R series, with older assault weapons going to lesser ranks. All standard infantry units carry laser rifles, being easily powered by the portable reactors widely available. This lessens logistics, and allows for insurgency and counter insurgency with less hassle. More elite unis are given kinetic weapons that must be supplied with the appropriate ammunition.

All ships are organic as well, with the spaces between metal filled in with flesh, and corridors often overgrown with different kinds of plants and animals. Unlike most other species that have exposed cockpits or bridges, the Ottyo have their equivalents hidden deep within the most armored, well protected sections, taking advantage of the multitudes of organic sensor organs that are lined throughout the outer hulls of their ships. The insides of their ships and complexes can be compared to a forest bustling with life, though each such organism is carefully engineered with a purpose in mind, such as eating up any leaking coolant, or filtering the air for instance. One of the most interesting aspects of their structures and ships is the collective tendency to try and kill anyone deemed an 'outsider' by the ship or building. Invaders who fall asleep will most likely be strangled by weak vines, and those walking the halls may be attacked by the small critters that roam free, besides having all the light organs turn off on them. Strangely, if Ottyo hosts deem an outsider as one of his or her own, then the ship will as well. Most ship to ship combat revolves around the usage of "Disruption Webs" which, when deployed, appears to be a massive, expanding cloud of insubstantial silver web. The web acts like a 'Portable Nebula' and effectively diffracts energy emissions such as radio, microwave, and even energy weapons to a small degree, rendering long range communications and scanners useless, therefore forcing the use of close quarters combat.

==== Unique Traits/Features ====

Those chosen to become soldiers are modified through a complex series of surgeries and implantation over three to five days. So far, the latest Ottyo soldiers are in the third generation, with the earliest one's facing the most health complications due to the new biological based technologies and techniques being adopted. As time passes on, the time to become a proper soldier gets shorter, and the numerous health complications become less common.

The Ottyo plumage will rapidly acclimate itself to the environment, spreading over and completely covering the body when the weather is either too hot or cold. In hot weather, the coat consists of two layers, with the outermost being made of larger feathers designed to absorb solar radiation. The inner layer insulates the body from ambient heat, preventing it from reaching the skin. In cold weather, the outer layer is not fluffy, but more slick, in order to act as a windshield. The acclamation process takes place over one week or more, with long term exposure to natural, mono-colored environments leading to an appropriate color. An example of this is an Ottyo individual turning desert tan in response to the scenery around him over three months. Sadly, this process does not apply to synthetic environments such as urban areas or ship interiors, and must be genetically spliced in or dyed.

======= Reproduction =======

The Ottyo reproduce sexually. Like lizards and birds, the Ottyo lay eggs...but not in the conventional sense of the word. Their "eggs" have no shells, but instead a clear, transparent membrane from which the embryo is visible. The forming young is not connected in any way to the tough casing, and has the nutritional yolk attached to it's belly as it floats about. A pair of small, lung like organs sit opposite to each other within the casing, and take in oxygen from the outside to oxygenate the liquid environment the developing young inhabits. In the later stages, the baby awakens, though still not ready to hatch. The youngling may roll about the nursery "like a hamster in a ball" for this time, developing muscles and preparing for the outside. Upon hatching, the young baby walks on all fours, and despite the omnivorous digestive system, hunt, albeit under the strict supervision of the parents. They grow quickly, and are about the size of an adult "Great Dane" at the third year, where they begin to stand and assume proper posture as taught by adults. The average time from conception to hatching is six months.