Overview

The Aquil or Aquilians are an aquatic humanoid species who live on the planet Aquil, near Hupyria. Having only joined the Federation about 25 years ago, very little is known about the planet and even less about the Aquil society. As the Aquil seem to be natural telepaths within their own race, very little written or record history is known about their race. Most of their history has been passed down from the older to the young; naturally, with time the stories have become somewhat "larger than life". Their early history is shrouded in mystery but their own legends tell of a time when they were capable of great mental feats.

The Planet Aquil

Statistics
Class: M, bordering on O.
System Data: Aquil has two very small moons, Uäno and Uvor
Gravity: 1.1 G
Atmosphere: Oxygen-rich atmosphere, higher than average pressure and typically humid, with a powerful greenhouse effect. Oxygen levels aren't high enough to require protective gear, but are sufficient to noticeably affect human emotions and fatigue levels.
Hydrosphere: 95% surface water, very diffuse. One oceanic band, with the rest being spread among Aquil's many wetlands, rivers, lakes, and small inland seas.
Climate: Warm to hot, extremely humid. Minimal variation in climate zones, minor but noticeable seasonal variation.
Intelligent Life: Aquilians (6.3 billion), with numerous others representing less than 5% of the total.
Tech Level: Tech level five overall, but with many pockets of more primitive levels.
Government: Several nations, mostly heavily-bureaucratic republics with a few oligarchies.
Culture: Spiritual, agrarian culture with considerable value placed on intelligence and science.
Affiliation: United Federation of Planets member
Resources: Rich botanical resources of every kind.
Places of Note: Marble Rock Island, Sapphire Island (Federation Consulate), Trosa Falls, Piqohsh Falls
Ship Facilities: Starbase 50, in orbit over Aquil

History

Aquilian myth tells of a time when Aquil was "seeded" with life by an ancient race, and the early Aquilians believed they were placed there by the gods to serve as their emissaries. Early Aquilian civilizations took their role as divine emissaries seriously. They quickly established a system of communications between their communities, which encouraged trade and prevented war. In time, the Aquilians boasted a sophisticated network of interdependent communities, creating large states without developing the imperialistic mindset common to most other cultures.

However, the planet's peace did not come without a price. Aquil was ripe for the picking by their neighbors to the west, the Breen. Despite their broadmindedness, the Aquilians proved unruly subjects, launching several rebellions against the Breen's rule. Eventually, the Breen abandoned Aquil (historians still debate why) and left the planet to the native race.

The Federation first visited the Aquil System in 2341 and unlike the Breen, the Federation was welcomed to their homeworld. The Starfleet contact team was impressed by their pacifistic and cosmopolitan culture, however, the recommendation for Federation membership didn't come until 2391. Admitted in 2393 over the objections of a few within the Federation, Aquil has been a low-key member of the Federation ever since.

Environment

Aquil is a warm, lush world dotted with small islands and two main land masses. 700 million square miles of wetlands, swamps, jungles, and smoking volcanoes cover the planet's continents, providing guests a diverse species of plants and animals. Civilized Aquil is a modern network of plastic cities, polyrail trans-tubes, and glassteel structures, general filled with water and open; although there are sections that are left dry, for off worlders.

Due to the thick, cloudy atmosphere, Aquil is often described as soggy-looking by offworlders and a powerful greenhouse effect warms every part of the planet's surface, blurring the climactic zones into very broad and indistinct bands. Aquil ranges from steam-burn tropical at the equator to a warm-temperate at the poles. The coldest spot on the coldest day on Aquil is barely "cool" to a human, and the humid, oxygen-rich air can render newcomers drunk, giddy, and exhausted all at once. Along with the beauty of the greenery and smoking mountains, this creates a profoundly romantic impression on many visitors.

The surface of Aquil is roughly 95% water, but a casual glance from space wouldn't make it apparent. The planet is blanketed by two enormous continents, which are separated by a thin strip of briny ocean. These large continents, however, are green masses of foliage that rest on a blend of marshy soil and open swamp, riddled with rivers, lakes, and tiny seas. Aquil is a literal "hotbed" of life; every part of the planet is in a constant cycle of birth, growth, and fragrant decay. The rich, the rotting vegetation perpetually feeds Aquil's spongy soil and provides the planet with an unmistakably fecund perfume.